The Biker's Fate Chapter 129

Cassidy

"I do, Cass. Walk out tomorrow and I'll take care of everything."

I frowned. "I like my job, honey. I like the people I work with... for the most part, it has great benefits and it's also in Vancouver, which means I don't have to pay income tax. Those jobs aren't easy to find right now."

He dragged his hands through his hair. "Cassidy, if you never wanted to work again, you wouldn't have to."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously," he said.

I bit my lip. "Well, that's good to know for the future, but right now, I'm young, I'm healthy, and I don't have a reason not to work, so I'd feel weird."

Carter stared at me but not for long. "If tomorrow doesn't go well, you quit."

"How about," I countered, looping my arms around his neck, "if Tom doesn't stop his unprofessional behavior, then I quit? He might not fully understand how uncomfortable he's making me, and one word from HR will shut it down."

"I don't like it, Cass."

"I know, baby, but it'll be okay," I promised. "Why don't you eat and then we can do something fun?"

"Mav asleep?" he asked.

"Yep."

"Let's skip food," he said, leaning down to kiss me and lifting me so I could wrap my legs around his waist.

I smiled against his lips and slipped my hands in his hair as he carried me into the bedroom and closed the door. He lowered me to the mattress and tugged my shorts—panties and all—down my legs. God, I loved how he always started right here. Even if we weren't completely naked, he'd start with his face between my legs, and I'd forget about everything.

This time, however, he didn't spend as much time as he usually did. Don't get me wrong, I came and I came hard, but this was the first time I'd only come once before he was removing the rest of our clothes and sliding into me... and I loved it.

Ohmigod, this was definitely going on the approved list of sexual standard procedures.

"So fuckin' wet, baby."

"Yes!" I drew my knees up higher, wrapping my calves around his back. My ballet training gave me the ability to contort my body for optimum pleasure, and holy crap, tonight was most certainly optimum pleasure.

His mouth covered mine and his tongue slid into my mouth as he wrapped his big hand around my breast and squeezed. He rolled the nipple between his fingers as his hips surged into me, his tongue matching the motion with each thrust.

I lost his mouth on mine, but he moved his lips to my throat and I arched my neck to get more. "Drop a leg, baby."

I dropped a leg onto the mattress and mewed as he slid his hand between us and fingered my clit. "Love my baby's cunt. Fuck, so tight and wet."

I tilted my hips and groaned. "Carter. Oh, God, I love you!"

"Come baby," he said, his breath coming in pants as he slammed into me again and again.

"More, honey."

He did as he was told and pressed in deeper and I exploded around him. He wasn't far behind and he collapsed on top of me, rolling us to our sides to keep our connection. I felt him pulse inside of me for several seconds and I wrapped my leg back around him. "Wow," I whispered.

He chuckled and kissed me. "Yeah, wow's good, babe."

I stroked his cheek and ran my thumb across his lower lip. "I had no idea."

"About?"

"How good this would be. Is it always like this?"

He nibbled gently on my thumb and shook his head. "It's never been like this for me."

"Liar." I narrowed my eyes.

"Never lied to you, Cassidy," he said, sounding a little irked.

I rolled my eyes. "You're telling me, that with the multitudes of women you've been with, you have never had sex this good?"

"That's exactly what I'm telling you."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously." Carter smiled. "There's a difference in making love and getting' off, and until you, it's been the latter."

I closed my eyes and smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I love you so much it hurts sometimes."

Carter pulled me close and held me for a while before sliding out of me and making his way to the bathroom. He returned with a warm washcloth and cleaned me up, we dressed just enough in case Maverick came in during the night, and then I fell asleep in his arms, dinner and troubles forgotten.

The next morning, the alarm went off and I slammed my hand on the snooze button, rolling over with a smile and opening my eyes. What met my gaze had me squeaking and scrambling from the bed. Carter dropped his head back and laughed, patting the mattress. "Sorry, babe. I didn't mean to freak you out." He waved the tiny troll doll gently, complete with bright pink hair, and a diamond ring hanging from his arm. "Torbig and I have a question."

