Page 33 of Filthy and Dirty with the Bikers

“What? Why were they at Tyler’s until late?” I’m lightheaded again, and my lungs won’t expand fully. I don’t want the guys to get in trouble with the law for defending me. I don’t want to lose them before I’ve even properly gotten them.

“You’re okay.” His heavy hand strokes the back of my head as I lay on his bare chest. “As far as I know, Maverick went over there with more of a warning than anything.”

“Then why’d they go back?”

“Rhett didn’t want any loose ends.”

Knowing Rhett’s history with his family the way I do, I understand his desire for a properly tied knot. He’s only two years into relocation. Two years free of really bad people threatening his life, all in the sake of money. He’s cautious for a reason, and I trust he knows what he’s doing.

At this point, I’m not sure I have a choice.

“You want to talk yet?” I hear Holden’s grin. “Youaremy first appointment this morning.” He smiles, and my chest tightens with excitement and the sense of possessiveness that I’ve had since I started therapy with him.

I lean my back further, snuggling deeper into Holden’s arms. I wonder how productive therapy would be if everyone got cuddles when they spilled their hearts out.

“Yeah, I guess I could talk.”

“Let’s hear it. How are you feeling after last night’s bombshell?”

“It’s weird but… I’m not even mad at Tyler for using me. I’m mad at him for hurting Maverick. I mean, he’s done this shit to me forever. I’m not even surprised anymore.”

Holden hums under his breath. “It’s not okay that he’s using you. You can go to the police.”

“For what? They’ll get him on some small fraud charge and my photos will still be out there. It’s not worth it. Not with the baby on the—”

“Baby?”

Shit! I swallow hard, trying to figure out a way to rewind time back to when I wasn’t a stupid idiot.

Holden turns toward me, creaking the bed. “Little one, are you pregnant?” It’s the first time his emotions have taken over his normally very resigned way of speaking.

My stomach tightens. “I think so. I just took a test yesterday. I still have to see a doctor, but… yeah, two big pink lines.” I purse my lips as I tell him my truth. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I have the shop that’s failing, no family, and there’s no way in hell I’m telling Tyler. He doesn’t deserve to know.”

Holden doesn’t respond. He stares at me with a frozen expression, and for the first time since I started seeing him, I don’t think he knows what to say.

“You okay?” I finally prompt. “I know I should’ve told you last night, but I was… I wasn’t sure if it was real, and I wanted to see a doctor before I went running my mouth.”

“No, don’t be sorry.” He brushes the back of my hair again. “This is great news. We just need to be smart about how this goes down.”

“Smart how?”

“Tyler can’t know you’re pregnant. We have to think it through is all.” He goes inward, searching for answers to my problem. I have to say, this is when he turns me on the most. I love seeing his brain work. I love watching him process problems. “Have you ever thought of leaving town?”

“Yeah, but my shop with Rosie and… the three of you all have lives here. I don’t want to be without you.”

“No, little one, you’re never gonna be without me. I’m here.” He kisses my forehead. “I promise.”

If I knew every hit I ever took was leading me to this moment, I’d take them over and over again. I’m not sure what I ever did to deserve this kind of acceptance.

“I’ll figure it out for you. For now, just get yourself to the doctor.” He rolls over, weighing me down with the strength of his frame. He’s much leaner than Rhett or Maverick, but his body is still strong. “But before you go, I need you to repeat after me.” His tone is soft and gentle, and the mere tenderness of his words have my clit on high alert. “I’m strong…”

I wait for more, but he’s paused, and I think he really wants me to repeat what he’s saying. I feel silly that he’s asking me to.

“Come on. Say it. I’m strong…”

“I’m strong.”

He brushes a strand of hair from my face. “I’m beautiful.”

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