Page 87 of Greed

“The deal is off.”

“Why?” I ask without thinking. “Why are you calling the deal off, Kalina?”

Her hands drop to her stomach, and with a trembling voice, she whispers two words I never expected to hear, “I’m pregnant.”

CHAPTERFORTY-SIX

Declan

“She’s pregnant?”I laugh. “Am I supposed to be surprised by that?”

My brother shoots me a look along with a raised middle finger. “Why are you such a jerk?”

“A jerk?” I shake my head. “I’m your older, very supportive brother. You’re the one who walked into my office and announced that Callie is pregnant. News flash, Saint. She’s about to have that baby any day.”

Exasperated, he lets out an exaggerated sigh. “I was reminding you that she’s pregnant because I can’t get on a plane and head to Boston tomorrow to check in on the progress of the location there.”

Stumped by what he just said, I shrug my shoulders. “When did you plan this trip to Boston?”

“I didn’t,” he stresses both words. “I saw it in my calendar this morning, so I assume you planned it for me. You still think you’re the boss of me.”

“Spoken like a five-year-old,” I tease. “I wouldn’t put you on a plane to anywhere right now, or ever without discussing it with you. We have a team in Boston to handle the project. Someone got some wires crossed, Saint. Don’t sweat it.”

His fingers skim over the screen of his phone. “It’s likely one of your buddies from inventory control. They must be messing with me. I gave all of them flashcards with simple addition on them.”

“You’re clearly the jerk.” I point a finger at him. “Why the fuck would you do that?”

Smiling, he shakes his head. “Because they can’t count?”

“Did you call them into your office to give them those bullshit cards?”

“Yeah,” he admits. “Come to think of it, my calendar was open on my laptop that day and I was running late. They were in my office before I was.”

I motion to the phone in his hand. “That’s synced with your phone, so do yourself a favor and see where else they’re sending you to.”

His gaze drops before he lets out a hearty laugh. “Apparently, I’m going to the Bermuda Triangle on the twenty-seventh, and I have a meeting next week with the one and only Easter Bunny.”

Chuckling, I nod. “You have to give them credit for their creativity.”

“True,” he agrees. “But not for their ability to count, because they can’t, Decky.”

“Declan,” I correct him. “Stop calling me…”

The ringing of his phone interrupts me.

His gaze drops again. “It’s the love of my life, so put a cork in it, Decky.”

I can’t help but laugh.

“Hey,” he says before his entire face morphs into panic. “Now! Your water broke? Holy fuck!”

I push back from my desk and stand. “Let’s go.”

Sean nods as he reassures Callie, “I’m on my way, Calliope. This is it. It’s time to meet our beautiful little Hailey.”

* * *

Two hours later,I glance around the waiting room at the hospital, and it’s the same crew that was in Saint’s apartment the night of the commitment ceremony.

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