I shook my head as I climbed back into the bed. "You are ridiculous."

I bit my lip as Carter sat up and raised a knee. "Cassidy Eleanor Dennis, would you do me the great honor of marrying me?"

"Yes." I nodded, giggling as he slid the ring on my finger. It was exquisite. A huge oval diamond sat proudly between two smaller diamonds and the setting was intricate on both the top and sides with filigree that sparkled in the dim light. "Wow," I breathed.

"If you don't like it, baby, we can return it."

"It's perfect," I said, throwing my arms around him and kissing him. "Thank you."

He caught me and settled me across his chest.

"Maverick, you can come in now," Carter called.

Maverick shoved through the door and jumped on the bed. "Did you say yes, Mom?"

"I did say yes. But is that okay with you?"

"Carter's gonna be my dad, right?"

I grinned. "He is."

"Yes," Maverick exclaimed and pumped his fist in the air.

I laughed. "So you approve."

Maverick crossed his legs and nodded. "He already asked me for permission, Mom."

"You did?" I asked Carter.

"Of course I did," he said. "I talked to your dad, too. Had to get the blessings from the two main men in your life."

I hugged his waist. "I love you."

"Are you guys gonna kiss now?" Maverick asked, a horrified expression on his face.

"Yeah, buddy," Carter answered.

"Gross. Can I please leave?"

"Sure thing," Carter said.

I giggled and dropped my head to Carter's shoulder. "Eat breakfast while I shower, please."

"Okay, Mom." Maverick left the bedroom, pulling the door closed behind him.

Carter kissed me, but not for long because my alarm sounded again. I groaned and broke the kiss. "I should get up."

"Or you could call in 'never coming back.'"

I giggled. "We have a good plan, honey. I'll call you after I talk to HR and we'll go from there."

"I'm going on record to say I still don't like the plan."

"I know."

"We're comin' to take you to lunch today, yeah? I need to get you a burner, so I'll bring that with me."

I sat up and turned off the alarm. "Why do I need a burner?"

"Because we blocked Tom's number and he still found a way to call you, so I want you to have a phone he doesn't know about."

I crossed my arms and frowned down at him, ignoring the overwhelming desire to lick his perfectly glorious chest from top to bottom. "Who is 'we'?"

"Club."

"Wait. You're telling me the club has access to my cell phone?"

"No. Booker technically does, but Mack's workin' on some legal shit, so when I say the club, it encompasses those two... for now."

I gasped and widened my eyes in horror. "Does Booker have access to our texts?"

"No. Don't worry, babe. Those are just for us." Carter grinned. "He can probably access them, but I trust that he won't."

"Why did you just tell me that?" I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "Now I'm going to be beet red every time I see him!"

"Honey, he's a brother. I trust him. He won't access them without my permission, yeah?"

"No, Carter, it's not 'yeah'! Gah! This is humiliating." I stalked into the bathroom and started the shower. As I turned, I was pulled up against Carter and I sighed.

"I promise you, no one will see the texts. We can delete them now if it makes you feel any better," he said. "But they shouldn't embarrass you, baby. We're in love, we're gettin' married. It's an expression of how we feel—"

"A very, very graphic and dirty expression of how we feel," I grumbled.

He chuckled. "Fuck yeah, a very graphic and dirty expression of how we feel. How about I express a little bit more of my graphic and dirty feelings in the shower?"

"Make sure Maverick's okay and then you can have me for ten minutes."

"Start without me," he said, and left the room.

I took a moment to study my ring again and decided to shower with it on. I wasn't ready to take it off yet... I might never be.

Carter and Maverick dropped me off and, after sending an email to HR detailing everything that had happened with Tom, I went about getting through my To Do list. I was ahead of the curve for the moment, so when I got a call from Lana, our HR director, I was able to meet with her right away.

