Vow of Atonement

by Emma Renshaw

Roman glances at me again. “No, Sugar. You’re not jobless but even if you were, we’d be okay. We’ll start looking for a house tonight, so you won’t be homeless, either.” Roman winks. I laugh, my heart feeling much lighter this afternoon.

  “Are you going to move here?” I ask.

  “Is that even a serious question?” He squeezes my hand, bringing it to his lips for another kiss.

  “I guess I want to hear you say it.” I hate that I need the reassurance, even after how amazing he’s been, but I do. I want to hear it from his lips, hear the confirmation.

  Roman doesn’t say anything as he pulls into the parking lot of my doctor’s office, unbuckling his seatbelt and mine, pulling me into his lap. One hand frames my face, his fingertips weaving into my hair. “Nothing in this world could stop me from moving here to be with you. Even if you didn’t want me to live with you, I’d move here. This,” he says rubbing my stomach, “is my kid, too. I will be there every day of their life. Nothing will keep me from you or this baby.”

  My lips fuse to his, relishing his words. My hand slides up his chest, right over his heart. I come alive feeling his heart beat against my palm. “I’d do the same, you know. I’d take down anything that kept me from you. James taught me how to throw a punch. I could take a bitch down.”

  Roman throws his head back, his shoulders shaking from laughter. “I have no doubt about it,” he says, kissing my nose. “Let’s go see our kid.”

  Roman impatiently bounces his leg, staring at the door. We’re waiting in one of the exam rooms for the doctor to come in and confirm I’m pregnant. He exhales a sign of relief when the doctor finally enters the room.

  “Well, Harper, you are indeed pregnant. You’re on birth control, right?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “I’m assuming this was unplanned?” she asks, standing next to the exam table with a look of sympathy on her face. It hasn’t been long since I was in here getting a refill on birth control and telling her I wasn’t sexually active at the moment.

  “Unplanned, yes. Definitely not unwanted, though.” I smile at her with tears in my eyes. Harper smiles at me as her sympathy washes away.

  She looks up at Roman, acknowledging him for the first time. “Is this Dad?”

  “Fuck,” Roman breathes, standing up. “I love the sound of that. Roman. Nice to meet you.” Roman sticks out his hand for the doctor to shake.

  “Good to meet you, too. When did you take your first test, Harper?”

  “Only this morning,” I answer pointing a finger at Roman. “This guy couldn’t wait to come in.”

  The doctor’s smile grows even wider. “I need to know she’s okay. Will being on birth control hurt the baby?” Roman asks her.

  “This early in the pregnancy normally doesn’t have any effects, but she should stop taking them immediately.”

  Roman nods. “I’ll throw them in the trash when we get home.”

  “Let’s take a look at the baby. I need to warn you, we may not see a heartbeat today, depending on how far along you are. That’s no cause for concern, though. It may be a little early. If we do see the heartbeat on the ultrasound, I will try to use the doppler to detect the sound but again, this early in the pregnancy, we may not be able to hear it.”

  Roman’s eyes grow comically wide when the doctor prepares the internal ultrasound machine and tells me to put my feet in the stirrups. The stunned look grows to wonder and awe as a tiny circle appears on the screen with a little fluttering heartbeat. Roman holds my hand and kisses my forehead over and over, not taking his eyes from the screen as the doctor does the measurements.

  “You’re about seven weeks along,” the doctor announces.

  “Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?” Roman asks before looking down at me. “If it’s a girl and she looks like you, I’m fucked.”

  The doctor and I laugh. “No, it’s too soon to tell. Let’s see if we’re lucky enough to hear the heartbeat today. That is, if you want to try. Some feel disappointed if it’s unsuccessful.”

  “Let’s try,” I whisper, squeezing Roman’s hand.

  “Yeah,” Roman says. “I’m feeling lucky this afternoon.”

  He rests his head against mine, looking into my eyes as we wait, listening, hoping to hear something over the white noise. After a few seconds, I close my eyes, feeling disappointment even though I knew not finding the heartbeat was a possibility. My eyes fly open when a whooshing sound takes over the room.

