“You and Enrico go and have fun. I—”
The wave of nausea Kat had been fighting broke. She emptied her stomach, the little of what she could manage at lunch, into the toilet.
When only dry heaves remained, Diana handed her a wet wipe and patted her shoulder.
Kat supported her back against the bathtub. “I’ve never had a stomach bug that lasted for seven days.”
“Kat?” Diana’s voice was soft. “I think you should consider an alternative reason for your condition.”
“Like what? Can’t be food poisoning. It doesn’t last this long. Besides, I don’t have a fever.”
Diana sat down next to her. “I was thinking along the lines of doing a pregnancy test.”
Kat looked up quickly. “Impossible. I told you he’s infertile.”
“You haven’t had your period, Kat.”
“I’m never regular. Lann wouldn’t lie to me. I trust him. Utterly.”
Diana shrugged. “Then it can’t hurt to do a test.”
“That’s crazy. Impossible.”
“All right.” Diana got to her feet again. “Tell you what, I’ll stay in with you tonight. I’ll heat up some tomato soup, as that’s all you seem to tolerate these days, and we’ll watch a movie on TV. But before that, I’m going to the pharmacy.”
Thirty minutes later, Kat sat on the closed lid of the toilet. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and didn’t recognize herself. Her usually tanned skin was pale now, making her eyes appear a brighter blue than normal, and her red hair was a tangled mess that fell to her waist. This wasn’t the girl who’d welcomed Lann into her life just over a month ago. That person was in charge of her life, knew what she wanted, and where she was headed. What reflected back at her, this washed-out version of herself, was the woman he’d walked out on.
Diana touched her shoulder. “Kat?”
She trembled. “It can’t be. It’s wrong.”
“Girlfriend,” Diana took her hand, “you’ve done two tests. They can’t both be wrong.”
“Why would he have lied to me?” Kat pushed to her feet. “He isn’t like that.”
“Maybe he’s not like you think he is,” Diana said sternly. She hugged her friend. “Come. We’ll work it out. First things first. Let’s go make you something to eat. You must be starving.”
In the kitchen, Kat took a seat by the table, her head in her hands, while Diana heated a tin of tomato soup in a casserole on the stove.
“What will you do?” Diana asked, her voice sympathetic.
“I have to do a blood test to be sure. If it’s positive, I’ll have to tell him.”
What Kat didn’t say was that she didn’t need the blood test to be sure. Deep down, she already knew the truth she tried so hard to deny. She was pregnant. It didn’t make sense, and yet, it did. They hadn’t used protection because Lann told her he was infertile. If he only wanted a thirty-day fling, why would he lie?
“You could just say nothing if you never want to see him again,” Diana offered.
Kat shook her head. “No. He has a right to know.” She added tersely, “And I have a right to answers.”
She didn’t go back on her word or break her contracts, but this was an exceptional condition. She picked up her phone.
“What are you doing?” Diana asked.
Kat dialed Alfonso’s number. Lann’s butler answered with, “Miss?”
“Alfonso, I need to speak to Lann. Can you please give me his number in New York?”
This wasn’t something one did over the phone, but given the circumstances, she didn’t have a choice. He was probably having a good time back home. Maybe he’d already offered another woman a thirty-day trial with a no-strings-attached clause.
“In fact,” Alfonso said slowly, “Sir will be back here on Friday, just for a couple of days, if Miss wishes to see him.”
Her mouth fell open. He was coming back? Without telling her? He wanted to slip in and out of Santiago without her knowledge. Wow. That hurt.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Shall I give Sir a message?”
“No. No, thank you.” She ended the call.
“You’re better off staying away from him,” Diana said, pointing the wooden spoon at her. “He’s trouble of the kind that can destroy a girl’s life.”
Too late. If Diana only knew… Kat was already in way over her head.
From the expression on Lann’s face, Kat knew he hadn’t expected her. Alfonso hadn’t warned him of her visit. Maybe for a good reason. Maybe Alfonso knew Lann would’ve refused to see her.
Lann sat behind his desk, very similar to the first time they had met, but this time he was in the library, and not in his office. He’d probably been working on the restoration of his antique books, because he wore his glasses.
Removing them, he immediately got to his feet. The air felt lighter, as it always did in his presence. Wisps of her hair lifted as if to an invisible caress, but Lann didn’t acknowledge the subtle dance of molecules.
It hurt, as did seeing him. Her heart gravitated toward him, paying her more logical mind no heed. Yet he kept his distance, the cool look with which he regarded her as she crossed the floor telling her he was untouchable to her now. Only a short while ago, he’d made her feel like the center of his universe, and here she was, feeling more lost and out of place in his majestic monastery than ever. Like an intruder.
