“Don’t ever think for a second you’re not my priority.” I smoothed a hand over her hair. “Layla, you own my heart.”
She gave me a weak smile. “Even with a baby who will have fangs?” Tears clouded her pretty eyes.
I nibbled on her bottom lip. “Doc isn’t sure about that. And even if he was, it doesn’t matter. Fangs or not, our kid will be a vampire.”
“What if it's a girl?” She blinked and a tear cascaded down her cheek. “Then she won’t be able to have kids. At least if she’s born human, she can make the decision to turn when she reaches the right age. Look at Alia Costner. She didn’t turn so she could have kids. I want my child to be able to choose.”
There was the crux of why she was freaking out. But we couldn’t control the outcome of the sex or whether the baby was human or not. “I do too. But my biggest concern right now is that you look extremely pale.” I pulled a knife from the sheath strapped to my leg.
“I don’t want blood.”
My forehead creased. “Then you need to eat something.” I helped her down and was about to forage through the fridge when she caught my hand.
“Sam, please tell me everything will be fine. That I can have our child.”
My chest clenched painfully as I cocooned her in my arms, digging deeper for something to say. “I’m not going anywhere.” I felt compelled to reassure her. “We can have this baby. You can have this baby. You’re strong, Layla. And you have a whole team of people here, rooting for you.”
Then I kissed her like she mattered, because she did, and I would continually show her that she had my soul.
32
SAM
Two days had passed since my old man shared Jack’s voice mail with us. We’d been in planning mode, strategizing, running through scenarios, and listing the tactics associated with each. We were also searching for a meeting place, which we had yet to find. But we couldn’t proceed if Jack didn’t return my father’s call.
According to Layla, Noah was missing, and the Aberdeens were concerned that Roman had taken him. If Jack wanted our help, he sure as hell wasn’t making his son a priority—unless Jack had given in to Roman’s demands. Though, Jack didn’t strike me as the type to ask for help or give in to anyone. His pride drove his actions, and he was also a skilled hunter.
I skirted a table in the infirmary on my way to see Ben. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to him. As I brought Wyman in, Jo had called about Layla, and I’d rushed out.
“Sam, don’t take too long,” Dr. Vieira called from his office behind me. “I want to start pulling your blood before Dane comes in.”
I grumbled at the shifter’s name. It had been over a week since the alpha of the Gray Pack had been there. Nevertheless, I came to an abrupt halt, spun on my heel, and strode to his office. “Did you find out why the drug is killing shifters?”
“The toxicology report isn’t back yet. He’s dropping off another supply of shifter blood. Ben’s wound hasn’t fully healed, but I think I know why. I just need to run some tests.”
“You think the antidote we have on hand will help us when we meet with Jack?” I asked.
“I haven’t tested it against that drug, but all of you will get the antidote just the same. I’ll be out in about ten minutes.” He yanked his cell from atop a stack of folders. “One more thing, Sam. Play nice if you’re here when Dane comes in.”
I nodded even though I couldn’t promise Doc anything, although I needed to thank Dane for his help.
Ben grinned the minute I strutted in. “Dude, finally. How are you? I heard you were almost burned alive. And shit, Layla is pregnant. Man, I missed so much. How are you holding up?” His jaw looked like it might come unhinged, as if he had just heard about the baby.
I ponied up to his bed and gave him a quick bro hug. “By a thread. Sorry I haven’t had a chance to talk. You look better today.” His reddish-brown eyes were clear. Color had returned to his face, although it was hard to see much beneath the thick beard that had grown in.
“I feel better, but for some reason, the wound isn’t completely healed yet. I’m so ready to join the ranks of the living.” He threw the blanket off him and exposed the injury on his hip. “Doc says my human side is fighting with my vampire side. He’s waiting for more shifter blood.”
“That looks a thousand times better, dude. Doc will come through,” I assured him.
“I sure as fuck hope so. If not, I’m done with the SEALs.” He replaced the bandage and pulled the blanket up to his waist. “I hear you’re meeting with Jack Aberdeen. When? Maybe I can be part of that.”
“Jack hasn’t called to confirm. And before you ask, we don’t have any leads on Roman or Rianne. I take it Doc or Tripp filled you in on that too.”
He nodded. “Tripp is hoping I’m healed in time for whatever is coming.” The one skill Ben brought to the table as a half-breed was his strength. He was stronger than the average vampire, which didn’t make sense since he was half human.
“It’s something big. I can feel it.”
“You’re usually never wrong about those gut feelings,” he said.
