He dragged his fingers over my cheek. “I can’t say I’m sorry about what I did to her. And I know you’re struggling with your feelings for her. I can feel it, baby doll. Please remember that my actions will always be to protect you”—he rubbed my belly—“and them.”
“I would never fault you for putting your family first. I just wish Rianne would come to her senses. But I don’t think she ever will.”
He straightened, staring at me as though he was struggling with what to say next.
My stomach pitched. “What is it?” I couldn’t think past my question.
He plucked the sonogram from me, set it on the table beside the bed, then grabbed my hand. “Jordyn and Junior bolted out of here the night I was on my way to you.”
I gnawed on my lower lip. “Don’t tell me my grandmother has them.” Knowing Jordyn, she would do everything to rescue me. As far as Junior went, he wanted answers from Carly. So both of them had reasons to help.
“No. I don’t know the details, but Junior and Jordyn were in a car accident in New Jersey.” He squeezed my shaky hand. “Jordyn’s okay.” He gave me a sorrowful smile. “Junior didn’t make it.”
Shock sliced through me, and the medical machine I was hooked up to beeped endlessly. I shuddered out a breath, grateful that fate had my sister’s back but devastated that Junior was dead. He was irritating, stubborn, and got on my nerves like his father, Jack, but Junior had been an overall good person.
Tears slipped out one by one. “Does Jack know? This will destroy him and my aunt Tab.”
“Webb doesn’t have all the facts. My father is on his way home. He’s stopping in New Jersey to pick up Jordyn. They’ll be here tonight.”
“When will any of this end, Sam?” I asked, heartache steeped in every word. “Why is part of my family evil and the other half good? We can’t keep losing loved ones. I’m so frightened for our children. I’m frustrated, too, that I can’t contribute and fight like I want to. I feel helpless. These people have to be stopped at all costs.” I shivered, wiping my nose with my free hand.
He dashed tears away with the pad of his thumb. “They will get what’s coming to them. I promise. But it won’t happen overnight. Right now, we need to take care of you and the little tykes. Your health and safety isournumber one priority.”
I sniffled. “Then do you think Maine is wise?” I wanted to go more than anything. A conversation I’d had with Steven came to mind. “Your dad believes the naval base is the best place to protect me.”
“Yes, but… your grandmother knows where you are, as do others, like Roman. As long as they know that, they won’t be looking elsewhere for us. We’ll let them think we’re here, and if they declare war and storm the base, they won’t find you.”
That made perfect sense. Maybe we could relax and leave our worries behind. “Can Jordyn come with?”
I hated to ask, since Sam and I had been constantly torn apart. Spending time with him was crucial to our relationship from a physical and emotional aspect. Not to mention, we didn’t know a great deal about each other, and we had a list of items to talk about and agree on before I delivered.
Yet, I would hate myself if another thing happened to Jordyn. She’d been beaten by Fred Emery and now the accident. I needed Sam but also my sister.
“Of course, baby doll.” His loving and lustful gaze caressed the length of my body.
Heat and tingles snaked along my skin as if he was licking every inch of me. “Horny, vampire?”
The question was swept out of the room as Dr. Vieira came in, wearing the usual—a lab coat hanging over a collared shirt and a pair of dress slacks. “Nice to see you’re awake. How are you feeling?” He checked the empty IV bag that looked like it had contained blood.
“I feel great.” Physically, I did, although the truth would be revealed when I stood. My muscles had gotten a workout of epic proportions from traipsing through the mountains. “Iamhungry. I could go for a juicy hamburger. Oh, and a long shower.” I didn’t have to feel my hair to know it was dirty and matted to my head. “How long have I been home?” Home. I hadn’t felt like I belonged anywhere since my dad died, and it sounded odd to refer to a naval base with vampires as home.
“That’s right. You are home,” Sam said, probably feeling or seeing some type of emotion from me.
Human vampire hunter meets vampire. Falls in love and has four babies. Now that’s a story waiting to be told.
Dr. Vieira flashed his brown eyes at me as he readied his stethoscope. “You’ve been in and out of consciousness for four days. Do you remember much?”
Sam threaded his fingers through mine.
“Aside from talking to Sam, I only remember the ultrasound,” I said, giddy.
Dr. Vieira listened to my heart and lungs. When he was done, he wrapped the stethoscope around his neck. “Definitely a vast improvement. You had one hell of an experience.”
“Itwashell,” I agreed. “But I have questions. Carly figured out I’m carrying a supernatural baby, although I didn’t share that I had four growing inside me. Still, she believes it’s growing faster than a human one. I’ve been thinking that I’m big because I’m having four—but is there any truth to her theory? She seemed worried I could have severe complications, especially with my heart.” I paraphrased what I’d heard and remembered.
“Did you find a case like ours in the archives?” Sam asked. “Jo told me you did.”
My eyebrows lifted. “That’s great news, right?”
