Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Then his features relaxed into a genuine smile of affection. Leaning in to kiss me, he took the coffee I offered and headed for the bathroom. “Give me five.”
Kass and Finch were already outside. Kass had healed nicely from what he considered a scratch. Now he spoke low into his wrist mic. Pain and Nadine had recommended a doctor in the city. We drove in companionable silence. Antonio sat beside me, his hand on my knee, his thumb moving small strokes over the denim. He told me about Iron, and about Denton getting sacrificed by using Seth and myself as the executioners. I watched his profile against the window glass and understood the shape of the thing he’d carried out of Knight’s office.
“He used us,” I said.
Antonio nodded once. “I know. You have to admire the beauty of it. Even if it still sucks ass.” He snorted and squeezed my knee. “Even if you’d known you were being used, you’d still have killed the bastard.”
“Look,” I turned my head to face him. “It’s not like you’d have done anything differently. Denton’s been a dead man a long time.”
He slid me the side eye. “I’m not looking for logic. I want to fume awhile. Being played, no matter if I’d have taken the same action or not, is not something I’m proud of.”
“Well, suck it up, buttercup, because you don’t get to mope around today.”
Like I knew it would, his expression softened, and he gave me the most tender, loving smile I’ve ever seen on a man’s face. “Wouldn’t think of it, sweetheart.”
Of course, the doctor’s office we went to was nothing like the offices I’d been in before. This was more like a lounge. Except there were no other people inside currently.
We were greeted by the doctor. She stuck out her hand to me and I reached for it. “It’s good to meet you, Miss Garrison. I’m Dr. Simbillo, but you can call me Dr. Sim.”
“Miles.” Tonio said, sticking his chin out.
She didn’t look at Tonio as she continued speaking. “I’d call you Mrs. Miles, but it seems you’re missing a couple of key ingredients.” She glanced at my left hand. My unadorned left hand. “Hmm…” Then back at Tonio.
Tonio raised his eyebrows, but only said, “Noted.”
Dr. Sim still didn’t look at him. She was short, maybe five feet tall, if she wore some good, stout, tall heels. She had a heavy Filipino accent, but spoke slowly so I had no trouble understanding her, and mischief in her smile. “Come with me. It would be faster and more comfortable for you if I had my staff, but I was told, in no uncertain terms, the office and the whole building, really, needed to be evacuated and empty an hour before and an hour after your visit.” She gave a side eye to Tonio. “So, you will understand if things run slowly.”
Glancing up at Antonio, I really thought he’d look angry or, at the very least, annoyed. Instead, I thought I saw him fight a grin.
Once inside the spacious exam room, she gave me an oversized hospital gown, only it was fluffy terrycloth and looked more like a bathrobe with short sleeves. And she told me to put it on backward.
While she was gone, Tonio helped me undress. If his hands lingered in places they probably shouldn’t have, I didn’t object. He seemed to be fascinated with my breasts though they didn’t look any different today than they did since I’d sprouted them as a teenager.
“Can’t wait to see these perfect tits full with milk.” He leaned down and gave one a small suck. “Gonna have to get my share after the baby, too.”
“Tonio!” I laughed and pushed him away. “Stop talking like that!”
He grinned. “I’m big on communication.”
I’d just climbed onto the exam table and readied myself, Dr. Sim knocked, then came inside when I acknowledged her.
She rolled in an ultrasound machine before plugging it in next to me. “Are you ready?”
I smiled. “More than ready.”
She spread warmed gel over my lower abdomen. Antonio slid his hand to mine and I grasped it tightly. I wasn’t scared at all, but I loved knowing I had his support.
And the man had been the most supportive, attentive mate a woman in early pregnancy could ask for. He held me while I puked. Washed my hair when I didn’t get it all out of the way. He massaged my fucking feet, for fuck’s sake! I didn’t even have swollen ankles yet! But I loved him all the more for his careful attention.
Once in place, Dr. Sim continued talking while she found what she was looking for. The screen was angled where both me and Tonio could see as she started the exam. She moved the ultrasound wand over my lower belly until she had everything positioned where she wanted. Then, with a beaming smile she made one more adjustment…