The Unforgettable Ex (Captured by Love Book 5) (Volume 5) (22 page)

“Two years ago, Jay broke up with Amber. She went to Darwin to distance herself from her illegal activities. That’s where she’s been living, not Broome, like she told me and the police. Then last year, she met Frank—her current fiancé.

“A few weeks ago, Jay found her in Darwin and had a proposition for her. Biggs was looking for someone to run his business from the outside, and needed someone as tough and ruthless as he was. Jay wanted to become that man. Apparently, even though Biggs has already lost many friends and allies, his customer list is still the source of envy in their circles. To impress Biggs, Jay decided that carrying out Biggs’ vendetta against me was the way to go—and he knew just the perfect person to help him do that.”

“I can’t believe Amber agreed to something that would put her life at risk,” Natasha said. “Wasn’t she scared that Biggs really wanted her dead? And that he could get various people to do the deed?”

“That was why she contacted me. She knew I’d keep her safe because I want to see Biggs behind bars forever. Plus, living in my apartment and gaining my trust gave her the perfect opportunity to learn where the police were in terms of their investigations so she could update Jay. It was very ballsy, and quite smart. They planned to keep the whole charade going until Biggs appointed Jay as his second-in-charge. Then Amber planned to disappear again to Darwin and marry her fiancé, who has no idea what she’s been doing here.”

“How did she plan to just disappear when you and the police are guarding her?” Carter asked.

“Jay convinced her he had the perfect plan. He said that he helped her escape before, so he could help her escape again. Exactly what the plan is, we don’t know. But it’s not gonna happen now. Amber is giving up everything she knows about Biggs’ syndicate—and she knows a lot from being Jay’s girlfriend for almost three years. The information she’s giving is actually more helpful than anything the police had gotten out of Biggs and Austin Sharp. Her testimony will put a lot of people in jail, not just Biggs.”

“Wow. She’s probably regretting going to Ari for her wedding dress,” Natasha murmured.

Gavin chuckled. “We got really lucky—and they got unlucky.”

“Phew. So what next?”

“It’s all in the hands of the police now, so I can spend more time with you.”

“Can I stay at your place tonight?”

“I’d love for you to, babe.”

Natasha grinned, relief and love washing over her. With Gavin’s work, there would never be a dull moment. But she was more than capable of handling the stresses it brought. As long as they were together—and free to express their love for each other—that was all that mattered.

F
our months later...

Natasha wrinkled her nose at the smell of prawns cooking on the barbecue. Ugh. Now she didn’t feel like eating at all. She walked towards Lexie and Rick’s pool area, hoping that she could escape the offending smell.

What was wrong with her, anyway? She usually liked barbecued prawns. Had Rick added something to it to make the smell so strong? She breathed a sigh of relief as a gust of early-summer breeze blew the aroma away from where she was standing.

“Hey, Tash,” Cassie said, joining her. “Keen to dive in the pool?”

“Yes, but not just yet,” she said with a smile, noticing how her sister-in-law of two months had been unconsciously touching her belly. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Tell you?” Cassie asked with a questioning frown.

She dropped a pointed gaze at Cassie’s stomach.

Cassie gasped. “How did you know? Did Carter tell you?”

Natasha suppressed a shriek. “I’m gonna be an aunt?”

“Yes,” Cassie said excitedly.

She hugged Cassie. “Congratulations! No, Carter didn’t tell me. I just guessed from your body language.”

Cassie laughed. “Thank you. We found out last week with a home pregnancy test. Then we got the doctor’s confirmation yesterday. I’m six weeks along.”

“I’m so excited,” she said, looking around for her brother and catching Lexie’s eye instead, who was walking towards them.

“What’s up, girls?” Lexie asked.

Cassie let out a sigh.

“What?”

“Well... Tash guessed something I had no intention of announcing today...”

Lexie frowned before her mouth formed an
O
. “You’re pregnant too?” she asked in wonder.

Cassie nodded.

“Oh my God! Congrats!” Lexie said, wrapping her arms around Cassie. “Did you think it was too early to tell anyone? I can keep my mouth shut.”

“No,” Cassie said with a laugh. “Carter and I can’t wait to tell everybody. But today is about your announcement, not mine.”

Lexie rolled her eyes. “So what? It will be great to celebrate with you!”

