Dr. Sadist’s office door at the end of the lab swings open, and she strides out with a man following in her wake. Not just a man. The man I shot in the fucking face in the bunker. Rage swirls around my body like a cloak of wrath.
Murder.
Torture.
Vengeance.
That’s all I can think about as they whisper to each other.
Everything. Every-fucking-thing I have within my body, I use to remain blank. I force my fists to relax. I demand my breathing to even out. I school my eyes into a placid gaze. I will myself not to crack my neck.
“Forty-two, I’m sorry to interrupt your evening. But something’s come up, and I wanted to speak to you right away. Please,” she indicates with her hand that I follow her to a workbench. I haven’t looked at the walking dead man with her. I can’t. Not yet.
I stand with my hands resting on the cool white surface as she peers through a microscope. I stare at her, waiting for her to speak. Needing her to fill this space with her lies, so I don’t fill it with blood.
“I’m Deacon,” his slimy voice cuts through the air as he reaches his hand across the bench to shake mine.
I take his hand and squeeze the shit out of his as I say, “Forty-two.” He grimaces as he retrieves his palm from mine. Oh, just wait until I get my hands on you for real. He’s a vest. He has to be to have survived a round to the face at point blank range. I never made my way to his body after Sorcha died. I’m guessing the hand I just shook is the one that held a rag over my face. And it’s probably the same hand that killed Alannah after I was unconscious.
“Yes!” Dr. Sadist exclaims. “Finally, I have a way.” Her voice is unlike any I’ve heard from her since I’ve been here. She sounds possessed. Insanity is dripping from her vocal chords. Not good.
She looks up from the microscope with a demented smile on her lips as she tears my world to shreds with her next words. “You’re going to be a father.”
I grip the edge of the bench and force myself to remain upright as I rasp, “What?”
“Deacon is a doctor. He contacted us after some irregular test results came back on your baby. It seems you impregnated a woman prior to being captured. The mother of your unborn child has agreed to allow us to study her and the child, provided she’s able to have contact with you. I know this must be difficult seeing as you don’t remember the woman or your life with her. I’ve explained this, but she’s still insisting,” she hisses her annoyance.
“What?” I ask again. This can’t be happening. I’m at a complete loss. I need my brain to work. I need to be plotting and planning, but all I can do is stand here like an idiot asking the same question over and over again.
“She didn’t know you were missing. Your relationship had ended before you were abducted,” Deacon explains.
Motherfucking lying piece of shit!
I feel like I’m going to puke. Alannah. She’s alive. She survived. I didn’t kill her.
“Take me to her,” I demand.
“That’s why you’re here. I wanted to explain first. But the sooner she sees you, the sooner we can begin testing,” Dr. Sadist replies gleefully.
Deacon is studying me, looking for something. I don’t give a fuck. My woman is here in this building with my baby inside her. This game just got a whole lot fucking clearer. I don’t give a shit about being a bearer or my shields. I don’t need answers. I just received a miracle. My hope…my dream has become a reality and that’s all that matters.
Dr. Sadist walks toward the door, and I follow closely, Deacon trailing behind. I have to be careful. When I see Alannah, I’ll have to pretend I don’t know her. Even if they leave us alone—which I doubt they’ll do—cameras will be watching. But I’ll see her. I’ll touch her soft skin. I’ll hold her in my arms.
We walk in the opposite direction of the common room. I’m going to see more of Canyon Nine than I ever have. I force myself to focus on everything as we move. We go through two sets of heavy security doors before we arrive at an elevator. There are no buttons, but the doors slide open after a few moments of waiting.
“This is a good thing, Forty-two,” Dr. Sadist says as we start travelling up. “This woman would have been in grave danger from Sage Development. It’s a miracle we were able to find her and bring her here to safety. She doesn’t know much about your past. Apparently, you didn’t spend much time together before conceiving.”
“What’s her name?” I ask as the elevator begins moving forward, surprising me and my stomach.
“Alannah,” Deacon answers, watching me for any recognition. He doesn’t find any.
