"Thank you, Ghost. I really appreciate you doing this for me," I say as we pull into the parking spot at the airport.

Ghost was the only person I could find who would take me without asking questions or revealing where I was going—especially not telling Everest. I knew he wouldn't hesitate to help me, especially with Teagan involved. She kept slipping through his grasp, and I was sure this would be the only chance to get her the help she needed.

I also knew Everest wouldn't question him, wouldn't dare disobey. Ghost had that kind of power over him, and for now, I was grateful for it.

I look over at Ghost as I unbuckle my seatbelt. His face remains stoic, but I can tell he's paying attention. He knows how important this is, even if he doesn't know the full story.

"I'll be quick," I tell him, keeping my voice steady as I push open the car door. I can already hear the hum of the airport in the distance, the rush of passengers hurrying to and from their gates.

"Take your time," he says, his voice gruff, but the underlying tone tells me he's fine with waiting. I don't look back as I close the door behind me and head for the terminal.

The airport feels like a blur as I make my way to the baggage claim area, my heart thudding in my chest with every step. It's been too long since I've seen Teagan. She's been keeping to herself, slipping further and further out of reach, and I need her now more than ever.

When I finally spot her, she's standing by the carousel, suitcase in hand, looking a little out of place but still very much herself. Her face lights up when she sees me, and for a moment, the weight in my chest lifts.

"You made it," I say, relief flooding me as I approach her.

Teagan pulls me into a hug without hesitation. "Of course I did. I wasn't going to let you go through this alone," she murmurs, pulling back and searching my face. "How are you really doing?"

I force a smile, but inside, the fear still lingers. "I'm okay," I reply, my voice shaky despite my best efforts.

Teagan seems to sense it, but she doesn't push me. Instead, she simply nods. "We'll figure it out," she says softly, reassuring me in a way only she can.

I nod in return and gesture for her to follow me. "Let's get going."

As we step outside into the cool air, I glance back at the car, seeing Ghost leaning against it, arms crossed, watching us closely. It feels like a reminder of how much I'm still relying on others to get through this.

We walk toward the car without saying anything more, the weight of the situation hanging between us. When we climb in, I can't help but feel the dread creeping back in.

The ride to the OB/GYN's office is quiet, with Teagan and I exchanging only a few words here and there, the atmosphere tense but not uncomfortable. I can't shake the feeling that something is about to change, but I don't know what.

When we finally pull up to the clinic, I take a deep breath before getting out of the car. "We will be back, hour tops." I tell him, though he doesn't seem to mind and gives me a wink. "No rush darlin."

Teagan and I walk toward the entrance, and for the first time in a long while, I feel like I'm doing something right, even though I still don't know what's coming next.

The sterile smell of the clinic fills the air as Teagan and I walk into the exam room, the soft sound of the door closing behind us. I'm already feeling out of place, like this is something I wasn't supposed to be doing, yet here I am—needing answers more than ever.

"Okay, Avery, before we do anything, I want you to take this," Teagan says, holding up a small pregnancy test kit. Her tone is gentle but firm, and I can tell she's not going to let me off easy.

I glance at the test, then back at her. "I don't think I need to—"

Teagan raises an eyebrow. "You're doing it, Avery. Just trust me. You need to know for sure before we go any further."

I bite my lip, hesitation crawling up my throat. I know she's right, but the thought of confirming my fear makes me sick to my stomach. Still, I don't argue. I take the test from her, my hands shaking as I step into the bathroom to do what I need to do.

It feels like hours before I step out, the test still clutched in my hand. Teagan's sitting on the edge of the exam table, flipping through some paperwork. She doesn't look up until I reach her side, holding the test in front of her.

She takes it from me, her expression unreadable as she glances down at it. "It's positive," she says softly, her voice a little more serious than before.

My heart drops into my stomach, and I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "How... how far along am I?" I can barely whisper the words, the reality of the situation beginning to crash over me.

Teagan's eyes soften as she stands up, placing a hand on my shoulder. "We're going to find out now," she says. "Let's get you settled for the ultrasound."

I nod, feeling like I'm in a daze as she guides me to the examination chair. The gown feels cold against my skin as I slip it on, my hands still trembling slightly. Teagan sets everything up, the machine buzzing to life as she prepares the ultrasound.

