Page 33 of Hidden By His Side

The texts disappeared when he rapped on Summer’s door.

She opened it immediately, as if she’d been hovering there waiting. “He’s not dead?” she asked.

“No.” Not yet anyway, he added to himself. He closed the door behind him, locking up. The idea that she cared about the prick seeped inside Ramiro’s chest, tightening in a painful squeeze.

“Of course. You promised.” Her eyes shut as her tension seemed to snap, draining away and leaving her swaying on her feet instead.

Ramiro lifted her into his arms, carrying her toward the bedroom. She leaned her face against his chest, her hand wrapping around his neck to play with the ends of his hair. It felt so good to have her touching him.

“Would it really be so bad if I got rid of him?” Ramiro asked. He wanted to ask if she gave a shit about the prick but was scared of the answer. She’d dated Derek for six months. She must have liked him.

Jealousy dug into his heart. He really was a hypocrite.

He set her on top of the bed, hating when her hand pulled away and she scooted back. She frowned as he helped her pull down the comforter and sheets.

“I was thinking about the baby.”

The reminder that she was pregnant made his hands shake as he pulled the sheets over her. “The baby is better off without that asshole.”

She rested her head on the pillow and turned on her side, facing him. Her hand moved under the covers, and he imagined it resting over her stomach. “If I have the baby, they might be curious about their father.”

“If?” Warmth spread like hope. Ramiro brushed the hair off her face, his hand wanting to shake. “Earlier, it seemed like you wanted to keep it.”

“I—” She bit her lip and closed her eyes, her face beginning to crumple.

Ramiro crouched down, pressing his forehead against hers. “Shhh, don’t think about it right now. You’re exhausted andhurt, even though you’re trying not to be. Sleep. It’ll all be better in the morning.”

She nodded against him. He pulled away, studying her precious face, then rose to strip. Her eyes opened to watch him, but she didn’t protest. He left his dress pants on when he climbed into bed, his arm wrapping around her and pulling her back against his chest.

She pulled his hand tighter around her body. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Guilt mixed with pleasure. Summer would wake up hopeful again. He did this to her every time. He knew she wanted to be with him.

The idea that he could have her toyed with his mind, whispering like the devil in his ear.

His head nuzzled into her neck as he breathed in her lavender scent. They had this moment, added to so many others over the years. It had to be enough.

As he listened to her breathing deepen, he knew it wasn’t enough for either of them. She deserved better than the prick who had knocked her up, but she deserved better than him as well.

His hand covered her stomach. He was even more selfish for hoping she wouldn’t keep the baby. If she didn’t, he’d be able to hold on to her for a little longer, assuming he didn’t get her killed first.

Chapter 11

Summer expected to wake up in Ramiro’s arms happier than she’d been in a while. He’d stayed the night. He held her like she was the most precious thing in the world, easily broken.

Which made it easier to slip away and fumble toward the bathroom. Her stomach swirled, along with the room around her. Dizziness mixed with the heated warmth of her spit and the swirling became worse as she reached the toilet.

She hadn’t eaten much the night before, so the nausea she couldn’t fight back mostly brought up spit. She really hated throwing up. The dizziness wasn’t going away; it was only getting worse. She felt hot and cold at the same time.

Gentle hands took over her weak grasp on her hair, pulling it more fully back from her face as her stomach lurched again.

“It’s okay, baby girl. I’ve got you.”

More spit dribbled from her mouth as heated tears slid down her cheeks. She didn’t feel good. She didn’t feel good at all.

Ramiro reached over, flushing the toilet to get rid of the spit and small bit of vomit. Summer watched it swirl, her mind spinning with it.

“Hold on,” he murmured, releasing her. Whatever he had done to her hair kept it mostly behind her neck, even though he’d let go.

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