Page 100 of Disguised as Love

I was already bounding down the stairs before Ito-san even registered it. I reached Rasia’s side just as she looked out at the audience with wide eyes.

“Class is over,” I said, and like always, she bristled at my command.

“You do not get to dismiss my class,” she said, but her breath was short, and her hand was still resting atop the small mound that was our baby. The little being we’d created was finally going to join us after what felt like an eternity of waiting.

“You’re in labor, little one. I think class is over.”

“Obviously, but that isn’t the point.”

“Raechka,” I growled.

Ito-san joined us on the stage, eyed Raisa with the same concerned expression I had, and then turned to the students watching us squabble.

Raisa turned her eyes in the same direction and grimaced.

“Read the notes I’ve placed online, answer the questions at the back of chapter seven, and I’ll see you back here on Wednesday,” she told the class.

Everyone started to shuffle their books and computers and notes into their bags all while trying not to stare at the little display we were putting on for them.

“You won’t be here on Wednesday,” I told her.

“You’re impossible. There’s no reason I won’t be.”

“That’s five days from now, little one. You’re not coming back to class that soon.”

“We’ll see…” Her words disappeared into a moan.

“How long have you been having contractions?” Ito-san asked.

“I don’t know. Most of the morning.”

“Jesus!” I said. “What would have happened if I hadn’t been here? Would you have delivered the baby on this stage just to give your students a good learning experience?”

She gritted her teeth and breathed through the contraction before she slammed a pointed finger into my chest. “I know my body, Cruz. I know when it’s time to go to the hospital.”

“You do? And when is that?”

“Now!” she huffed and started toward the stairs.

I swept her into my arms and jogged up the steps.

“I can walk,” she said.

“You don’t have to. I’m here,” I said.

Ito-san ran ahead. “I’ll get the car!”

Raisa huffed again, “You’re so annoy?”

I kissed her. It was the best way to get her to stop arguing and just give in. It was unfair of me to use that tactic as much as I did, but it was also unfair of her to torment me all the damn time. And yet, I wouldn’t change anything about it. Our squabbles, the fire that it led to, the way we consumed each other…there was not one ounce of our life I’d change.

I’d been worried I’d miss the intensity of my job with the Bureau when I’d first walked away. But between the consulting jobs they tossed me now and again and just trying to keep my arms around Raisa, her ideas, and her charities, I didn’t have time to miss anything from that life. Plus, I was making music with Mom, and it filled my soul in a whole new way. It sometimes felt like Special Agent Cruz Malone was a different human being altogether. One I never wanted to be again because it meant a world without this fiery woman in my arms.

We barely got to the hospital before Raisa was trying to push. The nurses wheeled her into a room, the doctor barely arrived, and then our baby girl was emerging into the world. She screamed at the top of her lungs, demanding to be heard and seen just like her mother. Fire and ice. My heart twisted as they put her in my arms. Goosebumps littered my skin, and panic reared. How would I love her and keep her safe?

But then I looked over to Raisa, who was beaming a glorious smile even though she’d just had a human being ripped from inside her, and I knew the truth. I didn’t need to do it alone. I had Raisa. I had her family and mine. I had Ito-san and the team we’d assembled.

Kira would be the safest little girl in the world.

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