“Will do boss, I’ll call Coby and see if he’s got anything we can use in his office. What about your mom, when will she be going home?”
Mia lets out a low moan and I glance down at her, she looks uncomfortable but I’m not moving her. She’s strapped in her seatbelt and I’m not risking taking her out of it. “Probably another couple of days. While Martin is out there, she’ll have twenty-four seven security.”
“Have you thought about moving her into your house until this is over?” Jagger asks, “It’ll mean Mia has some company that isn’t male, and she’ll be looked after if you have to leave.”
I have thought about it, but I haven’t approached Mia about it yet. “I’ll talk to Mia and see what she thinks.” While it will be a sensible idea, I want Mia to be comfortable in her own house.
The car behind us turns, we’re almost at home. Once I get inside, I’ll be fucking happier, although Aaron hasn’t said Martin’s on the move, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have someone watching us. Anything can happen and all of us are on alert.
Jagger pulls into the driveway and I gently wake Mia. “Let’s get you to bed.” I tell her, as I open the door.
“Hudson,” she moans. “You’ve had it twice already, let me sleep.”
Jagger laughs and David’s ears turn red, no doubt he’s hiding the laughter.
“Mia, we’re home,” I tell her a bit louder and her eyes open and she gapes at me. Jagger’s still laughing. “Come on, let’s get you inside.”
“I’m sorry,” she says sheepishly as I get out of the car.
I hold my hand out for her, she takes it. “Don’t worry about it, Princess.”
She rests her head against my chest as we walk toward the door, Jagger’s still laughing his ass off and I turn and glare at him.
I turn on the light, Mia buries her head even further into my chest, shielding her eyes from the brightness. “Go to bed baby, you need the rest.” I tell her softly, kissing the top of her head.
“Okay,” she says through her yawn. “Don’t stay up too late.” She pulls away from my chest and places a kiss on my lips. “Goodnight Jagger, goodnight David,” she says as she walks toward the bedroom.
“Goodnight, Mia,” Jagger says, the fucker still has a smile on his face.
Goodnight, Princess,” David responds.
She disappears into the bedroom. I walk into the kitchen, opening the fridge, I reach for the beer.
“Hudson.” Her shrill scream rents through the air.
Jagger, David, and I are running into our bedroom. My hand on my gun, I come to a stop when I see her staring at the bed. I glance around the room and see it’s empty except for us.
“Hudson, he’s been here,” She whispers.
“Mia, what’s going on?” Jagger asks as I try and regain my breath. Christ I thought someone was here.
She picks something off the bed and turns to face me. She hands me the small box and a note. Her entire body shaking, tears fall down her face. God, what the fuck happened? How did this get in here?
I read the note.
Mia,
We’re expecting. How amazing. I never thought about being a father before but I’m really looking forward to the idea.
When will we know about the gender? I’d like to know so I can attend the scan.
Please ensure that Hudson is not in attendance. I do not want that man near my child.
I’ll be close by, keeping an eye on you.
Here’s a little gift for our baby.
All my love,
M.
You have to be fucking shitting me.
Before I can say anything, Jag snatches the note out of my hand. His eyes grow wide as he reads the note. “Mia, you’re pregnant?” His eyes watery, and I know he’s thinking that what that asshole has said in that note is true. He loves Mia and is hurting for her.
“Yes, she is and that fucker better watch his step. Mia is ten weeks pregnant, we found out today, she had a scan. So get that fucking look of your face, it’s not his.” I’m going to be fielding this goddamn questions for a long time.
“Congrats boss, another male to take over,” David says patting me on my shoulder.
“Thank fuck for that,” Jagger sighs in relief. “Welcome to the club man.” He pulls me into a hug. “So the little dude is due when? March?”
“I’m not sure, I never asked,” I say, and look to Mia to help me out. She’s standing there with her hands on her hips, tears falling down her face but she’s pissed. “Mia?”
“Since when did we know the gender? Hmm? Last time I checked, I was ten weeks pregnant.” There’s a bite to her tone, I know she didn’t want anyone to know just yet, but there was no way around them knowing. Especially with this fucking gift.
“What’s in the box?” David asks, anger lacing his words.
I take the lid of the box and I see red. The fucker bought a fucking teddy bear.
“Can we throw it in the trash?” Mia’s voice is small, she’s upset, absolutely fucking wrecked. “How did he find out?”
I pull her into my arms. “I don’t know, but I promise you he’s not getting anywhere near you.”
“He’ll die before he gets a chance,” David vows. “Mia,” he says and she turns to face him, it’s the first time he’s called her by her name, he’s called her Princess so far. “I’m going to stay on that fucker’s trail, I’ll know where he is every second of the day. He’s not going to hurt you, or your baby.”
Mia pulls away from me and walks over to David, her arms going around him and she pulls him into a hug, sobbing against him as she does. I leave her be, knowing that she’s grateful to him, I’m not jealous of it, in fact, I’m relieved that they’re developing a friendship. David needs some softness in his life right now. I’m not sure if I’d be so easy if it were any of my other men. Jagger’s an exception.
My cell rings, taking it out of my pocket I see that it’s dad. About fucking time. “Is it done?” Mia and David pull apart, the hardness he had in his eyes has softened.
“Hello to you too,” he replies, but I’m not in the mood. “It’s done, you little shit.”
“Dad, get here, bring Rory and Cormac with you. David will bring them to the dump site.”
“Shit, what’s happened now?” He’s not as wound up, it seems he’s released some of that anger.
“I’ll explain when you get here.” I end the call and take Mia’s hand, leading her into the kitchen.
“Hudson, did you leave the fridge open?”
I ignore the question and grab three beers. I pass one to Jagger and one to David, when I turn to Mia, I see she’s staring at me. I sigh, “You screamed, what was I supposed to do? Do you want anything?”
She shakes her head. “No, I’m fine thank you.” She follows us into the sitting room as I wait for dad and the others to arrive. Mia curls up beside me as soon as I sit on the sofa, head resting on my arm, I move so that she’s tucked up against my body. Once again, she snuggles up closer to me, her head turning into my chest.