Free A Darker Shade of Dead by Bianca D'Arc Page A

again.
    â€œWell…see…she’s…”
    â€œPregnant!” Donna broke in. “Isn’t she?” Donna had been unabashedly listening in to their conversation.
    Simon blanched, nodding.
    â€œI knew it!” Donna crowed.
    Matt was stunned. He’d never even considered the possibility. He really wasn’t used to dealing with women on his combat teams. “How did you know?” he asked Donna, curious.
    She laughed again. “I can think of only one thing that could make a Navy SEAL so uncomfortable to discuss. Well, maybe a few more than that. I bet he’d never go buy tampons for his girlfriend, either. Of course, she won’t be needing those for a good long while now that she’s got a bun in the oven. Congratulations, Simon.” She patted his shoulder and sauntered off, already spreading the news to the other women. Simon just looked stunned.
    â€œIs she always like that?” he asked Matt.
    Matt shook his head, watching the women react to her news. “I couldn’t say, but I guess we’ll find out.”
    Simon grimaced as he turned back to Matt. “So yeah, Mariana’s pregnant. That’s why I think we should keep any potentially dangerous activity to a minimum, for the time being. She’ll want to exercise, but sparring isn’t something I think she should be doing.”
    â€œI agree one hundred percent, Si.” Matt clapped him on the shoulder. “Congratulations. Imagine that. Next year at this time there’ll be a little version of you and Mari running around underfoot. I bet you’re happy.”
    â€œStunned, to be honest. I didn’t really think of it happening so soon. Now that it has, I’m beginning to enjoy the idea. It’s kind of awesome and scary all at once.”
    â€œI can only imagine.” Matt stepped away as John called his group to order. “Please give Mari my best wishes and tell her she’s welcome to join us for whatever part of the class she can handle.”
    Simon thanked him and hustled to take his place on the mats with the other guys. Matt turned to his little group and wondered where to begin.
    â€œHave any of you done any martial arts before?”
    Matt expected Sarah to at least have had some training. Until recently, she’d been a county cop. When she raised her hand, Matt wasn’t surprised. What did surprise him was Sandra’s raised hand.
    He turned to Sarah first, since she was closest. “Did you study with your brothers when you were a kid?”
    Sarah laughed. “Far from it. Our dad didn’t think it was ladylike, so I wasn’t allowed to learn. I took a few training courses with the police department. That’s all.”
    Matt was surprised. “Well, you won’t face that same attitude here. I think it’s important for every member of this team to at least know how to defend themselves if necessary. If nothing else, it’s good exercise.” Sarah nodded in agreement and he turned to Sandra. “How about you, doctor?”
    â€œI have a green belt in go ju ryu karate . I know that’s probably quite different from what you’ll be teaching us here.” She seemed to want to downplay her abilities. Matt wouldn’t let her do that. She was a vital member of this team, even if she spent most of her time in a laboratory and not in the field.
    â€œYou’ll be surprised at the similarities, I’m sure. This is good. You can help me demonstrate the moves.” Sandra indicated her agreement as he turned to the last member of his small group.
    â€œI’ve never done anything like this before,” Donna answered without being asked. He was discovering she was a forthright kind of person. He liked that, though he’d have to get used to her lack of military discipline. “But I’m eager to learn.”
    â€œGood. We can build on that enthusiasm,” Matt replied, standing and facing the