Duncan

by Teresa Gabelman

  “Have you ever looked at any of the children you worked with differently because they came from a drug dealing father or a deadbeat mother?” Duncan clipped her chin in his large hand, bringing her face to his. “Have you ever turned your back on a child in need?”

  Swiping the tears Pam shook her head. “No.”

  “You have a heart of gold, Pam. What you have done for children who are not even of your blood, is beyond what a lot of others would do.” Duncan’s lip curved in a small smile as he placed his hand on her stomach. “This little bundle is of your blood, Pam. You are going to love him, or her, like no other, and as for being a good mother, honey, you already are.”

  “Thank you,” Pam whispered still looking down at his hand before placing hers on top.

  “Just stating the truth.” His other hand touched her cheek; he was pleased she didn’t flinch from his touch. “No need to thank me for that.”

  “I want me back.” Pam leaned into his hand. “I’m so tired of being afraid, weak and unsure.”

  “Honey, you never left. You’re still here, just a little shaken. I have never met anyone braver.” Duncan’s voice was strong and true. “Give yourself a little time to work through this. I’m not going anywhere and will be by your side.”

  “You’re a good man, Duncan Roark,” Pam sighed, feeling a little better.

  “Yeah, well, let’s keep it between us because if Sid or Jared find out, I’ll never get any work out of them.” He winked, grabbing the shirt he’d gotten for her to wear. “I’ll leave you to get dressed unless you need help.”

  Cheeks flushed, she shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ll be right out.” She stopped him before he could leave. Grabbing the wet washcloth she was using, she gently wiped the blood from his cheek.

  Duncan stood rigid while she wiped the blood away, her eyes focused on his lips. God knew he wanted to kiss her, but she was going to have to make the first move. As much as it pained him, she was in control. He stood perfectly still as she leaned closer. He watched the war rage in her beautiful mismatched eyes. She was so close, he could feel her raspy breath against his lips. With a feeling of victory, her lips touched his; he had definitely won the war that battled inside her. He was the victor and her lips his prize.

  *****

  Nicole fought her way through the massive crowd of reporters. If one more reporter shoved a microphone in her face, she was going to shove it up their ass. She was so not in the mood. Finally making it to the front door, she stopped at the sight of Damon leaning against a post, hidden from view of the street.

  “Where have you been?” he asked without moving, his golden eyes flicking from her head down her body.

  “I’m not in the mood for your protective macho crap, Damon.” Nicole cocked her hip.

  “I asked you a question,” he barked.

  “And I gave you an answer,” she shot back.

  “That wasn’t an answer,” he snorted. “That was you being a smartass.”

  “That was me being honest.” She took a step toward him tilting her head with attitude. “If you can’t take it, that’s your problem.”

  “You’re my fucking problem,” he growled, grabbing her before she could move out of the way. He plastered her against the pole he had been leaning on. His lips mashed down on hers, his hand moving to tangle in her hair pushing her closer. She didn’t hesitate, didn’t fight. She kissed him just as fiercely. Finally, he pulled away, his eyes black with need. “Do you regret it?”

  “Regret what?” Nicole’s eyes, cloudy with desire, stared up into his, her chest heaving for breath.

  “Marrying me?” For a brief second, his eyes shifted away. It was so fast she wondered if it had actually happened.

  “No, Damon. I don’t regret marrying you.” Her voice was strong and sure. “I do regret that you have no confidence in me. I can take care of myself. I have been, way before you came into my life. I know that’s hard for you to understand, but I feel smothered sometimes.”

  “You drive me crazy.” He leaned over kissing her neck. “Absolutely, fucking crazy.”

  Nicole licked his neck before giving him a sharp bite. “Let’s take this inside before we’re on the six o’clock news. I’m sure those damn reporters wouldn’t pass up a segment on the mating of vampires.”

  One eyebrow cocked, making him look sexy as hell, he whispered, “Is that what we’re going to do?”

  “Making up is the best part of fighting.” Nicole gave him a sexy smile. “And you have a lot to make up for.”

  “Oh, really?” He cupped her intimately over her jeans. “I think you have some making up to do yourself.” He rubbed his thumb over her sweet spot, making her moan and squirm.

