Page 24 of Good Girl and Grinches

Back at the house, I sink into the plush couch as my stepbrothers hover around me.

“Can I get you a drink? Something warm?” Ruckus asks.

Flame drapes a cozy blanket over my legs. “You must be starving. I could whip something up.”

Ghost stands in front of me. “Whatever you need. We’re sorry we put you in danger.”

“I’m fine, really.” I tug the blanket higher. “Please stop blaming yourselves. None of this was your fault.”

Ghost’s jaw clenches. “Our investigation—”

“Is important work.” I smile up at him but my career choice feels silly now. “You’re making the world safer. It must be rewarding to know you make a difference.”

Flame settles beside me. “Hey, while we chase bad guys, you’re learning how to plan events that bring joy to people’s lives.”

“He’s right.” Ruckus sits on my other side. “Celebrating life’s precious moments matters.”

I twist my fingers in the blanket. “Speaking of celebrations…” My heart pounds. “I hope you’ll consider this news worth celebrating.” I reach out for Ghost’s hands. “Especially you.”

“I’m ready to celebrate saving you.” Ghost squeezes my fingers.

“And figuring out our relationship,” Flame adds. “That’s definitely worth—”

“I’m pregnant.”

The words tumble out. I search Ghost’s expression, it’s blank.

“I took a test at the store.”

Ghost drops to his knees in front of me, his blue eyes wide, and says the thing we’re all thinking. “If you know you’re pregnant… it’s mine.”

Sixteen

Sabrina

Ghost pulls me into an embrace, his strong arms wrapping around me so tightly, I have to wiggle for him to ease up. Flame and Ruckus quickly follow, enveloping me in a cocoon of warmth and safety.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am,” Ghost says, his breath ruffling my hair. “Whatever you need, I’m here.”

Flame’s hand finds mine, squeezing gently. “We’re here.”

Ruckus nods, his cheek pressed against my temple. “We’ll figure it out. But we might need to keep things quiet for a few weeks.”

I pull back slightly, looking at each of them. “Take the time you need.”

Ghost’s thumb brushes my cheek. “Once we secure our promotion, and the old guard retires, there will be less scrutiny. It’s basically a given at this point.”

“Another reason to celebrate,” I say.

Ghost chuckles. “Still can’t believe I knocked you up the first time I had sex.”

It all makes sense. His nerves. His need to make sure I was ready to come. And the really quick release. Wow.

Flame punches his arm. “Guess that explains why you blew your load so quickly.”

Bold of him to point that out. Ruckus shifts nervously while we laugh at Ghost’s reveal.

Flame’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “Which is the perfect segue to my confession.” He pauses. “I’m still a virgin. And I’d like to change that with my Babygirl.”

---