As always, he looked impeccable in tailored slacks and a white dress shirt. Suddenly conscious of her casual attire, she pulled at the hem of her sweater. He stood immobile, exerting calm, waiting for her to make the first move. Kat had never been fooled about the latent danger that lurked under his quiet sophistication and intellectual air. There was a raw energy about Lann that hinted at his wildness, even as his exterior was polished civility.
“Alfonso showed me in,” she said.
“Katherine.” His lips lifted in the corner.
Her heart broke at his smile. Her chest constricted painfully. It was the one he reserved for other people. Never for her. It was automatic, a practiced social stance, and she hated it.
Her smile was faint in return. She glanced at the library workers who were handling his books with protective gloves. “May we speak in private, please?”
He frowned. “Let’s go to my office.”
He led the way. At least he hadn’t thrown her out on sight. She was walking the familiar path she’d believed she’d never walk again. The air gathered around his ankles as he moved, lapping at her feet as she followed in his wake. She’d never felt it stronger, and yet it should’ve been the reverse. She was supposed to be cutting the tie, not strengthening it, dammit.
Inside his office, he almost took a military stance, his shoulders straight and his arms behind his back, as if keeping them there would prevent him from touching her. But his eyes were filled with warmth and concern.
“Katherine, I didn’t tell you I was back because I didn’t want to make it harder on you.”
In truth, he didn’t owe her an explanation. She’d agreed to his terms. With her eyes wide open.
“I came back to take care of the money,” he continued. “When Alfonso told me you returned everything—”
“I don’t want your money.”
“You can live in comfort. Why struggle, if I have enough to share?”
“Because it wasn’t part of our agreement,” she snapped. She took a calming breath. Damn hormones. “Because it’ll make me feel like a prostitute.”
His expression was incredulous as he considered the statement, but after a moment, he inclined his head. “Of course. I respect your decision.”
“Lann…” She chewed her lip, thinking of the best way to tell him. Hadn’t she practiced her line a million times? “I wouldn’t have broken our agreement and come back here if it wasn’t necessary.”
He stared at her expectantly.
Shit. There was no easy way to break the news. “I’m pregnant.”
He f
roze. The heat evaporated from his gaze. His biceps flexed. She couldn’t tell if he was mad or disappointed. Either way, neither was the reaction she was hoping for.
The silence stretched between them. For a while, he seemed incapable of speaking or moving. Only his gaze lowered and rested on her belly.
“It’s impossible,” he finally said.
She opened her handbag, retrieved the blood test results, and offered the report to him with a shaky hand. He lifted one hand from behind his back and took the piece of paper. She watched him closely as he read it. His eyes widened and narrowed again. She presumed he was looking at the age of the child growing inside her, doing the calculation in his mind. Emotions she couldn’t place played across his face. Was it sadness, envy, or anger that made him press his lips so tightly together? When he finally he lifted his head, she didn’t like the way he looked at her.
He handed the report back to her. “Congratulations,” he said in an impersonal voice. “Who’s the father?”
The words punched the air from her lungs with the same ferocity as when he’d cut her airflow during lovemaking. Then it had given her an earth-shattering orgasm. Now it caused her pain, with the same intensity. She couldn’t believe he’d said that. Hurt and anger blurred her vision.
She drew back her hand, and, before she could stop herself, slapped him. She took a step away from him, biting back the tears. The trace of her fingers lay red across his cheek. Lann accepted her abuse with a stoic expression, without uttering a word.
“You bastard,” she whispered. “You needn’t feign your innocence by insulting me. Are you afraid I’ll ask you for child support? Do you think I’ll expect you to play an unwilling role in this baby’s life? Maybe you think I’ll try to emotionally blackmail you into marrying me.” She clutched her bag to her chest. “I didn’t come here expecting anything from you. I want nothing. I only came because you had a right to know.” She took a ragged breath. “And to ask why you lied to me.”
When he still didn’t speak, she nodded slowly, the unwelcome tears threatening to find their way to her cheeks. He wasn’t going to offer any explanation, any solace, any excuse.
“I see,” she said. “Then we have nothing more to say to each other.”
She turned for the door, but Lann’s voice halted her. “Please stay. You’re upset. I’ll take you home when you feel calmer.”
To her dismay, a small gasp escaped her. Did he honestly think she’d stay after what he’d just said? Not looking back, she ran downstairs, not caring that Lann was calling after her loud enough for the building to hear or that his employees were staring at her from the library window.
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Afterword
Dear Reader,
Thank you very much for joining me on Katherine and Lann’s adventure. Their story concludes in Aeromancist (Book 3). If you enjoyed the prequel, please consider leaving a short review on your favorite review or vendor site to help other readers discover the book. Every review makes a huge difference.
