Page 35 of Hold On Through The Pain

“Are you okay with the temperature? It’s a little chilly out here.”

She nodded. “I’m fine.”

He didn’t think her dress and light jacket would be enough with the wind that had blown in, but she said she’d be fine.

He took her to a park not too far away. She stepped out and led him to a walking path where they strolled hand in hand. She glanced up, her brows bunched tight. She looked like she wanted to say something but stayed silent for about four hundred yards before she began speaking.

“My dad kicked me out.”

Panic flashed through him. “What?”

“Yes. He also hit me.”

Striker stopped walking and turned to stare at her, studying her face. Her pale complexion wasn’tnatural like he’d assumed. She was wearing makeup, and she’d done an excellent job making it look natural.

He met her gaze and frowned. “I want to kill him.”

“Well, he was in jail. I’m not sure where he is now, but he doesn’t know where I am.”

“Jail. What else did he do?”

“He…He—” A shudder ripped through her. “He tried to shoot me.”

Her words circled around his brain. “He what?”

She winced. “He had his gun and decided to fire it at me. A neighbor called the cops.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. My dad had demanded I marry some guy I’d never met.”

Anger built, and Striker had to force himself to remain calm. He clenched his fists at his sides. “What else?”

“I know we didn’t plan this but—”

His anger had grown, making his need to protect her almost unmanageable. “You’re moving back with me. I won’t leave you here.”

She held up her hand. “There’s more.”

He nodded, not trusting himself to say anything else. He wanted to kill her father, but he knew that would make it premeditated. He couldn’t do anything other than take Shannonaway and keep her from her father.

She bit her lip and shrank back. Striker swore she lost a few inches’ height. “He found out I’m pregnant.”

The words echoed in his brain, and panic was quickly followed by elation. “You’re kidding me?”

She shook her head and smiled sheepishly at him. “I’m pregnant.”

“Oh my God, are you serious?”

Her little nod was enough confirmation. He pulled her into a tight hug and held her close, kissing her face and then her lips. They were going to have a baby. She melted against him, and he held on, happy he'd finally found his rock, his everything. This woman was his, and he’d make damn sure he was the best man she could ever find.

After a moment he pulled back, staring into her bright eyes. “We’re really going to have a baby?”

“Yeah, we are.”

“God, I’m the luckiest man in the world. Thank you.”

She chuckled, and after a long kiss, she pulled out of his arms. “Wait, I don’t even know your real name. All I know is Striker.”

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