46. Thea

Walking out with Nicole at the women's clinic in town, I'm holding the results of my test in shaking hands. I look at it one more time. It's proof that I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant. It still doesn't feel real, even as I heard the baby's heartbeat echoing over the monitor. I'm still really early, but the fact this is actually happening has thrown me for a loop—to say the least.

"It's going to be okay, you know," Nicole says, hugging me.

Until this moment, I didn't realize that she was standing right in front of me. She's so happy that I'm pregnant. I can't help but wonder how my parents are going to react. My mother is not Dom's biggest fan at the moment. Dad seems to be team Dom, but I think he is being very cautious about it all.

"That makes one of us who is positive about that," I mutter, and she laughs.

"Thea, forget all the other bullshit and the worries for the moment. Can you honestly tell me that the thought of having Dom's baby doesn't fill you with happiness?"

"It does," I tell her, not wanting her to think for one second that it doesn't. "I want my baby. Unfortunately, all the other stuff is happening too. I can't exactly ignore it."

"You can for today," she disputes, making me laugh.

Before I can argue with her, my cell rings. I look at the caller ID and bite my lip. "It's Dom," I whisper.

"You better pick it up. Remember, no more running for either of us. Tell him to meet you at your house."

"Hello," I answer after clicking the screen and putting the phone up to my ear.

"Thea. Thank fuck, you answered me."

I feel a little guilty because I've been declining his calls. I know I haven't been acting the most adult, but I'm dealing with a lot--not to mention pregnancy hormones. At least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

"Yeah, I need to talk to you too."

"I do you, too, Gorgeous. I have so much to tell you. I just got a call from Dad. Damn, where are you?" he asks. He sounds so excited, almost giddy. I swear if he has a tail on me and knows I'm pregnant before I can tell him, I might just strangle him.

"I'm at the women's clinic downtown," I respond, figuring that's safe. They have all kinds of doctors here—not just an OB. It's a specialty clinic that focuses on women and health problems that are unique to them.

"The clinic? Sweetheart, are you sick?"

"I'm fine, I?—"

"You know what? This can't wait. I need to tell you. Everything is going to be okay, Thea. I need you to know that. Is anyone with you?"

"Um, your mom. Dom, what's going on? You're kind of freaking me out."

"I will explain everything when I get there. Ask Mom to stay with you, I don't like the idea of you being alone. Will you let me talk to you when I get there? I have so much to tell you."

"I'll wait for you on the benches in front of the clinic."

"Good, I'll be right there. I love you, Thea."

He hangs up without giving me a chance to respond. I can do nothing but stare at my phone.

"Is everything okay?" Nicole asks.

"I'm not sure. He sounded different. Actually, he sounded happy."

"You told him about the baby?" Nicole asks.

"I didn't get the chance. Whatever he's happy about, it's not the baby. I didn't even get to ask him to meet us at the house. He told me to wait for him here and I just agreed like a dummy."

Nicole's Tinkerbell laughter floats around me. "That sounds like my boy. I swear he's so much like his father it's a little scary."

"I'm not sure I'm ready to hear that just yet. Dragon is a lot," I mutter as we sit on the bench at the bottom of the concrete steps that lead to the clinic.

"Hate to break it to you, Thea, but so is Dom. That's my point."

"I guess so," I mutter. "I would have liked just a little more time to get used to the idea that I'm pregnant before I have to see him."

"Newsflash, Thea. With Dom, that's something you better get used to. None of the Savage men give their women time."

"Are you trying to scare me off?" I mostly joke. I expect Nicole to say something smartass back. When she doesn't, I look up to see her staring at an angle from me. I follow her gaze and quickly see Gabby walking toward the clinic.

Shit. Shit. Shit!

That's the one person I truly didn't want to see today. The happiness that had built up inside of me starts to slide away. Nicole and I stand up together and are rewarded with a gasp when Gabby sees us standing there. For a second, I'm pretty sure I see panic on her face. Does she think the two of us will gang up on her?

"I guess I don't need to ask if Dom told you I'm pregnant. It's clear you know if you're stalking me and bringing his mother into it," she says, giving me a look that I'm sure is meant to kill me on the spot.

"Gabby, I don't want to fight with you. We need to be adults here. You might be pregnant, but I'm not giving Dom up. We're going to have to learn how to get along—if for no other reason than the baby."

"That's not happening. You are not a part of my baby's life. I won't allow it."

"You won't have a choice. I told you, I'm not giving Dom up. We're all going to have to be adults so we can co-parent. Whatever issues we have, the child is innocent."

"You're dreaming. I"m not letting you near my child."

Nicole laughs. "Gabby, you act like you have power here, and you don't. You won"t be able to stop it. There's not a court around that will keep a child from the stepmother, especially one like Thea who checks all the boxes the courts demand."