Cassie laughed. “Okay, thanks.”

“Can you imagine? Jade will be the first to give birth, then me two months later, then you a month after!”

“You have an instant mothers’ group right there,” Natasha said.

“I know. Let’s go and tell everyone,” Lexie urged.

“Can I watch you from here?” Natasha asked. “I hate to say this, but Rick’s prawns are making me gag. Whatever did he marinate them in?”

Lexie stared at her. “They’re exactly the same as the prawns he barbecued at Leura when we were there. I seem to remember you loving them then.”

“Really?” she asked with a frown. “For some reason, the smell is making my stomach turn.”

Cassie and Lexie looked at each other.

“Maybe we have Miss Preggers number four,” Cassie said teasingly.

Natasha’s heart skipped, remembering the funny cramps she’d had—and how her period hadn’t arrived yet. Her mind took her to the time she’d missed taking the pill for two days because she’d forgotten to pack them when she and Gavin had gone on a weekend away. They’d used the withdrawal method then...

“Well,” Lexie said, “from that look on her face, I’d say it’s a possibility.”

She took a deep breath, then exhaled loudly, the thought of having Gavin’s baby filling her with excitement and joy. But, holy smokes, they’d just moved in together three months ago and hadn’t even discussed being parents yet!

“You okay?” Cassie asked.

She shook her head to clear it. “Yeah.”

“So you really could be pregnant?”

“I hope so,” she said in a small voice. “But if I am, Gavin might have the shock of his life.”

“I’m sure he knows that no birth control is one hundred percent foolproof,” Cassie said.

“Hey, I think I still have an unused pregnancy test somewhere,” Lexie said. “You can have it. Take it home or... use it now.”

She bit her lip, tempted by Lexie’s offer. The encouraging looks on her friends’ faces helped push her decision. “Okay, maybe I’ll use it now.”

“Great!”

“I’ll stay out here so no one will suspect anything,” Cassie said.

She nodded, following Lexie to the house as her anticipation grew.

*****

T
wo pink lines.

Natasha’s eyes watered, her throat closing from the emotion that welled up inside her. She and Gavin were having a baby. Wow. It was unplanned and unexpected, but totally welcome.

Reluctantly, she threw the tester in the bin. She would have liked to show it to Gavin, but they weren’t at their own home. And she wasn’t sure if she should tell him straight away, or wait until they were back at their place. She hoped he’d be as thrilled as she was, but what if he needed some time to let the news sink in?

She came out of the bathroom and smiled shyly at Lexie, nodding her head.

“Yay!” Lexie said, enveloping her in a big hug. “Congratulations, honey. Are you gonna tell Gav immediately?”

“You know, maybe I’ll wait till we get home. I think I should tell him in private first.”

“Sure. I wonder how far along you are. You and Cassie might have your babies close together.”

She grinned. “Yes, the two cousins are going to be the same age. Our parents would be thrilled.”

They rejoined the others in the backyard and she tried to look nonchalant. Could she keep a poker face with news as big as she had?

“So?” Cassie whispered, handing her a glass of tropical fruit smoothie.

“Yes.”

“Oh my God,” Cassie said with a wide grin, grabbing her arm and squeezing it. “You might only be a week or two behind me.”

“I know. Wouldn’t it be—” She paused, gulping, as the smell of those danged prawns wafted through her nose.

“Let’s go back over there,” Cassie said, indicating to the deck chairs around the swimming pool.

Natasha followed, sipping her smoothie and hoping it would take away her queasy feeling from the unpleasant odour. “Has your sense of smell changed?” she asked Cassie.

“A little. But it’s not bothering me at all.”

“I hope I don’t suffer from severe morning sickness. Anyway, when are you going to announce your good news?”

“Later on, maybe, before the day ends. When are you gonna tell Gavin?”

“When we get home. I better tell him in private first.”

“Well, here he comes,” Cassie said in a low voice.

She turned her head and smiled at Gavin, who was carrying two plates. Her smile disappeared when her nose told her what Gavin was bringing her.

“Hey, babe,” Gavin said. “Got you some food.”

She shook her head, holding her breath and giving Cassie a panicked look.

Cassie sprung up from her seat. “I got that,” she said, taking both plates from Gavin and walking away from them.