  Roman slams his mouth down on mine, kissing me through tears as he laughs, unable to control his smile. “That’s our kid,” he whispers. “I love you, Sugar, so damn much. I didn’t think it was possible to love you more than I did, but I do. I love you even more, it’s growing every second.”

  “I love you just as much, Roman.”

  39

  Harper

  “Remember,” I say as Roman and I walk into the bar. “You can’t tell anyone.”

  “Kiernan is the only person I would tell, and he already knows. You’ll probably need to tell him to keep his mouth shut. He’s not exactly low key.”

  I groan. “He better keep his mouth shut.”

  “Why don’t you want to tell anyone?”

  “It’s too soon. It’s so early. General rule of thumb says twelve weeks.”

  “Kiernan knows, Savannah knows, and James knows. James probably won’t tell anyone because he barely speaks, but won’t Savannah tell Valerie?”

  “No, she wouldn’t. She’d leave this up to me. She will tell Liam, though, but she’ll tell him not to tell Hudson.”

  “I think Valerie will know with one look at you. She’s kind of crazy that way,” Roman says, laughing.

  “I know, right?”

  “How are you going to explain not drinking?”

  “I have the perfect plan. I saw this on a TV show—you bribe the bartender to keep bringing you club soda in a cocktail glass. It looks like a vodka soda.”

  “You don’t drink vodka soda, you drink wine. So, what? You’re going to use grape juice?”

  “Think that will work?” I ask, wondering if a bar carries grape juice.

  “No, I think you should just tell everyone. I know I want to shout from the bar top and buy the whole damn place a round to celebrate.”

  I laugh, picturing him jumping on the bar announcing our baby. “The vodka soda thing will work, you’ll see.”

  I march straight up to the bar, calling over Owen, our usual waiter, and telling him my plan. “Congrats, Harper. He’s a lucky man.”

  “And, he knows it,” Roman says from behind me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

  Owen walks away to make my fake vodka soda and I look at Roman over my shoulder. “Really?”

  “He was staring at your tits. I didn’t like it. Come on, he’ll bring it to the table.”

  Roman leads us to our group of friends, pulling me down in his lap, even though there’s an empty seat for me. I don’t move, though, because I love the feel of his hard body against my back and his arms wrapped around me. “I already told Kiernan to keep it quiet,” he whispers in my ear.

  Savannah and Liam are grinning at me; it’s obvious Savannah told Liam, and they’re not playing cool. James is cool as a cucumber, though, sitting at the head of table, silent and observant as ever. Owen comes over to the table, setting down drinks in front of everyone, and Valerie scrunches her eyebrows while looking at my drink. “What’s that?”

  “Vodka soda. Thought I’d change it up tonight,” I say, taking a sip and glancing away from her.

  “You’re pregnant!”

  Kiernan bursts out laughing. “That didn’t take long.”

  “Wait, you knew?” Valerie asks him.

  “Yeah, I was there when she told him.”

  “Not fair!” Valerie whines. “You know I like to be the first to know things.” She looks around the table at the smiling faces, the only ones who looks surprised are Hudson and Gabe. “You all knew?” Valerie gasps, looking at me. “And you weren’
t going to tell me?”

  “It’s so early, Val. I couldn’t hold it in and just blurted it out the second I saw Roman after I found out. James and Kiernan just happened to be there.”

  “And, Savannah?”

  “She was there, too,” I say slowly.

  “You should have called me.”

  “Damn,” Hudson says. “I can’t believe you knocked up my girlfriend.”

  Roman laughs. “I never believed for a second that she was yours.”

  “I thought we were pretty convincing,” I say.

  “That’s because no one knows you like I do,” Roman says in my ear, nipping at the lobe and causing a shiver to race up my spine.

  “That’s not the only thing, Val,” I say, blinking back the tears that spring in my eyes.

  “What is it?” She’s avoiding my eye contact, and her arms are crossed over her chest as she pouts.

