She’d become the center of Lazarus’ world. Seeing the look of utter devastation written in his eyes was enough to bring her to her knees. Alex covered her face and made a sobbing noise.
“Please spare us, Miss Stone. Lazarus is gone so you can stop with the theatrics.” Brant sounded bored.
Fuck him! “I’m upset about this, okay? I’m allowed to cry. You don’t have to be such an asshole about it.”
“You’re upset because you were found out.” His voice hardened up.
“Bullshit. I love Lazarus.” Her eyes widened as she realized what she had just said. “I fucking love him,” she said louder as she wiped her tears away. “I came here to get an exclusive, one way or another. It was never my intention to hook up with anyone. I used Lazarus…at least it started off that way but I fell head over heels in fucking love with him. I’m more than likely pregnant with his child.”
Brant clapped. The sound reverberated around the room. “You should be an actress instead of a journalist. Save your speeches…I’m not interested.” Brant thrust a thick document into her hands. “Here…if you care anything for Lazarus then you can prove it by signing this.”
She looked down at the contract and non-disclosure agreement. The documents she should have signed before entering vampire territory.
“I will have some drugs delivered to you shortly. Progestin-only EC most commonly known as the morning after pill. You must take the pill immediately.”
What the fuck!
“The drug is ninety-five percent effective in preventing pregnancy. We can only hope that it is effective if a female is pregnant by a vampire. The specialist I spoke to feels that it should be the case.”
She shook her head and narrowed her eyes at him. “You can forget about it. No damned way. If I am pregnant, I am keeping this child and that’s final.”
Brant gave a disappointed shake of the head. “So you plan on milking us for child support?”
“I don’t want anything from you. Not a damned thing.” She threw the documents on the bed and turned to Allison. “Please, can you pass me a pen?” Then she looked back at Brant. “I will sign your documents as proof to you that this isn’t about the story anymore. I stand by my advice that you should find a good reporter to tell your side of the story.” She paused, but Brant kept his mask perfectly in place. “Then I will pack my bags and leave…you never have to see me again. I don’t want anything from you.” She repeated the last because she could see that he wasn’t buying it.
Brant removed a pen from his pocket and handed it to her. It was gold and heavy. Probably real damned gold. “A wise decision. As for leaving vampire territory, we will wait until we know for sure if you are pregnant.” He paused. “If you are with child then I am going to have to insist that you stay as a guest. It wouldn’t be safe out there. This would be your new home.”
“You’ll hold me against my will?”
“Take the damned pill.” He narrowed his eyes.
“Fuck you!” It came out as a hard whisper. “I won’t.” She was shaking, she was so angry.
“Then we wait and see. If anyone finds out that you are carrying a vampire child…” He shook his head. “You would be murdered. Your baby kidnapped…is that what you want? There are no human doctors out there that can give you the care that you would need. What about the birth? Had you even thought that far?” His eyes blazed. “No, Miss Stone, we would not hold you against your will, but due to the circumstances you would be forced to stay nonetheless. Please let us know if you start to crave blood. We’ll give it ten days before you will be free to go if there is no sign of a pregnancy.”
He held her gaze for a few seconds before turning to his PA. “Make sure that she signs the thing and then bring it to me. Put a guard at this door twenty-four fucking seven. She is not to go anywhere unattended. We can’t trust her for shit.” Brant gave her a curt nod and walked out.
Allison sighed. “That went well considering.”
“Well?” Alexandra choked out a humorless laugh.
“The room is mostly still intact. Brant and Lazarus didn’t tear into one another. For what it’s worth.” She locked eyes with Alex. “I think I actually believe you. I’m glad I’m not the one in your shoes though.” Allison shook her head. “You are going to have an impossible time convincing Lazarus. We’re an honest bunch. We don’t know how to handle deception.” She stuck the tip of the pencil she was holding into her mouth for a few seconds. “That’s why I believed you so easily at the gate. I didn’t think for even a second that you were lying.”
