Escalation - Tessa Teevan Page 0,14

plans were, I need to keep you close. In return, I’ll give you the answers to all your questions.”

Her eyes light up, and she tries to mask it, but she’s too late. I’ve piqued her interest, so I give her a bit more to make her even more accepting.

“And then we’ll figure this out together. You can be my unofficial assistant in the investigation.”

She laughs. “God, I’m such a fucking idiot. Once again, I’m in a situation where I’m tied to a man with nowhere else to go. I’m a walking, talking cliché. One of these days, they’ll probably make an afternoon Lifetime special about me.”

My eyes narrow. “No, Brie, you’re wrong. You’re not stuck with me. You’ll never be stuck with me.” I’m barely able to spit the word out. “I just want to protect you.”

Her chest deflates as she lets out a heavy sigh. “You know what? I’m too tired to argue about this. I’ll come home with you, Rafe. I’ll stay with you. But you will tell me everything.”

“Everything,” I echo.

A faint smile crosses her lips. I take the opportunity and lean forward, wanting to feel her lips upon mine, but at the last second, she turns her head and my lips make contact with her cheek.

“Rafe, please… Just…just don’t,” she whispers.

I pull back and gaze down at her, acquiescing just this once. She needs time, and she needs answers. I’ll give her both.

“Knock, knock!” s cheery voice calls from the door. Then a young nurse wheels a machine into the room.

Brie’s hand grasps mine. Surprised by the sudden contact, I turn toward her. Her face has gone pale, and her eyes race to meet mine.

“Rafe…there’s something you need to know—” she begins.

“Are you two ready?” the nurse asks, not noticing our locked gazes.

Brie sucks on her bottom lip as I wonder what the hell is going on.

Then, with two words, my whole entire fucking world changes.

“I’m pregnant.”

“I’M PREGNANT.”

The look on Rafe’s face is pure, unadulterated shock and terror. His Adam’s apple bobs up and down as he swallows hard. I will him to say something, but he remains silent, the air around us swirling with the tension of this unexpected surprise.

I didn’t know for sure—at least, not officially. My subconscious, however, must’ve had some idea, especially after that dream I had. With the whirlwind of waking up and meeting Agent Howard, I didn’t have a chance to discuss it with the nurse before she left. Then, as if my life weren’t in enough of an upheaval, Rafe became Agent Phillips and I nearly forgot my suspicions.

Mother of the year right here.

So, when the doctor entered¸ I had to know. I needed to know.

“Are you serious?” Rafe asks, his eyes wide with disbelief.

I nod. “At least, I think so. I guess we’re about to find out,” I tell him through a watery smile, hoping like hell he doesn’t walk away.

This complicates everything, and there’s still so much we need to discuss. But dammit, he may be the father of my unborn child, and I can’t deny what I feel in my heart for him.

He shocks the hell out of me when a magnificent smile spreads over his face. He leans down and presses a hard kiss to my lips. His hands cup my cheeks as his lips move against mine. The breathtaking sensation warms me all the way to my toes. One simple kiss renews me, and I feel more alive now than I have since I woke up.

All too soon, he pulls back, his smile shining brightly. “I don’t know what to say,” he whispers as he presses his forehead to mine.

“Well, don’t say anything until we know for sure,” I answer.

A slight frown forms on his lips as if he hates the idea. God, what if I’m not?

It doesn’t matter. Moments later, we’re staring at the screen, our hands locked tight as we hear our baby’s heartbeat for the first time. The nurse smiles, telling us that we’re lucky because it can’t always be detected this early. Hot tears spring to my eyes as I thank her. Rafe’s free hand strokes my back. Once the nurse leaves, he places a soft kiss on the top of my head.

“God…I almost lost you both,” he whispers.

I tear my gaze away from the screen to look up at him. His expression is one of anguish, and even though part of me wants to hate him, I can’t. At least, not right now. The last thing I want in