  Swiping her tongue slowly across her lips, she gave him a saucy wink and cupped him, grinning as he swelled in her hand. “Oh, I plan to, Warrior.”

  Neither one of them heard the click of a camera.

  *****

  Kenny Lawrence stared at the television, his shoulders heaving. The fucking bitch was pregnant. He didn’t know whether to shout in victory or smash his fist through the fucking wall. Leaning closer, he watched Pam stare shocked into the camera. Damn, she looked good, and had always been a terrific lay. Too bad the fucking cunt turned on him. He glanced over at the whore who lay across the well-used bed in the hotel room he rented weekly. It was a rundown shithole in nowhere, Kentucky, with a good supply of whores; he was sick of it. He had worked too hard to be in a place like this, and now because of that bitch, he was on the run, but not for long.

  One of the half-breeds Kenny had turned and used at his beck and call, came out of the bathroom naked and ready for another go-around with the whore. Ray was dumb as a stump and would do anything he was told. The nineteen-year-old idolized Kenny and that was good, that was Kenny’s plan. He needed the dumbass to trust him because he had big plans, plans that could not fail. He stopped to stare at the television.

  “Hey, that’s Pam and that Warrior. She looks fuckin’ hot.” Yeah, Ray Jones was a fry short of a happy meal.

  Kenny held his hand back from smacking the little fucker. He needed to keep his cool with the guy. A sly grin tilted his lip. “You think she’s hot, huh?”

  Realizing he had just called Kenny’s ex hot, Ray stepped back. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “She is hot.” Which she wouldn’t be for long, Kenny thought, but he kept that to himself. “How would you like to have a go at her?”

  The kid’s eyes bugged out of his head. “What?”

  “Yeah, I’m done with her and she likes them young.” Kenny smirked. “She’s a good fuck. Hell, we both might do her. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” He had noticed how Ray would watch as Kenny fucked the whore getting turned on, wanting to join in.

  A wicked gleam lit his eyes. “Hell yeah I would.” His excitement was showing between his legs. “When?”

  Anxious little fuck. “Soon.” Kenny looked back at the television. “Go fuck the whore while I make a few phone calls.”

  Kenny watched Pam and the bastard Warrior on the screen, Ray and the whores moaning in the background drowning out the volume. Grabbing a cell phone, he dialed information. After getting the number he needed, he turned to watch Ray take it to the whore. He unbuckled his pants.

  Walking over with the cell phone still to his ear, he stood in front of the whore Ray was taking from behind. Whipping out his hardening cock, he stood still, waiting.

  “Yeah, I need to speak with Detective Ferguson.” Kenny grabbed the whore’s head whipping it up before placing his cock to her lips. He had picked her because she had short dark hair like Pam. “I have important information on the murder of Sheriff Bowman.” Kenny’s eyes met Ray’s and he winked. Ray winked back with a wide grin. Oh, this was too easy. Kenny’s grin grew in triumph.

  Chapter 8

  Pam woke with a start, sitting straight up in bed confused. Her hand went to her stomach as her eyes searched for something familiar. It wasn’t until h
er eyes met Duncan’s that she felt at ease. He sat in a chair next to the bed, his legs stretched out with his booted feet propped up, one crossed over the other.

  “You okay?” His stare was intense. Actually everything about him was intense.

  She nodded then frowned. “Have you sat there all night watching me sleep?” She barely remembered making it to bed after leaving the bath. Her face heated when she remembered she had kissed him. Her eyes went to his lips which curved into a slow smile as if knowing exactly what she was remembering.

  “Yes, I sat here all night.” He didn’t say whether he watched her sleep or not.

  She glanced back at the pillow to see if she had drooled. Relief swept through her seeing that the pillow was dry. She knew she snored. To know that Duncan had watched her sleep was unnerving. Kenny used to say she sounded like a freight train when she snored. “Please don’t do that anymore.” Pam couldn’t look at him, too embarrassed to even glance his way. “I mean, don’t you need your rest?”

  “I don’t sleep.” Duncan pulled his feet off the bed sitting straight up. “Are you hungry?”

