AllFreeNovel
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This is a life-changing amount of money. And I haven’t been this close to freedom in, well, since I met Joey.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen any of the girls. My belly flutters with nerves at the idea.
Leandro’s been gone for a while now, and I think I’m done vomiting for the hour, so I pick myself up and head toward the window facing the shack. My breath hitches upon seeing Leandro stalking toward it with a very aggravated Maria at his heels.
I rush outside to get ahead of my anxiety. Might as well rip the band-aid off.
When I swing the door open, our eyes lock. It’s been nearly a month with no contact. I’ve gotten VIP treatment and VIP dick all while they sit confined more than ever. Guilt wraps me like a straight-jacket.
“Highness.” Maria tilts her head at me, earning a scoff from Leandro.
“Cut it out,” he barks. “Fix her, she’s sick.”
Maria eyes Leandro, telling him to go inside.
He folds his arms in response.
“This is a lady matter,” Maria says matter-of-factly.
“Can I trust you not to do anything stupid?”
“Do I look like Anabel?” She presents herself, stethoscope and tools in hand.
“Fine.” He stomps inside and shuts the door.
I plop on one of the two lawn chairs he has set up.
“You look pale.” Maria inspects me. “What have you been eating?”
“Doesn’t matter. Everything I eat, I throw up these past few days.” I hold my belly, loving the connection I feel to this little thing baking inside me, even if it is beating the shit out of me.
She sniffs, eyeing the floor.
“What?”
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen a pregnant woman. I worked for a year in the natal unit.”
My eyes light up. “I didn’t realize—”
“Of course not. You ran away from all of us, left us in the wind.”
I want to fold over from the proverbial punch to the gut. “Maria. Anabel would’ve—”
She waves her hand away. “Come on, let me have a look at you. Reaper’s watching, after all.” She leans in and shines a light in my eyes. “Look up to the sky. Right. Left. Okay.” She continues to test my heart, then moves the stethoscope down to the belly. Her lips move all the way to one side as she concentrates.
“Anything?” I ask hopefully.
“Too early. Give it another month or so.”
She continues going through a check-up with the tools she has available – checking my ears, my throat.
“How are the others?” I dare to ask.
She eyes me up close, and I feel those daggers pinch my skin. “It’s getting a little grim down there. Anabel feels cheated, Gabby misses her friend. Jane… is losing hope on getting out.”
Tears build up in my eyes.
Just hang in there, girls. I’m going to get you all out. I promise.