The gel is cold on my stomach, and I flinch, but Teagan just pats my arm reassuringly. "It'll be over soon, I promise."

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to calm the whirlwind in my chest. I can hear the soft hum of the ultrasound machine and Teagan's gentle murmurs as she moves the wand across my skin.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, she stops. The silence hangs heavy in the room as she examines the screen.

"Well," Teagan says, her voice quieter now, "it looks like you're about twelve weeks along."

I feel the blood drain from my face, my mind racing with what that means. Twelve weeks. That's three months.

I open my mouth to say something, but the words don't come. I don't know what to feel, what to think, what to do. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not like this.

Teagan seems to sense my shock and immediately takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. "Avery, we'll figure this out, okay? You're not alone."

I nod, but it doesn't feel real. The weight of what she just told me hangs heavily in the air, and I'm not sure I'm ready for what comes next.

As I slip out of the gown and pull on my clothes, my mind is still reeling from the ultrasound results. Twelve weeks. It feels like a lifetime and a second all at once. I'm just trying to breathe through it, but every moment seems to stretch on forever.

Teagan's voice breaks through the silence, her tone quiet but direct. "So... is it Everest?"

I freeze for a moment, the question hanging in the air, too real, too sharp. I don't want to answer, but I know I have to. I nod, keeping my eyes on the floor as I finish buttoning my shirt. "Yeah. It's Everest."

Teagan doesn't say anything for a second, just letting the words settle in the space between us. Then she sighs softly. "Avery, you need to be careful. I know you care about him, but you have to think about the consequences of all this."

I swallow hard, the shame and guilt rushing back. I know she's right. I should have been more careful. But the thought of Everest, the way he made me feel, I let myself get swept up in it. And now, this. "I don't understand how I could have been so stupid," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "The whole time, he's been freely releasing himself inside of me, and I didn't even think to protect myself."

Teagan shakes her head, walking over to where I stand. "You're not stupid, Avery. You're just caught up in it. But now we have to figure out what's next." Her words are comforting, but they don't erase the feeling that my world is spinning out of control.

When I'm finally dressed, I gather my things, and we head out of the office. The sunlight outside feels too bright, too harsh. I squint as we make our way to the car, where Ghost is waiting, leaning against the driver's side door. He doesn't ask any questions, but I can tell he's been paying attention to everything.

We pile into the car, and Teagan starts talking to Ghost about some work she's been doing. Their conversation is easy and natural, the kind of thing that makes me feel like an outsider. I can't focus on it, though. My mind keeps circling back to what we learned in the office. The ultrasound. The fact that I'm pregnant.

I stare out the window, lost in thought. What am I supposed to do now? How am I supposed to tell Everest? What if he doesn't want this?

Teagan notices my silence and turns her attention to me. "Hey," she says gently. "It's okay."

I nod, but I can't shake the unease in my stomach. How do I even begin to make a decision about what comes next?

We make our way to a nearby diner, and the scent of greasy food fills the air as we walk inside. I barely register the noise around me as we sit down. Teagan and Ghost continue talking, but I can't focus. My thoughts are all over the place, and every time I try to get a grip, they slip through my fingers.

After lunch, we head back to the car. Ghost drives in silence, the radio low in the background. I can feel the weight of the situation pressing in on me, but there's nothing I can do except ride it out.

When we finally reach the hotel, Teagan gives me a reassuring smile as she opens the door to get out. "I'll be okay. Just take care of yourself, alright?"

I nod, still unsure of everything, but I manage a small smile for her. "Thanks, Teagan. For everything."

She waves as she walks away, and I sit in the car for a moment longer, staring after her. Ghost doesn't say anything, but I can feel his presence beside me, steady, like he's waiting for me to say something, anything.

Ghost pulls into the familiar parking lot of the club, the headlights casting long shadows on the pavement. He parks the car, but instead of getting out, he locks the doors, his hand resting on the steering wheel. I feel a strange mix of dread and confusion settle in the pit of my stomach as I glance at him.

"Avery," he says, his voice low but calm, "I know you're worried. But everything's gonna be okay."

I look at him, not sure how to respond. I'm still processing the news from earlier, the weight of what I'm carrying inside me, and the last thing I want to hear right now is reassurance. But I stay quiet, because part of me needs to believe him.

