Rude Awakening

by Veronica Chadwick

  “What’s this?” She had a pretty good idea what the answer would be.

  Maxine just lifted one brow. Jaimee took a shaky breath, opened the bag and looked in at not just one but three home pregnancy tests.

  “You wouldn’t be convinced with just one test result and you know it. Just take ’em, James. You got nothin’ to lose one way or the other.”

  Jaimee shrugged. Max had a point. She opened one of the boxes and read the instructions. “So, I just pee on it. Do I pee on all of them?”

  “Pretty much.” Maxine smiled.

  “Not sure I have to pee that much.”

  “So use a paper cup and dip instead.” Maxine shrugged.

  Jaimee rolled her lips inward as she took the box into the bathroom and shut the door. She followed the short instructions then laid the little stick on a towel and, without looking at it, opened the next box. Finishing the last one she laid it beside the other two in a neat little row, then washed her hands and went back into the bedroom. “Gotta wait three minutes.”

  Maxine nodded, smiling at her. “How late are you anyway?”

  Jaimee shrugged. “Maybe a week or two or three. I’m never regular so I’m never really sure.”

  “You know that’s crazy, right?” Maxine didn’t wait for an answer. “So what does your gyno say about that? Can’t you go on the Pill or something?”

  She had enough sense to look ashamed. It was stupid of her not to go to the doctor yearly but she hated it. She was never comfortable with her gynecologist. The only reason she’d gone to him in the first place was because he was in the company’s health group and she didn’t have much choice. She’d always been busy and just conveniently forgot to make an appointment. “Um, well. I haven’t seen my doctor since…” Jaimee stiffened. She hadn’t been to a check up since the one before Brent died…left. Since then she just hadn’t thought of trying to find another. He told her there was no way. Ever. What if the doctor had been wrong?

  “Since?” Maxine prompted.

  “It was several months before Brent died…left.” She shrugged “Has it been three minutes?” Her heart thundered in her chest.

  Maxine glanced at her watch. “Almost.”

  But Jaimee was already in the bathroom. She picked up the first stick and held her breath as she looked down at it. Oh God. Quickly setting it down she picked up the little square. Oh no. Then the next stick. “Max.” It was more of a whimper.

  “It should say in the window, and the square one will have a dot if it’s positive and nothing if it isn’t.” Maxine stood at the door watching Jaimee with wide eyes.

  “Oh God,” Jaimee sobbed. “Max. There’s a dot, this one says pregnant, and this one has two lines.”

  Oh God, oh God, oh God.

  Maxine moved closer and looked from Jaimee to the stick and back again. “Jaimee. You’re pregnant.”

  “This can’t be right. It can’t be. The doctor told me I definitely could not have a baby. He said I didn’t ovulate. He said it was probably a genetic defect. Since I’m an only child I thought he was right.” Jaimee walked back into the bedroom, staring down at the tests in her hands.

  “He must have been wrong.”

  “He said they could do more tests but they’d be long, drawn out and painful. Brent wasn’t interested in pursuing it.” Stunned numb, Jaimee sat down onto the bed. Memories, things Brent had said started floating through her mind. There was something not quite right there. Didn’t matter now though. Now she was pregnant by a man who was about to walk out of her life forever. “What am I gonna do, Max?”

  “Well, first you gotta make an appointment with my gyno. She’s cool. Then you gotta tell Lucas.”

  As the weight of reality descended over her, she turned to look at Maxine in horror.

  “No! I can’t. I swore to him that I couldn’t get pregnant. He’ll think I’ve tried to trap him. He never wanted me, don’t you see?” Panic clawed at her throat. “I was an assignment. Lucas only pretended to want me. He won’t care about the baby.”

  Oh God. The baby. She was having Lucas’s baby. An odd mixture of fear and dread filled her mind. Then came the guilt. Guilt because in spite of the fact that being pregnant was the last thing she expected and the worst possible thing that could happen right now, joy flooded her heart. Something she’d wanted more than anything and never allowed herself to hope for had been gifted to her. A child. Lucas’s child. And she would be subjecting that sweet innocent child to a fatherless life, just like her own.

