In Blood and Worth Loving 3 Kiss Cover (24 page)

“
What?
”

“
Brandi is pregnant, Conner.
”

“
Pregnant? She is?
”

“
Yes.
”

“
Damn Adrian. Why didn
’
t you tell me?
”

“
You were so miserable it felt wrong to be so happy. I kept hoping you would come to terms with how you felt about Desi so I could tell you.
”

Recalling all his unkind thoughts about his own twin, he sighed.
“
I owe you an apology, Adrian. I had no right or basis for implying you were a coward. I
’
m sorry and I am pleased and happy for you and Brandi. And I understand now. To please Desi and ensure nothing is done to endanger Brandi or the baby, I
’
ll do my best to hold off on killing his ass.
”

“
I
’
d really appreciate that, Conner. This is a high risk pregnancy so she really needs as little stress as possible.
”

“
You should have told me.
”

“
I should have but…
”

“
But you weren
’
t sure I
’
d be happy for you.
”

“
Yes,
”
he admitted.
“
But that wasn
’
t my sole reason for not telling you. I just thought it might feel like piling on since you were so unhappy.
”

“
I might not have been pleased for you before I admitted how I felt about Desi, but I am now. It won
’
t be easy but I
’
ll
do
my best to wait. How pregnant is she?
”

“
Nearly five months.
”

Fuck. That meant months before he could go after Hartford in good conscience.
“
Congratulations, Adrian. I know how much you wanted this.
”

“
Thank you.
”

“
Give Brandi my love.”

“It would mean more if you gave it to her yourself.”

He nodded. “I will.
I
’
ll see you both soon.
”

“
We
’
ll be looking forward to seeing you and Desi, Conner.
”

When they arrived at the Redwolfe mansion several hours later, Desiree was a little surprised to find not only all the Redwolfes there but also the Stoners and Macarik. From the look on everyone
’
s face, she knew they all knew she
’
d been raped.

At first she was annoyed that Conner had told everyone. Then she became aware of a sense of relief in knowing she would not have to pretend nothing was wrong when she ached mentally and needed her friends most.

Both Adrian and Sin-Bad kept apologizing for not having protected her. Jayvyn and the other males said nothing but she could see they were furious. And she knew she was surrounded by and had the support of humans and full-bloods who loved her and hurt with her.

Feeling mentally and physically
fatigued
, s
he looked at Conner.
“
Do you think I have time for a short nap before we leave?
”

He nodded.
“
Of course. It
’
s been an eventful day. If you like we can spend the night here and leave in the morning.
”

The thought of the hours
’
long drive to the Pocono Mountains held little appeal.
“
Could we?
”

“
Sure.
”

“
I think I
’
ll go up and lie down for a bit.
”
Her stomach rumbled and she looked at Max Stoner.

“
Somebody
’
s hungry,
”
he said smiling.
“
Can I whip you up something?
”

“
Oh Max. Would you?
”

He nodded.
“
What would you like?
”

“
I
’
d love one of those sausage and spinach omelets of yours.
”

“
Coming up.
”

“
Oh and maybe some french fries and a piece of that delicious French toast of yours.
”

He turned back to look at her.
“
You want french fries and French toast with it?
”

She nodded.
“
Do you think you could add a little bacon along with the sausage in the omelet?
”

“
Of course honey.
”

Realizing everyone was staring at her she shrugged.
“
I
’
m a little peckish.
”

“
I
’
ll walk you upstairs,
”
Conner said crossing the room to put his arm around her shoulders.

She leaned against him.
“
Can a girl get a lift instead?
”

“
Of course
she
can.
”
He swept her off her feet and into his arms.

Lord it was nice to have a man who could actually pick her up and carry her up the long flight of stairs leading to the second floor where each of the Redwolfes had a suite. In the living room of his suite, he lowered her onto the loveseat and sat beside her. He caressed her neck.
“
Are you all right?
”

Her breasts were sore, she felt tired, and she
’
d missed her period for the first time in years. She was almost certain Hartford
’
s rape had resulted in a bittersweet pregnancy.
“
No, but I
’
m far better than I would be if you weren
’
t here with me, Conner.
”

He sighed.
“
I wished there was something I could do to make things better for you.
”

“
You
’
re doing it by being here.
”

“
Then why do I get the feeling you want me to make myself
scarce
?
”

She shook her head.
“
I
’
m a little tired.
”
And afraid of your reaction if my fears turn out to be justified.

“
I
’
ll be back to check on you in about two hours.
”

“
Okay.
”
She lifted her face.

He kissed her on her neck and then her lips before he rose and left her alone.

She sighed and closed her eyes. Her cell pinged. She reluctantly opened her eyes and removed her phone from her purse.

Hurtin u big mistake.
TH.

She blinked and stared at the door Conner had closed behind him when he left. Why was he
texting only seconds after leaving
? She looked at the screen again and stiffened.
Hurtin u big mistake. TH.