Gavin stared at Cassie with a surprised look, then turned to her. He frowned. “What’s wrong?” he asked, hurrying to her side.

She breathed and took a sip of her smoothie, grateful for her sister-in-law’s fast reaction. Gosh, she hoped it was only barbecued prawns that made her want to heave.

“Honey? Aren’t you feeling well?” Gavin asked with concern.

She couldn’t help her happy, secretive smile.

“What?”

“I’m fine. I’ll tell you later.”

“Why not now?”

“Because we’re at a party. Anyway, I
am
quite hungry.”

“Cassie just ran away with our food. Maybe she’s craving all those prawns,” Gavin said with a chuckle. “I’ll get us some more.”

“No! I don’t want the prawns. Just the other stuff.”

Gavin’s forehead creased. “Are you sure? There’s plenty of them.”

“I’m sure.”

“Okay. Chicken, then? Calamari? What about oysters?”

“No oysters.”

“Okay.”

“Honey,” she called out after him.

Gavin looked back.

“Could you not get yourself any prawns either?”

“Why not? I like ’em.”

“Because... I... they make me want to puke.”

Gavin frowned, walking back and sitting next to her. “What’s wrong?”

“Um...” She stared at his handsome face, her heart dancing in her chest. No, she couldn’t hold the news back from him until they got home. She was too excited. And she needed to know right now how he felt about it.

“What’s that look about?” Gavin asked, his lips tugging to the side as he took her hand and kissed it.

She touched his face. “We’re having a baby too.”

Gavin gawked at her for the longest moment, his eyes round and his jaw slack. Then his face broke into a happy smile. “
We
are having a baby too?”

She nodded.

“You better not be joking.”

She shook her head, grinning as widely as him.

“When did you know?”

“A few minutes ago. Lexie had a spare pregnancy test. It’s the smell of those prawns that alerted me.”

“Oh, babe,” Gavin said, pulling her to him and kissing her tenderly, lovingly, sweetly.

“You don’t mind?” she murmured against his lips.

He looked into her eyes. “Mind? Not at all. It’s a total surprise, but... I’m excited.”

She exhaled her relief.

“It must have been that weekend,” Gavin mused. “I obviously didn’t pull out early enough one of those times. I wonder which round it was?”

“Maybe the one where you complained about wanting to come inside me but couldn’t,” she said with a giggle.

“Yeah,” he said with a grin. “See? I might as well not have pulled out.”

She lifted her lips to his for another kiss.

“You said you’re hungry. I’m gonna go and get you some food. No prawns.”

“Okay.”

“Are we gonna tell the others today?”

She snickered. “Why don’t you ask Carter to come here first?”

“I’ll be back,” he said excitedly, giving her another smooch before leaving her.

She watched as Gavin got a plate and loaded it with food, then pulled Carter away from his conversation with Jarryd and Lucas. Cassie joined them as they walked back to her.

“Hey, sis,” Carter said, his eyes dancing. “Has my lovely wife told you something?”

“I guessed it,” she answered, getting up and squeezing Carter tight. “Congratulations, darling.”

“Thank you. But how did you know?”

“She kept on touching her tummy.”

Cassie chuckled. “I didn’t even know I was doing it.”

“Hang on a second,” Gavin said, looking at them in confusion. “Are you pregnant too, Cassie?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, congrats, you two,” he said with a laugh, giving Cassie, then Carter, a big bear hug.

“Wait,” Carter said to Gavin. “I thought this was why you dragged me here—to congratulate us. But you didn’t know.”

Natasha smiled as Gavin drew her in his arms and kissed her hair.

“You’re not the only one with the good news, bro,” Gavin said.

“What?” Carter asked, stunned.

“I guessed it too,” Cassie said. “Tash was getting sick from the smell of Rick’s prawns.”

“Oh my God,” Carter said, pulling Natasha away from Gavin to place his own arms around her. “I’m so happy for you, guys.”

“Thank you. Mum and Dad will be so thrilled.”

“Tell me about it. We’re seeing them tomorrow night with Cassie’s folks. Gav, why don’t you invite your parents and we can tell them our news at the same time?” he asked as he hugged, shook and patted his best friend.

“Great idea.”

“Hey, all that hugging must mean something,” Rick called out. “Care to let us in on the secret?”

They laughed, and Natasha and Cassie nodded to each other.