“Deacon,” Dr. Sadist warns. “She’s had a trying time. Allow her some latitude.”
He instantly agrees, and Alannah notices. She doesn’t say a word about it, but she sees the weird connection those two have. Bethany spends a few minutes removing things from Alannah’s skin. When she pulls up the gown to take the monitors off, my breath catches. Her soft belly is swollen to the perfect size of my hand. I ball a fist, so I don’t stroke it. I want to though. I want to feel the place where my son is clearly protecting his mother from within her small body.
“Sweetheart,” Deacon pleads with her to look at him when Bethany finishes. “I knew you were okay. I didn’t abandon you.”
“Don’t lie, Deacon. It causes cancer.”
I suck in a silent breath, so I don’t burst out laughing. My mother is in Alannah’s mind. She only spent a few hours with the woman who raised me and yet she’s holding onto her.
“I’m not lying, and it definitely doesn’t cause cancer,” he scoffs.
Alannah shakes her head before climbing to her feet next to him.
“A very smart woman told me that…I think. Anyway, I know it’s true. You promised me I’d be safe here with you and the first time something scared me you turned your back on me. Don’t come to my apartment tonight. I’ll see you here tomorrow so you can get back to your job.”
With that, she stomps away toward the changing room.
“She needs another injection,” Deacon orders.
“Of what?” I ask.
His face blanches, realizing his slip up in front of me.
“Vitamins,” Dr. Sadist lies easily.
“If you couldn’t stab her foot, I doubt you’ll be able to inject her now,” I point out.
“Hopefully we can inject her mouth just as we can with yours. It seems the fetus is protecting his vessel.”
She just referred to Alannah as a vessel. That’s all my woman is to Dr. Sadist. I swallow my reaction as Alannah floats into the room in a black tracksuit with the hood up over her head. When her eyes lock with mine, they’re red-rimmed from crying. Her gaze is screaming at me to hold her, begging for my safe embrace. I force my feet to stay rooted, but Alannah’s strides carry her right to me. She buries her face against my chest and sobs.
I pull her further into me and scan all the faces in the room. Deacon’s pissed, Dr. Sadist is unaware, Bethany’s hurt and J’s proud. Could this place get any weirder?
“Alannah,” Deacon calls out.
She makes no move to respond.
“You need your vitamin injection,” he grunts.
She turns her big blue eyes up at me and peers through her wet lashes, waiting for some guidance. I nod a little, and she peels herself away from me to face Deacon.
“The scalpel didn’t stab me. How are you going to inject me?” she asks coolly.
“We’ll try your mouth,” Dr. Sadist responds, holding up a syringe.
I thread my fingers through hers as the doctor tries to jam the needle into my woman’s mouth. Pressing with enough force that Alannah’s head is moving away and Dr. Sadist’s beginning to shake, I realize it’s not working. My son has put an impenetrable shield around his mother.
Dr. Sadist huffs and slams the syringe on the table next to her after the needle begins to bend.
“Impenetrable,” she seethes to Deacon.
He nods sadly.
“I can just take pills right?” Alannah asks with worry in her voice.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll find a way,” Deacon reassures her.
Alannah nods, but she doesn’t look confident. She’s scared. They’ve scared her into believing she needs whatever they’re giving her. Motherfuckers!
“I’ll escort them,” J announces, striding toward us.
“That’s my post,” A argues.
J hits A with a hard look that tells him to stand down. I’m starting to think J pulls rank around here. That’s even better for us.
Bethany and Dr. Sadist are deep in conversation, hovering over a tablet while Deacon watches them. He’s invested in this and not playing his boyfriend role well. Fine by me. I wrap an arm around Alannah’s shoulders, and she engulfs my waist, as though I’m the only reason she’s able to remain upright.
J nods at me to follow him. I pass Alannah off to him and tell her, “I’ll be right there,” before she can question what I’m doing.
Once they leave the room, I pounce on Dr. Sadist.
“You promised me,” I seethe as she takes a cautious step away.
