The Vargas Cartel Trilogy (Vargas Cartel #1-3)(108)

He cleared his throat. “Ignacio’s private jet arrived at Ronald Regan International Airport an hour ago. It can leave as soon as you’re ready.”

I never liked using Ignacio’s plane or taking his money. It always came with strings a mile long, but it’d simplify things. “Thanks. Text me the hospital information. Rever and I will go straight there after we land.”

“See you tonight.”

I disconnected the phone and braced my head on my knees.





Chapter Twenty-Three




Hattie



With my back facing the stick slated to determine my future, I tapped my fingers against my thighs, mentally counting off the minutes in sixty-second increments. Counting helped me ignore all the questions circling in my brain with ruthless determination.

Fifty-eight.

Fifty-nine.

Sixty.

This was it—the moment of truth.

I rubbed my eyes, sucked in a breath, and spun around. Leaning over, I stared at the white thermometer-like stick, careful not to disturb anything.

Two lines. There were two f*cking lines. With trembling hands, I snagged the crumbled instructions off the counter, making sure I didn’t misinterpret them. Nope.

“Oh my God,” I whispered. “I’m pregnant.”

What would I tell my family? My mom would freak. She dropped out of Harvard Law School when she found out she was pregnant with my brother. She referred to it as the dumbest mistake of her life, and here I was, pregnant, unmarried, and months away from receiving my graduate degree.

I’m screwed.

My vision tilted like I had vertigo, and my knees buckled like an accordion. I clenched the edge of the countertop, barely catching myself before I collapsed. Tears welded in the corners of my eyes, threatening to erupt like a volcano.

What would I do? I paced back and forth with my hand cradling my still flat stomach for endless minutes. Distantly, I wondered why Ryker hadn’t knocked on the door yet. Pausing, I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

I can do this. I’m smart. I can figure this out.

Ryker would help me with whatever I decided. I trusted him. I splashed some water on my face, picked up the white stick, and cracked the door.

“Ryker,” I said, poking my head out. I didn’t see him. I walked into his bedroom, searching everywhere for him.

“Ryker,” I said again.

Five seconds later, he walked out of his closet and dumped a black hard-shelled suitcase on the bed. He didn’t look at me. He didn’t acknowledge me. Instead, he unzipped the suitcase and flipped it open.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurted out before I lost my nerve.

He didn’t respond. He opened the dresser behind him and pulled out a stack of clothes.

My stomach dropped. “Did you hear me?”

He paused mid-stride. His eyes locked with mine. His face was pale and his eyes were red-rimmed, but he smiled. “No. I’m sorry. I was lost in my thoughts. What did you find out?”

I waved my hand at the opened luggage. “Are you going somewhere?”

Sighing, he dropped the clothes on the bed. “To Mexico.”

“Why?” I held out the pregnancy test and wrapped my other hand around my waist.

He eyed the white stick, then he grabbed it out of my hand. “Ignacio is in the hospital.”

“What happened?”

“Somebody shot him last night.” He twirled the stick between his fingers. Then, he lifted his head. “You’re pregnant?”

My mouth opened and closed. I didn’t know what to say. Nothing seemed right. Not now. I nodded. “Yes,” I whispered, closing my eyes. “I’m sorry. This is a mess. What do you want me to do?”

His arms closed around my waist, and he wrenched me against his chest. His hand ran up and down the back of my hair. He didn’t say anything as we swayed back and forth. After a few minutes, he turned my face, forcing me to look at him. “You’re going to come with me.”

“To Mexico?”

“Yes. We’re leaving in a couple of hours. We’ll stop by Vera’s apartment on the way to the airport. You can grab your passport and pack a bag, but we don’t have much time.”

Fear ripped through me and my throat constricted. My shuddering breath echoed off the barren walls. “I can’t.” I jerked my head back and forth. “I want to be there for you, but I don’t want to go back there ever again. I don’t want to see Ignacio. I don’t want to stay at his house.” I didn’t need to explain. I didn’t owe him any explanation. He would understand.

“I know, Hattie, but I can’t leave you here. Especially now.”

I stepped out of his embrace and laced my hands together in front of my chest, squeezing them until my fingertips turned pink. “I’ll be okay. It’ll give me time to think. This might actually be a good thing.” I didn’t really believe that. I wanted him to stay, but I knew he couldn’t. Ignacio had committed and ordered innumerable depraved acts, but he was still Ryker’s father.

His dark eyebrows drew together. “Where will you stay? You can’t go back to Vera’s apartment yet.”

My gaze drifted over his room, desperately searching for a compromise. I didn’t want to go back to Vera’s apartment. I still couldn’t ignore that she might’ve helped Evan, even if it was only in a limited capacity. Also, I wasn’t ready to tell anyone about the pregnancy. In a matter of days, I could experience morning sickness, and she only had one bathroom. The stomach flu excuse would only work for a few days.