Page 37 of Vipers and Vendettas

‘No, I didn’t do this on purpose.’ I take the mug that’s on the nightstand. ‘You won’t believe me, but I didn’t think I could have kids. I was in an accident. Years ago.’

His brow quirks, and I roll my eyes. ‘The doctors said the damage was extensive and, while I would have periods, and everything would seem normal, there would be too much scar tissue for impregnation. Do you want to see the letter? I have a copy in a safety deposit box in a human bank in London.’

'That won’t be necessary.’

‘Good,’ I spit. ‘Any more invasive questions?’

‘Just one.’ He stands up, putting his hands in his pockets as he looks down at me. ‘Why didn’t you get rid of it?’

My hand goes to my tummy again. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it. ‘I just couldn’t,’ I say.

‘I want a real answer, Julia.’

I meet his gaze, deciding in an instant to tell him the truth.

‘When I learned of it, I was scared, but I was also … happy. I’d never wanted children, but I realized that was only because I hadn’t thought I would ever have any. I suppose there was no point in wishing for something that could never be.’

He lets out a sigh, but his face doesn’t let me know his thoughts regarding my admission.

‘Theo will be here soon.’ He gestures to the bed, where I see some of my yoga pants and a top laid out. ‘Get dressed and come out when you’re ready. I’ll leave the fold open.’

He swings back before he leaves. ‘Don’t try anything, Julia,’ he warns, ‘or, pregnant or not, I’ll put you over my knee.’

I give him a curt nod, hoping he doesn’t notice the sudden spike in my arousal. It’s just the pregnancy, I tell myself. One of the books said this might happen. It’s hormones, that’s all.

Once he leaves, I take off my clothes. I go into the bathroom and take a quick shower because, to myself, I still smell like work.

I find the bathroom stocked with my favorite soap and conditioner, as well as a razor and various lotions. Maddox has been thorough, but I guess I’m their on-call girl. He probably wants to make sure I’m clean and polished.

Feeling a little numb, I wash my hair and body, but I don’t shave because fuck him. A nasty little voice in my head tells me he wouldn’t want to feed from me now anyway since I’m knocked up. I silence it and try to find a shred of my usual self-respect and confidence, with mixed results.

I get dressed and throw up my wet hair, going to the edge of the room. I’ve never been in such a tiny fold before, so I’m not sure exactly how to get out, but when I touch the wall in front of me, it shimmers. Taking a deep breath, I walk through and find myself in a closet. The door is open. I peer out cautiously and find a large bedroom. The walls are paneled like the ones in the parlor, and the four-poster bed is large and ornate. It looks like it's original to the house.

I look back at the closet door I just came out of. Even though it’s technically my new prison, I feel safer in the fold than I have for a long time, and I have to fight the urge to go straight back inside.

'Ready?’ Maddox asks.

I turn to find him sitting at an exact replica of the desk in the library. It’s in front of a large window that overlooks the gardens, and I can’t help but wonder why he was down in the library so often if he has this space up here, too.

I give him a nod and pad across the room, trying to forget the fold for now.

‘Where are your shoes?’ he asks, sounding frustrated. ‘It’s winter, Julia!’

I give him a puzzled look and look down at my bare feet. ‘I wasn’t wearing any.’

Muttering something I can’t make out, he opens a drawer and pulls out a pair of thick socks.

‘Here,’ he says sharply, holding them out.

I take them carefully from his grasp, ensuring I don’t touch him. I lean against his bed to put them on, and when I’m ready, he leads me out the door and down the hall.

We go downstairs to a room next to the gym just off the kitchen. We don’t see anyone, but I get the distinct impression that I’m being watched and not just by the cameras.

The small medical room has a desk and a couple of chairs. There’s a blue, pleather bed, the kind that’s always at the doctor’s, and a blue curtain on a rail that can be pulled across for privacy.

Theo’s standing by the window, looking at a clipboard.

‘Ah, Ms. Brand,’ he greets with a warm smile. ‘Please sit down.’