Page 83 of Married into the Mob
Hunter stuck his tongue out at the phone.
“I just know you’re poking your tongue out!” Ranger was wise to my mate’s tricks.
He ended the call, and Hunter and I shared a laugh. Outwardly, Ranger was all bluster, but he was a big softie on the inside, though he still threatened to kick Hunter’s ass at least once a day.
“I want it on the record that I’m not happy with you being underground. And what if the baby has claustrophobia?”
“Hunter!” I put his hand on my huge bump. “There’s no space in there. Our little one can hardly move, so I’d say they’re fine with it.”
“If you really want to reminisce, we should take the Red Beast.” He pointed at the car as we walked into the garage.
I blew the car a kiss. “Love you, but I need comfort.” I steered Hunter to his most recent purchase.
“Good choice.”
This was a much more enjoyable ride than that first day, and we chatted about the nursery that was ready for the baby. Hunter worried we didn’t have enough diapers, as he’d seen the supplies at his brothers’ homes. And I mentioned thehand-crafted rocking chair from a friend was being delivered tomorrow.
I had worked at the club for months before my paternity leave but had never been back to the panic room.
It was morning when we arrived, and the club was closed. The bodyguards checked inside first, and when we got the okay, Hunter led me down the stairs and around the winding corridors. I thought I’d remember how to reach the panic room, but I was confused after one left and two right turns.
“It would be cool if I could open the panic room door, but I get why I can’t.”
Hunter had discussed it with the family about adding mine, Matt’s, and Tony’s retinas to the scanner. They went back and forth about the pros and cons. Flint said the shifters could shift and fight if someone tried to get them to access the bunker. But if anyone was intent on getting in there, they’d remove our human eyes.
There were inherent dangers being part of the shifter mafia. We three had accepted that when we decided we wanted a future with our mates. And while my brothers-in-law were capable and strong, none of us were comfortable with the possibility of having our eyes gouged out.
The retina scanner unlocked the door, and Hunter allowed me in first. I stood in the doorway as scents assailed me. Cleaning fluid. Had someone died here? Perhaps I listened to too many true crime podcasts.
Hunter turned on the air-conditioning and poured me a glass of water.
The plush furnishings were familiar, but there was a new rug on the floor. Hunter explained Flint and Tony had spent a night here while his dad babysat, and they’d spilled wine. I didn’t buy it but also didn’t want to know what they’d done. Maybe they’dreenacted Flint kidnapping Tony. Nah, they could do that in their basement where Flint had locked up Tony.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.” The handheld fan I’d brought in my backpack helped. I glanced at the door, making sure it was open, and peered into the small bathroom.
I wandered around, trailing my fingers over the sofas and cushions and admiring the artwork on the walls. There was something new. It was a painting, but it appeared as a window. It was so realistic, and it mirrored the street outside.
“I had that done for you in case you were ever down here again,” Hunter said.
“Ohhhh.” I bent over, and my mate was at my side, muttering he knew this was a mistake.
“We’re leaving.”
“I think we’d better.” But as I stood, a puddle formed underneath me. The baby had been putting pressure on my bladder, but I’d never peed myself before. I clutched Hunter’s shirt. “I didn’t pee.”
“Dellie, it’s okay. A little accident. It’s easily cleaned up.”
If I hadn’t been in pain, I would have laughed because my mate wasn’t much for cleaning.
“No, babe, you don’t understand. My water broke.”
My mate’s gaze flicked to the water glass on a side table. “Broke?”
“My body is preparing for the birth.”
“Birth!”