“I’m really sorry, Allison. It was never my intention to get you into trouble. I’m not normally such a…” She couldn’t say it.
“A liar?” Allison raised her brows.
Alex cringed and nodded her head. “I messed up.”
“Yes, you did,” Allison said. “I will have to remember going forward how deceptive humans can be. It was a lesson learned.” She smiled. “Brant is issuing condoms to all the males still left in The Program.” She smiled even bigger. “They are going to be pissed. Going forward, no rutting without a cover. I believe your human saying is - no glove, no love.”
“Oh shit. This is all my fault.”
Allison nodded. “You played a part in it but it isn’t all your fault. We should not have been so trusting. Things do go wrong. The intention was to have mated couples have offspring, not single females. We do not want this to happen again in the future for whatever reason.”
It made Alex want to bury her head and cry. She would give Lazarus some time to cool off and then she was going to find him. He had to talk to her…give her a chance to explain without Brant twisting everything.
****
Lazarus dragged his sorry ass back to his suite. His shirt clung to him. Sweat dripped down his forehead. His body ached but it didn’t come close to reflecting the pain inside. He kept on seeing Alexandra’s face. The way her eyes lit up when she looked at him. The little sounds of contentment she made when he kissed her. How fiercely she held onto him when he had made love to her over and over, like she never wanted to let go, like she wanted to crawl inside him and become a part of him. It had all been a lie. A ploy.
The only reason she was with him was to get inside information on The Program. That’s why it had often felt like she had an agenda. He’d asked her more than once why she was even here. More damned lies. Lazarus had thought that this baby was a blessing, a gift. A sign of their love. He scrubbed a hand over his face. The child was a mistake. An accident. It hurt him even to think those words.
Lazarus grit his teeth to keep from roaring again. He flung his door open. Brant sat on the sofa. The male gave a nod. Lazarus shut the door. “You look like shit,” Brant said.
“It’s fucking nice to see you too,” Lazarus growled. He wasn’t in the mood.
Brant rolled his eyes. “Let’s cut the bullshit. I’m sorry this happened to you. We have made changes within The Program to prevent something like this happening again. Alexandra was an oversight. We trusted too willingly…it’s not going to happen going forward that’s for fucking sure.”
Lazarus folded his arms. Brant was making a half-assed attempt at apologizing to him. He would let him finish and ask him to leave. It wasn’t Brant’s fucking fault, or the fault of The Program. Lazarus had been stupid to allow himself to fall so quickly. There had been plenty of alarm bells which he’d conveniently chosen to ignore and now he was paying the price. Alexandra had done this, she was the one that was to blame.
Brant rose to his feet. “We can only hope that the human is not pregnant.”
Lazarus’ whole body tensed. He couldn’t stand the thought of there being no child, yet the thought of her pregnant scared him half to fucking death as well. He nodded.
“The problem is that she probably will become pregnant.”
Lazarus nodded again unable to talk. His throat was so clogged, his mind spinning.
“I have told her that she will need to rema
in on vampire territory until we know for sure, if she is not with child then she will be free to go…Hell, I’ll escort her out my-fucking-self.”
Lazarus grit his teeth. The thought of Alexandra leaving was unacceptable to him, yet he didn’t want anything to do with her. Not a damned thing. Only, that wasn’t true. She was a liar and had selfishly used him yet he still wanted her, still loved her. He was a fucking idiot.
Lazarus nodded a third time, praying that Brant would leave. He didn’t want or need any company.
His king must have sensed his frame of mind because he rose from the sofa. “Let us know if you need anything. Zane has relieved you of your duties for the coming period—”
“No!” Lazarus growled. “I am perfectly capable of doing my duties.”
Brant held his gaze for a long time before finally nodding. “Fine. If there are any problems then come and talk to either Zane or myself.”
He nodded. Like fuck that was going to happen. Lazarus would carry on, he would find a way to live with a piece missing from his soul. There was no other way.