  “I don’t believe that, James. I know that’s what they told you but I just don’t buy it. He’s done too many things that show he cares about you. Like taking all the bugs out of your room.”

  It was incredibly human of him to make sure she had some place where she felt safe to some extent. He fixed her lunch then got mad at her because she wouldn’t eat. When he made love to her, she saw more than just lust in the intensity of his gaze. Wasn’t there a reverence of sorts in the way he touched her? She clenched her teeth and shook the hope off.

  “Probably did it out of guilt. Evidently I was the first assignment that didn’t have it coming.”

  Maxine scowled. “Men are such shits. What has he said about all of this?”

  Jaimee looked down at her hands clasped around one of the test sticks. “He hasn’t said anything.”

  Maxine took the stick from her and laid it on the nightstand then took Jaimee’s hands in hers. “Look, James. Lucas doesn’t matter. You’re not alone in this. I’m here for you no matter what you want to do.”

  “I’ll have the baby.” The pain gently, slowly sunk into her.

  “I know.” Maxine’s voice was warm and soothing. “I won’t say anything to Lucas. But you have to tell him. Just for the legality of it all. He needs to cough up child support at the very least. You know that, right?”

  “After.” Jaimee shook her head and took a deep breath. “After the danger is passed. Right before he walks away for good. I’ll tell him then.” She paused then met Maxine’s concerned gaze. “I’m scared, Max.”

  “I know, hon. It’s not gonna be easy.” Maxine sighed and hugged her tightly. “But it’s gonna be okay.”

  “Promise?” Jaimee managed a smile.

  “Promise. Now, come on downstairs, I’ll fix us hot chocolate and popcorn and we can ogle your sexy bodyguard…I mean a movie.”

  Laughing softly, Jaimee dropped the tests into her end table drawer. Maxine could always make her laugh even when her brain was fuzzy and her heart was broken.

  “Good idea.”

  Brain candy was the perfect remedy for the maelstrom of thoughts and emotions swirling through her. Even if only for a few minutes, she could sit with Max and escape into the romantic comedy playing on the television. Although they watched Samson watch the movie more than they actually watched the movie. His lips barely moved and yet his smile made his impossibly dark eyes sparkle with humor. When his cell quietly chirped his expression went stoic automatically as he rose from the chair and left the room.

  Jaimee yawned as the closing music played and the credits began to roll. “I think I’m gonna go to bed. You wanna stay?”

  Max yawned in response but didn’t have time to say anything before Samson interrupted as he flipped his phone closed. “According to the powers that be, she’s staying.”

  “’Scuse me?” Maxine lifted one brow as she stood, placing a hand on her hip.

  Samson’s expression never changed. “It really isn’t safe for you to head home alone this late.”

  “I’ll have you know I can take care of my own damn self,” Max informed him with attitude.

  “Of that I have no doubt, Ms. Pruitt. Nevertheless, you aren’t going anywhere tonight. I’ll make sure you get home safe tomorrow,” Samson informed her without giving her a chance to retort.

  Maxine studied his stony expression, clearly weighing her chances in a debate with him. Finally she blinked twice and then turned to Jaimee. “Well…hell. I guess I’m
staying. Damn.”

  Jaimee chuckled and rose with a stretch. “Good, this way I won’t worry. Um…y’all gonna fight over the guest room or what?”

  “Ms. Pruitt is welcome to use the guest room. I won’t be sleeping anyway.”

  “Oh for cryin’ out loud. You can call me Maxine. Sheesh.” Maxine rolled her eyes.

  Samson chuckled as he walked away from them, disappearing into the kitchen.

  “That guy is so weird,” Maxine murmured.

  “The whole FBI crew is weird. The guest room has fresh sheets and stuff, I’ll get you another blanket for those icebergs you call feet.”

  “Thanks.” Maxine laughed as Jaimee mounted the stairs. “You care if I stay up a little longer?”

  “Nope.” Jaimee shook her head. “I’m just wiped. I’ll lay the quilt on the bed. See ya in the morning.”

  “Ms. Turner,” Samson called out, halting her ascension.

