Her pregnancy was also causing her some difficulty as she neared her due date. She was supposed to give birth in the New Year. Christmas was right around the corner, but she had a feeling this baby was going to come sooner. She hoped it did because it was driving her crazy. The constant need to pee. The uncomfortable movement.
Smokey loved spending the time feeling their baby move. He believed they were going to have a son because of how many times he kicked. Ava wasn’t sure. So long as their baby was happy and healthy, she didn’t care.
“Don’t you think it’s weird? She doesn’t do anything,” Harlow said.
“I can hear you.”
Raven didn’t move her head. She continued to look out the window. Ava sighed. She had offered Raven a hot beverage, and the woman had accepted.
It seemed odd to her now that she’d once been friends with this woman. She did miss the closeness. She doubted she’d ever be close to Raven again.
“So, you can hear. Can you do magic tricks?”
Raven turned toward her. “Who are you?”
“That’s rude,” Ava said.
“Oh, come on, is that all you’ve got?” Harlow asked.
“You think you can take me on in insults?”
“I lived with plenty of brothers. Big Dick being one of them. I’ve heard it all, babe.”
Raven snorted.
“Enough,” Ava said. “You two might want to verbally spar, but I still have a business to run.” She picked up a discarded napkin, and as she stood up, a shooting pain went right through her back. Wincing, she rubbed at the spot.
Harlow and Raven were at her side.
She looked at Raven’s hands on her, and she instantly withdrew.
“Are you okay?” Raven asked.
“I’m fine. Just another part of being pregnant I’m not going to miss.” She stepped away from their comforting hands and threw the napkin in the trash. She rubbed at her stomach and back.
“You really should go home and rest,” Harlow said. “I can handle this here.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. You’re hurting, and you’re tired. I love your company. You know this, but I know enough that I can keep this place running smoothly.”
The doctor had advised her to take it easy.
She spent most of her day on her ass, which she hated. Ava had always liked moving around, doing something with her hands. She couldn’t stand sitting around and not accomplishing anything.
When the pain didn’t lessen, she went to her chair, aware of Raven’s gaze following her.
“I’m fine,” she said, sitting down.
“Do you want me to take you home?”
“No. I can get through a day.” She took several deep breaths until the pain abated somewhat.
Ava forced a smile to her face. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For caring.”
Raven nodded. “I … I never wanted to hurt you. The club comes first. I thought … you know what I thought.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry.”
Ava nodded.
She looked at Raven, wanting to say so many different things to her. Screaming was high on her list, but she settled on silence.
Raven’s arms were folded and as Ava looked at her, really stared at her friend, she realized how vulnerable Raven actually looked.
She wanted to protect her. This was an odd feeling. She continued to rub the base of her back. Forgiveness. Did she truly forgive Raven for everything she’d done? That was a whole lot to give at that moment.
The baby, Smokey, the club, she didn’t want to live her life in fear, but she also didn’t want people to feel constantly guilty when they were around each other.
“Raven,” she said.
The woman turned her head toward her.
Ava was about to say something as the front door was slammed open, the glass breaking from the force of the impact.
Raven was up and Ava watched as she started to fight the first man that came at her.
Three men wearing black masks filled the store.
Ava stood as one came toward her. She held her hands into fists. There was no way she was terrifying. Swollen stomach, probably her entire body as well, threatening this man, but she’d do anything to protect her baby.
Harlow was suddenly there, throwing her foot in the air, taking him off guard as she swiped him in the face.
“Ava, run,” Harlow said.
She wanted to argue, but instead, she took off, trying to go for the office, but she didn’t get far as someone caught her hair, yanking her back.
The impact hitting a hard body winded her, and the pain worsened.
“You’re about to have a lot of fun,” he said, whispering the words against her ear. He wrapped his fingers around her neck and dragged her out of the shop and into the black van waiting for them.
She was thrown into the back and she pushed her hair out of the way, looking up to find Raven unconscious on the floor. There was no sign of Harlow, and fear gripped her at the thought of what could have happened to her friend.