Meow Or Never: BBW SEAL Shifter Surprise Pregnancy Romance (Chicago Catastrophe) by Anya Nowlan, Rory Dale Page A

got, the more she wished she was back in his arms. The rest of the world seemed to melt away when they were together, and Hailey could use a break from reality right about now.
    More than anything, she was sad she hadn’t managed to see him again since their dinner date. They both seemed to be too busy for anything resembling a real relationship, which really didn’t surprise her that much, just made her a little bit sad. Being wrapped up in his embrace when the world was going to hell around them would have been… well, nice.
    She pulled up to the casino and tried putting Troy out of her mind. She had to get through this meeting first, then she could think about her possible pregnancy and how to discuss it with Troy.
    Getting out of her car, she cautiously approached the casino. There was noise coming from inside and the round windows of the doors showed waitresses and security guards milling around inside.
    That calmed her down a bit. At least there would be witnesses if Culliver tried to beat her into submission with a bunch of roses, or a gun to her temple.
    She stepped inside, blowing out a breath in the process. Looking around, she caught the attention of one of the security guys, who then said something into his radio before approaching her. His arm was in a sling and he looked like he’d been through a meat grinder lately.
    “This way, Miss Molloy,” the squat, bald man said, gesturing towards the back of the casino.
    Hailey hesitated before following him. She was in way over her head, that much was painfully clear.
    I could turn around and run away, a desperate part of her offered.
    But she knew that wasn’t an option. This is where she’d end up, either way. There was no way of escaping the Crimson Claws in Chicago and she couldn’t protect her family without some serious help. She had no proof of the Claws’ coercion, and even if she did, she knew she couldn’t trust the cops in this town.
    The guard led her to a door far away from the main floor and opened it. Hailey stepped inside, bracing herself. Culliver was already there, talking to someone sitting at the desk near the room’s back wall. The chair was turned so she couldn’t see who it was, though.
    That must be the new boss.
    The room was tastefully decorated, save for a big red splotch in the middle of the carpet. All dark colors and understated signs of dominance. It looked exactly like a mob boss’ office should, now that she thought about it. Right down to the blood-soaked floors.
    After a moment, the chair swiveled. The man looked up and their eyes met. Hailey felt the world tilt under her feet as she recognized him instantly.
    Troy, her brain repeated, stunned.
    She thought she was going to faint, but nothing happened. Nothing changed, except for everything.
    What a fool I’ve been.

Eleven

Hailey
    F or a second , Troy looked genuinely shocked to see her.
    Why would he be surprised? He must have known who I was when he approached me at the club. This is just some sick game to him, Hailey thought, disgusted.
    Bile rose again in her throat and this time she knew it had nothing to do with food poisoning or morning sickness. It was simple revulsion.
    Troy gathered himself quickly, standing and addressing her in a very business-like manner.
    “You must be Miss Molloy,” he said, walking around the desk to come to a stop in front of her.
    What the hell is going on here?
    She opened her mouth to respond, but couldn’t say a word.
    It seemed he didn’t want to let on he knew her. Hailey hesitated, not sure if she should play along or not.
    The whole situation was made even more awkward by Culliver making eyes at her from the corner of the room. There were two other guys with him, looking at Hailey curiously.
    If Troy just took over for the last guy, he might not have known who I was when we met, that same desperate part of her brain offered.
    The possibility that he hadn’t sought her out at the club just to mess with her was a small