“Then we’ll do this. Together. And it’ll be fine.”
Hadley nods. “Together.”
HADLEY
It’s been a week since I found out about the pregnancy, and Grim’s been true to his word. He’s trying. He makes sure I’m eating and drinking and resting, even though I tell him it’s not an illness and women get by every day doing this exact same thing. But he’s being attentive and loving and all the things I need him to be to reassure me we’re doing the right thing. Because I have my doubts. Not because I think Grim will make a terrible parent—I think he’ll surprise himself on that front—but because this wasn’t part of my life plan. I want kids, but in around five years, when my career is more established. My boss is great, she’s a woman who believes in giving other women opportunities, but in law, men have dominated the career for too long and she prides herself on leading a strong female firm. Telling her won’t mean she drops me from her team, and I’m pretty certain it won’t affect my chances of promotion, but there’s a niggling doubt I won’t be able to do it all. And Grim might not be happy for me to have a full-time career and have his child. He’s old fashioned and has already hinted about me staying home and becoming his ol’ lady.
Mum places a cup of tea in front of me and joins me at the kitchen table. “You look troubled.”
“Just tired,” I say.
“You’re working hard. Your boss would be crazy not to promote you.”
“Everyone there works hard, we all deserve a promotion. Did you have a career before you had Mav?”
She scoffs. “Are you kidding? I met your father when I was far too young, and he swept me off my feet, told me I didn’t need a career. Said he’d always provide for me if I looked after him.”
“Didn’t you want a career?”
“I wanted your father more.” Her smile fades. “He was kind back then.”
“Is it possible to have both, do you think?”
She nods. “Women do both all the time. Super women, if you ask me. I don’t know how they juggle kids and jobs and taking care of the home. It’s hard work.” She sips her tea. “Why are you asking, Hadley?” I stare at her, waiting for her to catch on, and then her eyes widen. “Oh my god, you’re not?” I nod. “Seriously? That’s amazing!” She looks genuinely pleased. “Does Grim know?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t planned, obviously, but he’s coming around to the idea.”
“I’m so pleased for the both of you.”
“I’m dreading telling Meli. She’s only just getting used to me and Grim being together and now this.”
“She’s your sister. She worries, but I think she’ll be happy about this. She’s going to be an aunt.”
“Even after everything she’s been through? It just feels so insensitive.”
“Hadley, she loves you. She’ll be thrilled.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
GRIM
We sit around the table in church. Arthur and his brothers have joined us, which means he must have news on Cambridge.
“Arthur, you may as well start,” says Mav glumly.
“Nick Cambridge has agreed to back away from Harriett. He’s going to sign Ivy over to her for sole custody and he’s paying her out. It’s a good deal, and Harriett is happy to accept it.”
“That’s great,” I say.
“Not entirely. He’s made some additions to the agreement. He’s going to take the target off your back.”
“But?” asks Ghost.
“But he wants Grim to do time for what he did.”
“Prison?” I snap. “Are you kidding?”
Arthur shakes his head. “No. That’s his deal.”
“Fuck his deal. I should have just killed him.”
“Impossible now as he’s made it known he’s got issues with the club. His circle of elites is top judges, businessmen, men with power who know the right people. If you wade in there now and put a bullet in him, it’ll come back on the club.”
“Pres, I can’t go to prison,” I snap. The thought of Hadley bringing up my kid alone fills me with dread.
“Now you call me Pres,” says Mav. “It won’t come to that. We’ll think of something else and re-negotiate.”
“Good because I can’t leave Hadley now.”
“Why?” asks Ghost. I realise what I’ve said and stutter for an answer. Ghost smiles. “Fuck, you didn’t get her pregnant?”
The room falls silent, and Mav’s eyes burn into me. Hadley’s gonna kill me. “Everyone out!” snaps Mav, and the room clears in seconds. “Get talking.”
“Maybe we should go to the basement and fight first?”
“Grim, get talking.”
“It was an accident.”
He dives up, grabbing my shirt and hauling me to my feet. “What did you do, fall and stick your unwrapped dick in her?” he yells. “Fucking my sister without protection isn’t an accident!” he growls.
“She missed her shot, man, it wasn’t my fault.”
He releases me, shoving me back into my chair. “You’ve been together only a few weeks,” he snaps.
“Months,” I correct. “We just kept it quiet.”
“You hate kids.”
I nod. “I know.”
“And now you’re gonna be a dad?”
“Scary, right?”
“Shit. Is Hadley okay?”
“I think so. It shocked us both, but she’s handling it well.”
He heads over to the drinks trolley in the corner of the room and pours us each a drink. “My sister and my best mate,” he mutters to himself, shaking his head. “A fucking kid . . . I still feel like Hadley’s a kid sometimes.”
“She isn’t, trust me,” I say with a smirk.
He glares at me, unamused. “Well, at least you haven’t run away,” he points out, like he’s somehow shocked and impressed all at once.
“Only cos I don’t have a licence,” I joke, and he laughs.
“This is huge for you.”
I nod. “I know. Still processing it all. We haven’t spoken about it since she told me. I think we’re both too scared to frighten the other. And she’s got this promotion at work she’s trying to get. It’s like she hasn’t registered that she’ll be a mum and won’t have time to work.”
Mav smirks. “You’re an idiot if you tell her that. Women keep careers these days. You can’t ask her to give it up.”
“Who’ll look after the kid?”
“You will. It’s not like you’re any use to me now that you can’t ride,” he jokes.
“So, you see why I can’t go to prison?”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t agree to that anyway, brother. You’re a part of this club, and I wouldn’t sell you out like that. We’ll find a new agreement.” He finishes his drink. “You need to claim my sister, Grim.” His tone is serious.