King Maker (King Maker 3)

“I’d waited three months to see you the other night. My loyal dick waited too. I can wait again. This time for you to figure out what you want. I have. Thu fhèin agus mise còmhla. Until then, fear not. I won’t fuck you again until you’re my wife. Maybe then you’ll believe I want more from you than sex.”

I let the door close between us. This time I headed for my car.

Thirty-Seven

I rushed to button up Kalen’s shirt and remembered I’d destroyed all the buttons. There wasn’t time, so I tied it together at the front and threw on a pair of sleep shorts. I’d been stupid again. Fear and insecurities had me throwing up walls when I trusted the man completely.

As I made my way to the door, a knock sounded. I threw it open thinking Kalen was there, but he wasn’t.

“It looks like you’ve been busy.”

If I’d braced myself, I might not have gone stumbling back when she shoved me. But I did and lost my footing.

My head hit the edge of the counter and I blanked out a second until I hit the floor hard.

“He doesn’t belong to you,” she said.

That was when the first blow hit my abdomen.

I was already seeing stars when the need to vomit flooded me as all the breath was stolen from my lungs.

“If you think you’re going to have his bastard, think again.”

Protectively, I curled my legs up, but not soon enough as the reign of terror began.

A glancing blow caught my side.

“You will never be a mother to my son.”

Then it was lights out as her foot connected with my face.

Rhythmic sounds of beeping invaded my dreams until I blinked my eyes open.

I thought I heard a muttered, “Thank God” before I focused on the speaker.

“What happened?” I croaked out.

Just as the question left my mouth, my memory of what happened flooded back.

Immediately, my hand went to my belly.

A cool hand stroked my cheek as Kalen’s face came closer into view. “Lass.”

Just as I was about to ask about my baby, a carbon copy of the man in miniature size popped up next to him.

“Are you okay?”

I reached out a hand to squeeze his.

“I’m fine,” I said, though I was far from it.

He bent his tiny face and planted a wet kiss on my cheek.

“Granny says kisses will make it better.”

I gave him my best smile. “It does. Thank you.”

“Do you want to watch a movie?” Kalen asked his son.

Gabe looked at me as if asking my permission. I nodded and he grinned at his father while bobbing his head.

“Give me a minute.”

He took a tablet and some earphones out of a backpack. He set his son up in a chair across the room in a corner near the window. Then the man came over, scooting his chair and taking my hand.

“Sorry. I’d picked up Gabe and given Ainsley time off when the call came through and Mum’s on a plane back to Scotland.”

“It’s fine,” I said, though I hated that Gabe saw me like this.

“I told him you fell.”

I remembered stumbling back and hitting my head as I fell. “I did,” I said, my hand touching the spot on my temple.

“You have a concussion.”

“They let me sleep,” I said in surprise.

“You’re allowed to as long as you’re monitored. Though you were out when they found you.”

“Who?” I asked in alarm.

“The security team.” He sighed. “Someone hacked the video feed and put it on a loop as if the hallway was empty.”

“Keely,” I whispered.

“What?” he asked as if he hadn’t heard me.

“Keely.” I put more volume behind it. “She’s the one who did this to me. They didn’t catch her.”

A storm gathered in Kalen’s expression as he shook his head. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Unless Gabe’s mother is someone else. She made it clear on her position about me having your child or being a mother to your son. How did she know?”

Kalen scrubbed a hand over his mouth. “I dinnae know. Though she’s always been good with computers.”

“Do you think she could be behind all of this?”

When he was quiet, I added, “I’m sorry this is hard to hear. She meant something to you once.”

“She means nothing, especially now. No one harms my family.”

Family. His family. I rubbed my belly again.

“Did I—?” I couldn’t bear to say it.

Kalen caught the movement of my hand on my abdomen. He placed his on top and threaded our fingers.

“Our wee bairn is fine.”

Though I hadn’t been sure in the beginning, after the shock had worn off, I’d known I wouldn’t give up my baby.

“Barrin?” I asked, before I remembered his mother had used that word.

“Bairn. Our wee one—little child is the correct translation.”

“We’re going to have a baby,” I said, my voice full of the wonder I still felt.

“Yes. And when they discharge you, you’re coming home.”