Chapter 17
Two days later…
There was a knock at the door. Alexandra pulled a pillow over her head. Another knock. “I know you’re in there.” It was Sarah. Another knock, harder this time. “Let me in. I have food.”
Alexandra sighed. “On my way.” She turned the lock and opened the door.
Her friend looked her up and down and wrinkled her nose. “You look terrible. You smell even worse.” She pushed her way in. “Your room is disgusting. We have a maid’s service, you know? You should use it some time. You should really try showering as well.”
“Why? I’m not expecting company.”
“What do you think I am…chopped liver?” She placed the tray on the desk and opened the lid. There was a tub of ice cream and two spoons. “I thought you could use some cheering up.”
“How are things going with Griffin? Are you guys…doing the dirty yet?”
Sarah pursed her lips and as usual she shook her head. “No…I mean, none of your business.” She smiled. “I don’t want to talk about it. You talk to me. What’s going on with you, besides wallowing in self-pity that is?”
“Nothing has changed. Lazarus still won’t talk to me.” Alexandra had told Sarah everything. Although the other woman had initially been taken aback, she quickly came around and seemed to understand. Sarah had been exceptionally sweet and supportive even though she didn’t deserve it. Her only wish was that Lazarus would give her a chance to talk, they could discuss this like two adults. It was something that he had to work through though. She knew that. She would keep trying. Even if she wasn’t pregnant there was no way she was leaving without seeing him first.
“Not craving anything yet?” Sarah opened the tub and they both went and sat on the bed.
“If by anything you mean blood”—she shook her head—“it’s still too soon for that.”
“What are you going to do?” Sarah scooped up a big spoonful of ice cream and deposited it in her mouth. She made a sound of utter joy and contentment, she even closed her eyes. “Double chocolate fudge…You have to try some.”
Even though her stomach clenched at the thought, Sarah had made an effort and therefore she was going to force it down if she had to. She scooped up a much smaller spoonful and put it in her mouth. Damn, it was good. She didn’t want it to taste good.
“Just what the doctor ordered, isn’t it?”
Alexandra nodded, she smiled at Sarah. “To think I didn’t even know I wanted any. Thank you for this, and for being here for me.”
“You made a stupid mistake. Don’t get me wrong, I can understand why Lazarus is pissed…” Sarah licked her spoon. “I’m sure he’ll come around though.” They both scooped up some more ice cream and for a few minutes they ate in silence. “He’s crazy about you and would be nuts to throw the towel in, especially if you’re pregnant with his child.”
Alexandra put her spoon down. The last thing she wanted was for Lazarus to take her back because she turned out to be pregnant. Hopefully they would find a way back to each other before they found out either way. That meant she needed to shower and to get her ass to his suite.
“You can’t be done.” Sarah pointed at the ice-cream with her spoon.
She smiled. “Just taking a break. I don’t know what I’m going to do. One thing is for sure though; I’m not leaving until he speaks to me. I’ll chain myself to this bed if I have to.”
“Kinky…” Sarah laughed. “I’m sure he would fold like a deck of vampire cards if you did that.” She bobbed her eyebrows.
Alexandra had to smile. “If I thought it would help I would do it in a heartbeat.” She felt emotion well up in her and had to bite her lip for a few seconds.
“And if you are pregnant? Will you stay here?”
Alexandra shrugged. “If Lazarus won’t forgive me, I have nothing here. I’m seen as an outsider on their territory. An outcast. A deceptive human. I don’t know if I can live like that.” It was the last thing she wanted but did she have a choice? Brant was right, there were evil people out there. Both her, and the life of her child would be in danger if she chose to leave. She was damned either way.
Sarah huffed out a breath. “I don’t blame you. Just so you know, although the others know that there is a problem between you guys, they have no idea what it’s all about. They know that something is seriously wrong with the way Lazarus has been acting and that you guys are no longer together but that’s it.”
“What’s wrong with Lazarus? How has he been acting?” She could hear the worry in her voice.