Ghost's eyes soften as he continues, his voice steady. "We're gonna get Logan, Avery. He won't hurt you anymore. You don't need to worry about him, not with Everest and the rest of us around." He pauses, glancing over at me, his gaze holding a quiet intensity. "Everest will always protect you, no matter what."

I try to ignore the way his words send a shiver down my spine. I know what he's hinting at. I know what he thinks happened, and in a way, I'm relieved that he doesn't outright say it. It feels like a heavy secret hanging between us.

Ghost's fingers tap lightly on the steering wheel, his gaze still on me. He leans back in his seat, crossing his arms, but there's an understanding in his eyes, an unspoken knowing that makes everything feel just a little too real.

"We'll keep you safe, Avery," he says, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a promise.

I don't know if I believe him yet, but I want to. I want to trust that things will somehow work out, that the chaos swirling around me will eventually settle. But right now, it's hard to see through the fog.

He pauses for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he adds, almost casually, "But whatever happens, you're not in this alone."

I nod, swallowing hard, my throat tight with unshed tears. I want to believe him more than anything. I want to believe that the mess I'm in can be fixed, that I don't have to carry this burden alone.

Before I can say anything, he gives a small, reassuring smile and unlocks the doors. "You're gonna be okay," he repeats.

I hesitate for a moment, but then I open the door and step out, trying to ignore the lump in my throat. As I walk toward the club, I hear the sound of the engine turning off behind me, and I know that Ghost is right there, watching out for me. He always is.

But even as I step into the warmth of the club, I can't shake the feeling that things are about to get a whole lot more complicated.

I close the door softly behind me, the quiet of the room feeling almost suffocating after everything that's happened. I set my purse down on the dresser, the weight of the sonogram still heavy in my chest. I stare at it for a moment, trying to make sense of what it means, but the image of the tiny heartbeat seems so distant, like it's someone else's life, not mine. The reality of it all is too much to handle right now, and I shove it into my purse, trying to ignore the fluttering panic rising in my throat.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, when I hear the door creak open behind me.

I freeze.

I don't even have to turn around to know it's Everest. The tension in the air is palpable, and I can feel his presence before I even see him. My heart skips a beat, both in anticipation and fear.

"Where the hell have you been?" His voice is low, tight with frustration. The door slams shut behind him, and the sound reverberates through the room. He steps forward, his eyes dark with something unreadable.

I try to form words, but nothing comes out. I'm caught between wanting to tell him everything, wanting to pull away, but I don't. Instead, I stay still, my heart hammering in my chest as he closes the distance between us.

He stands in front of me, his gaze fierce, but there's a vulnerability in his eyes that I can't ignore. His hands reach for me, gripping my arms gently but firmly, his thumbs tracing the curve of my skin like he's trying to ground himself, like he's trying to understand something he can't quite grasp.

"Avery," he breathes, his voice softening for just a moment, before the frustration takes over again. "You can't just disappear like that. What the hell is going on with you?"

I swallow hard, my words stuck in my throat. "I needed some space," I finally manage to say, my voice barely a whisper.

"Space?" His hand moves to my face, cupping my cheek as he tilts my head up to meet his gaze. His thumb brushes across my bottom lip, the contact gentle but full of tension. "You can't just shut me out, Avery. You think I wouldn't notice? You think I wouldn't care?"

My heart races, my body aching to feel something more than the whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. He's right. I can't keep hiding from him. Not anymore.

Before I can say anything else, he pulls me toward him, his lips crashing into mine with a fierce desperation. I lose myself in the kiss, my hands tangling in his shirt as I pull him closer, needing to feel him, to drown out the chaos swirling in my mind. His lips move against mine with urgency, and I respond in kind, matching his intensity, our bodies pressed together as if we're trying to erase the distance that's grown between us.

His hands slide down my back, pulling me flush against him as his mouth trails down my neck. I shudder, the heat between us rising with every touch, every kiss. The world outside fades away, leaving just the two of us, tangled in a moment that feels as much like escape as it does connection.

His hands move to the hem of my shirt, lifting it over my head, and I let him, my breath hitching as the cool air hits my skin. His eyes lock onto mine, dark with desire, and for a moment, everything feels right.

"Avery," he murmurs, his voice rough. "I need you to understand something." He pauses, his hands skimming over my skin like he's trying to memorize every inch of me. "I don't care about anything else. Not the chaos. Not the mess. Just you and me."

