Page 84 of Hero's Heart

“This question has already been asked and answered in my text to you a few days ago. I don’t know where she is.”And if I did, I wouldn’t tell you, you bastard.

“Fine. But it’s important we find her. She’s…unstable. Her family is worried she had a breakdown.”

More likely worried Sloane was going to get actual legal counsel and sue the shit out of them.

“Yeah? Why do they think that?”

“She’s been acting strange since the kidnapping. But, I mean, who can blame her?”

Yeah, who could blame someone for acting weird after being kidnapped and her dad not doing what he could to make sure she made it out of it alive.

“Yeah. Kidnapping is traumatic.” He kept his voice as even as possible, trying not to give anything away.

“Not as traumatic as being raped while kidnapped.”

“What?” Callum knew for a fact she hadn’t been raped. He’d seen the proof himself when she’d given him her virginity. But he couldn’t let Dustin know that. “Why do they think that?”

“Because right before she ran away from home, she found out she was pregnant.”

Chapter 29

Callum stared down at the phone in his hand long after he and Dustin disconnected their call. He didn’t even know what he’d said to the man after he’d heard Sloane was pregnant. He would have to worry about that later. He had much bigger problems right now.

Pregnant.

The word pulsed through his veins, each syllable a thundering heartbeat.

Sloane padded into the living room, dressed in the flannel pajamas she liked so much—the only nonessential item he’d seen her buy since getting her job—her dark hair damp and curling around her face. “Shower’s free if you want it.” Her voice was light, oblivious.

He stared at her, jaw clenched. Searching her face for signs of the news he’d just discovered, for clues he’d missed. But there was only the delicate glow of her skin, the gentle swell of her breasts beneath soft fabric.

Pregnant.

“When were you going to tell me?” The words felt thick and heavy on his tongue.

It only took her a second to understand what he meant. She blanched. “How…how do you know?”

“Does it matter?” He took a step closer, phone still clutched in his hand like a lifeline. “Is it true?”

She nodded, slowly, as if the motion took immense effort. “Yes.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“You’re sure?” He had to know beyond a shadow of a doubt.

“I’ve taken multiple tests. Dr. Annie confirmed it again last week at my appointment.” She wrapped her arms protectively around her middle.

Last week.The knowledge settled like a stone in his gut. He’d seen Annie multiple times since then—in line at the grocery store, walking her dog on Main Street. He knew, logically, that doctor-patient confidentiality would have prevented her from saying anything.

But still, it rankled. Stung like salt in an open wound that everyone else seemed to know this monumental, life-changing fact except him.

The questions ricocheted through his mind, firing rapidly from his lips. “How long have you known? Does the whole damn town know except me? Were you ever planning to actually tell me?”

His voice rose with each inquiry, anger and fear and confusion all blurring together.

She flinched at his tone but met his gaze. “Callum, please. Of course I was going to tell you…”

“When, Sloane? When were you going to tell me? After the kid was born?” He regretted the harshness of his words instantly as tears welled in her blue eyes.

Pregnant. A baby.

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