I headed to her office on the floor below me and closed the door.

Ace

I TOOK MAVERICK with me to the club and found Hawk had brought Lily, so I settled Maverick in the playroom with her and my President's daughter, Ashley, who was on kid watch duty for the day.

Since I hadn't talked to my brother in a while, I headed to the office Hawk used to run his bounty hunter business out of. Booker and Mack had offices as well, which kept the club self-sufficient. I knocked.

"Come in," Hawk called.

"Hey," I said, and pushed the door open.

"Hey, man." Hawk turned from his computer and set his feet up on the desk. "Heard someone's fuckin' with Cassidy."

"Yeah." I sat in one of the seats facing the desk. "Booker's dealin' with it right now. You workin' much this week?"

"Got a couple assholes who jumped bail and went to ground. Got a lead on one, the other's a ghost."

Hawk was really good at his job. So good, in fact, he was paid accordingly. Two jobs a year could bring in as much as the average person's yearly salary, which afforded him the option of working when he wanted to, which was less now that he had Payton.

"What'd these guys do?"

Hawk slid the files toward me. "One's a drug dealer, beat a murder rap, got brought up on another one, convicted then released on a technicality. Got another murder rap, this one stuck and he ran. He's in Salem, so I'm headin' down there tonight."

"Shit."

"He's a dumb fucker, but he's a lucky dumb fucker."

"Sounds like it," I said.

"The other guy's slippery. Comes from money. Asshole who enjoys stalking and raping women. Two possible murders, but can't make them stick with no body."

I opened the file and my blood ran cold. "Fuck!"

"Yeah, he's a—"

"No, Hawk, this is the fucker who's messin' with Cassidy."

Hawk grabbed the file. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, seriously." I skimmed the file. "He said he was going to London and Paris."

"He's on a no-fly list, Ace. Don't know how he'd get out of the state, let alone the country."

"Fuck!" I stood and pulled open the door. "Watch Mav, yeah? I'm gettin' Cassidy."

"We got 'im, brother. I'll fill Booker in."

I nodded and headed to my bike. It'd be faster than my truck and I needed faster today.

Cassidy

I was leaving Lana's office when I was bombarded by Janie who was flailing her arms around in frantic, chicken-like movements. "You okay?" I asked.

"No," she squeaked. "Your boyfriend's in reception and he's freaking out. I think he has a gun, Cassidy."

I frowned. "Okay, I'll head there now."

As we walked toward the elevator bay, I felt a chill go up my spine, but the look on Janie's face made me sick to my stomach. I turned to see Tom with a crazed look on his face and a gun pointed at the two of us.

"Hello, Cassidy," he said. "I think it's time the two of us have a little talk."

"I'm sorry, Tom, but I need to get downstairs." Okay, probably not the right thing to say, but I'd never had a gun pointed at me before. I felt like talking him out of his plan might be a good option. I was wrong.

"You're not going anywhere." He turned the gun on Janie and shot.

She and I both screamed, and Janie fell to the ground. Before I could register the horror of watching someone get shot in front of me, I was yanked into a conference room and shoved against the table.

"Sit down, Cassidy," Tom ordered, and aimed the gun at me.

"Is Janie okay?" I asked, sobbing as I lowered myself in the chair.

"I need to explain some things to you. You're the one I want, Cassidy. You and I are going to get married and have children, and we'll live together in London." He waved his hands around as he spoke, and I was worried he'd shoot me. "You'll love England, sweetheart."

"Tom—"

"My name's not Tom!" he bellowed.

"It's not?"

"No! It's Robert."

I swallowed, nodding, trying to get my breathing under control. Who was this guy? As he stared at me with a hollow look on his face, all I could think about were Carter and Maverick. Why didn't I listen to Carter? He was right. I should never have come back to work.

"Say my name, Cassidy," he demanded.

"Robert," I rasped.

