Page 36 of Vipers and Vendettas

‘I really was never this weepy before you, Jellybean,’ I whisper, putting my hand on my abdomen.

A throat clears, and my eyes fly open. I find Maddox sitting in a chair by the bed, looking amused. Blinking away sleep and tears, I sit up and put my clothes to rights in abject mortification. My skirt might as well not even exist; it’s ridden up so much, and I’m not even under the covers!

He doesn’t move as I overtly freak out. He just watches me, his eyes taking in my every movement as he seems to fight a smile at my expense.

‘I brought you some tea,’ he says.

‘Thanks,’ I whisper stiffly.

‘Your neck is looking much better,’ he remarks. ‘How does it feel?’

‘Better,’ I say, trying to speak normally, and I have my voice back mostly; I just sound a little croaky. ‘How long have I … been in here?’

‘You’ve been asleep for two days.’ He frowns. ‘You were exhausted, Julia.’

‘I work two jobs,’ I chuckle. ‘And I don’t sleep well.’

‘You didn’t take my mother’s ring when you left.’

The sudden change of subject has my sleep-addled brain stumbling to catch up.

‘Didn’t I,’ I say after a little too long. ‘Must have missed it. I was in a hurry.’

His eyes glint. ‘Of course, and when you sold the diamonds ... you sold them to a mainstream dealer because …’

‘Best price,’ I say, staring him in the eye.

‘Not because you knew I’d find everything easily?’ he asks.

‘No,’ I say, pursing my lips. ‘Why would I do that? Why would I care?’

‘Why, indeed.’ His eyes flick down to my bump. ‘Theo, the Iron I doctor you met in the Mountain, is coming here. I'm guessing you haven’t had a checkup.’

I shake my head.

‘How far along are you, Julia?’

‘About six weeks,’ I lie.

His brow quirks. ‘How did Tabitha know, then?’

‘She counts bodies. Of course she’d know,’ I say without missing a beat.

Maddox laughs, and I scowl at him. ‘Nice try. But you're showing. I Googled it. You’re at least fourteen weeks, which puts conception in the Mountain or just after we arrived here.’

‘It was in the Mountain,’ I say. ‘After I was captured.’

Now, Maddox rolls his eyes. ‘I already know you were with Axel and Jayce in the Mountain and with Krase not long after you returned here. Anyone else I should know about?’

‘Does it matter?’

He snorts. ‘No, I suppose not. It’s clear that this is a clan pregnancy.’

He leans forward a tad. ‘Did you do this on purpose, darling? Did you intend to be bred by one of us?’

‘You think I wanted this?’ I ask incredulously, my voice sharp.

His eyes harden.