Page 33 of Lethal Sins

“Good to hear,” he teased, but the silence that followed made his stomach clench. “Seriously, babe. Is everything okay? How was it at the doctor’s?”

The silence stretched, each second feeling like an eternity. He plucked at the bedspread, his mind racing through worst-case scenarios. “Babe, you’re killing me,” he pleaded. “Tell me. What’s up?”

“It’s nothing,” Jane insisted, though her voice sounded ... off. Dazed, maybe? “We can talk when you get back. You’ll just be another day or two, right?”

He squeezed the phone until he heard the case crack. “Copy that. We’ll be home Wednesday. Thursday at the latest. But Jane, I can’t wait. Tell me how it went today.”

She cleared her throat, and his pulse shot higher. “Really, Bridger, we can talk when you get back. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”

“You are a terrible liar, woman. Always have been.”

She made an exasperated sound. “I wanted to tell you in person. See your face ...”

His jaw tightened. So it was bad. Okay. He could handle this. “Tell me.”

“We’re having twins.”

The world stopped. Restarted. “Are you—” He choked on the words. “We ... We’re what?”

“Twins.” Her laugh, shaky but joyful, washed over him. “We’re having two babies, Mr. North.”

Bridger felt laughter bubbling up in his chest, mingling with tears of joy. He sent up a silent prayer of thanks, asking for protection for Jane and their two—two!—unborn babies.

“Is that why you’ve been so sick?”

“The doctor thinks so. Women often have higher hormone levels with twins. That’s why she wanted to do an early ultrasound. We’re only at eight weeks,” Jane reminded him. “Still way too early to tell anyone.”

“Yes, ma’am. My lips are sealed.”

They talked more, marveling at the idea of needing two of everything. Two names. Two cribs. Two car seats. And only two adults to manage three small lives.

Bridger stared at the ceiling. Finding out Jane was pregnant two weeks ago had sent him over the moon. This news? It had catapulted him straight through the universe. Now, more than ever, he needed this mission to succeed. He had a family to protect—a bigger one than he’d ever dreamed possible.

His euphoria dimmed slightly as Jane’s voice took on a more somber tone. “Any news about Jason?”

He hesitated. Normally, he’d give her the unvarnished truth—Jane was tough, she could handle it. But now, with the news of twins still ringing in his ears, his protective instincts surged. She didn’t need the stress of every little up and down.

“We’re making progress,” he said carefully. “The mission’s ... interesting. Fenn and Kate are going undercover as plumbers, if you can believe it. Paige and I have our own roles too.”

He could almost hear Jane’s eyebrows raising. “Plumbers?”

“Don’t ask,” Bridger chuckled. “The important thing is, we’re safe. We’re well. And I’ll be home in two days, with a solid lead on Jason. I promise.”

They said their goodbyes, and he turned onto his side, his mind reeling. Two weeks ago, he’d learned he and Jane were going to be adding to their family. Father of a newborn. A helpless infant. Now? Two more additions to the family.

He closed his eyes, offering up another prayer. For Jane, carrying their precious cargo. For the twins, so tiny and vulnerable. For Kellen, their adopted son, soon to be a big brother. For Jason, the uncle these children might never know. And for Paige, carrying her own burdens into tomorrow’s dangerous mission.

He had more reason than ever to see this mission through, to make the world a little safer for his growing family.

With a deep breath, Bridger pushed himself up. Time to get back to the game, to his team. They had a world to save, after all. And now, he had twice the reason to make sure they succeeded.

20

The next morning,Paige leaned against the marble counter, watching Mason work his magic with the espresso machine. The rich aroma of freshly ground beans filled the kitchen, but it did little to settle her nerves.

Her mind raced with thoughts of Cody, the layers of secrets surrounding them, and the upcoming mission.

Mason slid a perfectly crafted cappuccino across the counter. “Drink up,” he said with a gentle smile. “Liquid courage.”

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