  Deciding to drop the ‘staring while she slept thing’ for now, she nodded. “Starved.”

  “Then you’re in for a treat.” Duncan grinned grabbing her clothes. “I had them washed for you. We will go get you some clothes today.”

  Pam took the clothes hugging them to her chest. “Thank you.” Rushing to the bathroom, she hurried and dressed, leaving the zipper down. Just yesterday, she could zip the jeans up almost all the way. Maybe it was because they had been washed and shrunk some. Staring at her growing stomach, she knew that wasn’t the case. She was getting noticeably bigger every day, and it worried her. She looked six months pregnant instead of three.

  “Let’s get something to eat before heading out.” Duncan reached out taking her hand when she stepped out of the bathroom.

  She took his hand but stopped him. “I really want to get this over with.” Pam searched his face, her hunger fading at what was before her today. “Could we just go?”

  “You need to eat.” He shook his head. “And I need to get you out of here without every reporter in the Cincinnati area following us.”

  “I forgot about that,” Pam moaned, allowing Duncan to lead her out of the room. Nearing the kitchen, she was glad they were stopping to eat. The smells lingering in the hallway smelled delicious.

  “It’s about time.” Sid frowned their way. “I thought you were expecting breakfast in bed, and well, that would’ve been a long disappointing wait for you.”

  Duncan grabbed a plate piling everything on it before handing it to Pam. “Here.”

  “I can’t eat all of that.” Pam’s eyes widened. “I can make my own plate, but thanks anyway.” Pam looked at the massive amount of food in front of her face trying not to gag, her stomach dipped, feeling queasy.

  “You need to eat.”

  “And I will, but if I eat all of that I’ll get sick.” Pam pushed the plate away, grabbing one of her own.

  Duncan plopped the plate on the counter with a loud clatter. “Are you okay? Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?”

  “I’m fine.” Pam grinned. “I just have to take it slow in the mornings. Some things make me sick, so I have to be careful what I eat.”

  Duncan frowned looking around at all the food. “Is there anything here you can eat? If not, I’ll take you somewhere else.”

  “Jesus. Calm the hell down, bro.” Sid pushed him out of the way. “Let her breathe and get her own damn food. She’s pregnant, not taking her last fucking breath. If there isn’t anything she can eat, I’ll make her something else.”

  “But…” Duncan pushed back at Sid to get closer to Pam.

  “But…” Sid mocked, then rolled his eyes. “Sit the hell down and eat,” Sid ordered.

  “Who do you think you’re talking to?” Duncan shot back with a deep growl.

  “Honestly, it’s a fucking mystery to me, ‘cause you sure as hell aren’t talking like your badass self.” Sid snorted shaking his head. “More like Nervous Nellie Nursemaid.”

  “Fuck you!” Duncan got in Sid’s face, his fists clinched.

  “Hey guys.” Pam held her empty plate to her chest, watching the scene unfold before her.

  “No.” Sid took a step forward and jabbed a finger in Duncan’s chest. “Fuck you!”

  “Guys.” Pam tried again, a little louder.

  “You got a problem?” Duncan growled.

  “Yeah, a big ugly one,” Sid growled back.

  Pam gave up with a roll of her eyes. Grabbing a slice of toast, she walked to the table and sat down just as Jared walked in.

  “What’s their problem?” Jared stopped beside her, looking at Duncan and Sid.

  “I honestly don’t know,” she replied with a shrug of her shoulder.

  Jared grinned. “Well, just ignore them. It’s been pretty intense around here lately.” He sat down across from her. “So how you doing, fatty?”

  Not in the least offended by Jared calling her fatty, she grinned. She had missed his friendship and sense of humor. “Good.” She nibbled on her toast avoiding his gaze. She had been far from good. She was a mess of nerves and emotions she could hardly contain.

  “You never could lie worth a damn, Pamster.” Jared eyed her with a frown, but let it go when Duncan and Sid broke up their attitude contest.

  “Is that all you’re eating?” both Sid and Duncan asked at the same time.

  “I could use some orange juice if you have any.” Pam watched as both men went to get her request.

