Claiming His Unexpected Baby

by Michelle Howard

  Amelie shook her head. Moments like this still amazed her. Fleur was a bundle of contradictions but her mood today worked in Amelie’s favor. She returned to her living room area to find Scarlett in Fleur’s seat with a full plate of food. Saedra was seated beside her and the two were chatting as if they’d known each other for longer than five minutes.

  Garik stood close to both of them, his weapon holstered thankfully. Amelie propped her hands on her hips at the center of the room. “Tell me what happened, Scarlett.”

  Scarlett paused, her gaze going to Garik and Saedra.

  “It’s okay,” Amelie assured. “They’re Sulen’s friends and can here this.”

  Doubt remained but Scarlett shared her news. “A legal notice came in today from the ambassador’s team. Roan is demanding a test to prove Fleur’s parentage.”

  Amelie’s hands fell to her side, her throat locked and it took a moment to form words. “H-h-he what?!”

  Scarlett pushed her half-eaten food away and propped her elbows on the counter to groan. “This is all my fault.”

  Saedra leaned over and patted Scarlett’s shoulders while speaking to Amelie. “Can he do that? And how can Garik and I help?”

  One day when she wasn’t frantic and choked with fear, Amelie would marvel at Saedra’s inherent kindness.

  “I’m the one who got Amelie in this mess and I’m the reason this is all going to blow up.” Burying her face in her hands, Scarlett shook her head. She lifted her head and met Amelie’s gaze, face drawn. “Roan’s already submitted his genetic sample and wants one from Fleur. My connection to you and Fleur bars me from being involved directly but as the leading member of the team at the medical center, I’m aware of all electronic communications involving the citizens here.”

  “Does he have a legitimate claim?” Saedra asked.

  Garik waved it off. “The bigger problem is what he plans to do if he can prove Amelie lied. Sulen’s name is listed as Fleur’s father on all official documents, including her birth record. Amelie could not only be asked to leave but have her daughter removed from her custody and handed over to Roan. There’s no proof he’s done anything wrong or that Amelie hasn’t been malicious in her actions all together.”

  Amelie started breathing faster and pressed a hand to her chest. Why was Roan doing this? For four years he hadn’t once looked for Amelie or evidence the baby had survived his brutal attack. Now he was fighting with every tool at his disposal for a child he didn’t care for. She knew Roan didn’t care.

  “He beat me. Tried to kill me and Fleur,” she blurted to the room.

  Garik growled under his breath. “Are there any enforcement reports of this? Witnesses?”

  Amelie shook her head. She’d been too afraid of jeopardizing her place here to tell anyone what Roan had done. Also the truth of Fleur’s paternity being revealed was never far from her mind.

  “Is there any way Sulen is her father?” Saedra asked naively.

  Amelie huffed out a weak laugh and stumbled to her sofa. She crashed down to the cushions. How could a man she hadn’t had sex with four years ago be the father to her child? “No.”

  She wished he was. Their looks were so similar, from the midnight black hair to the startling green eyes. Fleur’s nose, her eyebrows, probably even her courageous spirit were all a match to Sulen’s.

  The thought of a few days ago returned with a vengeance. What did she have to lose? If Roan was determined to steal her daughter for his version of a family with his wife anyway, she had nothing to lose. Straightening her shoulders, Amelie looked up. “I’ll do the test.”

  “What?!” all three exclaimed.

  The idea took hold and Amelie felt stronger about it by the moment. “I’ll take Fleur in today. I want the test done. I was going to talk to you at some point anyway, Scarlett.”

  Scarlett and Amelie had been friends for too long not to see beyond her words. She studied Amelie’s sincere expression. “What are you thinking?”

  “As crazy as it sounds, no matter how much a stretch it is, I think Sulen is Fleur’s father.”

  Scarlett rose slowly. “Amelie, I know this is frightening but think about what you’re saying. We’ll figure out how to fight this.”

  Amelie stood up. “No. No, I’m not falling apart. It’s a reach, I agree. Especially since we all know...” She flushed. “Well, Sulen and I have only known each other for a few days.”

