TIFFIN 3

57

Though I didn't get a follow-up text, the unknown number pressed on my thoughts as the days passed by.

I didn't know why; it wasn't like it mattered. It could have been someone messaging the wrong number (Which was more likely) or... Well, there was no way it could have been Kylie, could it? 

Was there a chance that she had a trick up her sleeve?

Along with family connections, was she also some genius? 

Was it a bad idea to keep this from the captain?

No. It was my business. When this swat drama was dealt with I would message the contact and throw away the key.

As my pregnancy hit its fifth month, I'd grown more paranoid about everything.

It didn't matter what it was. If the ground had a crack in it, I fretted when the ground would swallow me up. 

Yeah, stupid shit. 

My dates with Eli and Cole continued, though my head wasn't in it. It was more of a way to bury my stress about the upcoming sting. I appreciated that they did their best to switch locations, though Cole had more finances to take me to fancier restaurants. 

Unfortunately, I still saw Hero's face.

I had a feeling this would be an ongoing affair for years to come. 

When the weekend had finally come, my feelings were a jumbled mess. My baby must have sensed a change again because they kicked inside me more often throughout the day.

I had taken the liberty of waking early to catch an Uber to the doctor's office. My OBGYN had told me to alert her when I wanted to know the gender and I was ready. 

I planned to tell everyone, but only after Kylie was safe and sound. 

I'd decided to wear a loose-fitting maxi dress, the only thing that fit me nowadays. Like before, we all walked up to the compound in a cluster, facing the intimidating guards.

This time, however, the one guard that had threatened us stood idly by, a glower still painted on his face through the mask. 

I didn't miss Brendan sending him a sneer. 

When we made it inside and were led to the familiar security sector, my eyes widened. The severity of my duty to help was suddenly scarier. The number of monitors and systems seemed to have doubled since last time and I didn't know what all these buttons did...

Oh no. What if I fucked this entire operation up?

Captain Willard materialized from seemingly nowhere, resting a hand on a shoulder.

"Mrs. Tiffin, are you okay? You seem a bit shaken up."

I tried to shake my head to insist I was strong at the moment, but with a last look at me (And what seemed my protruding belly) he led me to a comfy chair. 

"Please, sit."

I obliged, blowing a breath out the side of my mouth. I suddenly felt dog-tired. 

"Thank you all for being here," Captain Willard spoke after tending to me, "I'm sure it's been a trying few months."

"Yes," Ezekiel growled, "It has."

Captain Willard tipped his head in acknowledgment. 

"Here in a few moments, I will take the men-"

At this, Brendan cleared his throat. This made me giggle.

"Sorry, I mean, most of the men... will come with me to suit up. Even though you will all be guarded on the outside, away from the danger, I can't take a chance of our target hitting you. He's already livid and unpredictable."

With a nod, all the men-folk wished their women well and disappeared through a side door. Jo, Brendan, Rose, and I sat for what felt like a century, twiddling our thumbs.

What in the world did he mean by "Suit-up"? 

"I'm so worried," Jo sniffled, rubbing her eyes. 

"Why?" I asked, just now noticing her meek attitude from a year ago returning.

Niall really had made her realize her worth, hadn't he? 

"He's my husband! I love him to shreds! What if they do get shot or something? He and I just started talking about... children..."

My eyes widened. 

"Jo... I thought you weren't ready to... you know..." I trailed off, knowing I didn't need to finish my sentence. 

She blushed. 

"I wasn't, but seeing how much he wants to protect me day by day..." Josephine leaned in to whisper in my ear, "It kind of turns me to jello." 

"I'm with you, girl," Brendan replied, "If anything happened to Darrien..."

Rose didn't voice her concerns, though I knew she was just as worried. 

Before we could go on, several pairs of footsteps- heavy footsteps- clunked across the metal ground. Looking up, I saw that the men that left the room looked way different. Where they had seemed like your everyday joes, they now looked bulked up and, well, dangerous. 

Dressed in all black cargo gear, several vests and holsters hung from their built bodies, showcasing heavy guns. Holy fuck. The captain hadn't been kidding. They really did suit up. 

"Though I am worried," Brendan murmured, "They all look damn hot."