Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Chapter Seventeen
“Are you okay?”
Raven looked up from where she sat on the park bench to see Jonah approaching. He was on duty, so he was in a black shirt with the white collar piece.
Larissa asked her the same question constantly.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” she said.
She’d come back from a couple of job interviews. One of them was working at the diner. The other was at a DIY store. She knew she had failed that one, but she was looking for work.
At the club, she earned her keep doing whatever job they wanted her to do. She didn’t know if she’d get the job as a waitress. She didn’t have any prior skills, at least, none that could go as a reference.
“Do you sit out here a lot?” Jonah asked.
“Not until recently.”
“It is a beautiful day. There is rain forecast,” Jonah said.
Raven glanced down at her wrist. “I’ve got to head to the doctor’s in an hour.”
“Ah,” Jonah said. “Are you excited?”
“I’m, I don’t know what to think, to be honest.” She stared straight ahead, not really seeing him or the people in front of her.
“You’re panicking.”
“No, I’m … I don’t know what to think.” At the moment, she didn’t have many symptoms. “I might not be pregnant.”
“The blood tests confirmed that you were, right?”
She nodded. “Yes. They did.” She took a deep breath as the memory of Carlos’s arrangement ran through her mind.
What do you expect?
You’re not worth anything.
You should be grateful someone would even want you.
Jonah placed his hand on hers. “Raven?”
She turned toward him. “Yes.”
“I am here.”
“I’m fine.”
“Do you say that a lot?” he asked.
“It’s nothing.”
“Are you happy to be pregnant?”
“I don’t know what to think,” Raven said. She pulled her hand away from his. “I have taken way too much of your time. Thank you for talking with me.” She got to her feet. “Is there anywhere you’re walking to?” Raven asked.
“Er, would you like me to come with you this afternoon?”
Raven was aware of Carlos following her everywhere, and she had a feeling he’d be even more pissed off if she took another man into the room with her.
“No, that’s fine. I’ve got a friend.”
Jonah nodded. “Remember, Raven, you do have friends.”
She stared at him. “Do you think it’s possible to … forgive?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Anything?”
“Within reason, of course. It’s not our place to question that forgiveness but to take it when it is offered. Also to know to cherish that forgiveness and not to do anything to lose it.”
Raven nodded. “Thank you.” She went to turn on her heel but stopped. “Do you want me to walk you anywhere?” she asked again, wanting to be sure that he was fine as well.
“No, that is okay. I can find my own way.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind walking with you.”
He held his hand up. “I’ll be more than fine.”
Raven offered him a smile and then left the park. She had no idea where Ava was, but she was the one person she could think of to go with her to the doctor. Carlos wasn’t too far away. She had already clocked his car, waiting for her to move.
As soon as she did start walking down the street, so did Carlos. He was so freaking obvious, but she didn’t stop him. There was no way he should be following her around, but she continued to ignore him and favored not even looking in his direction. He didn’t need to know that she cared that he was following her around.
Walking into town didn’t take too long. She hoped Ava was in her bakery, or walking through town, or doing something without Smokey. If he was there, she wasn’t going to ask.
She had noticed in the past couple of weeks since she had left the Hell’s Bastards MC, people saw her pass and muttered behind their palms, pointing their fingers. Some even laughing at her. At least it felt like they were laughing at her.
Clearly getting a kick out of her torment.
She never allowed it to bother her. Or tried not to let it bother her.
Arriving at the bakery, she saw there was a long queue waiting. Sliding past, she heard people complaining, and she ignored them.
“Where’s Ava?” Raven asked.
“Oh, she’s in the back,” Harlow said.
The grumbling stopped as soon as Harlow opened the counter to let her past.
She made her way into the back of the bakery and found Ava sitting in the office, holding Umberto in her arms.
“Hey,” Raven said.
Ava looked up at her with a smile on her lips. “Hey, how are you?”
“I’m fine. Er, there was something I wanted to ask you.”
“Ask away.” Ava looked so relaxed and calm. Raven missed that feeling.
“Er, in about thirty minutes, I’ve got an appointment with the doctor. He’s going to check everything over and to make sure that I’m actually … pregnant,” Raven said.