Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
“Whitney’s been telling me I need something to keep me occupied so I stop worrying over her pregnancy so much. This fits the bill nicely,” Malik chimes in.
Kane laughs. “Speaking of worrying over pregnancy…” He hooks a thumb toward Rook. “That’s why you’re looking at a brick wall with this one. Kylie could go any minute.”
Rook growls, and I smother a smile. Just like with the kidnappings and the bonding craziness, I know Kane and I will both be eating our words soon when Romy and Blair are close to delivering too. It’s biological.
“Norwood, Gregory, Wallace?” I question. “What about you guys?”
Norwood nods. He’s the strong, silent type, so I don’t take offense at the lack of enthusiasm. If anything, that’s as good as seeing him jump up and down.
“It’s a cause I’d be proud to die for,” Gregory says solemnly, igniting Kane’s humor button again.
“Trust me, Greg, we’re hoping that doesn’t happen.”
“Things have been quiet,” I agree. “Being prepared is purely precautionary at this point.”
“Well, I can’t be the only guy to bow out,” Wallace finally says with a smile. “Not that I want to be. I’m in. You just tell me what I need to do.”
“Fuck!” Rook snaps in an outburst, making all of us jump, it’s so unexpected.
“What the hell?” Kane asks, his hands up in a karate-chop position that’s so damn comical I can’t help but laugh.
“Kylie’s in labor!” he yells, but I swear he’s already gone in a blur.
Kane holds up a hand before chasing after him, and I’m left to wrap things up.
“Anyway, we appreciate you all. But for now, I guess we’re going to have to cut this meeting short.”
Julian’s smile is genuine as he holds out a hand to shake mine. “Give Rook our best.”
I nod. “We’ll be in touch. Proud to have you as a part of our cause.”
PART TWO
Rook
One year later
I push through the door of mine and Kylie’s house, following the voices carrying from down the hall.
My jaw clenches when I hear Kylie grunt out in pain.
I burst into the spare bedroom, and the scent of sterile medical equipment hits me straight in the face. As parents of an unborn vampire baby, we have to be prepared for birth a little differently from most humans—aka deliver at home with a medical team that knows the deal.
Dr. Howard stands near the hospital bed we had shipped in just for this occasion, and two nurses move around him with practiced efficiency, but I barely register any of it.
Because all I fucking care about is Kylie.
She’s propped up against the pillows with her legs in stirrups. Her hair is damp and clinging to her skin, and her breathing is uneven as another wave of pain rolls through her. She grips the sheets, knuckles white, her whole body tightening against something that won’t let go.
I rush over to her without hesitation. My girl is strong. I know that. I’ve seen it. But this feels different. I don’t like it one fucking bit.
“I’m here, baby,” I whisper, reaching down to pull her hand into mine.
“Apparently, vampire babies come a lot quicker than human ones.” She offers a small smile, and I kiss her sweat-drenched forehead.
“I love you so fucking much.”
“I love you too,” she whispers through a clenched jaw. “But I’d also love to get our baby out of my body. Otherwise, I might end up as grumpy as you here soon.”
Another contraction hits, and her body tenses beneath my hand, her breath catching as pain overtakes her. Immediately, I drag my gaze to the doctor.
“How much longer, Doc?” I ask, my tone leaving no room for anything but a straight answer.
He meets my eyes briefly. “Not too much longer. You’re doing great, Kylie.”
Kylie moans through another contraction, her small body tensing up in ways that make my chest ache.
“Can’t you give her anything for the fucking pain?” I question, anger rising in my throat. “A fucking epidural or something?”
“Unfortunately, it’s too late for that,” Dr. Howard says, and there’s a huge part of me that wants to fucking throttle him.
I’m fine, Rook, Kylie pushes into my mind. Also, please don’t hurt the doctor. I need him to deliver our baby.
Fuck. I hate seeing you in pain, baby.
“I’m okay,” she says out loud, her voice strained but sure.
Her eyes lift to mine, and I hold her gaze for a second longer than necessary, searching for anything that tells me otherwise, but there’s nothing to be found.
The next stretch of time blurs into something that feels both too fast and not fast enough. I stay exactly where I am, her hand in mine, my body angled toward her like I can shield her from the worst of it, even though I know I can’t.
I watch every shift in her expression, every tightening of her jaw, every breath she pulls in as she pushes through something that would break most people.