Page 28

TWENTY-SEVEN

Dante

I left them in Theodore’s room to follow Inaya to the examination. I know this is much safer than her being alone, but it still doesn’t sit right with me that Father is in the wind. He needs time to heal, but he’s also too smart to go somewhere I’d know to find him. I have to try to think like him. I don’t make it far before Andrea stops me with his sidekick in tow.

“I’d just like to offer a small piece of advice,” he starts. I give him a blank stare since I don’t know what he thinks he can tell me. “I’m going out on a limb and assume that relationships are new, so love is foreign-”

Who said anything about love? I withhold a frown, but the word keeps popping around my head. I feel a connection to her, but love is a bit of a stretch, isn’t it? Theodore’s laugh pulls me out of my thoughts.

“Andrea, are you trying to give relationship advice?”

Andrea looks at Theodore, surprised that his attempt is considered funny. “Yeah, it’s good fucking advice, too.”

Relationship? I know I consider her as mine, but that’s not a word I use either.

“Can one of you wrap this up before I stab someone.”

My request gets their attention. Both give me odd looks before moving forward.

“Here’s the long and short of it. Try to pay attention to her needs and don’t leave her in the dark,” Theodore summarizes.

I still think she needs to feel grateful for being alive, but I just nod at the advice. Inaya and I have things to figure out, but we’re not exactly getting married tomorrow.

“I was going to say,” Andrea interjects, “Pregnant women are emotional and can be borderline violent. Your training hasn’t prepared you for that kind of temper.”

“That’s why she stabbed the doctor,” I muse out loud. Both give me looks that ask me to expand, but I don’t. “Noted. Are you done?”

It’s been a couple of minutes since Inaya and Kennedy disappeared behind the door and I rather know what’s going on in there.

They chuckle for some reason but nod. It’s strange having people trying to be friendly, but I’m certain that I would have punched one of them in the throat if they attempted some kind of hug or group hug.

Kennedy and Inaya are talking when I arrive. Kennedy removes her gloves and looks up at me.

“Everything is fine, sir.” I realize that she doesn’t know my name, but I make no moves to rectify that either. “She’ll need to come to the clinic so we can do an ultrasound and check how the baby is growing.”

Inaya sends me a tentative look since I haven’t said anything about the baby. But I’m not sure what she wants me to say. The green dress she changed into is very pretty on her, and despite the hellish few days she’s had, she still has a somewhat innocent glow. Her eyes plead for something, but I’m not sure what it is or how to give it to her.

I move my attention back to the doctor. “Okay, let us know when.”

She nods and moves to the next order of business. “Theodore said you can stay on his side, since they don’t live here. I can show you two where that is. Do you need two rooms or one?”

Once more, Inaya looks at me as if my answer could be a portal into my brain or something. If there is a question on her mind, she needs to just ask.

“One is fine.”

Inaya releases a breath, but I’m not sure why she thought we wouldn’t share a room since we’ve shared from the moment I kidnapped her. Maybe they’re right. Pregnancy makes women weird.

Kennedy disappears after she guides us to the room. The silent click of the door announces that we’re alone once again. Inaya is still looking at me with big eyes, but I try to meet Theodore and Andrea in the middle by remembering their attempt to give me advice.

“Just say what’s on your mind, Inaya.”

She sits on the bed with a sigh. “Maybe I’m just tired.”

I rub the back of my neck. My mind is trying to create future plans, but I need to focus on what’s happening now. She needs something from me but I’m in unfamiliar territory.

“I’ve been around you enough to know your moods. This isn’t you tired. What’s on your mind? Be honest.”

I’m not telling her to be honest because I believe she’s about to lie. I just need her to say what she’s holding in. We don’t have time for this.

Inaya looks down, then back up to me. “You were sweeter and now you’re distant. Plus, you haven’t said anything about my…condition. Are you upset that I’m pregnant?”

“I don’t know how I feel about you being pregnant, so I haven’t mentioned it. Father told us we were sterile, but it’s obvious it’s mine since you haven’t had time to get pregnant from anyone else.” I can tell it’s not the answer she’s looking for right now, so I do the best I can in this situation. “I’ll be back.”

I backtrack to find the bleeding heart. I’m not surprised that he’s in Andrea’s office. They are waiting for me, after all. Watching Theodore interact with Tatum is the unexpected part. I can tell that he loves him based on how he holds him and speaks to him; I’m just not sure if I can see myself doing the same thing. I know I’d protect the child and Inaya with everything in my power, but love is a different, foreign feeling. I can give loyalty without love, but I don’t know if I can love.

“She wants to talk about the pregnancy,” I announce to grab his attention.

“Okay,” he says slowly as he turns to look at me. “What about it?”

I shrug. “Don’t know. She said I haven’t mentioned it. She perceives my distance as me being upset.”

“Are you upset?”

I keep my eyes on him, not allowing my gaze to waver. “No. It’s not an emotion that comes to mind. After the initial surprise of it, I haven’t thought beyond it.”

Theodore adjusts Tatum so he’s resting in the crook of his arm. “Why are you refusing to think about it?”

“I didn’t think I was refusing…” I start, but my voice trails off as I try to consider what he’s suggesting.

“I’ll speak from experience. I can't think of a time when I didn’t want to be a father, and guess what was the main emotion I felt when I found out it was happening."

"Happiness?" I venture, although happiness is another foreign concept for me.

"Fear." His answer gives me pause, but hits something deep within me. I rub my neck as I listen. "This is one of the few moments where fear is normal. It means you care about your child, which is preferable. Right?" He continues when I nod. "She's scared too, so if you don't have the words, just hold and comfort her."

It sounds doable. I turn to leave, but he stops me.

"Reaper?" Our eyes meet again, and I'm surprised to find concern in them. "I’m not going to pretend to know what that piece of shit did or said to you, but he's wrong. You can care for and connect with humans. That’s why she's still alive."

It's odd to find his advice helpful. "Thank you."

I use those words for gratitude and to announce my departure. Inaya is where she was the last time I saw her. She sits up and swipes at her eyes when she sees me.

Tears.

Kicking off my shoes, I move farther into the room. She looks up expectantly when I stand in front of her. Her fingertips brush mine when she reaches for my offered hand. I pull her to me once she stands and wrap my arms around her.

She returns the hug, holding me tightly as she cries. I rub her back as she releases her emotions. Kissing the top of her head on instinct, I say the main thing that's on my mind.

"It's okay. He'll never hurt you again."