"As soon as it's clear—" Tom, or Robert, whoever he was, said "—we are going to walk out of here together. I will take you home and we can start our life."

"How—how will I get on a plane without a passport?" I asked.

"I have one for you."

I hiccupped, sobbing as I rubbed my arms, the fear suddenly making me cold. I caught movement through the window of the conference room door and tried to look somewhat covertly. Robert was watching me, his back to the door. I bit the inside of cheek to keep from crying out. Carter was there, although, I couldn't hear anything he was saying. I just had to trust that he had a plan and he'd protect me.

Ace

I had Lana, the HR director, pinned against the wall. "You fuckin' did this, lady, so you're not leavin' until my woman's out of that room and safe."

Another woman was kneeling beside the one who got shot, keeping pressure on the wound in her shoulder. It didn't look like it was life threatening, but I kind of wished it was. Fuckin' whore used Cassidy as a human shield. Bitch.

"I swear I knew nothing about him. It wasn't even my call," Lana cried.

"How the fuck did you people not know who he was? It's called a background check!"

"I don't know," she whispered. "I'm sorry. I don't know."

"Ambulance is on its way." I released her with a scowl. "You need to get these people out of the fucking building. Quietly. And when my people get here, you don't give them shit. They go wherever the fuck they want to go."

She nodded and rushed away from me, ushering people as quietly as she could to the stairs.

"Ace, what the fuck's goin' on?" Hawk demanded as he, Booker, Aidan, and our prez, Crow, walked toward him.

"Bastard's got Cassidy in that room," I said, waving the men to the wall out of sight.

Hawk nodded and pulled out his cell phone.

"What the fuck are you doin'?" I whispered.

"I'm callin' Brock," he said.

"Not gettin' into bed with the feds," Crow said.

"Trust me."

"Tell him to get Jax," I demanded, and Hawk nodded.

I honestly didn't much care who Hawk called. I just needed a clear shot of this fucker's head. So far, despite the glass, Robert never stayed within sight long enough for me to shoot.

Cassidy

"Tom—Robert, can we please talk about this," I begged. "I have a son. I can't just leave him and run away with you."

"We'll put him in boarding school and we'll have our own family, Cassidy," Robert said. He pulled a chair in front of me and smiled. "You'll see, sweetheart. I'll make you so happy."

"I can't live without my son, Robert."

"You were so beautiful," he continued, obviously not listening to me.

"What?"

"On the video call. I saw you sitting at the end of the conference table and I knew you were the one. I made them transfer me that day."

"I don't understand," I whispered.

"From the New York office." He frowned like I should know what he meant. "You remember the call, right?"

I nodded. "When you were being introduced?"

"Exactly. I saw you and knew you were the one for me."

"But we don't know each other, Robert. There must be someone else who knows you—"

"No! It's you, Cassidy," he screamed. "It's always been you!"

He started waving the gun at me again and I raised my hand at some lame attempt to shield myself. "Okay, Robert. I'm sorry."

Ace

Jaxon slid the tiny camera under the crack of the conference room door and studied the screen at the end of it.

"Is she okay," I demanded.

"Yeah," Jaxon said. "The guy's sitting across from her, the gun's on his lap."

"Fuck!" I rasped. "It's been two hours, we need to get her out of there."

"Carter, I get it. But I need you to back up, so we can do our job."

Cassidy

I don't know how long I'd been in this room with Robert, but I was feeling stifled by the heat and the closeness of his body, and I really had to pee.

The FBI had called into the phone in the room and all it managed to do was to make Robert even more frantic. I think he realized he wasn't walking out of here with me, and probably knew he'd be going away for a very long time.

"Robert, please. I could really use some water, and I'd like to talk to my son. Could we please just call them back?"

"Shut up!" He paced the room, his eyes and hands moving wildly.

"Please," I begged.

"You're not leaving this room, Cassidy. Just shut up."

"What do you mean?" I whispered.