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Hugs,
Charmaine
Also by Charmaine Pauls
Standalone Novels
(Enemies-to-Lovers Dark Romance)
Darker Than Love
(Second Chance Romance)
Catch Me Twice
Diamond Magnate Novels
(Dark Romance)
Standalone Novel
(Dark Forced Marriage Romance)
Beauty in the Broken
Diamonds are Forever Trilogy
(Dark Mafia Romance)
Diamonds in the Dust
Diamonds in the Rough
Diamonds are Forever
Box Set
The Loan Shark Duet
(Dark Mafia Romance)
Dubious
Consent
Box Set
The Age Between Us Duet
(Older Woman Younger Man Romance)
Old Enough
Young Enough
Box Set
Krinar World Novels
(Futuristic Romance)
The Krinar Experiment
The Krinar’s Informant
Seven Forbidden Arts Series
(Dark Paranormal Romance)
Pyromancist (Fire)
Aeromancist, The Beginning (Prequel)
Aeromancist (Air)
Audiobooks
Standalone Novels
(Enemies-to-Lovers Dark Romance)
Darker Than Love
Diamond Magnate Novels
Standalone Novel
(Dark Forced Marriage Romance)
Beauty in the Broken
Diamonds are Forever Trilogy
(Dark Mafia Romance)
Diamonds in the Dust
Diamonds in the Rough
Diamonds are Forever
Box Set
The Loan Shark Duet
(Dark Mafia Romance)
Dubious
Consent
Krinar World Novels
(Futuristic Romance)
The Krinar’s Informant
Book Blurbs
Diamond Magnate Novels
(Dark Mafia & Forced Marriage / Revenge Romance)
Standalone Novel
Beauty in the Broken
Six years ago, Harold Dalton framed me for theft and sent me to jail to steal my diamond discovery. He gave his daughter to Jack Clarke in exchange for the excavation rights. Today I’m walking free, and I’m coming for him with a vengeance. Six years of cruelty make beasts out of men. I’m going to take back what he stole from me, and more. I’m not interested in his properties or shares. I don’t want his small change. I want his biggest asset. Beautiful, mentally unstable, Angelina Dalton-Clarke.
Worth billions, she’s the wealthiest widow in the country, and also the craziest. Her self-harming tendencies had Jack declare her incompetent before he put a gun to his head and blew out his brains. Lina isn’t allowed to touch a cent of her riches. Her father manages her finances. He has all the signing power. As her husband, that chore will fall to me. But if she thinks I only want her for her money, she’s sadly mistaken.
Diamonds are Forever Trilogy
Diamonds in the Dust (Book 1)
Men like us, we see things.
We do things, things that make us unfeeling.
That’s the price of power and money, of living la belle vie and running the French mafia. Then she came along like a pretty wildflower pushing through the cracks on a dirty pavement—fragile yet resilient, a breath of beauty among the filth. She was supposed to be just another job, a nameless person I was to pluck from her life and hand to my brother, nothing but a pawn in the gamble of our diamond business.
There’s a psychological label for men like us.
We lack empathy and guilt.
We do things to have what we want, things that make flowers wilt.
Diamonds in the Rough (Book 2)
Girls like me, we know how to survive.
We each have our own little ways, but we acquire those skills at the same tender age.
If you ask me how many times a person can die, I’ll tell you many times. As many times as a man stabs you in the stomach with betrayal and wrings out your heart with lies.
Girls like me, we live.
We don’t get a choice.
We step over the cliff and fall.
Eat, sleep, die, and repeat.
Diamonds are Forever (Book 3)
My love is wasted like gemstones in the dust, walked over by an oblivious shoe. It takes many suffering years and layers of mountains to squee
ze carbon into a precious stone. Now that I’m polished and hard like a diamond, he doesn’t get to kick me back into the dirt.
Men like him don’t love women like me.
They don’t love.
Period.
But he made me.
He’ll live with me.
Because diamonds are forever.
Box Set (Book 1, 2 & 3)
Standalone Novels
(Enemies-to-Lovers Dark Romance)
Darker Than Love
Once upon a cold, dark night, a Russian killer stole me from an alley. I’m dangerous, but he is lethal. I escaped once. He won’t let me do it twice.
The revenge is his. The betrayal is mine. But so are the lies to protect the ones I love.
We’re cut from the same twisted cloth. Both merciless. Both damaged. In his embrace, I find hell and heaven, his cruelly tender touch destroying and uplifting me at once.
They say a cat has nine lives, but an assassin has just one. And Yan Ivanov now owns mine.
(Second Chance Romance)
Catch Me Twice
If a man tells you he’s no good for you, best heed the warning. I learned the hard way. I had Jake Basson’s baby. He left to chase his dream. Now he’s back, demanding a second chance, but why should I give him anything after four years of nothing? No correspondence, no news. I finally have my life back on track. Jake has never been uncomplicated. He never follows the rules. I should’ve known he’d play dirty in his war to win me back. He caught me once. I’m not going to let him catch me twice.
Aeromancist, The Beginning (SECOND EDITION): Prequel (7 Forbidden Arts Book 2) Page 16