Free Chasing Storm by Teagan Kade Page B

on, give it to me.”
    “I don’t think you can take it.”
    “I went undercover for two months to investigate the New York swingers scene. I doubt whatever you get up to in the back streets of Rosie can come as any surprise.”
    “As I said, we like surprises around here.”
    “And what, no guy now?”
    She rubs her belly and I cannot believe I didn’t pick up on it before. “You’re pregnant?”
    She nods timidly. “Found out yesterday.”
    I hug her, pulling her tight to me. “Wow, that’s amazing. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
    “You’ve got a lot going on.”
    I hold her firmly by the shoulders. “I’ve always got time for you, Jem, you know that.”
    She nods. “I do.”
    “The father?”
    She shrugs. “Just a blow-through. I didn’t even get his name.”
    I can’t believe it. “Fuck him, we’re going to celebrate anyhow.”
    “We are?”
    “Oh yes.”
    “I’ll probably have to cut back on the cowboys, huh?”
    “Ah, yeah. You’re drinking and eating for two now.”
    “Well, maybe three.”
    I throw my hands up, mouth agape. “Twins!”
    “Oh man.”
    “Yeah, tell me about it.”
    I’m happy for her. Jemma’s always been so good with kids, always wanted one to call her own. Father in the picture or not, I know she’ll make a great mom. I tell her this and she breaks down, both of us crying and blubbering until there’s not a single tear left in our systems.
    “So,” Jemma says, wiping her face with the bottom of her T-shirt. Her belly is bared and I still cannot believe she’s carrying another two lives in there. “There’s this great band playing in Longsville tonight.”
    I do the calculation. “That’s like, two hours away.”
    “Plenty of time to talk.”
    “It’s not Storm’s band, is it?”
    “Hell no. I wouldn’t be so cruel. They’re from Chicago actually. No idea why they’re out all this way. Probably a pity stop.”
    “Well, I’m in if you are.”
    We place our hands on top of each other, Jemma smiling back at me. “Done. You’re driving.”

Chapter Ten
    I’ve just come out of the shower when I hear my cell going off.
    I manage to reach it, losing my towel in the process.
    It’s Dan.
    Just answer it, idiot.
    “Hey,” he starts.
    “Hey.”
    “I just thought I’d call and see how you’re doing. I didn’t want to be one of those stalker types I have to talk to because they’ve sent their girl a thousand texts.”
    “I’m your girl?”
    “If you want to be.”
    I sit down naked on the corner of my bed. “Dan, I-”
    “Look, we don’t have to talk about it now, okay. It can wait.”
    “I don’t think it can.” Say it. “I can’t be in a relationship at the moment.”
    “But you were at his place.” There’s a different tone to Dan’s voice now.
    “Whose place?”
    “Storm’s.”
    “How did you-”
    “I’m the sheriff, Alice. I know what goes on.”
    I start to get irritated. “You have no right spying on me like that.”
    “He’s no good, Alice.”
    “I’ll be the judge of that.”
    “You want the truth?”
    “No, but I have a feeling you’re going to tell it to me anyhow.”
    “Damn right I am. His father was Bobby Black. You know, the big drug kingpin around these parts. When he died, Storm became the last of that cursed family left. Ol’ Bobby amassed a damn near fortune selling crack to the kids in Millertown, and you know what?”
    “What?”
    “Storm’s just keeping up the family business.”
    “And you’ve got evidence of this?”
    Silence. “We’ll get it, but the thing is, it’s not safe with him. There are people out there, bikers, criminals, who all want a piece of that money Bobby left behind. Bobby made a lot of enemies, and they’re not people you want to meet. They’ve been to that place before looking for that money, and they’ll be back again until they find it or at least take their pound of flesh.”
    I swallow, reaching for the towel and pulling it around myself. “Goodbye,