Page 7 of Poisoned Pawn

There is a tense stare off and a moment’s hesitation before he finally nods.

“Fine. But they will find out, and then we’ll both be in fucking trouble.”

“I won’t mention you. They’ll never have to know you were here.” Toni steps up beside me having also been given the all clear.

Rick sends me an incredulous look. “You and I both know that’s bullshit. Or have you forgotten who you are?”

“As if I possibly could.” I shake my head. But he’s right. Aidan, at the very least, will find out, and then I’ll be back to being watched like a fucking hawk.

And that ain’t happening.

Rick’s attention is snagged by a police officer coming this way before we have a chance to leave.

“Evening. Ladies, I’m going to need you both to give me a statement before you leave.”

“I’m not sure how much we can help,” I tell him, then add, “But go ahead and ask your questions.”

He does, and after each of us giving a brief statement, which match and don’t amount to much, he lets us go, reminding us that he may need us to answer further questions.

Rick gives me his keys, pointing over to where his car is parked, and tells us to wait in the car while he stays to chat to the copper.

By the time he climbs into the car, Toni is barely awake, and I’m more than ready to fall into my bed and sleep. Although sleep will evade me once I’m in bed I’m sure.

“He tell you anything?” I ask as Rick starts the engine before pulling away.

“Not really. At this early stage they don’t know much. We dropping Toni off home?”

“No, just take us to mine. She can sleep in the spare room. How’s Jess and Max?”

He changes gear as we hit the dual carriage way off the slip road and slants a look my way. “They are good.” His words are cautious, and it makes me suspicious.

“Okay, out with it,” I say, twisting in my seat to face him.

He looks over at me again then changes lane before finally answering me. “It’s still early days, so—”

“Oh my freaking god! Jess is pregnant, isn’t she? Tell me she is,” I squeal, startling awake Toni in the back.

“Yes—”

I squeal again, a little quieter this time and cut off anything else he was going to say.

“Yes, but”—His voice rises to be heard over my obvious excitement—“we aren’t telling people yet. You need to keep it to yourself.” Rick’s tone changes, and I get the seriousness of his words.

“Not even Roxy?” I ask.

“No. Not even Roxy. Jess doesn’t want to have to look at the broken expressions on peoples’ faces if…” He doesn’t finish his sentence, and I watch as he shifts in his seat.

“That’s understandable. I know how hard it was for you two last time.” Silence ensues for a moment. “How far along is she?”

“Twelve weeks. We’ve already had two scans to check everything is okay. Just a few more weeks and then we can tell everyone.”

The strain and worry are evident on his face, but beneath it his happiness is practically glowing.

After that I change the subject. I was here when Jess had her miscarriage, and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to witness. Roxy stayed with Jess and Rick for several weeks, and I saw the emotional destruction losing a baby wreaked on all of them.

I know that Roxy and Maddox and Zak want to start a family, but seeing what happened to Jess has made them cautious, especially the guys.

Toni interrupts our chit chat about my job when she groans loudly and calls out a guy’s name. Thankfully, Rick ignores her and simply continues like she’s not having a sex dream in the back of his car.

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