“Hey,” A shouts at me and I put a finger up to halt his progression.
“If she’s stressed, my son suffers.”
“I’m sorry, Forty-two. It won’t happen again. I assure you,” she apologizes quickly, terrified of my aggressive posture.
“And you,” I snarl at Deacon. “Be a man.”
He scowls at me, but he remains silent. I’m calling him out on his fake identity as Alannah’s boyfriend. He can’t argue with me. Everyone in the room saw him walk away from his pregnant girlfriend. I mistook his affection for her yesterday as love. He doesn’t love Alannah. She’s a means to a sadist end to him. Fucker.
I turn on my heel and stalk out of the lab into the corridor where Alannah is leaning against the wall silently with J hovering in a paternal way. Her head snaps up from where she was studying the floor to lock on my eyes. And there’s the look, the begging electric blues that need me. I won’t deny her. Not now. Not ever.
I yank her body against mine before dragging her up my long frame. She wraps her arms and legs around me, her bump pressing against my torso as she buries her face in my neck. I want to palm her round ass, but I stop myself. She doesn’t need to be groped after the day she’s had so I keep my hands locked together beneath her thighs.
J claps my back twice and leads us down the corridor toward the elevator. I can feel Alannah’s warm tears against my skin. I’m furious as I trudge forward. I should run. This is my chance to go without Deacon or Dr. Sadist around. I still don’t have enough knowledge to make it work though. I don’t want to kill J in order to make our escape. I’ll do it if I have to. But I don’t want to hurt the man who’s trying to help me.
I feel something flutter against my abs as we enter the elevator and stop my progression.
“What?” J asks at my expression.
“He moved,” I croak.
J smiles at me broadly. “That’s one of the best feelings,” he reminisces with a twinge of sadness in his voice.
I swallow thickly and finish stepping into the elevator. Alannah hasn’t moved other than to settle deeper into my hold. She doesn’t remember me, but she knows my arms. She knows she’s safe within my embrace.
The ride is silent other than shuddered breaths as my woman attempts to get her emotions under control. Her tears are no longer wetting my skin, but fear is still radiating from her. I squeeze her tighter as the elevator lurches forward, steadying myself on my feet.
When I do, the soft curve of Alannah’s crimson lips presses against my skin. It’s sweet and brief, but she kisses me. My dick rages to life. I’ve kept him in check up to this point, but her mouth on me is my breaking point. I smother a groan as we come to a stop. If J looks at my crotch, he’s going to get an eyeful. I don’t give a shit. I’m a man with a hot woman wrapped around him. He shouldn’t be surprised.
Once we’re in her apartment, I move us to her couches. I try to set her down, and she clings to me tightly, pleading, “Don’t leave me.”
“I’m not leavin’ you. I just need to talk to J for a second. I’ll be right over there,” I assure her as I peel her arms from my neck.
Her electric blue eyes are panicked as she curls into a tiny ball, shielding her bump. I take a calming breath and walk away from her, approaching J.
He’s rubbing his baldhead with his gaze trained on Alannah while hovering in the open doorway. I step in front of him, cutting off his view.
“That was fucked up,” I whisper harsh
ly.
“I know. I wasn’t expecting her to do that,” he grumbles. “Your son’s protecting her.”
“Thank fuck for that,” I scoff. “This isn’t safe for her.”
“I promised you nothin’ would happen to your son. I meant that. I don’t know what I can do for Alannah.”
Fuck! Play this right.
“She’s the mother of my son,” I snarl.
“I get that…” he trails off.
“Drake,” Alannah’s shaky voice calls from where I left her.
“Give me some time,” J says with concern. “I’ll give you two a little space.”
He bumps my fist before walking down the hall. I quickly stride back to Alannah and drag her into my lap as I settle onto the couch. She curls into me, shivering from head to toe. I yank a blue blanket off the arm of the couch and wrap it around her before pulling her tighter against me. Then I just hold her. I hold her the same way I did after her father’s funeral. I hold her the same way I did at my place. I hold her the same way I intend to for the rest of my life.
