Page 108 of Rum & Coke

Sebastian lowered the gun and turned back to me. “You’re pregnant?”

I smiled, trying to make it as genuine as I could. “Yes. I took three tests before you got home.”

“Show me.”

“They’re in the bathroom on the second floor.”

Without looking at Brent again, Sebastian took my hand, laced our fingers and started for the stairs. “Mateo, make sure he disappears.”

My gaze met Brent’s before Sebastian and I took a step down. Even though Sebastian wasn’t going to kill him, Mateo would.

I hadn’t heardfrom Tessa in almost two months. I hadn’t heard from Joss either. When I would see Paul, he told me she was busy with her case. I felt as though my friends didn’t care. If this were Autumn or Joss, Paul and Gabe would be going in with guns blazing. But that wasn’t me, and they weren’t helping.

I understood why Gabe wouldn’t go, and that was because Autumn was pregnant. He didn’t want to take a chance of getting killed or going to jail. But Paul? His wife wouldn’t help me even though she worked for the FBI. Seth had gone back to D.C. or some shit, and that left me …

Alone.

When I showedSebastian the three pregnancy tests, he was ecstatic. A part of me felt as though he would be pissed that he was going to be tied to a child for eighteen years, but he wasn’t.

“Are these real?” he asked.

“Of course they are.”

“These,” he waved the tests in front of my face, “are proof that we’re meant to be together.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that he was wrong. Rape every night without a condom wasn’t fate. Sebastian was delusional. “Yeah,” I agreed and smiled tightly, trying to show that I did agree with him when, in reality, I was faking it.

“Good.” He kissed my lips. “Valentina will help you get a room ready and whatever you need.”

“I need to go to the doctor.”

“When?”

“Well, I’m not sure when I got pregnant, but usually around eight weeks should be the first appointment.”

“I’ll make a call.”

“And do what?”

“Have them come here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. They need to examine me in an actual exam room.” As Sebastian thought about what I’d said, I prayed he’d agree with me. I knew he would send a guard with me, maybe even go himself, but he wouldn’t be permitted into the room. At least I hoped not.

“Do you have a doctor?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Make an appointment, and we’ll go.”

I knew from previous exams that they asked questions about abuse or if your life was in danger when you filled out an intake form. I didn’t know what would happen if I checked the box.

But I was hoping to find out.

While I waited on the couch for Valentina and Colton to get back from the park, Sebastian made himself a celebratory drink.

“I’m really happy about this, Tessa Baby.”

I didn’t respond.