"Stepmother?" Gabby bites out. Her face flushes with anger. If looks could kill, Nicole would be dead, and I wouldn't be far behind. "You're not married to Dom. What lies are you spreading to get his parents on your side?"

I carefully fold my results again and put them in my pocket. I don't want her to take them out of my hand. Then I hold out my hand, showing the engagement ring Dom gave me. "We're not married yet, but we soon will be."

"You stupid cow! You"re trying to ruin everything here! I won't allow it!" Her voice is so shrill that it pierces the air. She reaches out to hit or shove me—I'm not sure of which. "I won't allow you to ruin this for me, you bitch!" Nicole jumps in between us—trying to protect me from her. She scratches the side of Nicole's face before she draws back, trying to go around her to get to me.

Nicole slaps the side of Gabby's face. The sound rings out and immediately stops Gabby's yelling. "Gabby, stop this. You're not supposed to be fighting in your condition and Thea shouldn't be, either. The number one priority here is the babies."

I hold my head down. Now, I'd like to be the one to strangle my soon-to-be-mother-in-law. The last thing I wanted today was for Gabby to find out I was pregnant. I don't trust her as far as I can throw her. I wouldn't put it past her to try to hurt my baby. In reaction to that thought, my hand goes against my stomach.

Gabby's face fills with shock. "You're pregnant?" she asks, her voice quieter. I see a pain in her eyes. I can tell how much the thought of me carrying Dom's baby hurts her. If she were a different person, I could almost feel sorry for her. She's not, though. Everything that is happening results from her actions and so is the pain she's feeling right now. If I were a better person, maybe I'd feel charitable toward her. I mean, if she hadn't fucked up, I'd never have had a chance with Dom. I don't, however. I'd be more than happy if she would just disappear from our lives—and yes, I know that's a horrible thing to say since she's carrying Dom's baby, too.

God, my life has become a soap opera.

"Yes," I admit.

"You're pregnant," she whispers, and pain fills her voice this time.

Before any of us can say more, I hear the familiar roar of the pipes on Dom's bike. I look up to see him parking on the street. He immediately scans the area in front of the clinic, jumps off, and makes a beeline for me. He goes around Gabby without looking at her and takes me into his arms. I can't say a word because his lips are on mine, kissing me hard.

I'm in shock and can't even fully enjoy the kiss before we're breaking apart. His gaze goes to his mom. "What happened to your face?"

"It's nothing. Gabby and I just had a small disagreement."

Dom turns to look at Gabby then. "You scratch my mother's face with those damn fake nails of yours?"

"I didn't mean to. She got in the way," Gabby answers like a robot. I swear she's pale as a ghost. I'm thinking she could be in shock.

"So, you were trying to hit my woman? Do you have a fucking death warrant?"

"She's not your woman. I told you if you wanted to be a part of this child's life you were going to have to kick her to the curb. I won't allow that bitch to be a part of my child's life."

"Fine."

"Fine?" I squeak out, just as Gabby gets this fucking self-satisfied smile on her face.

"Dom!"

"Get out of our territory right now, Gabby. My father has already contacted yours. You aren't allowed here anymore. If I see you around Thea, my mom, or anyone that is important to me, I will end you, and you won't like how I do it."

"You can't do that. This is America and I can go anywhere I want. You lay a finger on me, and my father will wage a war."

"You see, I knew that would be your response. You wouldn't think twice about starting a war between the clubs. It wouldn't bother you to be the cause of people dying. You're the most selfish person I've ever met. Thank fuck Thea gave me another shot. I've been more than half in love with her for years, but I pushed her away because of a stupid promise to you that you held over my head."

He turns to me. I'm still trying to catch up on everything he has just said. My head is swimming. I hold on to him because my legs are weak. Did he really just choose me over Gabby, even though she's pregnant? I can't let him do that. I mean choosing me, definitely, but he needs to be a part of his child's life.

"You can't do this!" Gabby insists, stomping her foot.

Dom ignores her and focuses on me. "Please God, tell me you will come home with me today, Thea. I can't survive any longer without you."

"Yeah, I'm coming home."

"You are?"

"Besides, I've figured out that you aren't going to let me get away from you now," I joke. I mean that because I'm pregnant, but I don't say that right now. I'd rather have time alone to tell him that.

Nicole laughs. "She's telling the truth. You are like your father in that regard, Dom."

"Jesus! Fuck!" He all but snarls. He goes down on his knees and pulls my body to him, burying his face in my stomach. It's on the tip of my tongue to tell him I'm pregnant. I put my hands on his shoulders and brace myself. "I was scared you wouldn't hear me out. I can't survive without you, Thea. I love you."