“Griffin said that he is withdrawn and like a bear with a sore tooth. When he’s not at the gym he snaps at everyone. He beats the guys up in training, more so than usual, that is.” She shrugged. “I’m telling you this verbatim. The point is, he hasn’t told anyone anything. Griffin keeps asking me about it, but I promised you that I wouldn’t say anything and I’m keeping my word.”
The thought of Lazarus so upset tore at her. “You didn’t happen to bring any juice, soda…neat whiskey?” Alexandra had never been much of a drinker but could use a stiff one right about now.
Sarah raised her brows. “You can’t drink any alcohol. It wouldn’t be good for the baby.”
Alexandra gave her a pointed look. “We don’t even know if I’m pregnant. I’ll have my whiskey on the rocks please.” It was a warm day after all. Her mouth practically watered at the thought of…
“Chances are good that you are preggers and until we know for sure, we are going to assume that you are.”
Alexandra picked up her spoon and scooped it full of ice cream. Even with her mouth full of the frozen dairy she still felt like she wanted more so she scooped up another spoonful and shoveled it into her mouth.
“Good.” Sarah giggled. “Eat up. Nothing like a gallon of ice-cream to drown the old sorrows. I’m sure you’re feeling much better already.”
As if. She was thirsty and hungry and sad and angry and she…she…she…was going mad.
“Although, you don’t look like you’re feeling better.” Sarah leaned forward. “Is everything okay?”
“Just peachy.” Alexandra added sounding a little too joyful. “Never been better.” She swallowed hard. Her gaze dropped to the pulse at the base of Sarah’s neck. Shit! She could hear her friend’s heartbeat. It was loud. Like so loud that Alexandra had to stop herself from covering her ears.
Her fangs throbbed and her mouth felt dry. Alexandra was forced to breathe through her mouth because she could smell Sarah’s blood. It made her feel sick but it also made her feel…hungry and thirsty.
Fangs!!!
She ran her tongue over her teeth, feeling them catch. Sharp, tiny and throbbing.
“You don’t look all that great.” Sarah shook her head. She put her hand on Alex’s arm.
Alex sucked in a deep breath and smiled, sure to keep her mouth closed this time. She didn’t want the other woman to see
her…fangs. Fangs!! Oh god. She was pregnant.
It was too soon. It had only been two days. Eleanor had said that it would be a couple of days. A couple implied three or more. She was pregnant. What was she going to do? What the hell was she going to do?
This was such a colossal mess.
Then she realized that Sarah was talking to her. “Are you sure you’re fine? You look pale and like you’re about to hyperventilate or something. Hey, Alex…” She waved a hand in front of her face and Alex snapped out of it.
“Um…yeah…sorry. Too much ice cream,” she mumbled. “I’m not feeling all that good. I think I need a nice hot bath and a nap…or something.” Blood would be good. Her stomach lurched and she covered her mouth.
“Oh no. You ate too much too quickly.” Her eyes clouded with concern. “Do you have brain freeze? Tummy ache?”
“I must have.” Alex nodded her head. “Thanks so much for coming and for the ice cream.” Please leave before I stick my fangs into you. Before I suck your blood. Alex made a gagging noise and slapped a hand over her mouth.
“Oh no! Maybe nausea is a sign that you are pregnant? I think I should stay. Should I call a doctor?”
Alex shook her head. “No, it’s not like that, just too much ice-cream. They never mentioned nausea. Look…” Alex stood up off the bed. “I really just need to rest. I’ll feel better in no time.”
Sarah narrowed her eyes and for a few seconds there Alex was sure that her friend would insist on staying. Then she cocked her head and nodded. “Okay, but I’m coming back in an hour or two.”
“Sure thing. I’m sure I’ll feel much better by then.” Or…not. Alex made her way to the door and opened it. Thankfully Sarah stood up and followed her.
“You promise me that you’ll be okay?”
“I’m fine.” I’m pregnant not dying. Oh my god…I’m pregnant. She felt her eyes prick but blinked a few times to get rid of her tears. She forced a smile, keeping her mouth pursed.
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