Page 5

Laken

It had been more than three weeks since my first encounter with Ryker, three miserable weeks.

And almost two weeks since I’d run into him here on Dixie Reapers’ territory.

Knowing he was here, so close, and yet I couldn’t touch him?

It was pure torture. The only thing that made me feel better was Flicker’s confusion over why Ryker wasn’t fucking every female who wandered by.

It seemed he was abstaining from club pussy, and my stupid heart hoped it was because of me.

Was he thinking about me as much as I’d thought about him?

Did he stroke his cock at night as often as I played with my pussy, wishing it was him getting me off?

I’d wanted to sneak out again, see if I could find Ryker without anyone being the wiser, but Flicker had almost caught me last time, and I hadn’t wanted to chance it.

If he thought for one minute that I’d been with Ryker again, he might kick me out.

I’d defied a direct order, and they might even see it as a betrayal.

So I’d confined myself to the house, but as I stared at the calendar on my phone, I realized that I couldn’t hide anymore.

And I couldn’t talk to Flicker.

Pulling up my contacts, I rang Isabella, hoping she’d be sympathetic. She was the President’s wife, but I didn’t think she’d tell Torch my secret. At least, I hoped she wouldn’t. I had a feeling this entire thing was about to blow up in my face, and I didn’t know how to stop it.

“Everything all right, Laken?” Isabella asked as she answered.

“I need a ride to the doctor, and you know the Prospects won’t let me leave. Everyone is afraid Ryker will see me.”

“Why do you need a doctor?” Isabella asked.

“Just… please, Isabella. I need to see Dr. Myron.”

Isabella was quiet, and I knew she was probably putting two and two together, but finally she agreed.

While I waited for her, I changed my clothes and brushed my hair and teeth, then I went onto the front porch to sit.

I didn’t think it was likely Ryker would wander this far.

Her SUV pulled up a few minutes later, and I ran down the steps and climbed inside, hoping no one had seen me and knew I was escaping my prison.

If anyone told Flicker I was getting into Isabella’s car, someone would stop us.

And I really needed to see Dr. Myron. I didn’t have an appointment, but I hoped that wouldn’t matter.

Thankfully, Isabella’s windows were tinted enough that the Prospect at the gate could only tell two people were in her car, and since everyone knew what Isabella drove, they didn’t even stop her.

The gates opened, and she pulled through.

As the Dixie Reapers compound got smaller and smaller behind us, I began to breathe a little easier.

We’d made it! Of course, I still had to sneak back in, and hope Flicker hadn’t noticed I was missing.

This hiding out thing was getting to be a pain in my ass. And boring as hell.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Isabella asked.

“I’m late.”

“You couldn’t reschedule your appointment?” Isabella asked.

“No. I’m late .”

Her eyes widened, and she stared at me a moment before jerking her gaze back to the road.

Okay, so maybe she hadn’t figured out why I’d wanted to see the doctor.

She didn’t say anything for a few minutes, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of shock, or if she was just trying to find a way to tactfully ask me whatever was on her mind.

When she pulled into Dr. Myron’s and still hadn’t said anything, I began to worry that she would call Torch and tell him where I was. Even worse, that she’d tell my brother.

“What are you going to do?” Isabella asked softly. “If you’re pregnant, and it’s Ryker’s…”

“It can’t be anyone else’s. He’s the only one I’ve been with.”

“You were a virgin?” she asked.

I nodded, my cheeks flaming.

“This isn’t good, Laken. Ryker’s been in a bad mood the last few weeks, and the way he’s been avoiding the club sluts, your brother has been concerned that it has something to do with you. Are you sure you didn’t say something to him when you were together?”

“He didn’t know who I was. Still doesn’t. But he did see me at the compound a few weeks ago.”

Isabella mumbled under her breath.

“I didn’t plan it!” I said. “I was tired of being stuck in the house. It was so dark I didn’t think anyone would see me.

And Ryker probably wouldn’t have, except I hadn’t seen him either, and I literally ran into him.

” I conveniently left out what happened after that.

I didn’t think it would help my case any.

“Come on,” Isabella said. “Let’s get this over with. Maybe you just missed your period from all the stress of Ryker being here.”

I nodded, part of me hoping she was right.