I’ll never let her go.
“I remember you,” Alannah whispers against my throat. “Not everything. It’s just a moment. We were making love, and you were looking down at me with intense light green eyes as though I was the most important thing in the world.”
I can’t do this. I can’t lie to her. It causes cancer. I don’t want cancer.
I duck my head down and push my face into her black hood before whispering so quietly it’s barely audible, “I’m remember everything, Alannah.” I crush her to me when she tries to pull away to look at me. “Every single fuckin’ thing. But you can’t react to what I just said. Nod if you understand me.” She does. “We’re not safe here. I’m gonna get us outta here, but you have to play along. Your memory should start comin’ back now that they can’t inject you. I’m certain the injections they’ve been giving you are to erase your memory. I don’t know how they work, but they don’t work on me. I’ve been faking to try to get out of here.”
“You remember me?” she asks in the same faint voice I’m using.
“Every inch. Every word. Every smile. Every tear. Every breath. I remember you Alannah Brigid Carey.”
That throws her into hysterical sobbing once again. I’m a dick. I shouldn’t have pushed this on her today, but I couldn’t hold myself back for another second.
My son moves again and this time I don’t hesitate to palm her belly. I press my hand against the bump and relish in his strength. My son. I get even bolder and pull her tracksuit and T-shirt up before tugging her waistband down. Skin to skin, I almost lose it. I force my tears to stay in my eyes as Alannah sits up and presses her tiny hands over mine.
She looks into my eyes before rocking my world. “Being in your arms is the only place I’ve felt safe since I woke up in the hospital months ago.”
“It’s always been that way,” I inform her as she moves to kiss my lips.
I want it. I want her mouth on mine, but I know we’re being watched. My hand on her belly can be explained. Making out can’t.
I pull my face away, and she pins me with a fierce glare. That’s my woman.
“Cameras,” I answer her unasked question.
Her big blue eyes dart around the room, feverishly seeking out the prying eyes. When she spots the first one, her small body goes rigid. I rub her spine, trying to comfort her as I continue to hold her bump. I don’t know how I’ll let her go after this. How the hell am I going to go back to the common room now?
“I can’t do this,” she whimpers, collapsing against my neck again.
“We don’t have a choice, Alannah.”
She nods against me, snuggling in. I keep my hand protectively over my son while the other strokes her back. Before long, her breathing evens out and soft snores filter into my ear.
I’m pretty exhausted from not sleeping last night, so I slide down onto her couch, keeping Alannah’s body cradled to my front with her back against the couch. She doesn’t stir other than to wiggle closer to my chest. I have to let the bump go in this position, but I keep my arms wrapped possessively around her tiny frame as sleep claims me easily.
“I don’t want him to leave!” Alannah screams at the top of her lungs, trying to claw her way out of Deacon’s hold.
Deacon showed up in here about twenty minutes ago, found Alannah and I asleep on the couch and proceeded to start this shit show.
“Enough!” Deacon roars, jerking my woman’s body roughly as my protective instincts spring into action.
I tear Alannah away from him, push her behind me toward J and ram my chest into Deacon’s. He pulls his fist back to punch me, and I goad him, “Do it.”
“What is going on here?” Dr. Sadist hisses, racing into the room.
I have my back to her, but I’m sure she’s winded from running here.
“I don’t want Drake to leave. Deacon’s forcing him because he’s jealous,” Alannah explains heatedly.
“Drake, can you back away from Deacon, please?” Dr. Sadist requests softly.
I force myself away from him, but I hold his eyes with mine, threatening the motherfucker with every step I take.
“Alannah, I understand you’ve had a stressful day. So has Deacon. He’s your significant other, and he wants to tend to you,” she explains, coming into my view.
Her grey hair is down for the first time. It’s wild as though she just woke up while her face is serene like always.
“Check my pulse,” Alannah demands.
Dr. Sadist instantly complies with worry crossing her brow.
