It was all he could do not to lean down and kiss her. To tell her it would be all right, that he’d take care of her and their baby.
There was too much unsettled between them, and the uneasiness in his belly kept growing in direct proportion to the suspicion that had taken root in his mind.
When he was sure she wasn’t going to bolt from the bed, he turned and strode to the door. He leaned out and didn’t see Van or Garrett, but he could hear them in the kitchen. With a quick look back at Sophie and an unspoken directive for her to stay put, he hurried to get his brothers.
Donovan was stirring something in a mug while Garrett stood to the side, arms crossed over his broad chest, a typical scowl etched on his face.
They both looked up when Sam walked in, and Donovan dropped the spoon on the counter.
“I heated up some broth for her. Found some pain medication in our stash and did a cross-check for contraindications for pregnancy.”
Sam nodded. “I need you both in the bedroom. Sophie’s got some things to tell me that I want you to hear.”
Garrett shoved off the wall and did nothing to disguise his interest.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know yet. She says she’s in danger—that we’re in danger. Since I depend on you two to cover my ass, and vice versa, I figured it would be helpful for you to hear whatever it is she has to say.”
“What if she’s full of shit?” Garrett asked. “Doesn’t this whole thing scream setup to you? I’d like to know how the f**k she knew where to find you. According to you she was a sweet-faced waitress with big eyes and you blew her off when we got the tip about Mouton’s arms shipment moving out.”
Sam’s jaw clenched. “You’re pissing me off right now, Garrett. You need to back the f**k off. You’re not saying anything I’m not thinking, but I’m not going to go beat her down when she’s hurt, scared and pregnant. She’s a woman, for God’s sake. Use your head.”
“One of us has to,” Garrett said evenly. “The right head.”
“I won’t tell you again. Back off.”
The two brothers stood nose to nose. Garrett’s eyes glittered with anger and impatience, but Sam knew he just wanted answers. Well so did he. Hopefully he’d use a little more finesse than Garrett.
Finally Garrett backed away.
Donovan cleared his throat. “So uh, are we going to be uncles?”
The casual question made Sam flinch. Then he slowly nodded. “Yeah. The baby is mine.”
“Jesus,” Garrett muttered.
“Hoo boy,” Donovan said from pursed lips. He gathered the mound of supplies, then picked up the mug from the counter. “Not sure what you want me to say, so I’ll just shut up.”
“Yeah,” Sam snapped. “Shutting up is good.”
“You’re so sure she’s telling the truth,” Garrett said with a hint of anger in his voice.
Sam stopped on his way back to the bedroom and turned around. He eyed Garrett evenly. “No. I’m not saying that at all. I am, however, embracing the very real possibility that the baby could be mine. She says it’s mine. For now I’m going with it. I’m not going to let anything happen to my child.”
Garrett rubbed his palm over his face and nodded. “Yeah, I understand, man. Van and I have your back. You know that.”
Sam nodded. “Thanks.”
He turned around and walked back into his bedroom. Sophie was listing badly to the right, her eyes half-closed. When she heard them come in, she jerked up and her eyes flew open. She winced and grabbed at her shoulder with her free hand.
“Careful,” Sam murmured as he went to her. He glanced back at Donovan. “Will this pain medicine knock her out?”
“That’s the plan,” Donovan said. “For the first little while she needs something stronger. Then we can knock it down to ibuprofen.”
Sam grimaced, then turned apologetically to Sophie. “We need to talk. I’ll have Donovan give you the medicine afterward. Then you can sleep for a good long while.”
She shook her head, her eyes fierce. “I can’t sleep, Sam. After I tell you what you want to know, I have to go. I can’t stay here. I’ve already been here too long. If you won’t go with me, I don’t have a choice but to take off on my own.”
He shot his brothers a pointed look but didn’t respond to her statement. He sat down on the edge of the bed and motioned for his brothers to get comfortable.
Donovan edged onto the bed on the other side of Sophie and looked at her as if seeking permission. He might as well have not even been there for all the attention she paid him. Her face was pale and strained, and it was obvious she was fighting to stay conscious.
Garrett stood at the end of the bed, arms folded over his chest, and he stared broodingly at Sophie. When she happened to glance up at him, she went even paler.
“Damn it, Garrett,” Sam muttered. “Ease up for God’s sake.”
Garrett shifted his position with an irritated huff.
“Talk to me, Sophie. I need you to back up and tell me why you disappeared. Then I need to know how you knew who I was and where to find me and why people are trying to kill you and why you think me and my family are in danger.”
She threw him an impatient look that suggested she didn’t appreciate the fact that he was questioning what she’d stated as fact.
Then she looked down at her hands, and he could see the tips go white as she nervously twisted her fingers. She took a deep breath and then glanced up at him, her eyes almost challenging. Like she was gearing up for battle.