If they wiped her memory…no, I can’t go there. She’s alive. That’s all that matters. We’ll deal with anything else once we’re together.
“Your name was Drake Worthington,” Dr. Sadist continues. “That’s what she’ll call you so don’t be alarmed.”
I nod. Alannah’s using one of my aliases, or they are. What if she’s been here the whole time? Is it possible she’s been in the same building as me for months? Anything’s possible with these fuckers.
The elevator finally stops, and the doors open into a colorful hallway. The walls are a warm earth tone, and the carpet is a plush red and gold combination. My senses are overloaded with mirrors and pictures on the walls. Seating areas surrounding tables are topped with blooming fresh flowers. This space feels so alive compared to where I’ve been.
We stop at a heavy wooden door with an iron six on it. Dr. Sadist pushes a button that looks like a doorbell and chimes ringing on the other side of the door confirm my hypothesis.
I’m disappointed when an attendant answers the door. I think he’s R. I can’t remember right now. He steps aside, and I follow Dr. Sadist into an apartment. I don’t take in anything other than Alannah running toward me full speed before launching into my arms, wrapping herself around me like a vice grip. Then she’s sobbing hysterically.
I tentatively engulf her tiny frame in my arms as I close my eyes, absorbing the feel of her. Tears fill the back of my eyes, but I command them not to fall. I have to play this the right way. After a few moments of bliss, I open my eyes and look at Deacon with a gaze that pleads for help like I have no idea what to do. It hurts to do it. It fucking kills me to do it, but I have to. This will keep everything moving in the right direction.
“Alannah,” Deacon says sweetly, making me want to rip his vocal chords out.
“I’m sorry,” she mutters, dropping away from me. She quickly wipes her cheeks before pushing her light blond hair behind her ears. She rubs her crimson lips together and then turns her big blue eyes up at me from the floor. “I’m Alannah,” she whispers.
I nod.
I can’t speak. I can barely breathe. I take the quiet moment to scan her body. She’s in a white long-sleeved T-shirt with the word love scripted across her slight baby bump in pale green. My baby’s bump. I want to run my hands over it, kiss it, speak to my child and assure them everything’s going to be okay.
“Why don’t we sit down?” Dr. Sadist suggests.
We all move toward a seating area with chocolate colored couches. Alannah sits down on the couch across from me and slimy, motherfucking Deacon flops next to her. If he touches her, I’ll kill him. He stretches an arm behind her back along the top of the couch, but my woman scoots forward, staring into my eyes with big blues pleading to be in my arms.
I don’t know if I can do this. Pretending has been pretty easy for me. But with Alannah here, within my grasp, I don’t know how I’ll keep this going. I’m closer to the surface. I could kill everyone in the room and make a break for the elevators. We’d never make it. I need more time. I need a fucking plan not just a knee-jerk reaction.
“Now that you’ve seen Forty…Drake,” Dr. Sadist corrects herself after a heavy gulp as she sits next to me. “I’d like to begin testing in the morning.”
Alannah swings her gaze to the woman before saying, “No.”
“I’m sorry but—”
&nb
sp; “I said I wanted contact with Drake not just to see him for a few minutes. Once we’ve spoken, I’ll allow you to begin. I’ve been through a lot in the last few months. I expect you to understand that.”
That’s my girl.
“Alannah,” Deacon interjects, sitting forward while placing a hand on her thigh.
I have to close my eyes to block out the murderous thoughts racing through my mind as he continues to speak.
“Doctor Slone will give you time with Drake. I promised you that. Have I broken a promise yet?” he asks with affection, causing my eyes to spring open.
He’s in love with her. It’s written all over his ugly fucking face and shimmering in his dead grey eyes. I look at Alannah, terrified I’ll find the same emotions in hers beaming back at him.
Nope.
Her electric blue eyes are kind, but there’s no love there. Thank fuck!
“No, you haven’t,” she replies sweetly. “Can we have a few minutes alone, please?”
