Page 149 of On The Rocks

“I’m pregnant, not a weakling.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Strongest lady I know.”

“Oh, I hadn’t heard.” I reached toward her, and we linked hands for a second. “Congrats.”

“Thanks.” Lightly, she rubbed his chest. “We wanted to wait until three months. And it’s pretty much this week. Surprise.” Her tone was dry. “Now what’s going on?”

“We don’t know for sure, it’s just been a few weird months. Maybe we’re just grasping at nothing.” Griffin rubbed my back and looked down at me. “It’s been a damn long night, and we all need showers.”

I tried to swallow down the cough, but I couldn’t.

“Or urgent care.”

“I’m fine. Just gotta get it all out. I really would like a shower.”

“Agreed.” Beckett sighed. “Kira and I are going to do a walk-through. We’ll call you guys tomorrow when we know more about when we’ll be able to reopen. Chief Mills said we’ll have to get it professionally cleaned at the very least for the smoke.”

“I’m so sorry, Beckett.”

“It’s not your fault.” His smile was tired and heavy. “But we’ll figure it out. We always do.”

I nodded. “Let me know what I can do to help.”

“Count me in too,” Griffin said. “I have a strong back.”

“Appreciate it, guys.” He turned Helena back toward Kira and Ronan. Justin had come over, hovering around Annette, who still looked far too shell-shocked to me.

“It doesn’t feel right to go like this,” I whispered.

“I know, but we’ll just be in the way at this point.”

Elmer leaned against my leg, his whiskey eyes confused. “You’re right.” I reached down to pat his big head. “Let’s go home.”

“To my place?”

“You have the very best shower, so yes.”

“I see how it is.”

I laughed, but it was hollow. God, I was tired.

I didn’t want to think there could be anyone working with us who could want to harm people at the taproom. Too tired to drive myself, I let Griffin direct us to his truck. I spent the short ride with an armful of pit bull. He was warm and petting him helped calm me down.

Griffin pulled out his phone and tossed it in the cupholder. The display lit up and I glanced over.

“Baron is texting you.”

Griffin turned over the engine and frowned. “Baron barely contacts me, let alone this late.”

“Is he on the west coast?”

“Montana. Close enough.” He picked up the phone and quickly shot back a text.

“What’s up?”

“I don’t know. But he wanted directions to my place.”

Elmer barked out his approval as if he knew what we were talking about. I rubbed his ears, and he burrowed into me once more.

---