LOGINWe step out into the corridor together, heading towards the room we’d seen him go into. “Hey,” I call as we spot Jake’s assistant leaving the room opposite. “Have you seen Jake?”She looks up, relief flickering across her face as if she’s glad it’s not another emergency.“Yeah,” she says. “He stepp
**Poppy’s POV **After the tree of death tried to kill me, we head back into the clinic for breakfast. Jake leaves to check on his patients, promising to catch up with us soon. I want to tell him no, that I need him with me, but that will only worry him and Leo. I feel fine; the chill I had last ni
His mouth twitches slightly, but he doesn’t quite smile.“Good,” he says.Good? I stare at him.“That’s not an answer.”“No,” he agrees. “It isn’t, but you also didn’t ask a question.”My hands clench at my sides, which is more Leo’s style than mine. I force them to relax.“Ronnie…”“When something
** Jake’s POV **That baby should have died. The thought swirls in my mind, no matter how many times I try to push it aside. I’ve seen enough births to know the difference between a close call and a miracle. That wasn’t a close call; it was impossible.I stand at the end of the bed, watching as the
“Poppy,” Jake’s voice calls, softer than before.I glance over at him. He’s watching me now.A flicker of unease slides through me.“Yeah?” I call back, forcing a small smile.His gaze narrows slightly, as if he’s trying to piece something together that doesn’t quite fit.“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Jake watches me closely.“I’m fine,” I insist, before he can say anything. I know he doesn’t fully believe me, but he doesn’t argue.We step out into the corridor together, and I hear a few voices drift in the distance. “Jake,” Leo says quietly beside me. “What’s going on?”Jake exhales slowly as
I suck in a shaky breath, lifting my head just enough to meet Callen’s eyes again. He gives me a small, knowing smile as he brushes away the last of his tears.“Go on, baby,” he whispers. “Let them help you now. We’ll be right here.”Callen kisses my head, and Ryder leans over to press a chaste kiss
** Paige’s POV **“Ryder?” I ask, my stomach dropping as a thousand scenarios run through my head.He doesn’t answer right away. His thumb moves quickly over the screen, his eyes scanning something. Then he lets out a breath and looks up at me, his eyes shining.“It’s the DNA results,” he says, his
** Paige’s POV **Remy carries me into the bathroom, which is already filled with steam. Ryder was right. I am in fact unable to walk. When I had tried to stand, my legs were like jelly. Parker had caught me, steadying me, before Remy had scooped me into his arms. I had protested that I’d be fine to
My heart squeezes at that, and I take a breath before I speak again. “I am ready. If you are sure you can wait for me to decide if I want more kids, that you are okay with it if I decide I don’t want any more, then I’m ready to complete the bond with you both.”“Shit,” Callen curses, and I look at h







