Page 12 of Quadruplets for the Vipers

“Yes. The blood work confirms it. Leah is pregnant.”

I zone out as they start to discuss the next steps. When we can have the first ultrasound, how frequently we need to come for checkups, and how best to ensure a smooth, healthy pregnancy. I know I should listen—it’s my body, after all, but I’m doing this for someone else, so I’ll just go with the flow. I’m just so thrown by the words.

Leah is pregnant.

I’m pregnant.

But they’re not my babies. They never will be. I’m just the vessel.

The magnitude of the situation fully sinks in. I know I wanted to do this,wantto do this. But I didn’t really ever consider if it was something Icoulddo.

There are so many things that could go wrong. I know women have been giving birth for as long as humanity has existed. But that doesn’t make knowing that you’re solely responsible for another life growing inside you any less daunting.

I’ll have to care for this baby, let it use my body as an incubator for nine months, then go through hours of agonizing pain as they’re torn from me, only to have to give them up.

It’s only been two weeks, but I’m already feeling like I’m part of the family at the Steel Vipers. Once I’ve outlived my usefulness, will I be discarded like trash? They said I’d get lifelong Steel Vipers protection, but Donna and Zeus might not want me hanging around, I’d be a reminder of the fact that their daughter-in-law wasn’t the one who gave birth. Perhaps they won’t want the baby to know me. It already has a mom. Will I lose everything and be all alone again and at the mercy of my ex?

I try to hide these swirling thoughts as Donna and Zeus embrace me, thanking me. I try to share in their joy and summon some of their excitement.

Chapter 7

Leah

As with our previous visits to the fertility clinic, Axel is waiting outside in the hallway for us. He takes one look at Zeus and Donna’s faces, and his permanent scowl breaks into a smile that lights him from within. Perhaps he broods so much because when he smiles, people can see he’s more god than man.

“It’s good news?” he asks them.

“The best, Levi’s gonna finally have his baby,” Zeus says, clapping Axel on the back.

“I’m so happy for you both,” Axel replies warmly, squeezing Zeus’ arm and hugging Donna.

“Thanks, son,” Zeus replies.

I feel awkward watching the exchange as if I shouldn’t be there.

“Guess you’ll be stuck with us for a while then, Leah,” Axel says, finally acknowledging my presence. He doesn’t sound too happy about the fact.

I try not to feel too hurt by his indifference. We shared one kiss that clearly meant more to me than it does to him, and now I’m carrying a baby, so why on earth would he want to get involved with me romantically? I need to get over this schoolgirl crush and start focusing on the job I’ve committed to.

I’m about to come up with some sort of witty retort when he earnestly adds, “Thank you. It means a lot to all of us that you’re doing this for Donna and Zeus.”

I nod in reply, unsure how to respond. I find myself looking into the green pools of his eyes, searching for something; I don’t know what. Unsurprisingly, he’s the first to look away.

He clears his throat. “Shall we?” he says to the room, gesturing to the exit.

As we leave the clinic, we notice that Rider and two other guys I recognize from the club have arrived on their bikes. The car that drove me here is nowhere to be seen. I’d argued that I could drive my truck, but Zeus was having none of it. “If you’re carrying my grandbaby, there’s no way I’m letting you drive that rust bucket, I’d sooner have you on the back of Axel’s bike. Either we drive you in one of our cars, or he takes you,” he’d insisted.

I’d chosen the car. I’m not sure I could handle being pressed against Axel’s muscular back with my arms wrapped around his waist without having all kinds of thoughts I shouldn’t.

“What’s going on? Why are you boys here?” Zeus asks now.

“Sorry, Prez, Buzz told us where to find you. We got wind that there’s going to be an attack at one of our places today from the Hellhounds. We came to get you so we can go handle it before they can strike. Jace is gathering our men now,” Rider explains.

“Alright, Donna rides with me, Leah with Axel. Let’s get the women home safely as fast as we can, and we can move out,” Zeus responds.

Everyone springs into action. I want to protest that I don’t want to go on Axel’s bike, that I’ve never been on one and thatshouldn’t I be in a car now we know I’m pregnant, but there’s a clear urgency that tells me they’ve been anticipating this, and my words would fall on deaf ears.

Axel tosses me a helmet, and I reluctantly climb onto the back of his bike. I try to keep as much distance between our bodies as I can, not touching him.

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