Page 19 of Missing Marcus

“They are both fine. The doctor said her blood pressure remains on the high side. She needs rest.”

“Did she say anything about the baby?” Bryanna asked quietly. “I can’t imagine why she didn’t tell you.”

“I can’t discuss it with her now. They don’t want her stressed. I need to pick up her prescriptions and whatever pregnant women eat.”

Bryanna’s soft laughter filled his ear. “Every woman craves different things. I craved vanilla ice cream with jalapenos last week. The week before, I wanted orange sherbert with ginger snaps.”

“Shit.”

“Ask her. Just…be careful, Marcus. She hurt you once,” Bryanna warned him.

“I gotta run. Thanks,” Knight turned into the front of the hospital in time for aide to roll out with Gabby.

He jumped out and opened the door, helping her inside by lifting her into the seat. She crossed her arms and peered straight ahead as he wrapped her coat around her. Her swollen arm didn’t fit into her sleeve, or he’d insist she wear it.

Sighing, he got in and drove out of the hospital parking lot. “Where does your friend live?”

Gabby’s gaze shot to the floor as she rattled off her friend’s address.

He drove through the city, and his scowl grew when the GPS indicated the area. “This isn’t the best neighborhood,” he remarked.

“I don’t judge people by what I see,” she seethed.

Knowing he wouldn’t mend any fences by putting her friend’s address down, he shut his mouth. When he parked in front of the building, Gabby swung open her door and tried sliding down from the truck. Muttering a curse, he ran around and stopped her.

“What the hell, Gabby? Do you have a death wish? You’re recovering from a car accident. Now, you’re jumping out of trucks,” he reprimanded her.

Tears pooled at his sharp tone, making him instantly regret his outburst.

“I agreed to let you drop me off. Give me my phone.” Gabby stared at her shoes.

He rummaged through his pocket and handed it to her. “Here. I’ll carry your things. Please don’t argue with me. It’s colder than a witch’s tit, and you can’t wear your coat properly with your arm.”

Gabby moved toward the building as the wind picked up. As soon as they entered, she held out her hand for her few remaining items. “I’m inside. Safely ensconced at my friend’s place. Thank you for the ride home.”

Knight glared at her. “Do you honestly believe I’ll leave you alone in a dump like this without ensuring your safety? I’ve held onto your phoneso unless you communicate telepathically…”

Gabby paused in indecision. “I have a key. I can let myself inside.”

Knight refused to budge. “What floor does your friend live on?”

“The sixth,” she said meekly when he refused to accept her response.

She heldon to the handrail and began climbing the stairs. Even when she felt good, the climb winded her. Her arm swelled, and her skin felt tight. When she moved, her shoulder shot stabbing pain through her chest. The stairs seemed endless.

When they made it to the second landing, Knight stopped her. Placing Gabby’s belongings in her arms, he bent and picked her up.

“Put me down. I weigh a ton,” she exclaimed.

“You don’t weigh as much as my rucksack. If we waited for you to climb the stairs, it’ll be time for you to go into labor. Consider me an elevator,” he teased, trying to break the tense mood.

Gabby felt too tired to argue and hurt like hell. Shoot, she forgot to ask him to fill her prescriptions.Her head fell back on his shoulder as he made an easy pace up the stairs to the sixth floor.

“What’s the apartment number?” Knight turned his head toward her, and she closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. The safety of his arms wrapped around her made her want to cry.

“Four,” she choked out.

Knight walked down the hall, counting the doors and stopped when he found the number. He gently eased her down, and she took the key from her purse. He waited while she fiddled with the lock and turned the knob.

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