  “Just call me Jaimee, please.”

  “Jaimee. You still going to church in the morning?”

  Lucas must have told him. The church family atmosphere might be just what she needed. It might help her regain some inner balance. Balance was good. She really needed some balance. “Yes.”

  “You got it then. Jaimee,” he said with a wink.

  It was a friendly wink…like a big brother. It would be so nice to have a big brother right now. Really sucked being an only child sometimes. “’Night, Samson. Thanks.”

  “My pleasure.”

  It was ten forty-five when Samson opened the door for Lucas. Unnecessarily, Samson filled him in on the events of the evening before he left the house and faded into the darkness. Lucas had listened to them watching the movie, whispering about Samson whenever he left the room. Maxine being there was calming to Jaimee. They were careful not to say anything about him within audio range. Maxine kept her spirits up as best she could. Jaimee’s few soft laughs were a relief. He was so thankful for that.

  Meeting Maxine’s hard accusing gaze was jolting, if not surprising. The woman was a badass if there ever was one. He really liked Maxine.

  “I made you a promise. Do you remember?” Maxine’s voice was low, her sharp eyes hooded.

  “Yes. You think you can wait to castrate me until after Jaimee is out of danger?”

  “I don’t know. You, asshole, are the one that hurt her first. I’d say that makes you danger.”

  Lucas stared at her a moment before nodding as he sat down in the overstuffed chair that he had grown to love, for the most part, for the memories it held.

  Maxine stayed draped elegantly on the couch, watching him, her foot shaking off the edge with agitation as she chewed on the inside of her cheek. “I told her I think you care. Did I lie?”

  “I care.” Finally he looked up and met her gaze unflinchingly. “Let it go, Maxine. Just for a little while longer. Let it go.”

  “Fuck all that.” Maxine sat up and squared off with him. “When James is out of danger, are you out? As in, out of the picture. Gone?”

  “No.”

  “No?” Maxine’s voice shook with anger as she narrowed her eyes. “Why? Why the hell not?”

  Lifting his eyes, just his eyes, to meet hers. It was an aggressive clashing, like ebony slamming into mahogany. “Stop trying to manipulate me, Maxine. Now drop it.”

  The smile that curved her lips made Lucas want to snarl. “All right. For now.” He had the sneaking suspicion that she had just managed to manipulate him very smoothly.

  With an irritated grunt he reached around and tugged at the band holding his hair back. His scalp was sore from the thing. Leaving it down was even more of a pain in the ass so he put it back. “Shit. I hate this fucking hair. First chance I get to have the shit hacked off, I’m taking it. Gives me a fucking headache.”

  “Wow, you kiss your momma with that mouth?” Maxine sniped.

  Lucas speared her with an annoyed look and grunted again as she rose and left the room. When she took the stairs, he figured she’d gone to bed and left him in peace. A few minutes later his hopes were dashed when she returned with what looked to be her purse.

  “Jaimee is sound asleep. She was even snoring,” she said, searching through her purse.

  Lucas eyed Maxine warily. “Good. She didn’t sleep well today.” The image of her standing by her bed, her all but naked body illuminated by the staccato flashes of lightning, materialized in his mind and stole his breath all over again.

  Lifting a brow Maxine frowned as she withdrew a brush and a red pouch. “And we both know why that is, don’t we, Agent Grayson?”

  Lucas tensed as he watched her open the pouch, expecting just about anything from Maxine. When she withdrew the scissors he wondered just how far she meant to take the I’ll separate you from your favorite body parts threat. Damn, he really didn’t feel like fighting off a crazed, overprotective woman tonight.

  “Nervous, Lucas?” Maxine laughed. She had a nice laugh. Didn’t sound the least bit deranged. “Relax, big boy. Come to the dining room and I’ll cut your hair for you.”

  Dubious at best, Lucas just stared at her. “Yeah right. I’m not stupid enough to let you anywhere near my throat with a sharp implement right now.”

  Maxine grinned. “My mom was once the best beautician in all of Nashville and she taught me everything I know.” She motioned him to her. “Come on. I’m not going to hurt you…yet. You afraid?”

