Brock moved right up into me, grabbed me around the waist and lifted me from the ground. “Hey, Slick.”
My arms went around his neck. “What are you doing here?”
He dropped me to my feet and grinned. “Not happy to see me.”
I punched him in the arm. “You know I am.”
Some of the good humor faded. “Some loose ends to tie up.”
I looked past him to Killian. “And you’re working with Killian?”
“Yeah.”
I took a step back and pointed to Killian then Brock. “You two are working together?” Then my face paled, remembering the last time they teamed up. Killian moved. Right up against me, pulling me close. I leaned into him. “More mob business?” I asked.
“No,” Killian said, “But we do need to talk.”
“I think I need a drink, too bad I can’t have one,” I said, then realized what I’d said when Brock’s expression shifted, his focus moving to my stomach.
“Shit. I’m sorry. That’s not how I wanted to tell you,” I said.
He eyes lifted. “You’re pregnant?”
“We are,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean—”
“You intended to tell me?”
“Of course, wasn’t sure how, hoped you…”
Brock strolled away, and my heart dropped. Killian tensed at my side. Brock stopped, pulled a hand through his hair, and looked out at the distance. I thought he was leaving, that it was more than he wanted to handle. Then he turned, looked back at me, before he closed the distance. I saw the brightness in his eyes before he stepped into me, grabbed my face and kissed me on the forehead. “Not going to lie, that fucking hurts…” He looked at me, and I saw my Brock. “But you’re going to be a mom. Sage and Andrew would have really loved that.”
I started crying. Brock kissed me again, then let me go, so Killian could pull me closer. Brock looked at Killian, a few tense seconds passed, before he offered his hand. “Congratulations, man. I mean that.”
“Your mother?” Iwas pacing back and forth in the living room, barely holding onto my anger. “Your mother is the puppet master?” I stopped pacing, not missing the look between Brock and Killian, but what the fuck? That bitch stayed in the shadows while fucking up everyone’s life. “What’s the plan?” I looked from Brock to Killian. “There is a plan, right?”
They were so different, but there were times, when they were just alike, and now was one of those times. I didn’t need to be a detective to deduce Ashley wanted the twenty million that she stole, the same money stolen from her by Brock. And the only way to Brock was through me, and both of them absolutely didn’t want me to be the plan.
“I’m doing this,” I said, dropping my hands on my hips in challenge.
Killian was leaning a shoulder against the wall, his hands in his pockets. He gave one headshake.
Brock, who was lounging on the sofa, also shook his head.
“Using me as bait is the best way to draw her out.”
“No,” Killian said.
I understood, and I appreciated how fiercely I was protected, but that woman fucked up my life. “Her shit cost me my parents. Cost me my best friend. Cost me fifteen years while I tried to find myself again.” My gaze lingered on Killian. “It brought me to you, but that is the only silver lining.” I walked to him, put my hands on his abs. “I need the closure.”
He said nothing, so I continued, “I know you’ve thought it all through. You’re too good at your job not to.” I glanced back at Brock. “You’ve got him and your deputies, you completely control the situation. I wouldn’t be in any real danger.”
Brock stood. “Don’t like it, but you know she’s right. We can flush her out by removing Webster.”
“Yeah, and Cedar is the fucking bait.” Killian growled. “You’re pregnant.” He reminded me.
“That’s partly why I want to do this. For our child, for the peace of knowing that the past really is in the past.” I looked into his face, loved him more than I knew was possible, and realized what I was doing to him, asking for this, knowing it went against everything that made him the man I loved. “I’ll do whatever you want.” His expression softened, and his eyes warmed. “I mean it. I love you. I want a life with you, so whatever you want me to do.”
It was late;his cock was still inside me, the orgasm still making my toes curl when Killian ordered, “Open your eyes.”