Page 45 of Unmasked

They smiled, and I stood, grabbing the bag from Theodore. “You’re amazing. Truly, thank you.”

“You never have to thank me.”

When I started walking, they followed. It had me stopping to turn and look at them.

“I’m going around the corner to the bathroom. Are you going to wait outside the door?”

Theodore glanced over to Vaughn, nodding. “I didn’t get out of bed for nothing. I’m waiting. The suspense is killing me.”

Vaughn nodded. “You don’t even have to ask.”

I sighed, shaking my head as I walked around the corner. I knew they were following, but I was too nervous to focus. Although I was excited, I was terrified what this meant. The trials were not something to rush. I could die. If I was pregnant, I could lose this baby. It wasn’t something to take lightly.

Opening the box, I read the instructions.

Vaughn said we would figure this out.

As I took the test, I forced myself to believe him.

A baby was a blessing for his line. It assured the survival. It reshaped history. It…

I swallowed hard, watching the saturation increase over the control line. I bit my lip, opening the door to look at the men. Vaughn surged forward with Theodore right behind him. I stared at the test on the countertop. I watched as the color intensified.

And then not one line… but two. I clenched my fists, watching as pink leaked into the line, growing brighter by the second. Lips crushed hard into my cheek as Vaughn hugged me from behind.

“We’re having a baby.” He let go, slapping Theodore’s shoulder, but keeping his voice low. “We’re having a baby.”

Loud laughter and cheers wavered behind me as I continued to stare down. I took in the lines. The meaning… and I processed. I let my mind race. Calculate.

One week.

That’s how long I had when I got back from Scotland…

I could do it.

I had to.

The later I waited, the more risk for the child. Morning sickness was already setting in. I had to work on my defense. Able was going with me. Just because we were in Scotland didn’t mean my training would stop.

I’d find a way to make this work. To pass the trials in record time. I no longer had a choice.

If I failed the trials… I died.

If I waited… I risked the baby.

I couldn’t afford to do either.

CHAPTER 13

Vaughn

I wanted to forget everything in our moment. I wanted to stay there. Kissing her. Touching her. Watching her stomach rise beneath my hand.

Penelope was completely undressed, laying in my bed, half asleep, half blissed out from our slow lovemaking. And I was here… feeling the hole in my chest close for the first time in my life.

A family.

An heir.