Page 22 of Oz (Marked Skulls MC 4)
“I’m glad he has friends like you,” I said.
“And I’m happy for him that you guys found each other,” he added, and I looked away from him. My cheeks were burning up with embarrassment. It wasn’t my place to disclose private information about Oz’s life. But Dash could sense something was wrong.
“I don’t want to be inquisitive, but did something happen between the two of you?” he asked. I clasped my hands together on my lap nervously, and refused to meet his eyes.
“I don’t know what’s happening between us. I’m not sure how much Oz has told you about me, but this isn’t the world I belong to. I’m glad I met him…but I’m not sure if I can keep doing this,” I said.
I shouldn’t have been saying this to Dash. I didn’t know him at all. But I’d been getting really good vibes from him all day. Besides, if Oz trusted him, then I knew I could too.
“I understand. I’m sure it’s not easy for you to adjust to this, but if there is one thing I can tell you—it is that none of the women under the protection of the MC have gotten hurt. We make it our first priority to keep our own safe. Even over our own lives. But still, if this is not something you want, then you shouldn’t do it. I’m sure Oz is concerned about your happiness too.”
I gulped and stared at Dash nervously.
“It’s weird for me to say this to you, or anyone actually, but I’ve been happiest when I was with Oz. And despite everything that’s happened, breaking up with him is the hardest thing I’ve had to do,” I said.
Dash nodded his head.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” he added. I smiled and got up from the seat.
“I’m going out to the back for my lunch hour. You don’t have to stick around here the whole time. Take a break,” I said. Dash shook his head.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he replied, and I waved at him quickly as I walked away. Once again, I acknowledged how relieved I was that Dash was here with me through the day. Maybe he was right…maybe I really had nothing to worry about…
Melody was waiting for me at the back of the diner with our sandwiches. Thankfully, she’d managed to shoo away Grace and some of the others, so it was only the two of us there.
“How are you feeling, hun?” she asked.
“I think I’m okay now, at least I’m not nauseous,” I told her. Melody was watching me closely. It seemed like she was more afraid for me than I was.
“That’s good…but what about the rest. Is it his?”
I looked up at her with a snap. How could she even ask me that? Of course it was his! Who else could it be? Melody saw the look on my face and her eyes softened.
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Kaya, I just wanted to be sure. I didn’t want to make assumptions.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be rude. It’s probably just these hormones that have made me so emotional…the slightest thing seems to set me off,” I told her and tried to smile.
“It gets easier…I’m not speaking through personal experience of course. But that is what everyone says. The first few weeks are probably going to be terrifying and nervous,” she said. I nodded.
“I am terrified and nervous. I didn’t realize it could even happen so quickly. I wasn’t thinking straight. We didn’t use protection in the heat of the moment…and I mustn’t have realized I was ovulating,” I told her. Melody nodded along.
“Well, it’s early days still. Probably a few weeks,” she said.
“But I want this!” I snapped, surprising myself. I wanted to keep this baby.
“That is not what I meant. I know you do,” she said defensively and I took in a deep breath to calm myself.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do, Mel. I feel a little all over the place. And with what’s going on with the rival MC…and the way things are between Oz and me.”
Melody moved over closer to me.
“You are going to tell him, right?” she asked. I looked at her blankly and blinked.
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do,” I said.
“But hun, he has the right to know he’s going to be a dad,” Melody insisted. I nodded my head because I agreed. Of course, Oz had the right to know. Especially since he wasn’t the one who wanted it to end—I was the one who had put an end to our relationship. Whatever kind of relationship it was.
“I just don’t know if he wants to know,” I said.
“What are you talking about?”
“I just don’t think Oz is the kind of guy who wants to have kids, now or in the future. I’m not even sure if he wants me in his life permanently. I have no idea how he’ll react if I tell him I’m pregnant.”
“But that is up to you to find out. You have to do the right thing and at least give him a choice.”
I looked away from my friend. Everything Melody was saying, was right. I knew that, but I was just too afraid of rejection. Especially of my baby being rejected.