"I'm not an idiot. I know there are agents outside waiting for us. I'm not leaving this room alive." He silenced me with a stare. "And neither are you."

Ace

A shot rang out, then a scream and another shot, and I shoved past my brother and into the conference room. "Cassidy! Somebody get the fuckin' paramedics in here now!"

Cassidy was slumped in a chair, blood pouring from her stomach. She had her hands over the wound, trying to keep pressure on it.

"Baby," I whispered, replacing her hands with mine. "I'm here. I've got you."

"He... he shot himself. In the head," she whispered, her eyes unable to focus on anything.

"I know, baby. Look at me. I've got you."

"It hurts."

"I know, honey. Help's coming." I turned and yelled, "Where the fuck are the paramedics?"

"Here," a young woman said and wheeled in a gurney, a large man following. "Sir, give us some space, please."

I found myself pulled away by Jaxon, and Cassidy was lifted onto the gurney. The paramedics did whatever the fuck they did and then she was wheeled into the elevator. I followed, keeping hold of her hand, even though she'd passed out.

The rest of the day moved within a fog. I was forced to leave Cassidy in the hallway of the hospital as they wheeled her into emergency surgery. Most of the club arrived shortly after the ambulance did, along with Jaxon. Brock and Dallas were cleaning up and processing the crime scene.

An hour later, no one had given me any information and I was going crazy.

"Let me see what I can do," Macey offered. She had arrived with Payton and Dani, and happened to be an emergency room nurse in Portland. I highly doubted she'd have any access here, but I was desperate. I nodded and she left the group.

"Fuck," I whispered, dropping my still bloody hands on my head. "I have to get Maverick."

"He's fine," Payton said. "Ashley's got him and Lily totally entertained. She's ordering pizza and can stay with them all night if need be. We can also take him home later if you like."

Tears slipped down my face. "What do I tell him if she dies?"

"She's not going to die," Payton promised, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

Jaxon sat in the chair next to me. "I called Cassidy's parents and Mia. Her mom will call Shannon and fill her in. They're on their way."

I nodded.

"I think you should get cleaned up," Jaxon said. "Aidan's grabbing you some clean clothes. I figured you wouldn't want to leave."

"Thanks."

Macey returned twenty minutes later and sat where Payton had been. "Dallas's brother called in privileges for me so I could stay updated, but I can't give you any information without her next of kin's permission."

Dallas Stone was one of Jaxon's FBI partners, and Macey's husband.

"What the fuck?" I bellowed.

"I just need verbal approval from her mom or dad, Ace. Okay? If we can call them, then I should be covered."

"I'm on it." Jaxon pulled out his cell phone and dialed Cassidy's mother.

Once approval was given, Macey signed some forms, had me sign some forms, although I didn't read them, and then she left me again.

Macey became my personal liaison and I honestly didn't know how I would have managed without her. Aidan returned with clean clothes, and I took five minutes to go to the bathroom and wash up as best I could before shoving my dirty clothes, cut and all, in a plastic bag, and return to the waiting room.

Macey brought out a bag with Cassidy's belongings in it, but personally handed me her engagement ring. "I figured you probably wouldn't want this getting lost."

I nodded and pulled off the chain around my neck, slipping the ring onto it and sliding it back around my neck. I found Cassidy's matching chain and also slipped that around my neck.

"Surgery's going really well," Macey said. "They got the bleeding under control. She's out of the woods. I think they're just closing up really soon and then she'll go into the ICU for observation."

"But she's okay?" I asked.

"She's out of the woods."

I faced her with a frown. "That's not what I asked."

"Carter," Jaxon warned.

"Fuck off, Jax. I want her to tell me if Cassidy's okay."

"I really think you should wait for the doctor, so he can explain it."

"What aren't you telling me?" I demanded, shrugging off the hand that Jaxon placed on my shoulder.

Payton sat beside Macey and took her hand. "Just tell him, Mace."

Macey grimaced. "There was some damage to her uterine wall and they're concerned she may not be able to carry a baby."

