Page 221 of Conquered

“Thank you,” I murmur in her ear. She hugs me back just as tight.

“What are BFFs for, huh? Good luck, babe.”

My heart pounds as I let her go, turning to resume walking out of the doors which open as we approach. Dread swirls in my stomach, alongside fluttering butterflies, my thoughts swirling like a vortex.

Did I just fuck up declaring war on Julian? Will he retaliate? What happens next?

But a single burning question rises above all the others, repeating in my head until it’s all that I can think about.

What if I’m pregnant?

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

LILLY

“Ijust need the loo,” I say, not even taking off my shoes as I rush into the bathroom.

I can feel their eyes on me as I close the door, but I need to do this alone. I just want to process whatever the result is before telling them. Kicking off my heels, green sequin Irregular Choice, of course, I tear open the purse, finding a digital test inside. Thanking Willow for getting the one that literally tells you if you’re pregnant, I open the box, taking the test out of its wrapping.

Now or never, Lilly.

I set the test to one side whilst I hitch the silk of my dress up, tucking the hem into the top so it’s completely out of the way—I know! I am the epitome of ladylike behaviour.

Grabbing the test, I sit on the loo and do as instructed, peeing on the stick then popping the lid back on. I set it to one side, washing my hands and untucking my dress as I wait.

And wait.

And fucking wait.

Jesus! How long do these things take?!

My breath catches as finally the screen changes.

Pregnant.

Fine tremors wrack my body, and I suddenly feel ice cold. At the same time, a strange surge of blissful elation fills me at the thought of carrying a child. Loki’s child. I wonder for a brief second if this is how Mum felt when she found out she was pregnant with me. This bizarre mix of happiness and sheer terror.

Oh god, Loki.

I have to tell him. I look up at my shaky reflection in the mirror, noticing my wide eyes and flushed cheeks.

“You can do this, Lilly Darling,” I tell myself, my voice much more confident than I feel.

Grabbing hold of the test, I walk to the door, pausing briefly with my hand on the handle for one final deep breath, before opening it.

The guys are all sitting on the sofas, the fire roaring as they swirl various liquids in glasses. They’ve taken their jackets off, loosened their ties, and Loki, Jax and Kai all have their shirt sleeves rolled up. I smile at the fact that Ash hasn’t, although he has undone the first couple of buttons.

“Everything okay, Pretty Girl?” Loki asks, and my gaze snaps to him. Immediately, he gets up, setting his glass down and coming towards me as if he knows. “What’s happened?”

I see the others stiffen behind him, straightening up, but my focus is on the auburn haired angel in front of me.

“I’m pregnant,” I whisper, holding out the test for him to see.

His brows dip for a second, looking down at the screen which still shows that one word. I watch him intently, seeing the flush rise on his cheeks as his eyes widen. His gaze comes back up to me, and suddenly, I’m so worried about how he’ll react.

“Christmas Day,” he says, not as a question but as a statement. I nod, my throat tight, waiting.

“What the fuck is going on?” Ash demands, striding towards us.