Ignite (The Disciples 4)

“Stop it. First of all, let me get a test. As for the rest, it will work itself out. And Axel does not want you gone. He’s just… Axel.” She stands, rubs my arms, and leaves.

I sit back down at the end of his large bed, thankful that James Dean and Dewey are at it, having fun, because I need to get out of here.

“I can’t do this. I have to go.” I jump up and run to his closet to drag my large suitcase out.

It figures he’s got it in the back, stacked nicely in between a keyboard and the wall.

“Shit.” I spin around as Eve opens the closet. She cocks her head and again, I wish I was her. She’s fearless and beautiful and not pregnant.

“Pee.” She hands me the test. “And you’re not running.”

“Eve.” I grab her hands. “Did you even hear me? I told him I loved him. He said that I need to take the dance gig. He doesn’t want me. I need to go.”

I must look crazy because she simply smiles and nods. “You need to pull yourself together.” She smirks. “Trust me. He wants you.”

Clearly she’s team Axel. Where’s Cindy when I need her?

“If I pee and if it says positive, you have to promise you will not tell anyone.” I stand straight. “This is my body and my life.” Eve has her life and is happy. Not all of us get that.

“Of course.” She looks insulted.

I take a deep breath. “Fine.” I walk past her and straight for the bathroom where I quickly pee. I don’t look at it as I wash my hands. After brushing my hair and splashing some water on my face, I call for Eve.

“Well?” She takes in my appearance.

“I haven’t looked.” I brush my teeth as my mind starts to function. It’s time for me to leave. I’ll call Bella. I’ll accept the backup dance gig, see if I can stay the night at Cindy’s—

“It’s positive.” She breathes out like this is a miracle. And my heart stops and then starts racing.

It’s positive.

I’m pregnant.

“Okay.” I spit and rinse. Glancing up at myself in the mirror, I hardly recognize the girl who blinks back at me. Somewhere along the line, I’ve changed. I’m not the same. Toni is gone and Antoinette blinks back at me. I reach up to touch my lips, which are swollen from his mouth, and notice the way my eyes are finally alive. I may be sad, even heartbroken, but no matter what happens, I have Axel to thank.

He woke me up and I’ll never let myself sleepwalk through life again.

“Oh my God. Antoinette.” Eve’s eyes are filled with tears. “A baby. Axel’s going to be a dad.” She sniffs, and I don’t want to have to remind her, but I need to because she’s already walking to her purse, probably to call Blade.

“Eve, we can’t tell him. We can’t tell anyone, remember? You promised.”

She turns and nods. “I know.”

She keeps walking and I panic. That’s it? That’s never it with Eve.

“Wait.”

She turns as she opens the door leading to James Dean and Dewey.

“Time to go,” she sings, and it dawns on me that I might be screwed.AXELAfter two hours of telling the same story over and over to the fucking Feds, I’m finally leaving. I guess they figured if they kept me long enough, I’d slip up. I never slip up.

Putting my sunglasses on, I get on my bike and weigh whether to go back to the clubhouse or stop by and have a couple of shots and see old Davey. The traffic is moving and I’m up over the hill in no time. I need sleep… need to stop thinking about her. The whole time I was waiting for the Feds my mind kept wandering back to last night. I can’t seem to shake it. She’s in my blood.

I pull into the alley and park my bike. If I get fucked up, I can always crash in his shithole office. I’ve done it before.

Walking into the dark wood and green-leather-seated bar, I look around at all his regulars who haven’t left in the thirty years he’s been open. He rode with Blade’s dad. He bought land and has become wealthy. He also owns one of my favorite dive bars.

This is exactly what I need. A couple of shots, play some pool, get my head on straight.

I step up to the bartender. She’s attractive. Red hair, big tits, and short shorts. Her eyes go straight to my tattoos.

“Hey, I know you.” She wipes her hands on the bar towel hanging out of her back pocket. Her breasts bounce as she props a booted foot on top of the ice bucket. “You’re a Disciple, right?”

“Is Davey here?” I sit down on one of the stools, ignoring the two suits sitting at the end of the bar.