“It’s elevated, but nothing too dangerous.”
“Check it now,” she demands, wrapping her arms around Deacon while he engulfs her in his embrace.
“It’s still the same, Alannah. I’m not sure—”
“Check it again,” she cuts the doctor off, curling into my chest.
I embrace her tightly, probably cutting off her breathing, but she simply remains tucked against me as Dr. Sadist holds her wrist and stares at her watch.
“Amazing,” she exclaims after a couple minutes pass. “That is a wonderful discovery, Alannah. Well done.”
“What?” Deacon snarls.
“Her pulse dropped almost instantly. She went from one sixty down to fifty-five, Deacon. Her pulse shouldn’t have been that high to begin with. She wasn’t exerting herself enough for her pulse to be sustaining a heart rate that high. Drake should stay with her. Simply for the health of the fetus.”
“Absolutely not,” he retorts indignantly.
“It’s not your call,” I add my opinion, still holding my woman close.
“She’s mine,” he growls, leaning into my space before J steps between us.
“She’s carrying his child. That takes precedence,” J states calmly.
“Can I speak to Deacon alone for a moment, please?” Alannah asks, shocking all of us.
When I swing my gaze down to her perfect face, I find she’s not asking the room, she’s asking me. My woman. I don’t feel inclined to leave her with him, but I won’t tell her no. I don’t know that I have it in me to deny her anything in life.
“All right,” I agree, releasing her from my hold. “I’ll be right outside.”
I say that more for dickface Deacon’s benefit.
“Doctor Slone, I’m sorry for hitting you earlier. I didn’t even realize I was doing it until it was over,” Alannah says sincerely.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s my fault entirely. We’ll go slower tomorrow. If you notice any other changes, please don’t hesitate to contact me on your house phone. Drake will be waiting for you outside when you’re ready,” she finishes, pinning Deacon with a sharp look.
He offers her a curt nod before we all leave the apartment.
I flop into a bright yellow chair across from Alannah’s door, and J takes the one next to me, repositioning it to face the door.
“Thank you for being understanding about everything, For
ty-two. I know this isn’t easy, and now you have a woman and an unborn child you feel the need to care for. I’m very sorry about this morning. That won’t happen again. Spend as much time with Alannah as you like. If it improves her health, it’s the best thing we can do at this time,” Dr. Sadist says thoughtfully.
I can’t figure this bitch out. Most of the time she’s just the sadist and then sometimes she seems to genuinely care. I don’t have the time to figure her out along with everything else. She’ll die soon anyway, so it doesn’t matter.
“J can you stay with Forty-two and Alannah tonight?”
“Of course,” he answers quickly.
“We’ll discuss how to rotate attendants tomorrow,” she says before smiling down at me in that maternal way that makes my stomach churn.
“Have a good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Thanks, Doctor Slone,” I respond kindly.
I could win an Oscar with how good I am at this shit.
When Dr. Sadist disappears down the hallway, J moves in close, speaking in hushed tones.
“You did good in there. I don’t know that I would’ve been able to hold myself back.”
“I’m just tryin’ to figure shit out,” I groan, scrubbing my face with my palms. “She’s scared outta her mind after today. I don’t know shit about babies. At least I don’t think I do…” Pause for believable effect. “I’m not stupid though. Her bein’ stressed, and cryin’ is bad for my son.”
“We’ll keep her safe,” he assures me with a hand on my shoulder.
“I need you to do somethin’ else for me,” I request, realizing I’m asking more of this man than I’m giving. “I need you to tell Twenty-eight what’s goin’ on.”
“I can’t do that,” he responds coolly, removing his hand from me.
“I told him about Alannah.” That gifts me a pointed glare. “I was freaked the fuck out, J. I needed to talk to someone. Can you really blame me? I’ve been here for months, thinkin’ I’ve got nothing in the world other than Sage Development gunning for me. And all of a sudden, I’ve got this woman and my unborn child. How the hell would you deal with this shit?”
Misunderstood Miracles Page 11