"What?"

Macey nodded, her eyes filling with tears. She wiped them away quickly. "I don't know anything else. They called in OB/GYN and the doctor's an incredible surgeon, so I didn't want to panic you."

"Fuck!" I stood and paced the room. Everyone left me alone, which was wise.

Ace

I WASN'T ABLE to see Cassidy for another two hours. She was resting comfortably, or so they said, but she was out, so I took her hand and raised it to my mouth, kissing her palm. I could do nothing but wait.

Her parents arrived an hour or so later and rushed into the room. After checking on Cassidy and kissing her cheek, Wendy wrapped me in a motherly hug. "Hi, honey."

I nodded and pulled away from her.

"Your friend Payton is going to take Maverick to her home and we've asked her not to say anything until we can explain to him what's going on."

"Thanks." I felt like the walls of the room were closing in on me, the panic rising suddenly and far too quickly.

"Son?" Patrick asked.

"I need a minute," I rasped, and stepped out of the room. Bending at the waist, I anchored my palms on my thighs and took several deep breaths.

Visions of Cassidy being shot flew through my mind, only it was me doing the shooting... just like in my nightmares.

"Carter." Jaxon wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led me to a chair along the wall. "Take a beat."

"I did this," I whispered. "It's my fault."

"No, you didn't. You saw it comin' and got to her faster than anyone could. This could have gone much, much worse," Jaxon said.

"She might not be able to have any kids. That's on me," I argued. "I should have fuckin' tied her to a chair instead of lettin' her go into work."

"Look, I know nothing I say is gonna make you feel better, but you identified the threat and got to her faster than anyone could have. If you hadn't, he could have gotten her leaving the building and she might be somewhere you couldn't get to her. Trust me, brother, it could have been worse, and she's alive because of you."

I dragged my hands through my hair.

"Carter?" Wendy called. "She's asking for you."

I shot to my feet and made my way back to the room, stepping to the bed. "Hey, baby."

"Where's Maverick?" she asked.

"He's with Payton, honey. He's safe."

"I want him here," she said, grabbing my hand and squeezing. "Please, bring him here. I need to see him."

"Okay, baby. I'll get Hawk to bring him."

"Don't leave."

I smiled, leaning down to kiss her gently. "I'm gonna have Jax tell Hawk. I'll be right back."

"He's okay?"

"He's great, baby. I promise. No one's told him anything."

"Wait," she said. "Maybe we shouldn't tell him yet."

"Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it, honey." Cassidy still hadn't released my hand.

"We should probably wait."

I kept hold of her hand as I sat in the chair next to the bed.

"Are you in any pain, honey?" Wendy asked.

"Not right now," Cassidy said. "Everything just feels kind of tight."

Wendy fussed while Patrick sat on the other side of her, his hand on her arm like he was afraid she'd disappear. Two doctors walked in a few minutes later and closed the door.

"I'm Dr. Nelson," the surprisingly young, attractive female surgeon said.

"I'm Dr. Waring," the older man with her said.

"Perhaps we should get some privacy, so we can talk," Dr. Nelson said.

"I'm fine," Cassidy said. "They can stay."

I linked my fingers with hers. I had an idea of what was coming and knew she'd have a difficult time processing.

"There was quite a bit of internal damage, which we were able to repair, however, we are still concerned about the damage to your uterus."

Cassidy gasped. "What happened to my uterus?"

"The bullet damaged the uterine wall and I was afraid I'd have to perform a hysterectomy."

"Did you?" Cassidy asked, tears sliding down her face. I kissed her hand, laying her hand against my cheek.

"No. I repaired what I could," Dr. Nelson said. "But only time will tell if there will be any further complications. It's possible you might not be able to carry another child, Cassidy."

"What?" Cassidy burst into tears.

"We don't know for sure yet, honey," I said.

"But you want a hundred kids," she cried.

"There are other ways to get kids, baby," I whispered, stroking her cheek.

