Dusk (Dangerous Web #1) - Aleatha Romig Page 0,29

Sparrow better. It wasn’t that we were rooting against him.” I tried to articulate my thoughts. “It was that you were and are who is best for him.

“You see, there have only really been two people that I know of who can dish shit out to your husband unfiltered and get away with it.”

I thought back to the very beginning, to nine years ago.

“I never knew his father, the man who ran Sparrow Enterprises and the Sparrow we’re not supposed to talk about, before Sterling...” I let his name hang in the air. While Madeline and Laurel called him by his first name, I was of the old group. To me he was Sparrow. “I don’t know how his father talked to him.” I rolled on my back and stared up at the top bunk. “I know his mother.” My voice grew a bit louder. “You are not what she had planned. And that may be another reason we’re all on your side.

“But as I was saying, two people...Mason was and is one. But after Mason...” I swallowed. “...left us for a while, there wasn’t anyone who threw shit back at him. Patrick is all about diplomacy. He will disagree with Sparrow, but he does it in a way that is nonconfrontational. Reid is usually quiet. He isn’t against voicing his opinion when necessary, but it isn’t the way Mace does.” I turned back to her. “Or you.”

I lay still for a moment, my mind filling with memories, ones that took me away from this cool cell.

“The elevator. We weren’t joking. Reid, Patrick, and I had a bet going.”

Araneae moved her head from side to side. “No...” The word was barely audible.

I sat upward. “Araneae.”

Her face was again in a grimace, but there were no more movements or sounds.

Suddenly, I considered what could have happened to her in the hours she was out of this room. Despite her chill, I stood and peeled back the blanket that I’d wrapped around her. My mind and body cooled with fear of what I’d discover.

Who had us captive?

What kind of an animal would hurt a pregnant woman?

Even if someone could forget her affiliation with Sterling Sparrow, she was carrying a child within her.

I held my breath as I scanned her now-prone body—no longer were her knees pulled up. Taking a deep breath, I lifted the bottom hem of her shirt. Her soft pants came to the middle of her baby bump. Her bra was in place. Nothing looked abnormal.

“Araneae, I’m going to turn you.”

If only she would have protested. She didn’t.

Closing my eyes, I said a prayer to the God my grandmother served. She daily talked to him in prayer. Now it was my turn. I asked him for a miracle. I asked him to keep Araneae and her child safe. I even offered him a payment in return.

With my eyes still closed, I tilted my chin upward and spoke in a whisper. “Keep her baby safe, and I don’t need to ever have my own.”

The offer was said. I couldn’t take it back. I wouldn’t because I meant it.

With the new pregnancies in our extended family, Reid and I had discussed the subject, one that had never been on the table in the past. To my surprise, we were both willing and excited. I thought of the sister I helped raise, the one we’d lost. I found myself thinking about my own child.

Each month I told myself it took time for the birth control to get out of my system. And yet with Madeline’s news, and then Araneae’s, I still felt joy like I couldn’t describe.

Yes, I would offer my future children to keep this one safe. I’d do the same for Madeline and Patrick’s. Without a doubt, I’d do the same for Ruby.

Opening my eyes, I moved my friend, fearful of what I’d find. As I turned her on her side, I exhaled. The blood I’d feared I’d find was nonexistent.

She moaned as she settled on her side, facing the wall.

I covered her again with the blanket and climbed back onto the bed. With my pulse thumping in my ears, I whispered, “We can rest now. But since I gave you my blanket and pillow, you’re going to have to put up with me.”

After taking another swig of the water, I closed my eyes. My emotions counterbalanced one another. I’d meant what I said. I’d give up my future children to keep Araneae’s child safe. I wasn’t certain God was in