  “It’s been a really crazy day. First, I lost my store, then I learned some things about my dad that changes how I feel about my entire life. This morning I felt crushed under the weight of the day, and then I found out I’m pregnant.”

  “What do you mean you lost your store?”

  “Rafael served me with an eviction notice. I have three days to clear the premises, movers packed it all up today.”

  “I’m setting her up with an online boutique, though,” Kiernan says, winking with a sympathetic smile.

  “Harper,” Valerie breathes. “What the hell?”

  “There’s a lot I can’t say yet, but I swear to you, both of you,” I say, grabbing Savannah’s and Valerie’s hands. “I’ll tell y’all everything when I can.”

  “Are you okay?” Valerie asks, her full lips turned down in a frown.

  “Yes and no,” I answer honestly. Roman rubs circles on my back, kissing my shoulder, reminding me he’ll be here through it all. That little piece of knowledge gives me strength to keep moving forward. His hand anchoring me and comforting me earlier was the only reason I made it through the phone calls with my employees. I haven’t begun to think about my dad and what that means yet. That’s going to be a huge mountain to climb and something I may never get over. My happiness about the baby takes precedence at the moment.

  “Fine,” Valerie says, throwing her hands in the air. “I’m happy for you about the baby. Next big news, though, I get to be the first to know!”

  “Deal,” I say to Val, smiling from ear to ear.

  “Roman,” Valerie says, looking intently at him.

  “Oh, Christ,” Gabe mutters.

  “When are you going to make an honest woman out of our girl instead of getting the milk for free?”

  The entire table explodes in laughter, even James has the barest hint of a smile, and I swear I see his shoulders shake.

  “She’ll have my last name by the time this baby comes,” Roman declares confidently, squeezing my hip. I turn my head to stare at him, raising an eyebrow in a challenge. His answering wink tells me this is something he will make happen. His dick hardens beneath my ass as we stare at each other, smiling.

  As soon as we’re inside the house, Roman pushes me against the front the door, kissing up my neck and grinding his hips against mine. “Pretty confident I’ll take your last name.” My voice is hoarse and breathless as I arch my back, forcing him to kiss further down my chest.

  Roman bites my nipple through my dress. “You will. Soon.”

  I shiver as his hand slides up my inner thigh. “I hope this isn’t your proposal. It needs some work.”

  “You’ll know when I’m proposing, Sugar.” He groans into my neck when one of his long fingers pushes my panties aside and slides into me. I wrap my leg around his hip, thrusting to meet the heel of his palm on my clit. Roman uses his other hand to lift my other leg wrapping around his hips, so he can walk us toward the couch where he drops me on my feet.

  “Bend over.”

  Turning around and bending over the couch, I stick my ass in the air, ready for him. Roman’s hands skim up my thighs, grabbing my thong to pull down my legs and shoving my dress up, exposing me. He groans as he pulls down the zipper of his pants, freeing himself. My back arches toward him when the head of his cock slides up and down, teasing my entrance.

  “Are you going to say yes when I ask?” he growls in my ear, making me whimper for him. I’m almost begging him to fuck me.

  When he enters me, he hears my answer. “Yes.”

  40

  Roman

  The bacon is sizzling on the stove, and the chocolate chip pancakes are piling higher on a plate. Harper’s favorite indulgent breakfast. She’s sleeping in this morning, still curled under the covers and dead to the world. I’ve been awake for hours, getting in a workout with the equipment Liam has in the garage. It’s not enough to replace a gym, but it will do for this morning.

  Since finding out Harper’s pregnant, I haven’t wanted to exhaust her too much or drag her to the gym when she’d rather be anywhere else. The morning sickness has been coming and going over these past few days, and her sweet tooth has been even more indulgent than usual. I don’t mind, though. I’ll meet her every whim with a fucking smile on my face.

  News on Rafael has been quiet over the past few days; nothing else has shown up or threatened us. Kiernan’s still digging for information, and Rafael’s hidey-hole is eluding James. I have every bit of confidence I will take this fucker down and my girl and our baby will live a peaceful life with nothing in our way.

