Page 100 of Fatal Attraction

“I’m sorry we hid this from you, but in our defense, we did it to protect you, Charlotte. Those biker guys are some nasty fuckers, and God only knows what they’d have done to you if you’d have shown up in any of their turfs unaccompanied.”

“And then there’s Phoenix’s history with Crow we had to consider,” Spike added. “We couldn’t take the risk of him possibly trying to use you against us. That, and because Crow had put us in a real fucked up spot when he threw Blaire in our faces. If I’m being honest though, I think that was his plan from the start. Deep down, I feel like Crow knew he couldn’t get the information Gibbs and Hammett needed without Phoenix.”

“He saved my life tonight, Charlotte. Crow shoved me out of the way and took three bullets to the chest. He died in my arms.”

I was flummoxed, fucking enraged by all of this shit. But all things considered, I did have to admit that they both made some sensible points about why they didn’t want me involved. Phoenix shared a look with Spike then, and although it was clearly written in their worried gazes that there was more to be revealed, I didn’t think I could stomach hearing the rest of it, not with the ultrasound photos still hidden away under my hospital pillow.

“We can talk about it more later,” I whispered, desperately trying to blink away all these goddamn tears. “There’s uh… There’s something I need to tell you.”

I removed my hand from Phoenix’s and slightly turned, wincing a little as I slipped it under the pillow to feel around for the photos. Once I had them, I drew in one painfully powerful breath and expelled it. Their breaths instantly caught, and my hand frantically shook as I did my best laying each one down on the bed.

“I’m pregnant. According to these ultrasound photos, I’m having twins. Fraternal twins.”

Every bit of color drained from Phoenix’s face, but it was Spike who moved and delicately grabbed each photo, his pupils the size of saucers.

“But I…” He fumbled on the words. “I thought you were on birth control?”

“I was on the shot, but between the bullshit with Karl and all of our cases, I forgot my doctor’s appointment. I’m so sorry, guys. This is all my fault.”

“And you’re sure the babies are ours?”

I scoffed, so outraged that my first curled into a tight, trembling ball.How fucking dare he ask such a stupid question?

“I don’t know who fathered which baby,” I said a bit hot-headedly. “But out of the two of you, it’s possible one baby is yours and the other is Phoenix’s.”

“Or the babies could share the same father,” Spike muttered as he turned to Phoenix, who remained mute, unmoving, and was completely bewildered, the sight of it cracking my heart in half. “Only way to know for sure is to submit DNA tests.”

“Phoenix?” I extended my hand to him, hoping he’d take it. “Are you okay?”

Still, he refused to speak. He didn’t do a goddamn thing other than remain seated in the chair whiter than a ghost, with his throat bobbing and his attention fully padlocked on the photos.

And then it hit me—so hard and heart-droppingly fast that no matter how much it hurt to move, I forced myself out of bed. My fingertipswrapped tightly around his perfect jaw, and it wasn’t until I tilted his head up when his haunted eyes finally flicked up and met mine.

“I amnotKendall,” I fiercely promised, and that sacred muscle behind my ribs broke all over again as his jaw began trembling against my touch.

“I know you’re not,” he finally spoke. “You-you’re pregnant with twins, Charlotte.Twins. Tell me… Is this even what you want?”

He jerked out of my grip before I could dare respond and launched to his feet, ignoring Spike as he copied his movement, demanding to know what the fuck his problem was.

“You know what… Nevermind. I don’t want to know.” He trapped his face in his hands and blew out a breath, shaking his head. “I can’t do this right now. I need some air. Besides, it’s not like the decision is up to me anyway.”

He fled the room then, leaving me standing there with my hand over my mouth, straining to silence my devastating cries.

Spike kneeled at my feet as I sat on the edge of the bed, putting the photos down so he could tear my hand away from my mouth. He brought it to his lips, tenderly apologizing before he began popping sweet, tender kisses along each knuckle.

“I’ll handle it, baby. Just stay here and try to calm down. I promise I’ll be back soon.”

I didn’t respond. My heart hurt so much that all I could do was wordlessly watch as Spike gathered up each ultrasound photo and tucked them securely in his back pocket before he walked out the door.

Forty Three

Spike

Imade it out the elevator and picked up the pace as I started toward the exit, fighting like hell to keep my inner monster chained on its leash and to not attract any unneeded attention. I wanted to strangle Phoenix. I mean, seriously—what the fuck was he thinking? I understood he was in shock and freshly mourning Crow’s death, but he had no goddamn right walking away from Charlotte like that, especially not after she just told us she was pregnant with possibly one, if not both of our babies.

Pregnant. Charlotte was…pregnant. I never expected this to happen so soon—or at all, really—and although I was terrified on the inside, one thing I wasnotgoing to do was run away from this.

And neither was Phoenix.

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