Damien shook hands with the older gentleman, Michael Kelly, and then his son. It was nice that these two cared so much about their employees and less about their own golden parachute from his takeover.
Until today, Damien had thought the “best for everyone” boss was a myth, but Kelly’s sharp blue eyes told him he'd been wrong. Michael signed his name on the dissolution contract without saying another word, but he truly felt honored today when he shook hands. Damien nodded and said, "It was good seeing you again. Thanks for cooperating."
Michael Kelly made a tsk sound with his lips before he said, "We didn't have much choice. You and your brother are hell bent on shutting our business down. At least this way the employees get jobs with benefits in your real estate company."
For closing of the small but profitable construction company, the Kellys had also been compensated well. This was a good deal that let them retire if they chose.
When it was over, Damien and Galen left the conference room. "Very well..." Damien began but then he remembered that Matthew's number had flashed on his phone. What could his half-brother want? "Galen, I have a phone call. Head down and I'll join you for our celebratory drink in a minute."
Damien stepped away from the elevator bank and went back to the room. He heard Serenity's voice, smiled, but then he digested her words and his heart stopped. He couldn't breathe. He leaned on the table, unable to stand straight. Pregnant?
This was all his fault. He needed to fix this. He drew in a painful breath, walked out of the conference room, and passed his brother at the elevator bank, who had just walked inside the silver car. Galen said, "What the-"
As the elevator door began to close on his brother’s face, Damien met his brother's gaze. "Galen, I have to go."
"Is everything okay?" Galen called out fast.
"It will be." Damien said as the elevator shut. Damien took the stairs and headed to his truck.
The seat next to him in the truck still had Serenity’s impression on it. No one else had sat there. His heart raced but he dialed Matthew back. The second he answered, Damien didn't wait for hello. "Are you still with Serenity?"
From the noises of people chattering in the background, Damien assumed Matthew was busy. "I left the spa an hour ago. Did you just get her message?"
His entire body stiffened as he drove his truck onto the street lined with palm trees. "Galen and I were in negotiations all morning."
"Well, I'd try her office first," Matthew said. "The spa seems like it does a good business."
It did. Damien had run a check on her business the day after he left her bed. He’d felt like a jerk because he’d helped put her father in prison, but her business was successful and on the up and up with twelve spas spread across the United States. Serenity had been on his mind every day for weeks, as if he had a right to miss her.
The traffic light turned red and he applied pressure to the brakes. He shouldn't be on the phone. In the message, Serenity had said that Matthew had insisted she call him. Wasn’t she going to on her own? "Great. Thanks for letting me know."
"She said you never gave her your phone number,” Matthew said. “All I did was help as I stumbled into the situation."
"Either way, thanks." Damien stopped while he waited for people to cross Collins Ave heading toward the beach from the restaurant corner. He said his goodbye and hung up.
Clearly, he should have followed his instincts and contacted Serenity weeks ago. Her angelic blue eyes had haunted his dreams and he wondered if she'd even want to see him. Finally, the light turned and he continued the drive.
A child made a huge difference. He grew up as an illegitimate Morgan, where at the end of the day his father always went home to his other family. There was no way he'd ever do that to his son or daughter. He'd usually been so careful with every other woman. He checked the street name. The next block was her spa.
Damien should have protected Serenity, but he couldn't turn back the clock. He’d assumed she was on the pill or some other birth control.
He found a space outside and ignored the zip in his pulse that he'd see her again. She probably hated him. He got out, locked his truck and hurried through the glass doors of her spa.
The pure white with the blue uplighting was just like her apartment—calm and soothing.
Footsteps echoed from behind the cashier and he saw a dark-skinned lady approaching him, her arms crossed. He looked behind her and asked, "Is Serenity here?"
"So you’re him." She stared at him, clearly sizing him up. He straightened his shoulders, not used to anyone disapproving.
He stilled and stared back at her. "Who are you?"
"Kiwi, a business associate and friend of Serenity." She spoke as if he should know that already. Her posture indicated someone who knew exactly who she was. She raised her eyebrow. "I've been calling you Tall Dark and Handsome when I should have said Brooding and Possibly Dangerous to her heart. No. Serenity's not here."
Her apartment. He'd stay there until she came home…. Unless? He swallowed and asked, "Where is she?"
Kiwi gave him a “how dare you show up here” expression though she didn't say those words. Instead she said, "At the doctor’s, confirming she's having your child."
His child. His responsibility. He should be there. He felt a jolt in his skin. "What doctor? I need to see her."
She crossed her arms. "Be nice. She's had a rough day."
This wasn't the time to talk to her friends. He had to be with her. He scowled. "I'm never nice."