Tears sting my eyes. "I love you, too. I'm sorry I left. I just needed time to work through everything. As long as we're together, Gabby can't come between us. We'll work around being there for the child the two of you will share."

"You can't do this! You have obligations to me and this child I'm carrying! I won't allow Thea to be a part of his or her life!" Gabby hisses.

"Shut the fuck up!" Dom snarls. "You're not even pregnant! Did you think I would ever blindly trust you again, Gabby?"

"She's not pregnant?" I whisper, shock and hope blooming inside of me.

"She's not, Gorgeous, but the fact you chose to stay with me thinking she was, means the fucking world to me. You trusted me. You chose me. I'm never going to let you down, Thea. I promise you with everything I am."

"Dom, baby, get up off your knees," I laugh, tears of happiness sliding from my eyes.

"Just let me hold you like this a little longer. I'm so fucking ecstatic you're back in my arms. I need this right now.

"Are you happy because Gabby"s not knocked up or because I am?" I joke.

"I'm… What?"

"Thea's pregnant!" Nicole chimes in, practically jumping up and down.

Dom looks over at his mom and then looks back up at me. "You're pregnant?"

"Just had bloodwork done to confirm it," I respond.

"The heartbeat was really fast, too. I'm thinking it's going to be a girl," Nicole adds. "She can grow up with Tamsin this way. They will be thick as thieves."

"No! This is not the way it's supposed to go. I will not allow this bitch to take what is mine. You belong to me, Dom!"

He stands up and turns on her. I step back because I can feel the anger coming off him and it's like nothing I've ever experienced before. However, he doesn't get a chance to say anything because his mother hauls off and slaps the hell out of Gabby. It's so hard that Gabby's face turns to the side with the force.

"Shut your damn mouth. Jesus! I've been wanting to tell you that for way too long. I'm so sick of you trying to ruin my sons" lives. You need to go home and figure out how you are going to explain all this to Beth, because I'll be calling her as soon as you leave."

"I can't believe you got this bitch pregnant, and you bought her an engagement ring. How could you? We were together for years and you wouldn"t even sleep with me without a condom. It's ridiculous! You need to rethink everything, though. I don't care what your damn club thinks they have discovered. I am pregnant."

"You really aren't going to give it up, are you? Breaker and the boys were very thorough, Gabby. They pulled every medical record you have in the state of Kentucky."

"That's illegal!" she says.

"Jesus, your father is the president of a one percent club. Can you really be that na?ve?" Nicole mutters, and I giggle without meaning to, though I try to contain it—at least a little. "Breaker had men follow you around and keep you under surveillance. You're not pregnant. Your doctor records here at this very clinic reveal you've been seeing an OB here for the last five months instead of one close to where you live."

"I did that for you! I was trying to protect you, Dom. If my father knew you had gotten me pregnant and tossed me aside for her, he would have killed you," Gabby pleads.

Dom shakes his head. "You're not seeing Dr. Stellus because you're pregnant, Gabby. In fact, the bloodwork you had just four days ago shows that you aren't pregnant. You've been seeing a doctor here because you told her you and your husband are having trouble getting pregnant. She's been giving you tests for infertility and tracking your ovulation. You're here today because you want to start fertility medication."

"Oh my God," I whisper, and Nicole hums in the background in agreement.

"I just have one question. How were you planning on me getting you pregnant? I mean, do you think I wouldn't notice that the timelines of when you were supposed to be pregnant were off?"

"Dom," Gabby cries softly, and I see it on her face. She's finally given up hope. She knows he has learned the truth, and she can't play him anymore. The girl looks shattered, but I can't drum up sympathy for her. She may love Dom in her own way, but it's toxic and selfish. That's not genuine love. If anything, it is an obsession.

"If I know you, you thought you could convince me to give us another shot because of the baby. You'd be wrong, by the way. Still, that would be your play, right? You'd pretend to be carrying my child and work hard to get me in your bed, your body so pumped up on fertility meds that it'd be only a matter of time. Jesus, I knew you had changed the last few years, but I would have never figured you would be so disgusting. What the hell happened to you, Gabby?" he asks, and he just sounds sad. I reach out and put my hand on his back, hurting for him. He may not love her now, but he did at one time, and she's tried really hard to destroy his life—all in the name of keeping him tied to her.

"You have this all wrong, Dom," she pleads, sounding broken.

"In case you're wondering, I wouldn't ever touch you again—not for all the gold in Fort Knox. Hell, I'm almost positive we didn't that night in the hotel, did we, Gabby?"

"Dom—"

"I already had my cell records checked and those of the club and the motel. I didn't call you that night—which, at the very least, says you stalked me."

"Baby—" She reaches out to him, but he just shakes his head.

