Page 78 of Merciless Protector

“Oh honey, what’s wrong?” She asked as I fell into her arms when she entered my apartment.

We walked over to the sofa and sat, with me curled up next to her as I had done as a child. She held me without words as I sobbed, unable to form coherent words just yet.

Once my tears quieted enough, and I didn’t sound like gibberish, I explained. “The man that saved me,” I began.

“Yes, that Shawn guy.”

I nodded feverishly. “I fell in love with him.” If there had been any doubt, my reaction to the news of his murder solidified my feelings.

Mom rubbed my back and made no judgment yet. Because I didn’t want her to think the worst, I added, “I think he loved me too.”

“Loved?”

“He was killed, and now he won’t meet our child.”

Her hand stopped, and I went on to explain the parts I hadn’t told her about how I’d been released from captivity.

“Oh, baby,” she said, squeezing me tight as I finished. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I choked out.

I hadn’t spoken to anyone. Kelsey had called me every day, but none of her messages had contradicted the news. She’d only stated that if I needed anything, to let her know.

Mom held me for a long time and said we’d get through it. “Do you want me to tell your dad?” She didn’t mean the sperm donor.

“Please.” I couldn’t speak on it again.

“Your sister wants to see you. She brought you some souvenirs. I can tell her you're not feeling well.”

As much as I wanted to stay curled up in a ball forever, I had a piece of Shawn growing inside me. My child would need a mother, not a basket case. “I’ll come by tomorrow,” I said.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded, and she stayed a little longer until she had to leave.

What got me through the days to come was knowing my family was safe. Ruin was gone, and I didn’t think there would be anyone looking for them or me.

And in the month that followed, I settled into a routine of work and home. Weekends I’d spend with my parents and sister.

I hadn’t been invited to a funeral or a memorial. Kelsey said there hadn’t been one. I didn’t call Lizzy again, and she hadn’t called either. Still, once the baby arrived, I would let them know. I assumed she was having as hard of a time dealing with Shawn’s loss as I was and didn’t blame her for the lack of contact.

Two weeks later, I was called into my boss’s office.

“Tayla, have a seat.”

My belly was really noticeable at this point and I had to take care as I sat.

He leaned back. “How are you enjoying desk duty?”

About as much as any field agent, I thought. “It’s fine,” I said.

“I have an opportunity for you to take part in an op that you are uniquely suited for.” I said nothing, knowing he would continue. “We have evidence from the raid that points to a baby farm. We have an undercover in place who has made visual contact and has put feelers out suggesting he and his partner want to sell their baby.” I knew where he was going with this. “That’s where you come in. They are going to want confirmation of a baby. We can’t send someone in with a prosthesis. They will do an ultrasound to confirm. We need someone pregnant to go in with a wire and get them to offer to buy the baby. It’s an in-and-out job. What do you think?”

I thought a lot of things and didn’t wait to respond.

* * *

Exactly one week later, I was fitted with new tech stud earrings. One was a camera. The other was a mic. I couldn’t wear a traditional wire because the criminals would expose my belly for the ultrasound to confirm that I was pregnant.

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