Page 456 of The Tempted

“Own…it,” he said, barely audibly before the paramedic covered his face with a mask and raced with him on the stretcher to the ambulance.

He shouldn’t be riding alone.

He never let me ride alone.

Not once.

“We’re ready,” the paramedic said behind me and I turned to Jack.

“Go, I’ll ride with Bones,” Jack said, reading the guilt on my face as he wiped the blood covering his hands onto his shirt. I nodded before following the paramedics running with Lauren to the ambulance.

I sat helplessly on the bench inside the ambulance. I couldn’t even hold her hand, forced to sit there and watch as a stranger fought to keep Kitten and Pea in my life.

I closed my eyes and everything hit me like a ton of bricks.

Every single memory.

Every single dream.

The first words she ever said to me.

What’s the matter handsome? Why so serious?

All the times I teased her and all the ways she gave it right back.

You’re despicable.

Oh baby, I love it when you talk dirty.

Kiss my ass, Riggs.

Anytime, Kitten. Anytime.

That first night I brought her to the clubhouse and brought her into my world.

Well now you’ve got me here, what did you plan on doing with me?

If only I knew we’d end up here…

I’m sorry, Kitten.

The night we made a baby.

Came here for a reason, Kitten, now it’s time to tell me what that reason is.

It doesn’t matter.

I disagree. I like your dress.

You should I wore it for you.

Finding out we made a baby.

I’m guessing you want to keep it

I’m keeping our baby.

Pea.

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