“I want you to stop treating me like I’m going to break,” she says. “I want you to show me what you’ve been holding back.”
Jesus Christ.
Before I can respond, her phone starts ringing again.
We both freeze, staring at the screen.
Maverick.
“Fuck,” Clover breathes. “He knows. Hehasto know. Why else would he be calling this early?”
“Answer it,” I say, my protective instincts kicking in. “I’ll handle it.”
“Phoenix—”
“Trust me,” I state, taking the cell from her hands. “We knew this conversation was coming eventually.”
I hit the answer button, putting it on speaker. “Hey, Mav,” I say, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
“Phoenix. Morning. Just checking in. Everything good out there?”
He sounds normal. Tired, but normal. Not at all like a man who just discovered his baby sister got married in Vegas, more like one who was up all night worrying about the mother of his unborn child.
“Everything’s fine,” I say carefully. “Clover’s still sleeping.”
“Good. Let her sleep. You two had a long drive yesterday.” There’s a pause. “Actually, since I’ve got you on the line, I wanted to talk to you about something.”
My blood runs cold.
This is it.
“What’s up?” I ask, trying to keep my voice casual.
“Sadie and I have been talking, and we think maybe you and Clover should stay in Vegas a little longer than planned. The situation here is tense, and honestly, I’d feel better knowing she’s far away from all this shit.”
I blink, caught off guard.
This isn’t about the wedding.
He doesn’t know.
“How much longer?” I ask.
“Maybe another week? Two at most. I know it’s not ideal, but—”
“It’s fine,” I say quickly. “Whatever you think is best.”
“Good. I’ll call Sin later today and let him know. Just… keep her safe, Phoenix. That’s all I ask.”
“Always,” I reply and mean it.
“I know you will. Also, and there’s no need for alarm, but I just want to be honest with you here,” he states.
Furrowing my brows, I exhale. “Shit happening at the club?”
He clears his throat. “Yeah, so much. But that’s not what I am talking about. We had the doc out here last night to check on Sadie, and before you go into a meltdown, she and the baby are fine. It was just heartburn, and I am keeping an eye on her. But I just thought you should know, seeing as she’s your sister. And seeing as you’re taking care of my sister, I thought I should do you the courtesy of keeping you in the loop of what’s happening with yours.”
Widening my eyes, my stomach rolls with an anxious wave of guilt.