Deacon shoots his gaze to mine, and I return a blank pod person stare. One I’ve perfected since being here.
“Just a few,” Deacon agrees before climbing to his feet as Dr. Sadist follows. They leave the apartment along with R. I’m alone with Alannah. She’s here right in front of me.
“Do you remember me?” she asks timidly, rubbing her tiny hands over her belly.
“No,” I lie and cringe internally at the hurt in her face.
“My memory of you is fuzzy. That’s the only way I know how to describe it. I know your face, but other than that, I don’t have much. The further along I get in the pregnancy, more memories seem to be returning. My boyfriend, Deacon, I met him in the hospital a few months ago. I was in an accident, and he was the doctor who treated me. Once I started remembering you, he helped me find this place.”
I’m going to fucking explode. He took my woman! This can’t be happening. I can’t lose her right in front of my face. I can’t.
“He doesn’t mind that you’re havin’ another man’s baby? My baby.”
“No. He’s been very understanding.”
I’m sure he has.
“So what’s your plan?”
“Well, Deacon thinks we should stay here until the baby’s born. They’ve explained your shield to me. It’s hard to believe. I actually didn’t until Doctor Slone showed us a video of you being cut and nothing happened. She thinks our baby will be like you. That he’ll be the key to figuring bearers out.”
“He?” I croak.
“Yeah,” she responds through a massive smile. “Kane.”
“What?” I choke out.
“We’re naming the baby Kane. Do you not like it? I suppose you should have a say in his name now.”
She remembers me. Somewhere in her brain, I’m there. Alannah’s mind is reaching out to me. Just like she did all those years ago in the pub’s parking lot. They fucked with her memory. I need to figure out how they do that and if the effects wear off. She said her memory of me is fuzzy. But I’m there somewhere. It gives me hope.
“I like the name,” I say kindly.
She beams at me. Fuck that feels good. Then the apartment door opens and I’m back to my fake self. I climb to my feet as Deacon strides toward Alannah, pulling her into his chest in a proprietary move.
“Thank you for this,” she says to Dr. Sadist. “We can begin tomorrow.”
Dr. Sadist almost leaps for joy.
“I’d like to keep seeing Drake while I’m here,” Alannah says to Deacon. Asking his fucking permission.
“Of course,” he agrees easily, brushing his lips across her cheek.
Those are getting chopped off along with anything else that touches my woman. Oh shit, he’s fucking her…with my baby inside of her. I can’t do this. I’m not capable of this.
I want my mom. I need her strength and crazy talk right now. I need some piece of kooky advice to move forward. Help me.
“It’s time for my herbal tea. I can’t sleep without it,” Alannah says to me, and I almost burst into tear-inducing laughter.
Thanks, Sorcha.
I school my features and nod at her.
“I’ll see you soon,” she says happily and strides away from Deacon into the kitchen. He watches her sexy round hips sway away, and I swallow my fury, looking to Dr. Sadist. She’s also watching my woman with a predatory gaze. I have to get Alannah out of here. Fast.
“Ready?” I ask the room.
Dr. Sadist nods and leads me to the door as Deacon goes to the kitchen. I force myself not to watch him. Once we’re in the hallway moving toward the elevator, the bitch speaks.
“I’m sure that was difficult. The good news is, we can hold off on your testing. We’ll test Alannah and the fetus. I’ve gotten a good look at her blood work, and I think I’ll have success.”
We step into the elevator and travel backward as I remain silent.
“This could be the answer for us,” she says gleefully, grasping my forearm.
“I knew you’d figure it out,” I compliment her. “You won’t endanger the baby will you?”
“No,” she gasps. “I need him alive and healthy.”
I nod though I don’t trust her. She hasn’t been all that careful with the bearers. She’s almost killed a few according to the stories I’ve heard. If she hurts Alannah or my baby, I’ll make her death last for months.
“Alannah said she was in an accident,” I prod as the elevator begins moving down.
“Yes, she was in a house fire.”
“Does she have a family? Someone to support her other than Deacon?” I try not to seethe his name.