But the other part? I couldn’t lie. The thought of having a part of Ryker with me always was rather appealing.

I had no doubt he wouldn’t want anything to do with me, or the baby.

He didn’t seem like the daddy type. I didn’t know how all this would play out, and I was a little scared to find out.

But sitting in the car all day wasn’t going to help anything.

I got out, and when we got inside, my stomach started knotting. The receptionist smiled but looked a little confused.

“I don’t have an appointment for either of you,” Janie said.

“I really need to see Dr. Myron,” I said. “I don’t know when I can make it back here, so it has to be now.”

Janie winced. “Dr. Myron is at the hospital delivering a baby. He had someone call and tell me there were complications, so all we have on staff right now is a Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Myron likely won’t be back until tomorrow.”

My cheeks flushed. “I need to take a pregnancy test.”

Janie’s eyebrows shot up. “I see. Have a seat, and I’ll let Nurse Owens know that you’re here.”

I sat and Isabella claimed the seat next to me.

My hands were shaking, and I felt like I might throw up at any moment.

I didn’t think it was because I was pregnant, though.

I figured it was more nerves than anything else.

I was terrified about the results of the pregnancy test, and even more scared to tell my brother.

Oh, God. I’d have to tell Torch and the other Dixie Reapers! This really wasn’t going to go well.

Nurse Owens popped her head out into the waiting room. “Laken, why don’t you come on back?”

I stood and took a deep breath before I followed her down the hall.

She handed me a plastic cup and nodded to the bathroom.

I knew the drill after having a series of UTIs last year, and filled the cup, then stepped back into the hall where she was waiting.

Nurse Owens led me to an exam room, and I climbed onto the table, the paper crinkling underneath me.

“Now, why do you think you might be pregnant?” Nurse Owens asked.

“Well, my period is late by four days. And I’m never late. If anything, it comes a day or two early every month.”

Nurse Owens nodded. “I checked your file, and the last time you were here, you told Dr. Myron that you’re a virgin. I take it that has changed.”

Did she think it was an immaculate conception? How else would I think I was pregnant?

“Yeah. I had sex for the first time about three weeks ago, and then again about a week later.”

“You’re on the Depo-Provera shot, but it’s not one hundred percent foolproof.

You’d actually be surprised how many women get pregnant while they’re on the shot.

We’ll see what your urine shows, but we may do a blood test too, just to be sure.

It sounds like you aren’t very far along if you are pregnant, so blood would be more accurate. ”

“Can we go ahead and do that?” I asked.

“I’ll send someone in to draw your blood. Once I have the results from both tests, I’ll come back and let you know what we’ve found.”

“Thank you,” I murmured as she stepped out of the room.

It didn’t take long for someone to draw my blood, then I was stuck waiting.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out, wincing when I saw Flicker’s face.

I swiped the screen, ignoring the call, and knew he’d just keep calling until I answered.

But I didn’t want to talk to him, not yet anyway.

Hell, maybe not ever depending on what the test results revealed.

I didn’t know how I could go home if I was pregnant.

Flicker would be pissed, and likely all of the Dixie Reapers would be too.

And I could only imagine how Ryker would react.

When Nurse Owens stepped back into the room, the expression on her face said it all. My shoulders slumped as she came closer and patted my hand.

“You’re pregnant, honey, but it’s not the end of the world.

I’m going to give you a prescription for prenatal vitamins, and I’ll have Janie set up an appointment with Dr. Myron in a few weeks.

But if you have any questions in the meantime, you just call us night or day.

You still use the pharmacy on Main Street? ”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, Nurse Owens.”

The older woman smiled and opened the door, waiting for me to get off the table and walk out.

When we reached the front, Nurse Owens asked Janie to set up my next appointment, and then I walked out with a silent Isabella by my side.

She unlocked her SUV, but I just stood on the sidewalk staring at it.

I couldn’t go back to the compound, not right now anyway.

I needed some time to think. I knew I couldn’t keep this a secret, but I didn’t know how to tell everyone either.

I got into Isabella’s SUV and asked her to take me to the pharmacy.

“Are you pregnant?” she asked.

“Yeah. But don’t tell anyone. Not yet, please. I just need some time to figure everything out.”