Page 80 of Mountain Mens' Curvy Obsession

“What does the bloodwork say?” I eagerly ask.

“Every value I had concerns about is going up,” he says, going over my chart. “How’s the morning sickness these days?”

“Oh, much better. The worst I get is five minutes of queasy as soon as I smell bacon, which is sort of heartbreaking, but if the baby says no, well…”

“She loves bacon,” Nico adds with a lighthearted chuckle.

“And how does the daddy-to-be feel?” Dr. Rollins asks him.

Nico and I exchanged amused glances. “Nervous. Excited. Woefully unprepared,” he quips with a broad smile.

“Nonsense. You’ll be just fine,” the doctor replies. “Everyone’s unprepared until the little one is born, and then you figure it out as you go.”

Nico sits quietly, watching the doctor as he applies the cold gel and brings the ultrasound device. His gaze softens when it meets mine. “You’re going to be okay,” he whispers.

“As long as you’re with me? Absolutely,” I reply.

We took so many precautions to come down here today. Unnecessary turns to make sure we weren’t followed; parking a couple of blocks away and out of sight; coming through the back door of the building. It seems so complicated and unnecessary to the untrained eye, but it’s essential to us.

Mills hasn’t spotted Leo or any of his suspected men anywhere in town, though that doesn’t soothe me in any way. The Russians know how to blend in when they have to, how to stay out of sight and still watch us.

My nerves are a mess, but as soon as the ultrasound image comes up on the screen, my heart starts beating faster, and I forget about the danger constantly looming around us. “Oh, my, look at that,” I gasp.

“Is that…” Nico’s voice trails off, equally fascinated by the moving image.

“Yep,” Dr. Rollins replies, moving the device along my lower belly to get a clearer view. Life is growing in my womb, and someday, that little guy or gal will be born. “We’re not able to determine the sex yet, but it’s looking good so far.”

“It is?” I ask.

“Healthy hormone levels, vitamins and minerals are in check, and the baby’s growth is on target. How’s your stress management?”

My cheeks burn. “Doing my best.”

The doc smiles as he cleans the gel from my belly. “Well, keep doing what you’re doing. Things look great so far.”

* * *

Coming out of the clinic,I feel a sense of warmth and comfort as I lean into Nico. He’s so big and tall, his frame projecting strength against my body. There’s nowhere else on this earth I’d rather be as we linger at the top of the back steps.

“How do you feel?” Nico asks as we take a moment to breathe in the cold air.

Beyond the parking lot and the town itself, our mountain rises with its snow-covered ridges and deep, protective woods. “I can’t wait to get back home,” I tell him.

The sound of footsteps catches our attention as six men step out of two dark SUVs, both parked close to the exit. I didn’t immediately spot them, but as they come closer, I can feel Nico’s frame stiffening beside me.

“Anya, darling,” the one leading them says.

“No,” I whisper.

Nico whips out his handgun before Leo’s goons even think about taking theirs out. “Don’t take another step, Sokolov,” he warns, then gives me a sideways glance. His lips move.Mills.

“My, my, aren’t we aggressive?” Leo scoffs and slowly raises his hands.

His men give us a proper death stare.

“Don’t be stupid,” Nico says. “You don’t want to start a gunfight here.”

“I’m not the one pointing a weapon at innocent civilians,” Leo replies, then nods at his men, letting them know to stand down. At least he’s got some common sense in him. But he’s too calm for my liking. “Mr. Hayes, I’m sure we can talk like civilized adults.”

---