Page 19 of Tusk's Fury

“Well, we both have two weeks’ vacation coming up pretty soon. Tex’s son, Levi, has already decided to stay at the clubhouse with Evan. Levi is a junior prospect and takes his duties very seriously.”

“Yeah, Levi and Evan are really dedicated. Is Evan still with his girlfriend?”

“Kayla? Yeah, they’re still together. She’s managed to keep away from Silver after that huge bust-up they had where her ear got torn.”

I tell her empathetically, “Silver is bad news.”

Clara responds, “Yeah. You know, Brittany, I know you thought that you were a troublemaker, but compared to Silver, you were a saint. Silver has a mean streak that scares me.”

“Stay out of her way,” I warn my friend. “Don’t give her an opportunity to get you alone. She’s unpredictable, and there’s no telling what she might do to you simply because you’re my friend.”

She lowers her voice. “Tex got me some bear spray to carry on my keychain. He said when it comes to Silver, I should spray first and ask questions later.”

“Your husband is a smart man. Do exactly as he says.”

“Will do,” she promises. “Look, I’m going to get off here and talk to Tex. I’ll let you know when to expect us.”

“I’m loving how quickly this plan came together. I’ll text you directions to my place when you land.”

“Great. I’m really excited to see you again.”

***

When the call is over, I sit there, sipping my lemon water and thinking over the pending visit with Clara and Tex. How am I going to explain the baby? I turn the situation over in my mind and keep coming up empty-handed.

Setting my drink aside, I run both hands over my rounded belly. My baby kicks so hard it makes me wince in pain. The pain doesn’t subside this time. It turns into a long, drawn-out type of pain that can only be described as a contraction. My hand fumbles for my phone again, and I call the midwife.

Within thirty minutes, she’s letting herself in, just like we planned. She comes to me and places her hands on my belly.

“Yes, your baby is active.”

She calmly listens to the baby’s heartbeat again. Then she takes my blood pressure and pulse.

“Everything is normal, Brittany, your baby just wants to come and meet you.”

I try to take some solace in her words, but truthfully, I’m super anxious and scared.

She gets me up and encourages me to walk. I watch as she hauls her big bag up onto the coffee table and begins digging through it. All her utensils are sterilized and sealed in white paper pouches. She’s so organized that I can’t help but feel like she has everything under control.

I remind myself that I’m just one of millions of women giving birth this year. I’m strong, and I want this baby badly. This is an opportunity to have my own family of two. Tusk’s last gift to me. I can do this, no matter how severe the pain is. In the end, I will get a child.

And not just any child.

It will be one created with the man I love.

That makes it exponentially more precious to me.

Chapter 8

Tusk

Claiming a stool at the bar in the clubhouse is getting to be part of my regular nightly routine. I search for Brittany during the day, turning over every stone in Las Salinas and the surrounding counties, and then drink myself stupid at night. It’s been nine months since Brittany left, and I really should give up looking for her. I can’t, though, because she’s all I think about, all I want. Her pretty, smiling face haunts my dreams.

Silver slithers closer. I see her in my peripheral vision. She’s a snake in the grass who acts like, now that Brittany is gone, if she catches me in just the right mood or I’m wasted enough, I’ll crawl in bed with her. Not gonna happen, not in this lifetime. None of the club girls interest me. They can’t compare to the one I lost.

When Silver is within arm’s reach, I reach out and push her away before she even starts talking to me. She makes a high-pitched whining sound and slinks off to dote on another brother.

My ex-wife has been relentless about wanting to get back together. Dealing with her is mentally exhausting. My phone rings, and it’s Gina. Since I can’t take a chance that her call is related to my kids, I have to take every damned call.

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