She threw her arms around his neck and held on. It wasn’t long, maybe a few seconds, but it was enough to stab me in the chest. He hugged her like he meant it. Like she belonged there.
When they pulled apart, her gaze flicked over to Mel. “Hi.”
Mel gave her a small smile. “Hey, sweetheart.”
Kilo stood again, his arm protectively around Liberty’s shoulder. “Liberty, this is Mel…my fiancée.”
Liberty’s head tilted slightly. “Does that mean she’s gonna be my step mama?”
“Yeah. It does,” Kilo confidently confirmed.
Mel blinked like she hadn’t expected that question. But she kept it together and smiled softly.
Liberty’s smile stretched wide. “Cool! Are you having a baby?”
Mel chuckled softly. “I am.”
“A boy or girl?”
“Boy.”
Liberty gasped. “I always wanted a baby brother.”
Kilo looked down at her with something unreadable in his eyes. He wasn’t smiling, but there was a calmness there, like he was taking all this in and still trying to piece it together. I was still frozen near the front, watching the whole interaction with my heart on fire. Mel’s eyes cut to me next. The look on her face let me know she was holding her tongue for Liberty’s sake and nothing else.
Kilo finally turned his gaze on me. His jaw clenched. “Aye, come here.” His voice was firm and demanding.
The way he said it wasn’t loud, but it was full of warning. The kind that made people sit up straight and think twice.
I walked over slow, setting my purse on the chair beside Mel. She didn’t speak. Neither did I. The nurse came out and called our names, causing me to silently sigh because I didn’t want to be in the same area with this woman for too long.
Kilo looked down at Liberty. “You ready, baby girl?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He held her hand, then gave Mel one more look. “You coming?”
Mel nodded and followed.
I trailed behind, eyes burning into the back of her head. So much for not wanting to be around her ass.
***
The room was small and bright. The nurse explained everything clearly so we would know what to expect. Kilo had his arm on the back of Liberty’s chair the entire time. He had the nurse bring in another chair for Mel to sit in. She was seated along the opposite wall with hands on her stomach, watching it all unfold.
Liberty followed instructions with ease, squirmed a little at the swab but laughed when it tickled her cheek.
“She’s a tough one.” the nurse smiled.
Kilo smirked. “Yeah…she is.”
Once the samples were collected, the nurse excused herself, leaving us in silence.
Kilo finally turned to me. That cold calm was gone now, only to be replaced with that sharp edge I used to be addicted to.
“I better not regret doing this shit,” he said low.
I squared my shoulders. “I didn’t come here to lie, Kilo.”