  “Pshhh, terrified.” He narrowed his eyes and weighed his chances. He was reasonably certain he could unarm her pretty quickly if need be with little damage and he couldn’t wait to lose the hair.

  “How short you want it?” she asked as he sat down in a dining room chair.

  “I don’t really care as long as it’s not hanging in my face and doesn’t look stupid.”

  Maxine ran her fingers through the length of it. “Wow, it’s long. Hey, this is way past ten inches long. You care if I put it in a braid and cut it off to send to Locks of Love? My stylist sends them donations all the time. I can drop it off with her Monday.”

  “That’s cool. Go for it.”

  “Great, when did you wash it last?”

  “Couple of hours ago. I was at the surveillance house, took a shower there.”

  “Perfect. Let me go see if James has a plastic bag.”

  At least something good could come of it. To him it was a glaring reminder of what he’d done over the years. It was all a part of the romance novel fantasy women loved, wanted and bought into. It was another time, another part of him he really wanted to let die. Never once had he wanted to be anything other than the job. He’d been willing to do whatever it took. No matter how wrong the wrong that made the right was, no matter how obscene, how vulgar and cheap, he did it without a second thought. Never considering what he was giving away. Unquestionably, he’d done it without remorse. Until Jaimee.

  Now, looking back with a sick heaviness pulling at his insides, he realized he’d done too much. He’d given, no, thrown away too much. There was nothing good or wholesome left in him for Jaimee. God knows she deserved better. Because that’s what she was. She made him forget the filth inside him with a simple smile, the genuine kindness in her eyes, the timid touch of her lips. Didn’t she deserve the same? Didn’t she deserve so much better than what he had to offer? He just wasn’t sure at this point how, or even if, he could muster up the courage to let her go. No matter how honorable and redemptive that sacrifice might be.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  The morning started off with a jolt. Jaimee hadn’t expected Lucas to be there when she came down the stairs. There he stood watching her descend, his hands in the pants pockets of his expensive jet-black suit. The top two buttons of his crisp white banded-collar dress shirt were left undone. At some point during the evening he’d had his hair cut short. It looked so much thicker. It was glossy and somewhat spiky on the top but still looked so soft she wanted to run her fingers through it.

  It was enough to make her want to punch him. She h
ad been all ready, mentally and physically, to attend Sunday morning services and he disrupted her whole mindset. How was she supposed to keep her mind on higher things when he was always there? Always watching her, tempting her. It didn’t help that he’d been touching her nearly constantly ever since they left her house either. His firm hand pressed against her lower back as he led her from the house to the car. At church he very gentlemanly offered his hand as she exited his SUV then pulled her to him, his hand resting possessively on her hip as he led her from the car into the church building. But that was probably because of the menacing look of the dark green sedan with the tinted windows that sat idling on the perimeter of the parking lot. The sedan was also very likely one reason for the gun-shaped bulge she noticed resting under his jacket, just at his side.

  Her church wasn’t the typical somber house of prayer so she was interested to see his response to the service. No one would be running up and down the aisles speaking in tongues but still, the praise and worship was enthusiastic to say the least. There was a large stage that housed the band complete with drums, keyboards, as well as electric, steel and bass guitars. Then there was the choir and the podium.

  Instead of the traditional hard wooden pews there were rows of interlocking padded chairs. The sound system was state of the art and the décor was contemporary in soothing earth tones, sage and deep wine. The congregation prided themselves on their friendly openness and welcoming spirit. It was a church of which Jaimee was proud to be a member—even if her mother did attend there.

  She had to forgo singing in the choir at Lucas’s suggestion, which made it easier for her to avoid her mother. Besides, she didn’t feel much like singing anyway. A couple of the ladies had mentioned offhandedly that she should call her mom and talk to her. Evidently, her mother had put her on the ladies’ prayer list again for being such a disappointment. Probably told them all what a raging slut she was too. Good. God knew she needed all the prayer she could get right now. Ha, and here she’d gone to all the trouble of introducing Lucas as a friend. Even if her mom hadn’t been running her mouth about her, she was sure that everyone would suspect more by the way Lucas kept watching her and touching her.