  Each of their gazes was doubtful and Saedra looked as if she wanted to hug her. Amelie rushed to get her comm from the counter and swiped through screens. She pulled up an image of Fleur and Sulen she’d taken. She waved it at the others. “Look. Look at her face and his. Look at their coloring.”

  Saedra reached for the comm first and studied the picture. “They do look alike but plenty of people share this coloring and it doesn’t mean they’re related. Also, I’m not the best judge.”

  Scarlett took the comm next, brows squeezed as she tilted it sideways and back before lowering it. “I know they favor each other but the medical professional in me knows that doesn’t mean anything, Amelie. I’m sorry.”

  Garik, who’d been silent, crossed the room and held out his hand. Scarlett passed the comm over. He looked at the picture, touched her screen a few times, then handed it back and pulled out his own comm. They all watched and waited.

  Within minutes, he faced Scarlett. “How did you create the bond with Sulen and Amelie?”

  “Wait, you don’t really think there’s a chance Roan’s not Fleur’s father, do you? I mean, we all know she didn’t know Sulen four years ago,” Scarlett protested.

  Amelie held her breath. “Tell him, Scarlett. This could save Fleur’s life.”

  Her best friend sighed and tugged at her hair then started walking in circles as she talked aloud. “Alright. I had an injector filled with Sulen’s hormone to create the bonding.”

  Garik growled and Scarlett glared. “Wrong, wrong. Yes, I know. Amelie refused to go along with it, so I set the injector on the table, figuring we’d have to come up with another way to justify her approval to live here. Her visitor’s visa was due to expire soon.”

  “We really weren’t going to do it,” Amelie felt the need to add.

  Scarlett paused and stared into space while nibbling her thumbnail. “Amelie was getting dressed and tripped. I reached for her and we both stumbled against the table. Her hand landed on the open injector and it pierced her skin. The release is set for contact so it discharged the contents instantly.”

  Gripping the back of his neck, Garik turned to Amelie and she almost shrunk beneath the heat of his stare. “Did you feel anything?”

  Although Sulen said he’d felt the connection the moment it happened, she hadn’t. “No. Nothing.”

  Garik didn’t relent. “How far along were you in the pregnancy?”

  Scarlett answered, “It was early yet. Maybe two months?”

  Amelie nodded her agreement.

  “In your experience, suspend whatever you believe—do you think the introduction of Sulen’s hormone to Amelie while she was in the early stages could have influenced Fleur’s genetics?”

  Scarlett dragged her hands through her hair again. “No. I don’t know. It shouldn’t be possible. It would make no sense.”

  “Neither does Sulen and Amelie bonding when they’d never met and yet they did,” Garik finished on a grim note.

  “I just... this is stretching things,” Scarlett said.

  Garik held up his comm, screen toward them. “I sent the image to my comm and connected it with a program I use—used to use to track targets. It has a ninety-five percent accuracy in determining facial structure in case someone tries to change their appearance to avoid me.”

  On the screen a large number ninety-two in white blazed over the picture of Fleur and Sulen. For the first time since Scarlett’s arrival with her news, Amelie felt a sense of hope. “I want the test. If there’s any chance, I can thwart Roan’s plan, I’ll take it.”

  Ch
apter 15

  The tests were expedited because the Ambassador of Trigodor and his team would be leaving soon for their next stop on their goodwill trip. With that in mind, it still took two days to get the results. When the notice came into her comm while she was at work, Amelie’s hands trembled.

  “Toyja, I need a minute to check on something,” she called out.

  ‘No problem,” Toyja said from her position digging up the new sprouts Amelie had planted and were now ready for sale.

  Breathing deeply, Amelie walked to the back where they kept storage for greenery requiring refrigeration. She clicked on the notice from the lab.

  Less than five percent match on genetic material between the child and male donor. Anomalies recorded but warrant no further testing.

  The response to the legal notice for intent to assume custody that Amelie had received this morning was attached to the lab results as well. Heart pounding, Amelie clicked that one with an unsteady finger.

