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“I’ll be watching you,” I whispered, even if fear made my voice tremble. I forced myself to turn my head, meeting every stare. “I’ll be watching all of you.”
London’s outstretched hand waited, leaving me to take it.
“You’ll see they remain here until this is over?” London asked one of his men.
“Yes, sir,” the mercenary replied, giving me a careful stare.
But it wasn’t me they should be wary of. My thoughts drifted to Carven, and then like they always did, to Colt. It was those men like Julius should be careful of. Men who were bred to hunt and destroy but who now had a conscience. Thanks to men like London.
I gripped his hand as he led me out of that boardroom, leaving the others behind. The mercenary standing in the reception area gave a nod as we walked past. But then we were out of there, heading to the elevator.
My knees shook, locking and unlocking as I stumbled for the elevator doors. But London was there, letting go of my hand to grasp me around the waist. “Easy,” he murmured, frantically stabbing the button for the elevator’s doors. “I got you, kitten. Learn on me.”
I did, clawing hold of his shirt, barely keeping myself upright before I lunged into the elevator and collapsed against the wall. As the doors closed, London rushed me, sliding his hands under my arms to lift me up. “Vivienne?”
I sucked in hard gasps, watching the lights in the elevator darken then grow neon bright. “I’m okay,” I said, mostly to myself. “I’m okay.”
My legs grew steadier, holding my weight more easily.
“What the fuck happened?”
I closed my eyes, unable to meet his gaze. No…this isn’t the time. “Nothing,” I answered.
Still, he grasped my chin and tilted my head up. “Look at me.”
I squeezed my eyes closed.
“Vivienne.”
There was that tone again, the deep, authoritative growl I was helpless to deny. I opened my eyes, seeing the desperate concern in his. “You okay?”
My belly dropped as the elevator stopped at the first floor. I gave a nod, steadying myself as I let go of the elevator wall. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” he disagreed.
But it was too late to answer, too late to tell him the truth.
No, I wasn’t fine.
I wasn’t anywhere near fine.
I held a secret, one I was keeping from him.
One that would change everything if he knew.
“Vivienne.” He called my name as I stumbled from the elevator.
The bright foyer lights and the afternoon sun were blinding, still I stumbled for that door.
For the fresh breath of air…and the desperate, fleeing seconds I needed to pull myself together.
I’m fine, I told myself as I remembered the thin white test I’d left on the counter in my bathroom.
A test that was undeniably positive.
TWENTY-ONE
London
