Page 6 of Ready or Not

Once it closes behind her, I get close to Vale’s ear. “How long have you lived here?”

She shivers visibly, and the sight only makes my chest warmer. “I don’t know. A year and a half, I guess.”

My head tilts as my smile grows. “And you’ve never brought a guy home?”

Her gaze falls to the floor as her head shakes. “You, stop it. Maybe I was going to their houses instead.”

A feral growl rattles out of my chest at the thought.

I spin her to face me, lifting her and wrapping her around my front. “I don’t like the sound of that at all.”

She chuckles, staring up at me with pink cheeks. “Then don’t make fun of me for being kinda boring.”

“Never, sweet girl.” I nuzzle my cheek to hers as my hands tighten on her ass. “Now, tell me which door is yours.”

She twists, pointing.

I take off in that direction.

Holy fucking shit.

I’ve never wanted someone this badly in my life.

Chapter Three

Mercer

Patrick Garza arrives quickly. He’s clearly taken aback when he spots his brother beat half to hell, but he barely spares him a second glance before asking to be taken to Vale.

The four of us stomp up the stairs, but I head in first to assess if Bishop is even going to allow the doctor entrance.

I peek my head into the den nest, and they aren’t speaking.

Vale lies on her side with her leg tossed over Bishop’s hip. He has a bandage over his wound, which was bleeding the last time I saw him.

He spots me and bares his teeth. His scent is acrid, and the fact I can pick it up from here instantly lets me know he’s in threat-assessment mode.

“Dr. Garza is here,” I say softly, raising my palms.

“Ohmigod, no. I changed my mind. I’ll just go to the hospital.” Vale struggles to sit up. “That’s Cooper’s brother.”

Bishop sits up, bringing her with him. “If you want to go to the hospital, then we’ll take you, but let him check out the baby first. It’s already been twenty minutes since you had that severe pain.”

Vale’s eyes fall shut and my stomach churns. She’s our fucking wife, and it’s highly likely she’s carrying one of my best mates’ baby.

The urge to lash out or completely shut down is strong.

Unfortunately, that’s not what Vale needs at the moment. No matter what happens, he won’t take her from us. The baby will lawfully be a part of our pack as soon as she’s born. I will fight Garza with every resource at my disposal if he tries to petition for custody.

I tamp down my fury to the best of my ability. “Patrick is unaware of your connection to Cooper.” I use their first names because saying Dr. Garza and just Garza—which is what we call Cooper—might confuse her.

Although, if Patrick did know he’s been treating his niece, then he might go above and beyond.

“Okay, bring him in,” Vale says, shuddering out a breath. Her face is bright red and her eyes are swollen.

It makes it very difficult not to dig a grave on the back one hundred acres to shove the younger Garza’s cold, dead body into.

I give a clipped nod and head back to the bedroom to grab Dr. Garza.