  Denial of parental claim. Denial for custody request. Case closed due to failure of evidence to show conclusive or sufficient relation between Roan Dunn and Fleur Czen.

  So simple. Too easy. Amelie balled her hand to her mouth and held in a cry of relief. Happiness poured through body and she jumped up and down, chanting, “Yes, yes, yes!”

  Relief left her weak but Amelie commed Scarlett right away. They cried together as Amelie read both messages. The medical center was inundated but Scarlett rushed out to say, “I love you. I don’t know how this happened but I’m happy for you.”

  Then she had to go back to work. Amelie’s next comm went to Saedra. Amelie had Garik’s contact information, which he insisted on giving her but she preferred dealing with his bond mate.

  “Roan’s not her father,” she said as soon as the other woman answered.

  Saedra’s scream nearly blew out her ears. They laughed and made plans to get together for dinner. “Garik will be excited. Can’t wait to see you tonight.”

  The only thing to make this day better would be Sulen. He hadn’t explained how long he’d be gone or when he’d return. Saedra assured her this was normal and that even communication outside his assignment was generally prohibited.

  Today was only day two and she missed him. But more than that, this news was going to come as a shock to him. A pleasant one, she believed, because Sulen hadn’t made a secret of wanting to be in Fleur’s life. Every time her daughter called him daddy, Amelie expected him to correct her but he never did.

  From the first day here, he accepted Fleur and didn’t destroy her childish dreams because of the deception Amelie created. It told her a lot about his character.

  She massaged the twin scars on her neck. To say it hurt was putting it mildly but her orgasm had coincided, leaving her flushed with pleasure that blinded her to much else.

  With Roan’s claims over, they could have a real life together without worry. A true bond mate, a father for her daughter and it wasn’t hard to imagine what she felt for Sulen growing into love.

  Everything was perfect in her world.

  ***

  Amelie’s small house overflowed with feminine conversation. She, Saedra and Scarlett were hopping from one topic to another and laughing nonstop. Garik had loosened enough to accept a drink from Amelie though it had to be in a sealed container. He and Fleur were on the sofa drinking a juice made for children in matching bottles. It was the only sealed containers she owned.

  “I want to go outside, Mommy.” Fleur finished her drink and did a spin in the middle of the room.

  The ankle length sheer skirt she wore flowed around her and fluttered back to her legs when she stopped. Beneath the yellow fabric were pink shorts and silver knee high boots. Her shirt was solid yellow and matched the skirt perfectly.

  “It’s going to be dark soon,” Amelia said, walking over to peer out the window to confirm.

  Fleur held up four fingers. “I’ll only stay out this many long.”

  Scarlett snickered but Saedra stood and brushed off her tan pants. “I can go out with her for a bit. I feel the need to get some practice in early on this mommy thing.”

  That caught Garik’s attention and his gaze dropped to Saedra’s belly. His overprotective gruff nature was growing on Amelie.

  “Take this just in case.” He reached for the belt at his waist and tossed a small knife her way. Saedra tried to snatch it from the air but fumbled and watched as it dropped to the floor. Garik sighed.

  “I’m practicing this too,” Saedra said, retrieving the weapon from the floor and sticking it in her front pocket. “Come on, Fleur.”

  Amelie’s daughter took exaggerated mincing steps and followed Saedra outside. Once the door closed, Amelie said to Garik, “She’s going to make a great mom.”

  “She doesn’t think so but thank you. I agree. She’ll make a far better parent than me.”

  Amelie sensed there was more to his statement but he went back to reading on the small device he’d been holding.

  She and Scarlett looked at each other and shrugged. Scarlett leaned close and whispered, “If you find out where any more hot assassins are hiding, put one on the side for me.”

  Amelie clamped her lips tight on the burst of laughter.

  ***

  The assignment was easier than Sulen expected but wasn’t without its issues. Drekul wasn’t where he was supposed to be. The delay put him behind by a day and Sulen had to make a last minute adjustment for the location of the hit. As a result, he was laying flat in the pouring rain against the rooftop of the building across from the home of Drekul’s latest lover.