While I spoke to her, my hand lifted up instinctively to my belly and I stroked it. I knew the baby was smaller than the size of a seed right now, but I could still feel it inside me. Melody saw the gesture and a soft smile spread on her face.
“You love this thing already, don’t you?” she asked. I could have burst into tears again. I felt so emotional.
“I do. I know it sounds silly, and I only found out a few hours ago, but I’m going to be a mom. Nothing in the world can replace that feeling. And right now, I can’t think about anything other than the safety and welfare of the child growing inside me.”
Melody and I hugged. She was emotional too.
“You don’t ever have to do this alone, hun. I’m going to be here. Even if this kid doesn’t have a dad, it’s going to have me,” she said and we laughed and hugged again.
“I wish things could be different with Oz, but they’re not and I don’t know what to do. I miss him. I wish I could tell him about the baby…but this is not the time and I don’t know when it will ever be.”
We ate our sandwiches together and talked some more. It was too soon to start making plans, but despite myself, I could start feeling myself getting excited.
Until today, I hadn’t realized I even wanted to be a mother. But now I realized how happy the thought made me. I wouldn’t have to be alone. I would have someone to look after and love. If only I could share it with Oz…but I had no idea what he wanted.
***
After lunch, I saw Dash still sitting at the booth, watching me closely as I worked. I went over to him with his fourth coffee of the day.
“You should eat something, Dash,” I told him, in a mock scolding voice.
“I’m not exactly hungry right now. Besides, food will make me sluggish,” he claimed.
“So, you’re saying you’re some kind of superhuman who can go the whole day just on coffee and pancakes?” I asked with a laugh and he shrugged his shoulders.
“Watch me,” he joked and we smiled together. The more I was getting to know Dash, the more I could see why Oz trusted him. I totally trusted him, too, right now.
“Well, you know where to find me when you’re hungry. I really do appreciate you doing this,” I said.
“No need to thank me. Oz is concerned for you, which means I’m concerned for your safety as well,” he reminded me. I was about to walk away, but Dash had seen something over my shoulder. Before I could turn around, he made a grab for my wrist and pulled me down.
I fell with a thud on the booth seat beside him.
“What’s going on?” I asked. Dash bent low, pulling me down with him.
“It’s the guys from the Dark Legion,” he hissed. Panic gripped my heart. My first instinct was to clutch my belly. Keeping low, I turned and saw the men. The four guys from the Dark Legion were there at the door, looking around, but they weren’t alone. There were a few other men with them, but I didn’t recognize them or the leather cuts they were wearing.
My voice was shaky as I turned to Dash. He was slipping his gun out.
“Who
are the other guys?” I asked, while he cocked his gun.
“They’re from another MC. Another rival gang, The Hell’s Drifters. They must be working with the Dark Legion on this.”
Dash had his eyes on them. He was biding time. Trying to come up with a plan for what to do. Ultimately, as brave and strong as he was—Dash was the only one against a handful of them.
I was breathing hard with fear.
“What’s going to happen?” I murmured. He looked at me and saw how scared I was.
“I’m going to handle it till my backup shows up. We weren’t expecting them to make an appearance so soon. We were hoping they would lie low for a few more days,” Dash hissed.
I stared at him. My heart was racing in my chest. What was I going to do? I looked around for Melody, but she was nowhere in sight.
Instinctually I knew I would do anything to protect the baby growing inside me.
“Dash, I have to tell you something. Oz doesn’t know,” I said. He looked at me again with crossed brows.
“I’m pregnant. I found out today when I was feeling sick. The baby is his, of course,” I said. Dash’s expression went from confusion to sudden realization. He clenched his jaw and I could sense he knew his responsibility had doubled right now.
“You shouldn’t worry, Kaya, I’m going to get you out of this. Nothing will happen to you or Oz’s baby,” he said.
I wanted to believe him. I wanted to trust him. Just minutes ago, I trusted him…but now with imminent danger, the only person I could trust was Oz. And he was not here.
I needed him.
Our baby needed him.
