Page 121 of The Bodyguard

His eyebrows arched. “Someone’s having a kid?”

“I didn’t say that,” she added too quickly.

No. She wouldn’t because people didn’t talk about pregnancies in the first trimester. Penny had made him keep his mouth shut when they first found out. Not that it made a difference on their last day. Sawyer had walked out of a labor room and into the maternity floor’s waiting room filled with family. He’d never been more alone. Ruined for life.

Angela moved to his side. “Sawyer?”

His heartbeat thudded. “You should tell me.”

“They both are,” she whispered, scrutinizing his expression. Worry pinched in her eyes.

The answer hit him like a punch. He swallowed hard and forced a grin. “That’s really great. Exciting news.” So many things could go wrong. Chelsea and Amanda pregnant simultaneously? Double the trouble. Sawyer crossed his arms over his galloping heart as though he could rein in his worries.

“Sawyer.” Her hand rested on his bicep. Concern darkened her beautiful eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

He wanted to run away—or, better, shake Hagan and Liam to remind them of all that could go wrong. But it wasn’t as if Liam hadn’t already started a family. “Don’t be, Ange. It’s great news.” He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to tamp down his own worry. “I can be happy for my friends without…” He gestured blankly. Without what—freaking out? Recalling the day Penny and William died? He would always remember that day.

Time healed. What a fucking cliché. But it had. Life had moved forward. Still, cold panic nestled in his chest.

Angela squeezed his arm. “I should’ve thought—”

“Tiptoeing around me doesn’t change anything.” Her palm was so warm. Sawyer needed more of her touch. If only they could be alone. He didn’t need to share feelings or talk. Sawyer wanted to curl against Angela and breathe easier because she was in his life.

Jared threw the conference room door wide open and strode in. His laser gaze landed on Angela’s hand grasping Sawyer’s bicep. “Everything okay in here?”

Angela jerked away. “Yeah. I—” She took another step back. “Making sure everything is okay with his arm.”

“Right.” Jared snorted. “He was shot in the other arm.”

She glared.

Sawyer rubbed the well-healing wound, which didn’t hurt unless he messed with it. The dull bite of pain was nice. He gave the muscle a quick squeeze to clear his head.

“I have some news.” Jared pulled up a chair. “It answers a few questions but—” He gave Angela an apologetic glance. “It’s a little personal too.” He nodded to Sawyer. “You want him to go?”

“About me?” she asked.

Boss Man lifted his shoulders. “Yeah.”

“What kind of personal?”

“About the ex.”

Sawyer didn’t want to leave. He didn’t think Paul Bane would be a problem anymore, but damn if he wasn’t sick and tired of hearing about that guy. “I’ll give you a few minutes,” Sawyer offered.

“No,” she said, stopping him. “You can hear whatever Jared knows.”

Angela took a seat. Sawyer posted against the wall across from her.

“The ex…” Jared cleared his throat. “You’re probably better off without him.”

“You already know that I’m aware of that.”

“He was seeing someone.” Jared paused as though Angela might react.

She looked unfazed. “I know there were women.” She smiled tightly. “One of the things I discovered the day he proposed.”

Jared assessed her again and continued, “There was one he’d recently met.” His jaw ticked. Sawyer sensed the mutual desire to kick Paul’s ass to kingdom come. The two men exchanged looks. Jared continued, “The woman he was bedding was a mole.”

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