TH. Tyler Hartford. Hell would freeze over before she even thought about forgiving him. She laid the phone on the coffee table. Five minutes later, he sent another text.
When can I see u?

Her heart raced with fear and anger. Why in the hell would he think she
’
d want to see her rapist anywhere outside of a damned jail cell or a coffin? When he sent a third text she toyed with the idea of telling Conner. Before she could decide either way, there was a knock on the entrance door.
“
Come in,
”
she called, placing the phone on
its
face to prevent it from giving audible notice of new communications.

The door opened and to her surprise, Max walked in carrying a tray. Although he smiled as he sat beside her and placed the tray in front of her, she could feel a tension in him and knew he was angry.

“
Everything smells delicious. Thanks Max.
”

He lifted the tops of
f
the dishes on the tray before he turned to look at her.
“
Would you like him dead?
”

She blinked and paused with a forkful of omelet halfway to her mouth. There was no point in pretending she didn
’
t understand the question or know who he meant.
“
Yes,
”
she admitted, putting the fork down.
“
But it
’
s just a pipedream or Conner will end up dead too.
”

He shook his head.
“
Not if someone else kills him.
”

She thought of that last ominous message.
Me and boys see u soon
. He was not going to leave her alone.
“
Then that someone would end up with the Brotherhood on his back.
”

“
I
’
ve had far more dangerous creatures than the Brotherhood trying to kill me for hundreds of years but I
’
m still here. I just need your assurance that you don
’
t have any hidden feelings for him and will be okay with learning he
’
s dead.
”

“
Hidden feelings? He raped me countless times and wants to kill the man I love. The only feeling I have for him is hatred.
”
And fear for what he
’
s done.
“
Can I ask you a personal and private question?
”

He nodded.
“
Ask away.
”

“
How difficult do you think it is for a full-blood to get a human woman pregnant?
”

He stared at her.
“
He impregnated you?
”

Hearing the question spoken acted as a release v
alve
. She sucked in a breath and felt her eyes water.
“
I
’
m almost sure I
’
m pregnant, but please don
’
t tell anyone.
”

“
Fuck! I take it you haven
’
t told Conner yet?
”

“
I have to get formal conf
i
rmation, but I just know I
’
m pregnant and that Conner is going to be upset.
”

“
Who can blame him? When are you going to tell him?
”

She shook her head.
“
I don
’
t know. I just know I need some time. You won
’
t tell him. Will you?
”

“
I should
.”

“Max–“

“If you leave him in the dark too long, I’ll tell him myself.”

She nodded.

“A
nd I
’
ll kill Hartford
if you
want me to.
”

She hesitated and then showed him the remaining text message she hadn
’
t had time to erase.

He shot to his feet.
“
That does it. His ass is mine.
”
He turned and stalked across the room to the door.

“
Max? How will they know it wasn
’
t Conner?
”
she asked.

He looked surprised.
“
Because I
’
ll tell them.
”

“
No! Then you
’
ll be in trouble.
”

“
I can take care of myself. So can Conner but with age comes increasing strength. My brothers and I are much older than he is and we have much more experience dealing with
power…creatures intent on our demise
. Besides, I won
’
t be alone but I will be the one to end his miserable life.
It will be my gift to you.
”

She rose and crossed the room to place her hands on his chest.
“
You
’
ll be careful and survive?
”

“
I always survive honey.
”

“
And you
’
ll keep my secret until I know for sure and can find a way to tell Conner?
”

“
I won
’
t remain silent about it indefinitely, Desiree.
The friendship he and I share
depends on trust. If it looks like you
’
re taking too long to tell him, I will.
”

Damn. Well at least she had a little breathing room.
“
I understand.
”
She moistened her lips.
“
Would you do me a favor?
”

“
Name it.
”

“
This is a little embarrassing but you
’
re the only one who knows so you
’
re the only one I can ask.
”

“
A confidence you kept from everyone else? I’m honored honey.
Ask
away.
”

“
Would you get me a pregnancy test or two? I can
’
t see how I can get away from Conner long enough to do it myself and
–
”

He lifted her right hand from his chest and kissed her fingers.
“
I
’
ll go get them and leave them on the bottom shelf in the pantry. Since I
’
ve already committed to cooking breakfast tomorrow morning they should be safe there until you can retrieve them or I find a reason to bring them to you.
”

“
Thank you for everything Max.
”

“
It
’
s my pleasure to help you.
”
He slapped her on her ass.

“
Hey!
”
she protested, shoving him away.

He laughed and left her alone.

She returned to the loveseat and devoured every mouthful of the food he
’
d prepared before lying on the sofa and falling asleep. She had a nightmare where Conner subverted her will and forced her to abort the baby she knew grew in her belly. She woke with tears in her eyes to find him cradling her in his arms.