Page 50 of Blue Norther
“I can be home for that. No one else needs to be there,” I offered. “Remember, state of the art security system? Newly installed? Ring any bells?”
The room felt so heavy, I tried my best to lighten the mood. It fell flat.
“I’m calling Hank the second the doctor comes in here and clears you, and then we are going home where I’m not leaving your side.”
“Colt, I think you’re being?—”
“Do not finish that sentence. Mywifeis being fucking stalked and tormented by some freak, and I’m not taking that lightly. The most important thing to me is that you and the baby are safe and healthy. That’s it, Vi. That’s why I could throttle Deputy Jones for being so careless with you.”
“I’m not your wife anymore.” I meant for my words to lighten the mood, but the way his eyes widened and his jaw ticked told me I only succeeded in doing the opposite.
“I’ll change that soon enough,” he growled.
Hawk chuckled, and both Colt and I looked over at him. But he was staring right at Jessie. “Is this what I was like when you were pregnant with Beckett?”
She stood, walking over to place her hand on his chest. “Worse, if I’m being completely honest. But I loved it. Come on, Chief. It looks like these two have everything covered here. Let’s go pick up our boy.”
“Colt.” I sighed, trying to pull the blankets up over my belly. Something was caught near my feet and I was struggling to move my body enough to fix it. God, I was beyond ready to close my eyes and forget this day.
My ex-husband had just walked past the bedroom door for the fifteenth time since we’d gotten home and I’d come up to bed.
“Colt’s downstairs.” His voice trickled through the closed door.
“Right. Then who am I talking to?”
The door opened, his face popping into the opening. “Sorry. I wanted to come to bed, but I didn’t want to come in here while I was still feeling so…”
“Upset with me?”
“What? No. No, Vi. I’m pissed at myself.”
“I’m fine. But I’m not going to be if your clomping feet keep running back and forth in front of the door all night.”
“Got it. I’ll walk quieter.”
I groaned. “No. You need to come to bed. I’mfine.”
Colt shook his head as he walked fully into the room now, his hand running over his face before he crossed his arms over his chest. “Okay. I’ll stop pacing in front of the door.”
“Thank you?—”
“If…”
“If what?” I forced myself not to sound pissy, even if I was starting to feel outlandish rage at the man standing before me.
“If you promise me you won’t take off like that again.” Before I could open my mouth, he continued. “I know you sent me a text and you just went to the diner. I know that you felt safe doing that, but it’s clearly not. Someone is following you, Vi. I don’t want to let you out of my sight.”
The damn man had tears in his eyes, and I fought so hard to stop myself from holding out my arms and pulling him into bed beside me.
“I’m sorry I let my craving for fried chicken tempt me into leaving the station without you.”
He chuckled. “Mom’s fried chicken is just about the only temptation I’d say is worth breaking the rules for.”
“No silly stuff,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood. “Just…two adults sharing a bed after something scary happened. Agree?”
I was certain it came out huskier, and more sensual than I meant. But looking at the glimmer in his eyes, and the way one of his eyebrows flashed up quickly before returning to its normal place on his face had me second guessing that.
“I’ve been a gentleman since we started sharing the bed…haven’t I?”