  My laptop is open to an email with potential real estate listings––both residential and commercial. Harper hasn’t seen a house online she’s interested in yet. She refuses to look at anything over a certain price point, even though we can more than afford it. I saved and invested the majority of the millions Santiago left for a purpose like this. Spoiling my girl by buying her the house of her dreams is the best way I can think to use the money. My investments have almost doubled, but she refuses to look at the houses I show her.

  When the bacon is done, I make a plate for Harper, carrying it into the bedroom for her. Gently shaking her awake with the plate behind my back, I smile as her eyes slowly open, landing on me as I place the orange juice on the nightstand. She huffs and closes them again, bringing the blanket higher to cover her face. I shake her again, this time holding the plate in front of me. Her eyes are hard and grumpy when they open again until they land on the plate of food. I try not to take offense when she leaps up and grabs the plate from me. I shake my head, laughing—the chef doesn’t get a good-morning kiss, but the pancakes get a long, drawn-out moan.

  I watch her eat happily, my chest filling with pride and puffing out a bit that I’m the man to put that smile there by doing something she didn’t even ask for. Her smile is my reason for living and breathing, and I’ll work myself to the bone for that smile. It lights up her entire face, making her brown eyes sparkle.

  I get up from the bed when the doorbell rings. Kiernan’s standing on the other side of the door, holding a stack of papers with a bewildered expression.

  “What’s going on?” I ask, immediately on alert.

  “I found her money.” His eyes get even larger. “Where’s Harper?”

  “She’s eating breakfast.”

  “Get her, we need to talk.”

  He pushes past me into the house, sitting on the couch in the living room and staring down at the papers in his hands. My stomach fills with dread at what he found. His shocked expression and worried eyes have me on edge.

  I step into the bedroom, giving Harper a wary smile. Her face lights up when she sees me. “Sorry, baby, breakfast came first this morning. Thank you for breakfast.” She gets up, walking toward me, and stands on her tip toes to kiss me on the cheek. Fuck, she’s sweet. And happy. And I’m the bastard that just might ruin her day.

  “Sugar,” I say, running my hand down her arm. “Kiernan’s here, he needs to talk to us.”

  The bright smile immediately falls from her face. “Is everything okay?”
<
br />   “I don’t know. He told me to get you so we could all talk. Get dressed, babe.”

  I stand by the door, watching her change from her sexy sleepwear to a pair of jeans and casual shirt. Nothing less than perfection.

  “Let’s go,” she says, grabbing my hand. I squeeze her, giving her all the reassurance I can in this moment. The dread in my gut is telling me everything’s about to change.

  Harper and I sit down on the couch opposite of Kiernan. I get straight to the point. “What’s up?”

  Kiernan looks at Harper, running his hand through his hair, pulling at the ends. “I think I know what he wants.”

  “What is it?” Harper asks, gasping.

  “Money,” Kiernan says. “I don’t know why he isn’t just saying money when he talks about it but, what I found, what else could he want?”

  “What are you talking about?” I demand. “You’re not making any damn sense.”

  “I don’t have any money,” Harper says, her shaking hand curling her hair behind her ear.

  “You do, you just don’t know about it. I’m willing to bet he knows about it. You also have a safety deposit box in your name in Dallas.”

  “Why didn’t she find out about any of this earlier? Why wasn’t this in the will?” I ask.

  “It was already in her name so there was nothing to transfer after death. This is the bank where the safety deposit is.” Kiernan slides a piece of paper across the coffee table.

  Harper picks it up, looking at the address. “This is where my dad banked. I’ve been there. He set up my first account there.”

  “He was probably also putting the box in your name and you didn’t know.”

  “Why?” Harper asks, clutching the piece of paper between her finger tips.

  “I don’t know,” Kiernan says. “No documents contain what is inside the box, but you can go and look.”

  “I don’t have a key or anything.”

  “The bank will have a master key,” I say, rubbing Harper’s back. “We’ll head to Dallas today if you want or whenever you’re ready.”