I can't speak. His words are everything I need to hear, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to believe them yet. But in this moment, with him so close, so real, I don't want to think anymore. I don't want to question.

I just want to feel.

And so, I let him pull me closer, our bodies moving together as we fall into the bed, tangled in a mess of sheets and emotions. There's no more doubt, no more fear in this moment, just the overwhelming feeling of being alive, of being here, with him.

We move together, slowly at first, testing the waters, but then with more urgency, as if the connection we've been dancing around for so long is finally being made. Every touch, every kiss, sends a wave of heat through my body, a desperate need to lose myself in him, to forget about the rest of the world.

He gently laid me on the bed, but before he could even pull away, I felt a sudden surge of control, as if everything I had been holding back finally broke free. Without thinking, I flipped us over, now sitting on top of him, and the weight of everything from earlier—the fear, the uncertainty—seemed to dissolve the instant I took charge.

I leaned down, kissing him deeply, my hands finding their way to his shirt, ripping it off in a movement that felt almost primal, like I needed to feel him closer, more real. The connection between us was undeniable, and I didn't want to waste another second.

Without hesitation, I unbuckled his pants, a sense of urgency building between us. It wasn't about being careful anymore, not after everything that had happened, everything I had held inside. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to just feel—to just be here, in this moment, with him.

"Fuck, Avery..." he moaned softly, his hands gripping my hips as I positioned myself above him. Slowly, I lowered myself down, feeling the intensity of every inch, every sensation, as we moved together.

I didn't hold back, picking up my pace and riding him, the rhythm of our movements syncing as the pleasure built. Each moment felt like it was stretching out, full of sensation, as everything around us faded away, leaving only the connection we shared.

"You feel so good!" I gasped, my hands gripping his as he quickened the pace. My head tipped back, fingers tangled in my hair, overwhelmed by the wave of sensation.

The tension, the longing I'd felt since that first moment at the beach, made sense now. Everything was adding up, but for now, I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing only on the moment.

"You close?" he asked, his voice low, but I just shook my head, still caught in the pleasure, wanting it to last longer, wanting to forget everything else.

"Come on, baby," he urged, not waiting for a response before lifting me, still inside me, pressing me against the wall. The intensity kept building, the sensations all blending into one overwhelming rush. His hand found my bundle of nerves, his mouth brushing against my skin, sending another wave of shivers through me.

It was all too much, and I couldn't help but let go, completely lost in the moment. My eyes flew open as I reached my peak, feeling the heat of him release inside of me, sending me into a second wave of pleasure. It came in quick succession, one after the other.

When I finally came down from that high, I lay there, breathless and limp, my body spent as we both caught our breath. He looked at me, his expression soft, sweat glistening on his forehead.

I met his gaze, offering him a lazy smile, gently brushing a strand of hair from his eyes. He slowly allowed me to slide down the wall, his arms still holding me steady as I found my balance.

Here's the continuation from Avery's first-person point of view:

⸻

I watched as Everest grabbed his hat, flipping it backward and placing it on his head with that signature confidence. A small smile tugged at my lips as I couldn't help but admire how sexy and mature he looked. He wasn't the same boy I had known at 16. So much had changed in the years since. I could see how prison had shaped him—how it had taken that carefree kid and turned him into the man he was now. The quiet strength, the way he held himself, the intensity in his eyes. It was all different, but I could feel the weight of it, the way it had molded him into someone stronger, someone more grounded.

I found myself studying him, realizing just how much I had missed the old, carefree version of us. I missed our home, the way things used to feel so simple, so normal.

"I miss it, you know?" I murmured, my voice soft as I leaned back against the wall, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me. "I miss the house... the way things used to be. I just want to take a bath again, feel like myself again. Everything just feels so off lately."

Everest paused, then looked at me with a gentle, understanding gaze. He walked over, his hand reaching up to gently push a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his touch comforting. "I know, baby," he said quietly, his voice calm and reassuring. "Soon, things will get back to normal. We'll make it work, okay? You'll get that bath, and everything will fall back into place. We're getting there."

I looked into his eyes, feeling the weight of his words settle in. For the first time in a while, a sense of peace started to creep in.

Maybe things would get back to how they were. I think as I look down at my stomach. Maybe.