"It's not a definite outcome," Dr. Nelson said. "We have every hope that your body will do what it's designed to do and finish off the healing process. We'll keep a close eye on you and monitor you as you heal."

I watched as Cassidy shut down. I knew it the second her tears stopped, and she started nodding at everything the doctors said. She'd checked out and wasn't listening to anything they were saying. I did my best to focus on the doctor's instructions because she'd need to know eventually.

Cassidy was sleeping and Patrick was making a food run while Wendy quietly read a book, so I stepped into the hallway to call Hawk.

"Hey, Ace."

"Hey. Cass has to be here for at least a week, so I'm thinkin' I'll come pick up Maverick tomorrow and bring him, if that's okay."

"No problem. We told him you and Cassidy were doin' somethin' so he got to stay the night with us. He's happy, man. We got him."

I sighed. "Thanks. 'Preciate it."

"You wanna talk to him?"

"No, because he might want to talk to Cass and she's asleep."

"Good thinkin'. Okay, just swing by tomorrow whenever. We'll be here."

"Thanks again." I hung up and made my way back into the room, interrupting an argument between Cassidy and her mother. "What's goin' on? You okay?"

"Fine." Cassidy glared at her mom.

"Hey," I said, and sat beside her again. "What's up?"

"She thinks you two should break up," Wendy provided.

"Mom," Cassidy snapped.

"Why?" I asked carefully.

"Because she's decided that what's done is done and since she can't give you children, she's useless to you," Wendy said.

"Mom, shut up!" Cassidy hissed.

I stood and smiled. "Wendy, can I have a few minutes with your daughter?"

"Only if you plan to talk some sense into her."

"Of course I do."

Wendy smiled, kissed my cheek, and sidled out the door. I went back to the bed, but instead of sitting on the chair, I sat on the mattress beside Cassidy.

"We don't have to make any decisions now," Cassidy whispered, not meeting my eyes.

"Look at me, Cassidy," I demanded quietly.

Her eyes flew to me and I raised her palm to my lips. "I'm not goin' anywhere."

"I know you say that now because I'm lying—"

"I swear to fuckin' Christ, Cassidy, you keep talkin' like that and I will handcuff you permanently to this bed. You'll be stuck with me literally."

"You don't own handcuffs," she grumbled.

"Yes, I do."

"You do?"

I nodded.

"Do I want to know why you have those handcuffs?" she asked.

"It's not because of anything fun," I informed her. "Look, this sucks. All of it. But we're in it together and if you talk about us doin' anything goin' forward alone, I will lose my fuckin' mind. I don't love you because you can or can't give me kids. I love you and Maverick with every part of me, and you are enough. You're more than enough. If we want more kids and we can't get them the traditional way, then we'll adopt or use a surrogate, or whatever."

"But you want a lot of kids."

"You're not hearin' me, honey," I said. "I want you more than I want more kids, Cassidy. I've tried livin' without you. It doesn't work and if you try to separate me from our kid, you'll regret it."

"Dipshit bolt." I could tell she was trying not to smile.

"Fuckin' nut," I retorted.

"I'm giving you an out, Carter."

"Fuck me, Cass, I don't want an out." I pulled our chains from around my neck and helped her put hers on, before pulling her engagement ring off my chain and sliding it back onto her finger. "You're my world, baby. I can't live without you. Either of you."

I leaned down to kiss her, but she turned her head. "I haven't brushed my teeth since this morning."

"I don't care," I said, and kissed her. After breaking the kiss, I stroked her cheek. "I'm gonna get your mom. No more talk of us breaking up, yeah?"

"Okay," she whispered.

"I talked to Hawk and I'll pick Maverick up and bring him tomorrow. Tonight he'll stay blissfully unaware that anything's wrong, yeah?" She nodded, her face contorting in pain. "How bad?"

"Bad, but..." she said, and pressed the button for the pain pump, quickly falling asleep.