Duncan (The Protectors #3)(14)

“I’m keeping the baby.”

Duncan’s eyes shot up from her stomach to her face. “I wouldn’t expect anything else.” He watched the relief flash across her face.

Pam nodded, taking a deep breath. “I know that, it’s just…” Grunting in frustration, her hands balled into fists.

“Listen to me.” Duncan grabbed both of her hands, forcing her to look at him. “You are not alone in this anymore. I’m not going to sit here and say I know what you went through, but I have a pretty clear idea. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will stand in the way of my support for you and your baby.”

“So you don’t care that bastard is the father of my baby?” Pam’s chin trembled.

Dropping one of her trembling hands to her lap, he placed his larger one on her bulging stomach and felt a warmth he had not felt in such a long time swarm through his body.

“This little miracle you carry is a part of you, so how can I not love the child?” He winked at her with a grin, reaching up with his other hand to cup her chin. “I have seen a lot in my lifetime, Pam Braxton, but I can tell you one thing, I have never seen anyone more beautiful than you carrying your precious child. When I look at your growing stomach, I only see the wonderful mother you will become. Nothing else matters. No one else matters. Do you understand?”

“You make me feel like I can be normal again.” Pam smiled sadly. “Thank you.”

“There is nothing normal about you, babe.” Duncan leaned close, but slow enough not to spook her. He had to take things extremely slowly. “You are everything special.” His lips touched the softness of her cheek, and he wanted to shout victory when she didn’t flinch from his touch.

Pam did jump, but not because of the kiss to the cheek. “Did you feel that?” She grinned at Duncan, putting her hand on top of his and pressing down.

A large smile spread across Duncan’s handsome face. “Think you got a fighter on your hands.” Duncan laughed when the baby kicked again. “Doesn’t that hurt?”

“No.” Pam laughed with him. “It’s actually a comfortable feeling. I like feeling him move.”

“Him?” Duncan ran his hand all over her stomach, wanting to feel the little fighter kick again.

Her face flushed in embarrassment. “I don’t know why I keep calling him, him.”

God, he loved seeing her like this. “Do you have names picked out?” His voice deepened. He couldn’t believe he was talking to her. Hours ago, he was at a loss to where she even was.

“No, not yet. I don’t even know when I’m due.” She frowned. “I’m pretty big for three months, so I’m a little worried. He gave me a shot of something when he was….”

He watched as she withdrew, horror at what she was about to say hit her. He wasn’t going to let her withdraw from him. “When he was what?” As hard as it was, he kept the anger out of his voice. He knew what she had been about to say, and it turned him inside out with rage.

“Raping me.” After a few minutes of silence, she finally whispered what she needed to say out loud.

The anguish in her voice and eyes tore him in two. “I’m sorry.” He did not look away. “I’m so sorry.”

She nodded, quickly looking away. “I need that vial. Can you take me to my old apartment tomorrow?”

“I’ll find it,” he assured her.

“No, I need to do this. If I don’t start facing what happened and dealing with it, I never will.”

Duncan nodded, but wanted to protest. His need to protect her was immense, but wanting to help her heal was greater. “I’ll take you.”

Before Pam could respond, someone pounded on the door. Duncan stood with a reluctant grunt as answer.

“Sloan wants to see us.” Jared stepped into the room with Tessa by his side. “Tessa will sit with Pam so they can catch up.” Jared winked at Pam.

“But I thought he wanted to talk to me.” Pam stood holding her back.

“Just relax.” Duncan walked over to the bathroom, disappearing for a second before reappearing. “I put a towel on the sink if you want a bath. The second drawer in the dresser has shirts if you need something to change into.”

Duncan wanted to take her in his arms, assuring her that everything would be okay, that she would be okay, but he knew he had to take things slowly. He couldn’t crowd her; he couldn’t push her away. With one last glance her way, he followed Jared out of the room.

The two Warriors headed down the hall to Sloan’s office. Each step away from Pam he took, the more rage he felt.

“You okay, bro?” Jared eyed him.

“No.” Duncan’s teeth clenched tight. “And I won’t be until that son of a bitch is dead.”

“Did she tell you what happened?” Jared ventured, but seriously didn’t know if he wanted to know.

“She didn’t have to. I can see it every time I look into her eyes.” Duncan slammed open Sloan’s door harder than he intended. Sid and Damon stood behind Sloan, their eyes plastered on the big screen across the room.

Jared and Duncan stopped, also watching as the camera zoomed in on Pam and Duncan, his arm protectively around her, pushing her behind him. “Shit.”

“I know.” Sid cocked his eyebrow. “The camera adds ten pounds. You look like shit.”