Page 85 of Boss Daddy

“Stay put until backup arrives,” one of them says as he gets on the radio, the other going around to the men and checking their zip ties.

Samuel’s focus shifts back to me. “Are you okay?”

I nod, mustering a smile. “I’m good.” The words feel like a lie, but I’m not about to fall apart. Not when Samuel’s already dealing with so much. “I need a second, though.”

“I’m going to check in with James,” he says, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my forehead. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”

“I’ll help when I get back,” I promise, forcing another smile as I push myself to my feet. The officer closest to me gives a curt nod, granting me permission to leave.

I step into the bathroom and sit down to pee, trying to wrap my head around the craziness that just happened. My heart’s still racing, but at least I’m breathing again.

I glance down and see my biggest fear.

Blood.

It’s not much but enough to send a cold wave of fear crashing over me.

No, no, no.My mind races through the possibilities. Did I start my period? Am I losing the baby?

The world blurs around me. I don’t even know if I’m pregnant or not, but the idea of losing a baby…

My hands tremble as I finish up and stand, a sense of urgency propelling me back to the main room. I find Samuel crouched beside James.

“Samuel,” I call, my voice shaky. His head snaps up, eyes narrowing as he takes in my pale face.

“What is it?” he asks, already to his feet.

“I’m bleeding,” I say quietly, the words tumbling out before I can second-guess them. “I think I… I might be pregnant, and I’m bleeding.”

For a moment, his expression is unreadable. Then, it’s like a switch flips. He’s in motion, scooping me into his arms as if I weigh nothing.

“We’re going to the hospital,” he announces.

“Samuel, I can walk,” I protest, but he’s already shouting to the officers.

“She needs medical attention! We’re leaving through the back!”

The officers step aside, their earlier authority replaced by concern. Samuel carries me like I’m the only thing that matters, and for the first time all night, I feel safe.

Chapter 34

Samuel

Never before have I felt this kind of fear. Not even in Afghanistan, dodging gunfire and living moment to moment.

I’ve faced death before, stared it in the eye more times than I care to admit, but the thought of Erin hurting or being in danger destroys me.

The tiny ER room feels suffocating. I’ve been pacing the narrow floor for what feels like hours. The air’s thick with the scent of antiseptic. Worry coils in my gut, tightening with each minute that passes.

Erin could be pregnant.

What a goddamn way to find out.

It’s crazy to consider, especially given how little time it’s been since we first slept together. But the timeline doesn’t lie, and it is possible.

I need to stop pacing. That’s not doing a damn bit of good for anyone.

I pause and cross the room, taking Erin’s hand in mine. My thumb brushes her knuckles, and she looks up at me. In that moment, the world narrows down to just the two of us.

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