Page 34 of Quadruplets for the Vipers (Never Just One #3)

Leah

M y stomach growls audibly as I hunch over in bed, trying not to focus on the gnawing pangs of hunger.

Tony’s strict, calorie-controlled diet is barely enough to keep me away from the brink of starvation, let alone the four fragile lives growing inside of me.

No matter how much I beg and plead, he doesn’t give me anything more.

I may have convinced him that their lives are worth keeping, for now, but that doesn’t mean he wants to risk me getting fat.

It’s sickening. Just when I think I can’t hate him anymore he reaches a new level of sadism that makes me despise him all the more.

I’ve lost track of time. I have no idea how long I’ve been shut away in this room.

Tony is the only other soul I see, and his visits are becoming fewer and farther between.

My food is shoved through a slot in the door like in a prison.

Which just reinforces my initial thoughts that this place will be my jail.

With every passing day, my situation feels even more hopeless. No one is coming to save me.

Tony was right. The guys aren’t coming to save me, not when they think I’m no longer pregnant.

They didn’t really care about me, it was always the baby.

The sex was probably just a bit of fun for them.

Did I actually believe four guys would simultaneously fall for me?

Sure, I thought I heard Axel say he loved me, but I must have been mistaken.

Either that or he was delirious or saying things on the spur of the moment since he came so close to death.

The only thing keeping me going now is these babies. They’re all I have to live for.

I’m so scared that even if the nurse in the hospital was lying, the stress and near starvation is harming them.

I try to stay as calm as I can, singing songs to them, my voice echoing in the empty room.

I wish I was further along in my pregnancy, then they’d be kicking and I’d have a sure sign that they were alright. All I have now is hope.

I don’t even bother to move when I hear the door open. I know who it is, after all.

A tentative cough followed by a female voice. “Sorry to disturb you…”

Surprised, I turn around to face the door. Standing there is the nurse from the hospital, the one who told me I’d miscarried. I narrow my eyes at her, clutching my stomach protectively as if she means to harm the babies.

“Why are you here?”

I’m so exhausted I can’t even summon the malice I want to express.

“Tony sent me to give you another ultrasound,” she says tentatively, hovering in the doorway, using her medical trolley as a barrier.

She’s dressed in the same blue scrubs as last time, though now she isn’t wearing a long sleeved, high-necked top underneath, revealing her tattoos. It dawns on me that she must be affiliated with the Hellhounds.

“You’re not fucking touching me. Tell him to send someone else. Anyone else,” I snarl, ready to bite like a beaten dog, protecting her puppies.

She looks pained, as though I’ve actually struck her.

Even so, she doesn’t back down. Instead, she comes into the room, shutting the door behind her softly.

She speaks in a soft, sad voice. “I don’t expect you to forgive me for lying to you.

And I don’t expect you to believe me, but I was told that I needed to lie to save you.

I was told you were being held against your will by the Steel Vipers and that the only way you could escape was if the men who were holding you believed you were no longer pregnant.

I know now this wasn’t the case and I am so sorry for the pain I caused you. ”

“Tony told you that?”

She shakes her head. “No. I mean he did, but I heard it through Lucifer.”

I stare at her like she’s insane.

Is she telling me the devil told her to lie to me about my babies?

She must realize how it sounds as she clarifies.

“Lucifer’s the Hellhounds’ Prez, he’s my old man.

It’s all my fault. I told him I saw members of the Steel Demons at the prenatal clinic.

He’s been wanting a way to destroy the club, and I gave him an opening.

I wish I’d kept my mouth shut. I’m going to end things with him soon, after what he made me do to you.

” She comes close to whisper this and I recoil away from her.

“Why haven’t you already?”

While she seems genuine, I’m not ready to forgive and forget that easily. Nor am I going to risk letting my guard down and falling for a trap.

Her eyes dart nervously to the door, as if worried someone might burst in at any moment. “Because I want to help you.”

I huff, thinking that she could have helped me sooner by simply doing nothing. “Why?”

Again, she seems nervous to speak, and it dawns on me why. The room must be bugged. Tony probably has the whole place kitted out with cameras and mics. My skin crawls at the intrusion, and I curse myself for not realizing it sooner.

I nod, trying to convey my understanding. “Never mind, it’s not like you can tell the truth. Let’s get on with this.” I hope that to anyone listening it sounds like I’m simply calling her a liar but that to her, she’ll understand my meaning.

A palpable look of relief crosses her face as she nods and comes closer, pulling the ultrasound machine behind her.

