his time, and I'm scared something is going to happen. I can't—" Tears welled in her eyes and her voice broke. "MK, I can't have this baby alone. I can't let her grow up without a daddy. That's not what I want for my life."
Oh fuck. That’d turned real heavy, real fast. I couldn't even imagine what she was going through... It was one thing to fear for yourself or for your lover. But fear for what the future holds for an unborn baby? I couldn't possibly comprehend that.
"Bree, it's not that easy," I said as gently as I could. "I'm sure Dallas has already tried—"
She cut me off. "He has—but got nowhere, obviously. If anything, they've been using him more than before, like a punishment for even suggesting he leave the gang." Tears rolled down her face, but she didn't fall to pieces. "I'm just so scared he's going to get killed, MK. I love Dallas so much it fucking hurts, and I don't know what I'd do if something happened..."
I reached out and squeezed her fingers where they poked out of the cast on her wrist. "For one thing, you're a tough chick, Bree. You'd make it work, and you'll be an exceptional mom. But I know where you're coming from. If Dallas could get out..." I trailed off with a shrug. "I just don't know how."
"But... your guys got out of the Reapers, right?" she pointed out, hopeful. "So it has to be possible."
I cringed. I hadn't told her about their past with the Reapers or what they’d done to get out. I sure as fuck wasn't going to suggest Dallas attempt something similar.
"I'll talk to Archer, babe. See what he can suggest, okay?" It was the best I could offer. Fuck knew I had no ideas how to handle that situation alone, and I didn't know Ferryman well enough to know how to bribe him. This was a job for Archer... if he could be convinced to help Dallas, that was.
Suddenly I was regretting having told him that Dallas took my virginity.
"Thank you," Bree replied, wiping her tears away with her hand, then taking the tissue that I offered her from the box beside her bed. "Okay, sorry. I didn't mean to go all emotional; I know that weirds you out."
I snorted a laugh. "I'm not that bad."
Bree rolled her eyes, dabbing at her nose. "Okay sure. Whatever you need to tell yourself."
The door clicked open, and Steele slipped inside, his eyes instantly locking with mine as he entered the room.
"Hi Steele," Bree greeted him with a small laugh. "Nice to see you again too."
"Hey Bree," he replied, coming over and kissing my hair before turning his attention to my friend. "You look like you've been crying. Did you get to a sad part in Gilmore Girls?"
I snickered a laugh. The two of them had been hanging out way too much while Steele was still in the hospital.
Bree pouted. "No, but thanks for implying something sad is coming up. Jerk. I fucking hate spoilers."
Steele grinned, then turned his gaze back to me. "I actually came to let you know that Bree's parents are on their way. I spotted them talking to her doctor down the hall. I figured you girls might want a heads up in case you were loudly comparing notes on dick sizes and creative positions." His eyes sparkled with mischief, and I couldn't wipe the fucking smile from my face.
Ugh. I was so in love it was disgusting.
"As if girls talk about smut like that," Bree blatantly lied, "but you should probably go, MK. Carol is really not a fan of yours at the moment and will probably cause a scene if she sees you."
I groaned but pushed out of the chair. I'd had run-ins with Bree's parents before and was definitely not in the mood for another one.
"I love you, girl, but your mom is a total bitch." I leaned down and kissed Bree on the cheek. "Take care of yourself. I'll chat with Arch and see what he can suggest about Dallas, okay?"
"You rock my world, MK," she replied with a warm smile. "Call me later and tell me more wedding details. I'm living vicariously through you."
I just shook my head, then left the hospital room with Steele's hand already wrapped around mine. We hurried down the corridor, dodging behind some orderlies when I spotted Carol and Greg Graves still talking to a doctor.