Page 166 of Chasing Sparks

“This is why I didn’t want to tell you,” she whispers, her voice cracking. “I knew you’d be angry.”

“Damn straight,” I snap, my tone sharper than a knife. “This is the most important news of my life, and I find out after your employee? Like some second-class citizen?”

Ori drags the back of her hand under her nose, still avoiding my gaze. “Welcome to my world, Ash,” she mutters bitterly.

Her words hit me like a gut punch, but I can’t allow them to derail me.

“How could you keep this from me?” I demand, slamming my fist into the steering wheel once more.

That does it.

Ori bursts into tears, her sobs raw and jagged. “Because I didn’t know how to tell you!”

“How about this?” I shoot back, my voice rising. “You’re going to be a dad, Ash. Now get busy doting on me for the next nine months.”

“I don’t need you to dote on me,” she grumbles.

“Yeah, that’s really apparent by our destination right now.”

She whips her head around to look at me, her tear-streaked face twisted in defiance. “I didn’t want to ruin your birthday with a hospital visit. That’s why I left.”

“No more of this shit, Ori. No more secrets.” My tone is firm, final.

She lets out a shaky exhale, her gaze darting back to the window. “Just drop me off, okay? Go back to your party and forget all about this.”

“No way in hell.” I grab her hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’m hearing from the doctor’s mouth that you and my baby are safe. Don’t argue with me on this, either. You won’t win.”

“Never do,” she whispers, an air of defeat coloring her words.

I glance at her again, her fingers trembling in mine. “Despite what you think, you being pregnant didn’t ruin my birthday.”

“Yeah, right. Just what you need. Another baby and another baby mama. Banner year for you, alright.”

“Itisa banner year for me. True, the baby is unexpected, but it’s hardly unwelcome.”

She sniffles, her eyes red from crying. “I’m sorry.”

Those two words break something inside me, splintering my anger and leaving only raw emotion in its wake. The woman I’m in love with is apologizing for carrying my child.

If only she knew the truth about Lucille, maybe it would allay her fears. But letting Ori in on the secret puts her inmoredanger, and I won’t risk that—especially now that we’re expecting a baby.

The only thing I know for sure is I have to keep Ori safe.

Atallcosts.

That, and we must keep quiet about the baby. Trace is certain there are several leaks in Sparkwood. One wrong word to the right person, and this entire house of cards collapses—with Ori and me at the bottom.

And Kevin? He’s already too close. If he suspects that Ori and I are back together, let alone expecting a baby, it’ll give him leverage I can’t afford to let him have. The man plays dirty, and he won’t hesitate to use her—or our child—against me.

But first, I need to reassure my woman that I’m not mad. Actually, I’m pretty fucking excited.

I reach over, tucking her hair behind her shoulder. “Look at me.”

But she doesn’t.

Her gaze stays fixed on her lap, her fingers still fidgeting with her purse strap.

I unfasten my belt and lean over, brushing a soft kiss against her neck. “I know you’re scared, little one, but you’re going to be the best mom. We’ve got this.”

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