Page 46 of Daddy's Reckoning

I sighed, then nodded slowly, knowing he was right.

If I was going to have to put up with her working in that godforsaken diner, the least I could do is make some rules that ensured she was taking care of herself and not working too hard. “You’re right,” I told Bas. “Thanks, man.”

Bas clapped me on the shoulder, pushed off my desk, and left my office, closing the door behind him. I pulled open my laptop, eager to get to work on my plan.

I’d barely named the document when my cell phone rang, the shrill tone of an unknown number piercing the air. I glanced at the screen, fully expecting to see an 800 number and let it go to voicemail, but the number was a local one.

Frowning, I answered it. “Hello?”

“Hello, is this Theo Montgomery?”

“It is.” I balanced the phone between my cheek and my shoulder and turned my attention back to the open document. I should limit the amount of hours she could work in a week. She wouldn’t like it, but her expenses were low, and I didn’t want them taking advantage of her.

“This is Anna Rose from Geeno’s Diner. You’re listed as an emergency contact for Erin Nielson.”

I snapped to attention, jumping to my feet and slamming my computer shut. I was halfway to the door before I got a response out. “Is Erin okay? What happened?”

“Uh, yes, sir, I think she’s okay. She fainted, but she came to really fast. She told us she was pregnant, and my boss insisted on calling an ambulance to take her to the Thomas Jefferson Hospital.”

“I’m on my way. Thank you for calling.” I ended the call, and ran out of the office. My friends all yelled after me but I didn't slow down or respond to them in any way. I’d let Bas know what was going on once I saw for myself that Erin was okay.

ERIN

The worst part wasn’t fainting at work, or having to tell my boss I was pregnant way before I’d planned to. The worst part was knowing they’d call Theo. I’d begged Anna Rose not to, but my boss had overridden my protests.

When he came barreling into the emergency room like a bat out of hell twenty minutes later, I could see it in his eyes. The freedom of my working days was long gone.

“Erin.” He rushed to the bed I was sitting in waiting for the doctor, and sank down beside me, his tone reverent as he brushed the stray hairs from my face. “What happened? They said you fainted.”

“I’m fine.” I shrugged away from his touch, even though it felt good to have someone fuss over me. The truth was, I knew I was probably fine, but I was still a little scared. I didn’t know what was going on. One minute I’d been carrying a tray of sandwiches. The next I’d been on the floor, and my boss was calling an ambulance.

“You’re obviously not fine.” Theo pushed away my protests. “If you were fine, you wouldn’t have fainted. Have you seen a doctor yet?”

“Just a nurse that took my vitals and stuff.”

“Well, no more working at the diner.” He grabbed my hands and held them.

I tried to pull away, even though the contact felt good. “Theo, you’re being ridiculous.”

“No.” His voice was hard and his eyes darkened. “No, you’re being ridiculous. You have years of schooling and degrees, just not a medical degree. But you can get work in the realm of your own field, surely. You don’t need to be busting your butt, putting your health at risk at a fucking diner.”

“There’s nothing wrong with good, honest, hard work.”

“There isn’t. But you don’t need to do it. Not there. Or at all, really, though I do understand why you want to. But trust if I had it my way, you’d be at home having your every whim and craving catered to, twenty-four seven.”

Was I just emotional? Was I overtired? Why did that sound so nice and make me want to cry? It wasn’t what I wanted, not really.

“I can see your brain working overtime. You’re fighting with yourself,” Theo said, squeezing my hands. “The part of you that’s never been taken care of wants to give in. Your independent side wants to fight with all you’re worth.”

“Pfft.” I yanked my hand away, and wiped the corner of my eye where a tear was threatening to fall. I hated and loved that he could read me so well.

“I’m gonna make it easy for you, babygirl,” Theo said.

Even though I knew that whatever he was about to say would not, in fact, be easy, I melted. I loved it when he called me babygirl. I didn’t tell him that, though. I didn’t say anything, and he continued.

“I’m going to step up as your Daddy. I’m going to make it so you don’t have to fight with yourself. All you have to do is listen to Daddy and let me take care of you.”

I shook my head. It was so slight I barely felt it, and I wondered if Theo had even seen it.