“No. She lost everyone in the fire. She’s another miracle, but she’s not a dragon. It’s possible carrying your child shielded her. It’s one of the things I’ll be testing as we move forward,” she finishes as the elevator arrives back in my white hell.
“Forty-two, I’m going to have to ask you not to share this with the other bearers. This could be very difficult for them to understand, and I don’t want to upset anyone.”
“Okay,” I lie.
I’m dragging Alex straight to the bathroom for another “shit” session the moment I hit the common room.
Now it’s time to make her believe me.
“Promise me you’ll keep my son safe from Sage Development,” I demand, stopping in the corridor to face her. “He’s all I have in the world, and I can’t lose that.”
“I swear to you,” she answers instantly with conviction. “No harm will come to your son. I’ll keep him here with you. Once he’s born, I’ll make certain you’re never away from him.”
She’s going to kill Alannah. That’s what this cunt just told me.
“Thank you,” I breathe out in relief.
She hugs me, shocking the shit out of me.
“You’re my miracle,” she whispers in my ear.
I don’t hear her voice though. I hear Sorcha and feel her thin arms around my neck. I soak in the false feeling, holding onto the woman I hate.
And I feel a smile slip across my face as I imagine how good it will feel to watch the life seep from her lying brown eyes.
Vengeance is coming.
“I have to take a shit,” I announce a little too loudly after I’m back in the common room.
Alex’s eyebrows raise as I stride past him while the dragons chuckle at me. I find nothing funny about this, so I don’t laugh along with them. I plop down on the toilet and wait to hear the door open.
A few minutes later, Alex enters. I force myself to be patient, but it doesn’t last long. I flush the toilet and race to the sink. Alex comes out with concern on his face, searching me for injury that he knows I can’t get. Once both our sinks are flowing, I launch.
“They have my woman here.” He forces his face to remain neutral, but I see the shock in his caramel eyes. “Alannah. My Alannah. She’s pregnant with my son. She doesn’t fuckin’ remember me. She says it’s hazy. They wiped her memory, but she says some things are coming
back. Do they continue to inject you?” I rattle out quickly.
I get injections, but I don’t know what they’re for. I’m hoping Alex has a better grasp on it.
“Once a month,” he responds.
“We have to move this shit along. Doctor Sadist is gonna kill my woman after my son is born. She basically just told me that,” I seethe.
“Kane,” he says with pain lace in his baritone voice.
I close my eyes and will myself not to break. I’m unbreakable according to Canyon Nine. I’m not so sure in this moment. My shields don’t work on my emotions.
“She’s stopping testing. Only gonna test my woman and my baby. We’ll have time in here to plot, but no more hiding scalpels. Fuckin’ awesome you did that.”
He nods as the door swings open, and Thirty-nine walks in.
“Is everything all right, Forty-two?” he asks kindly.
He’s always sweet and sincere. He may look creepy, but there’s nothing but goodness within him. I wonder about him and how he got here. He wasn’t a mob enforcer that’s for damn sure.
“Yeah,” I lie, shutting off the water. “Doctor Slone just wanted to check on something.”
He smiles at me before moving to a urinal. I don’t look back at Alex as I move out of the bathroom. I’ve pushed too far today, so I go to the bunkroom and climb into bed. I won’t sleep tonight, but I’ll spend the hours plotting. I’ll make my plan and figure out a way to execute it.
I can’t lay here anymore. It’s been hours and the sounds of peaceful sleep are irritating the fuck out of me. I slip out of bed wearing only my sweatpants and trudge into the common room. The lighting is low, adding to the somber mood I’m fighting.
“Everything all right, Forty-two?” J asks from his post near the door.
“No,” I answer honestly.
He rubs his baldhead and grimaces a little. He knows Alannah’s here and that I just found out. Now he’s struggling with how to deal with me. We’re not supposed to be friendly with the attendants. It’s not a rule or something, but there’s a boundary present at all times.
Misunderstood Miracles Page 9