He risked a glance. “Including your Packmaster? Did he know about the baby?”
I set the ice next to me. “That’s hardly your business.”
In the awkward silence, Atticus returned to his spot. “I couldn’t help but overhear some of your conversation with Ms. Breedlove. Did your mate reject you?”
I rose to my feet.
“He’s a deplorable excuse for a man.” Atticus met my eyes. “If you were mine, I would never treat you as less than a queen.”
“Salem and I were never a couple. It was a facade. But he’s a good man. He’s smart and helps people.”
“Except the one who needs it most.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I adjusted my shawl. “Salem was willing to care for me when no one else would, but wecouldn’t maintain a fake relationship in a pack for long. I shouldn’t even be telling you this. Are you charming me?”
“We’ve barely made eye contact.” Atticus rose to his feet and stood five inches taller. “Was he not there in your previous life? You mentioned men mistreated you. Did you not have a protector?”
“I learned to protect myself. People are deceptive, and it’s not always easy to spot the real wolves. When you’re a performer, no one takes you seriously.”
His black irises glittered with curiosity. “What kind of performer?”
I gave a breathy laugh. “Are you serious? You can’t be serious. I was an impersonator.”
He gave a blank stare.
This was an absolute first. The younger people didn’t always make the connection, but surely Atticus Rain hadn’t spent the past century in a cave. When it was clear he wasn’t trying to be funny, I realized how good it felt. Maybe someday I’d be able to separate myself from my past life for good.
“Marilyn Monroe. Why do you think that man approached me?”
“Because he doesn’t care to know the woman you are.”
“They see what they want to see. Even without all the makeup and glamorous clothes, I can’t escape it.”
“To me you look like Joy.”
What does he want from me? No one’s ever this nice without an ulterior motive.
He slowly raked his hair back. “I’ll burn this place to the ground before I let another man lay a hand on you. That means I’ll station a guard near your table on every visit.” His eyes swung down to my belly. “May I?”
I stepped back. “May you what?”
“Listen.”
Vampires had incredibly powerful hearing, so I wasn’t sure what he meant until he knelt before me. I stood flummoxed as Atticus placed his ear against my belly.
He sighed as if he were stepping into a hot bath. “That’s a sound that could lull me to sleep.”
“Vampires don’t sleep.”
His eyes flashed up and curved into black crescent moons when he smiled wide. “That we don’t.” Atticus rose to his feet, and after casting the plastic bag of ice aside, he slipped on his damp shirt. “Tell me, Joy, is there anything you need? I can make calls and secure the best midwife on the continent.”
“Please don’t.”
The thought of anyone calling around on my behalf unnerved me.
“Whatever you desire, I’m at your disposal.” He gestured to the door before walking alongside me. “It isn’t lost on me that you don’t trust Vampires, but I intend to earn your trust, just as I did with Melody’s former pack.”
Stopping at the door, I asked, “Why does it matter? I thought all Vampires were loners who didn’t want friends.”
