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“Like Arja,” Jude prompted, fascinated by the spread of antipathy that flickered in Cassie’s features.
“Yes. Like Arja.”
“You are jealous.”
Cassie nodded. “I have no right. He didn’t make me any promises.”
“Didn’t he?” Jude wondered, rubbing a finger over Cassie’s hand.
“No. I swear, he didn’t. I knew the score, Jude.”
“He might not have said as much in words, but he promised you the world with his actions.”
Cassie squeezed her eyes shut. “It’s a mess.” Her hand dropped to her flat stomach. “I’m sure he’s wrong. I’m not pregnant. I couldn’t be.”
Jude squeezed her hand. “Only one way to find out.”
“I’m not calling Layth,” Cassie muttered, the very idea sending her into shockwaves of panic.
“God, no, I don’t mean that. Let’s get our own Doctor to check you out.”
Cassie brightened instantly. It hadn’t occurred to her. “Jude, you’re a genius.”
“Yes, Yes. Well, someone has to be.” She was already reaching for her phone, to make the appointment.
“But first,” Jude said, disconnecting the call. “Rest. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
Cassie shook her head on instinct. “I couldn’t possibly sleep.”
“Nonsense.” Jude put a hand out and Cassie folded hers into it. “You haven’t seen the new conservatory yet. Come, look.”
Cassie walked with Jude into a glass room that had been added to the side of the house. It was exquisite, though Cassie expected little less of Jude. “Lie down.” Jude nodded to the iron daybed in the centre of the room. Cassie did so, if only to be able to appreciate the greenery better.
Jude pressed a button by the wall, and the muted strains of jazz filtered into the space. “I’ll wake you in time for your appointment. Rest, Silver. Nothing good can come from your exhaustion, no matter what the doctor says.”
Cassie was adamant she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but less than a minute after Jude had left the room, her blue eyes flickered closed and her mind was finally at peace.
Her sleep was deep and unbroken, but her dreams were alive with children. Chubby little babies with their father’s skin and hair and her bright blue eyes. Cassie smiled in her sleep as she cuddled
them close, comforted by their ample flesh and dimpled smiles.
Layth was touching her. His hands on her body were warm and strong. Cassie’s smile deepened and she stretched, the familiar ache spreading through her body. She blinked her eyes open and smiled up at him.
His face was dappled by early afternoon sun, and his eyes were dark on her sleep-creased face.
Cassie sat up, her heart pounding, as memories began to clarify in her mind.
“Layth?” She blinked. Was she still dreaming? Her eyes drank him in, then moved beyond him. Jude was in the doorframe, her body wound tighter than a spring. She was a Lioness protecting her cub; everything about her body language radiated the fiercest love.
Cassie hooked her finger over her necklace, her anxiety obvious. “What are you doing here?” She groaned, shaking her head. “And how did you find me?”
His expression was laced with mockery. “Next time you wish to run away, do not use a taxi cab that is easily traceable.”
“Oh.” She bit down on her lip, anger at Agent Two bubbling to the surface. “I came here because I wanted to get away from you, don’t you understand that?”
He shot Aunt Jude a look of impatience. “We must discuss this privately.”
Cassie again shook her head. “Jude is family. She can hear whatever you’ve got to say.”