  Sid threw up his hand stopping Duncan. “I got this.”

  Grabbing the plate he had initially made for Pam, Duncan growled one last time at Sid, before sitting down next to Pam. “You got plans today?” Duncan asked Jared while digging into his food.

  “Not really.” Jared snatched a piece of bacon off Duncan’s plate. “Tessa is spending time with Gramps, and then she has to work. Why? What’s up?”

  “We’re going to Pam’s old apartment today and need help getting out of here without a posse of reporters following us.” Duncan grunted with a frown.

  “You sure she’s ready for that?” Jared asked without even looking at Pam.

  “Well, since she’s sitting right here, why don’t you ask her?” Pam replied pushing her plate away clearly irritated.

  Jared grinned with a wink her way. “Sorry, but you know how protective we Warriors are.”

  “And I appreciate it, but I do still have a voice. I may be jumpy here and there, but I’m determined to be back to the smartass Pam you all loved to hate.” She also grinned feeling more herself.

  “No hate involved, babe.” Jared grabbed another piece of bacon from Duncan’s plate and almost lost a hand.

  “Get your own damn plate, and her name is Pam, not babe,” Duncan hissed at Jared before turning his attention to Pam. “No one here hated you, but you were a smartass.” A rare grin broke across his face at his own teasing.

  “Oh, ho ho.” Pam laughed. “The mighty leader does have a sense of humor.”

  Duncan stopped the coffee cup halfway to his lips, his eyes watching the genuine smile play across her face, her laughter musical. “You are absolutely beautiful.”

  Pam blushed, Jared cleared his throat, and Sid set down the biggest glass of orange juice Pam had ever seen. “Thank you,” she said, but no one knew exactly who she was thanking.

  Taking a big gulp of coffee, Duncan avoided eye contact with anyone.

  Jared stared at the large glass of orange juice. “Geez, why not bring her a damn bucket, bro.”

  Pam tried to lift the glass with one hand, but had to use two. She giggled. “It is a little big.” When she saw disappointment in Sid’s eyes, she quickly put it to her mouth and took a drink. “But perfect. Thank you.”

  Sid smiled at her then turned and flipped Jared off before walking back to the stove.

  Jared shook his head laughing. “Asshole.” Then he tu
rned serious as he looked at Duncan. “I got a plan that I think will work. Be back in a few.” With that said, he pushed away from the table snatching more bacon off Duncan’s plate.

  “Dammit.” Duncan tried to snatch them back, but was too slow.

  “You had a half of a pig on your plate.” Pam smirked. “I can’t see how missing a few pieces is going to hurt you.”

  “I’m hungry.” Duncan took a huge bite of eggs.

  “That’s because you didn’t eat in three months,” Sid replied from the stove. “No matter what I made, he wouldn’t eat.”

  “Shut up, Sid,” Duncan growled before taking another drink of coffee.

  Pam frowned, feeling awful she had put him through that. “I’m sorry.”

  Duncan shot Sid a nasty look, but before he could respond, Jared came back in with Damon and Jill following. “What’s the plan?” He pushed his empty plate away, his focus on Jared.

  Jared pulled Jill in front of him. “From a distance, Jill can pass for Pam.” He put a baseball hat on her head and handed her the small pillow he’d been carrying which she put under her large shirt. Damon handed her an oversized coat. “Adam is bringing the car around front. Once he’s in front, we will surround her and put her in the car. You guys can leave through the back. We’ll follow and meet you at the apartment just in case they catch on and follow.”

  “Two flaws in that plan, friend.” Duncan shook his head. “First, there are reporters surrounding us, and second, the back entrance is for our bikes. She is not riding on the motorcycle.”

  “As soon as they see Pam, aka Jill, every reporter will rush to the front. They have watchers that will let them know, believe me. And why in the hell can’t she ride on the bike?” Jared responded, not liking that his plan was being questioned.

  “Because she’s not.” Duncan’s tone was final.

  “Why not?” Pam replied. “I would love to ride on the motorcycle.”

  “Pregnant women should not ride on motorcycles,” Duncan replied as if it was law.

  Pam frowned. “Who says?”

  “Everybody.”