My heart hammers in my chest. I don’t think I could handle more bad news.

If I have to hear those words again, it will kill me.

She seems to understand how scared I am as she gently goes about her task, her eyes trying to convey her remorse.

For a moment, it’s quiet and I think I might break. But then there’s the unmistakable distorted, fluttering sound of heartbeats.

They’re alive. They’re okay!

She studies the monitor carefully before turning the screen around to face me. “All four babies are alive and well,” she says happily, pointing them out to me on the monitor.

I sink back against the pillow, relief and joy flood through me as I stare, enrapt, at the screen.

“Do you mind if I run some tests on you? Nothing major just blood pressure and such.”

I’m so happy I simply nod my approval. She proceeds to do her tests and as she’s finishing up, she carefully slips a folded note into my pocket. Her eyes pleading with me not to say anything.

“You’re a little malnourished and your blood pressure is low. I’m going to recommend some vitamins and increasing your calorie intake,” she says out loud.

“Sure.”

I’m doubtful that Tony will give me more food, but perhaps a medical professional can convince him.

“How did you get involved in all this? With the Hellhounds?” I blurt.

“I met Lucifer and fell head over heels, he was my first serious boyfriend. He supported me in going into medicine. Turns out that qualified doctors and nurses who are willing to turn a blind eye when healing certain wounds are invaluable to organizations like his.”

I almost feel sorry for her. Similarly to me, she got in with the wrong guy when she was young. I remember when I first fell out of Tony’s spell, she has the same look now.

“My name’s Ashley, by the way.”

I don’t respond, I might not hate her as much right now, but I’m a long way away from forgiving her.

Even if the note in my pocket is somehow the key to my salvation, it wouldn’t look right for me to be too nice anyway.

At least that’s what I tell myself to assuage the guilt I feel when looking at her hangdog expression as she leaves.

Now a new dilemma faces me. How the hell do I read the note without being spotted by the cameras?

I decide it’s not worth the risk, but I have an idea.

Although it’s the middle of the afternoon, I don’t think my crawling under the blankets will raise alarm bells.

After all, I’ve been pretty depressed during my time here, and seeing the woman who lied to me about the death of the babies I’m carrying is bound to upset me.

With the blankets as my cover, I pull out the note, squinting in the dim light.

Leah,

I saw Axel, Knox, Jace, and Rider. They told me everything and I know the truth now. You were never their prisoner, but you are Tony’s now. We’re going to get you out.

This morning, at 3 AM, we need you to pretend you’re having stomach pains. I will be called for. Please, trust me, and go along with everything I say.

I’m sorry. Please let me try to make it up to you.

Ashley.

I read the note several times, wishing it contained more information.

When did she see them? Does this mean they’re trying to find me? That they know I didn’t leave them willingly and the babies are alive? Should I trust her? Or is this some elaborate ruse created by Tony to test my loyalty?

I stroke my stomach as I consider my limited options.

Either I stay here and nothing changes, I’m still Tony’s prisoner, at the mercy of his whims. Or I go.

If I go, one of two things could happen.

One, it’s a trap and Tony becomes enraged, doing who knows what.

He could harm the babies out of spite, or beat me so badly he hurts them inadvertently.

Or two, she’s telling the truth and she could get me out of here.

But then there’s no way Tony would let me leave without him, even if he buys her lie.

I wish she’d mentioned how we were going to deal with that problem.

I presume that she has a plan, but it’s risky. Maybe too risky.

The reward is so great, so tempting, it’s almost too good to be true. Staying is the safer option. If we get caught, or if it’s a trap, I’ll pay for it. But if she’s telling the truth and by some miracle we escape without being caught…

I’d be free. Safe. I’d be reunited with the men I might love. Because if I’m being honest with myself, as crazy and unbelievable as it might be, I’m falling for all four of them.

Do I dare take the plunge? Am I brave enough?

Honestly, I’m not sure anymore. I need to do what’s right for the babies.

I have to believe that Tony won’t harm them, not when he thinks they’re worth something.

And then when they’re born, they’ll be sweet, innocent babies, surely Tony isn’t so much of a monster to hurt them when they’re actual living, breathing, babies? Maybe staying is the safest option.

But…

My mind whirls around, going back and forth on what I should do.

When bedtime rolls around I’m still none the wiser on what I will do.

Stay or go.

Do I put my faith in the hands of the woman who got me into this mess in the first place, who I know lied to me?

I look at the clock on the nightstand. Uncertainty paralyzes me as the hour ticks ever closer.