  Being soaking wet in these freezing temps was not ideal but it only mattered in the sense of his comfort. Sulen had endured far worst. He kept his weapon steady on his shoulder and his gaze on the front door, blinking water from his eyes every few seconds.

  Any minute now, based on his observation and information regarding Drekul’s habits, his target would step from the building. Moments later, the door opened and a tall, slender male with skin a deep shade of green stepped through. He paused to speak to whoever was on the inside, the bulk of an armored vest visible beneath the dark shirt he wore. The protective measure added noticeable weight to his slim frame.

  Sulen snorted. Drekul must have suspected that the authorities, in one form or another, would eventually catch up to him.

  Adjusting the angle of his laser rifle slightly to compensate, Sulen aimed for the bulbous green head and ignored the cold rain dripping down the collar of his coat. One shot and he could be on his way. The Guild wanted this simple and quick. In addition, Sulen wanted to hurry back to Amelie. He’d never had someone to come home to after an assignment. Now he was eager to return to her and Fleur and make sure Roan was out of their lives.

  The door swung open wider and Sulen tensed. A woman came out. She was attractive and could have done far better than the walking monster that was Drekul. The woman kissed one of Drekul’s four protruding antennas, unaware or unconcerned with the fact she was involved with a serial killer.

  Drekul was known for breaking into the homes of numerous couples and killing them in the midst of the sex act. Afterward, he’d pose their bodies into grotesque positions while still connected. Then he’d release his own sex fluids on top of them.

  When the authorities discovered the seventh couple he’d been dubbed the sex slayer and designated for immediate termination.

  On the stoop, the kiss ended and the woman waved on her way back inside. Once the door closed, Drekul took two steps down the stairs beaming a jaunty smile. Probably thinking of the next victims he’d already picked out. Sulen had covertly watched Drekul trail the couple for the last two days, memorizing their patterns and schedule.

  If he stuck with his routine, he’d meet with his lover then kill the couple and be off before any were the wiser.

  Sick bastard. Sulen inhaled slowly, confirmed positioning and fired. Drekul dropped as if his strings were cut short. Sulen turned away and immediately
broke down his laser and began packing everything. Experience and practice had the process down to less than a minute. He was on his feet and off the roof by the time the first scream rang out.

  Shrugging his case on his back, Sulen strolled down the street in the opposite direction of the house. He popped up the collar of his coat in a futile attempt to limit the dampness. Now to get home and back to Amelie.

  Chapter 16

  Saedra’s scream had Amelie and Scarlett on their feet but it was Garik’s reaction that truly frightened her. If Amelie thought his expressions were scary before, it was nothing compared to the look that crossed his face as he leaped to his feet and nearly ripped her door off the hinges.

  Saedra burst through at the same time and fell into his arms with a cry. In a dramatic display of strength, he didn’t stop, just hooked an arm about her waist and carried her as he raced outside with his weapon raised in his free hand.

  Amelie and Scarlett were right behind him, scanning to see what had frightened Saedra. Amelie searched her yard but didn’t see one dark head with bouncing curls.

  “Fleur?” she called, pushing past all of them to check her yard. “Fleur!”

  “He...he took her,” Saedra gasped as she struggled in Garik’s hold.

  He released her and they got their first clear view of Saedra. Red streaks stained the thin short capped sleeve shirt. The color stood out against the white material all the more.

  Garik released a chilling roar, frantically running his hands over her body. “Are you hurt?”

  Scarlett went to her and lifted her shirt, revealing an unmarried torso. “I’m a medic. I don’t see anything.”

  “Where is Fleur?!” Amelia’s panic was rising the longer she didn’t know where her daughter was.

  “I’m sorry.” Tears welled in Saedra’s eyes. She held up the knife in a trembling hand to reveal the blood marring the tip of the blade. “I tried to stop him.”

  Garik yanked her against his chest, his arms folded about her. His face was pale and his eyes were squeezed shut. Seeing his visible fear would have held Amelie enthralled any other time but she wanted her daughter.