She shrugged her shoulder. "Then you'll never know where she is."
If possible, he'd like to be there from the beginning. He pasted a fake smile on his face. "Fine. I'll be as nice as I can be."
No. She didn't believe him at all. She dropped her arms to her side. "Serenity is seeing Doctor Bentley on Collins Ave."
"Got it. Thanks." Serenity was close enough he could run.
The second his leather soles hit the pavement he rushed to the corner across the street. Cars were the only obstacle, but he couldn't wait for the walk sign.
His child. The thought should make his heart grow cold. He slowed down when he reached the front door of the doctor's office. No one needed to see how out of control he felt. He fixed his suit jacket and strolled in, hoping he exuded his usual confidence.
He explained to the receptionist that he was the father, and that he’d been detained. She walked him into the doctor's office, where Serenity sat opposite a man behind a glass desk.
She jumped out of her seat when she saw him. "Damien!"
"Who’s this?" The doctor stood more cautiously. Damien stared at him and wondered if the well-built man was interested in Serenity though they were ten feet apart.
She looked cute in her simple blue cotton day dress with hardly any makeup, but she practically exuded a radiance he remembered she possessed. Damien stilled but Serenity answered and tapped the seat next to her as a hint. "Doctor Bentley, this is the baby’s father. He's late."
"I had a business meeting that ran over." He offered his hand, which the doctor shook, and then they all took their seats.
"Breaking up another company," she said in a low voice.
He met her gaze. She was even prettier than he remembered. He really should have called. Protecting her should have mattered. Avoiding her had been to protect himself. Damien crossed one leg over the other and pretended he was calm and collected. "Yes, but everyone is going to get a new job, so that should make you happy."
"Doesn't matter." She shook her head and looked to the doctor. "Please tell Damien what you told me."
Doctor Bentley turned his computer so Damien could read it, and Damien absorbed every word. "Miss Hansom is six weeks pregnant which matches what she said about the conception date and the size of the fetus. She must start taking prenatal vitamins, but she can get whatever brand she wants. On her next visit in two weeks, we should hear a heartbeat. Right now, it's important for the mother to be calm and relaxed as the first trimester development is the most important for health. Do either of you have questions?"
Damien had too many questions that he didn’t know where to start.
"I am still in shock, to be honest." Serenity tilted her head. "Can I write all my questions down and ask at our next appointment?"
"Certainly." The doctor stood, indicating the end of the appointment.
They both did the same, but Damien placed his hand on her lower back and guided her to the door. "Thanks for everything. Goodbye."
As soon as they left the office and stepped into the art deco hall, Serenity brushed off his hand. He pressed the elevator button though they were only on the second floor as she scowled at him. "Why are you here?"
The door dinged and he waited for her to go inside before he answered, "I got your message. Serenity, I thought you were on birth control."
She leaned against the wall and clutched the rail like it was life support. "I... I never said anything for you to even think that."
True. He ran his hand through his hair. Everything was going so fast! Serenity, truly even more beautiful during the day, obviously hated him. "It was clearly a wrong assumption." The doors opened. If they went back to her business, he wouldn’t get a chance to talk to her alone. He hung back. "Serenity, can we go somewhere and talk? I’ll buy you lunch."
She shook her head no, like the thought of being with him somehow offended her. She took out her phone and he saw it was a car app. "No. I just want to go home and rest. I don't even want to think about lunch right now."
He brushed his hand to hers though he didn't dare touch her more. "I'll bring food and meet you at your apartment. Please. It’s important."
She let out a huge sigh and nodded but also called a car for herself. "I suppose it's a good enough place to talk in private but you might not like what I have to say."
Right. He'd not press that he could drive her. Talking alone was the first step and they both needed to find a way to work together. "I'll get you food and we'll talk. You'll need to listen as well."
She rolled her eyes at him though she averted his direct stare. "Whatever. See you at my place."
Her phone beeped and he saw a black Nissan driving toward them to pick her up. He called out, "Serenity."
"Yeah?" She turned and stared at him like talking was a chore.
If they had any shot, they had to find peace. So he told her the truth. "You still look like an angel."
She pursed her lips but didn't move. "I don't see how. I'm upset, mostly at you."
He tilted his head to the side and walked her to the car. "So, an avenging angel, but those blue eyes of yours are why I ran away. And why I won't go anywhere now."
"Pretty words mean nothing. See you soon." She hopped into the back seat of the stranger’s car. He watched them leave before he headed to his truck.
Soon, his life would be vastly different. The only way to make this right was if they got married. While he figured out lunch, he'd also make a game plan so she couldn't say no to him.