"For once in your life be honest with me, Gabby. Did we even sleep together that night?"

Her head drops, and she shakes her head. "No," she breathes, the word sounding painful. "I'd been following you. I waited outside the club. I watched you go to the motel and gave it a few minutes. I was hoping to seduce you, but when I got there, you had already passed out. I love you, Dom. All I've ever wanted was for you to be proud enough to shout to the world that you loved me. You never would. You kept insisting we couldn't hurt T. I know I was wrong, but you always spent so much time with the club. You barely had time for me. I knew your feelings for me were changing. T gave me the attention I craved from you. So, I pretended to be letting him down easy. I needed the attention he gave me. He was sweet. He made me feel needed again, but I always loved you. It was always you. I couldn't lose you. You walked away and were going from club whore to club whore. I couldn't let it keep going. What we have is special. You loved me once, and I thought if I could make you think we had sex, you'd give me a second chance when you woke up."

"God, I've been such an idiot," he says, and the disgust in his voice hurts me because I know it's self-directed. Gabby does not know the scars she's left behind with all her games.

"I love you Dom. It has always been you for me. Everything I've done is so you would love me enough."

"I want nothing to do with you," he says, shaking his head.

She reaches out and grabs his hand. "We made promises to one another. We made vows. We can't turn our backs on that."

Before Dom can respond, a loud screeching noise echoes around us. I look to see a mid-size white van—the kind with no windows—pulls up to the curb at a high rate of speed. The tires are squealing so loud that you can smell the burned rubber around us. The doors to the back open and two men jump out, carrying assault rifles. Gunfire rips through the air and mingles with screams. I stand in shock, not quite believing what I'm seeing.

Dom grabs me, shielding my body with his. "Gorgeous! Get behind the bench," he orders, pulling out his own gun. I scramble to do exactly that, not wasting time by asking questions. Dom reaches for Nicole, getting her sweater in his grasp, trying to use that to yank her down behind the bench. Nicole has Gabby's hand and is trying to pull her too. Unfortunately, one man has a firm grip on Gabby and drags her to the van. Gabby is kicking and screaming. Dom is trying to aim the gun to shoot him, but the man is using Gabby as a shield.

Nicole cries out and I see Dom jerk around just as a guy buries a knife into his arm. Nicole screams and jumps on the man's back, trying to pull him away from Dom. I scramble over to Dom to help him. He's trying to get up but by the time he is steady enough to stand, the man is running back to the van. Nicole is half on his back, the upper part of her body draped over his front. She's hitting him, but he has an arm around her head in a way I'm pretty sure Nicole can't breathe because her hits stop just as he gets to the van and throws her in.

Dom shoots at the man and gets him, but the van takes off—his mother crumpled in the back. Dom doesn't blink, he just runs toward it. His gait is uneven, and I know the stab wound is bad because he's leaving a trail of blood behind him. He shoots at the tires of the van, then runs to get on his bike, looking back at me. "Thea, call the club. Tell them what happened. Tell them to get Dad out here now!" he hollers. He starts his bike and takes off. I can't even hear his bike. The air is filled with screams and police sirens.

My hands tremble as I get my cell out of my purse and call the club.

"Savage Brothers."

Vaguely I register that it's Dragon on the phone. I have so much to say to him, but I can only get one sentence out. "D-D-Dom t-t-told me t-t-to c-c-call."

"Thea? Is this you? What's wrong, sweetheart?" he asks. I can hear him yell to the men to load up. "Thea, where are you?"

"Wom-m-mens clinic d-d-downtown," I answer, feeling cold all the way through.

"Ma'am? Are you hurt? Is this your blood?" I hear a voice ask and look up to see a cop standing over me.

"N-no. It's my boyfriend's."

"Thea, ignore him, talk to me," Dragon orders, and I do it immediately. "A van pulled up and started shooting and … and …"

"Thea, sweetheart, put Dom on the phone."

"I c-c-can't … he followed the kidnappers."

"Kidnappers? Who did the men get?" Dragon says, his voice deadly.

"Gabby and …"

"Thea?" he prompts, and somewhere in my subconscious, I can tell that our phone conversation has switched over to Bluetooth. He's on his way. He'll save everyone. He's done it before. Dad told me stories over and over. "Thea," Dragon snaps.

"Dragon, they have Nicole."

The phone goes dead, but I know he heard me. That's when I lose it. Tears are blinding my sight. I know there's a police officer and a paramedic talking to me, but I can't respond. I can't stop crying. It's impossible. I just rock back and forth as the shock takes over. I lift my hand up to dry some of my tears and I see nothing but red on them. It's Dom's blood. I lose my breath and cry out in my misery.

Please God, let Dragon save them…