Page 247 of Broken Bonds
He lifts an eyebrow.
It hits me. “Oh. Because she wasn’t here the first time.”
I call Mom three days later, after returning from Dr. Williams’ office, where she confirms yes, I’m pregnant. I’m nervous despite understanding I have no reason to be. That’s why it surprises me when it’s not Mom who answers her phone, but a man.
“Hello? Who’s this? Where’s my mom?”
“Just a moment, Mal.” I feel like I should know his voice, especially since he apparently knows me. I hear him walk with the phone, then in the background, “Love, it’s Mal.”
Love?
“Thanks, Morn,” I hear her say. That’s when I realize it’s Morning Caldwell she’s with. She comes to the phone. “Mal? Everything okay, sweetie?”
I’m… stunned into silence.
“Mal?”
“M-Mom? Did I, uh, interrupt something?”
She dodges the question. “Did you need something, sweetheart?”
“Yeah, I need an answer to my question.”
She softly grumbles. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want answered, Malcom Ryan Shilling.”
Oops. She used three names—my married name, I’m happy to hear—meaning she isn’t fooling around. “Fair point. Well, I’m calling to tell you first. Please don’t tell anyone. I mean, ask him not to tell anyone?—”
“Just say it, Mal.”
“I’m pregnant,” I say, then have to look at my phone because she doesn’t reply. “Mom?”
Then she sniffles. “You’re…you’re pregnant?”
“Yeah. Todd’s going to call Iris next, but we wanted you to hear it first this time.”
More sniffles. “When did it happen?”
“My first natural mating heat hit three days ago.” I meet Todd’s gaze. “We decided to let nature take its course. It took, all right.”
His darkly evil, sexy smile tells yep, there will be a lot of babies in my future.
Yay!
I have to adjust my cock again.
Meanwhile, Mom starts crying. “That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you!” She turns from the phone. “Another grandbaby!” she says, obviously to Morning.
“Tell them congratulations from me,” he says in the background.
“I heard him,” I say. “I’m sure you’ll hear Iris get the call in about ten minutes. Just follow the happy screaming.”
“Oh, I’m not at the compound.”
“Um, oh.”
“Morning said I needed a full reset and is treating us to a vacation. We’re down at a beach resort south of Sarasota. We’ll be back next Sunday evening.”
Todd scowls, watching me. “Well, have fun,” I say, even as something pecks at my curiosity.
