Her grin widens as she points at my belly in triumph. “And wait until I tell him you’re preggo with Skinner’s baby!”
Blood drains from my face as Julien starts laughing but then there’s a sound of a smash, her eyes rolling back in her head and she drops to the floor. Behind her, Mayra’s standing with a frying pan in hand.
“I’ve always wanted to do that,” she breathes with red cheeks and I cover my mouth in shock.
“Ms. Mayra...you could’ve killed her.”
“Tough titty,” Mayra shrugs, lowering the pan, “now let’s get this over with. We don’t have any time to waste.”
Excitement flares in me. “You’re helping me then.” She nods and I add, “What made you change your mind?”
“Everybody deserves a happy ending. And I don’t like the thought of a baby being brought into the world without a father.”
Tears prickle my eyes and I pull her in for a crushing hug. “Thank you,” I weep but she brushes me off even as her face shines with emotions. After handing me the car keys, she steps into a closet and I tie up her hands and gag her mouth with a scarf. This will hopefully be believable. It better be and I blow her a kiss before closing the door.
Running down the hall, I sneak into the basement and nearly freak out at the sight of Rammstein. They went for his arms this time, his beautiful tan skin and muscles ruined by what looks like lash marks. His head flops to the side, his eyes closed and his tantalizing braids are a mess.
And yet, despite that he’s still the only male who can get my hormones going. “Rammstein?” I say, needing his attention but he doesn’t give it.
He’s unresponsive and I fill with dread. Running over to him, I clasp his face in my hands. “I need you,” I whisper. “Now more than ever. Do you hear me? I need you.”
The baby needs you! Your unborn son, your daughter...! We all need him!
Drool runs down from the corner of his mouth and I panic when I realize this won’t work. They went too harsh on him. He’s almost unconscious and I can’t carry him. I can’t even drag his body along because we’ll for sure get caught and anxiety wraps around my veins.
“Wake up, dammit,” I plead but his head just bobs in response. “Guess I’m just going to have to leave you here then,” I add, making it sound like a threat but he doesn’t react. Pinching my lips, I say, “If you don’t get up, I’ll go and find myself another male.”
His head jerks. Eyes flare, something murderous behind his gaze.
A thrill goes up my spine because at least this is a reaction and I cut him free from the ropes with the knife I brought.
“I’m going to marry him,” I continue and Rammstein stirs, “I’ll do everything for him, be his perfect little wifey, cook his meals, never deny him my body...”
An aggressive snarl escapes Rammstein’s chest. He straightens, getting up from the chair and he’s wobbly but at least he’s up. Nodding my head at him, I add, “Another male will take your place as my protector, my lover...”
Rammstein snarls in warning, walking closer and I pull up my sweater.
“Another male will raise your unborn child.”
That seals the deal because suddenly Rammstein seems to get an adrenaline rush, his steps steady and his eyes fill with possession when he corners me, possessively putting his hands on my belly.
“Is that something you’re going to a...allow?” I stutter. He shakes his head, uttering a single growl, while staring into my eyes with so much need that my womb clenches.
“I’ll kill anyone who tries taking what’s mine.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Rammstein
I don’t know how but somehow we manage to get to a car. Freya sits behind the wheel, wearing a coat she says belongs to the maid along with a scarf over her head. I hunker down as we pass the gates, my adrenaline running like crazy but the guards don’t pay much attention to us.
When finally out in freedom, Freya stops trembling, her face now determined and I’m tempted to reach out because I can’t believe what she just told me. She’s pregnant with my kid. I’m going to be a father and fuck, does that thought make warmth spread in my chest.
“Baby girl,” I whisper and she glances at me, “you know where you’re going?”
Embarrassment floods her face and she shakes her head as if scolding herself for not thinking that far. But I got it covered, pressing the coordinates of a place that I have. It’s a couple of hours away. Nobody knows about it. Not the mob, not the agency.
We can stay there. Build a home. Build a life for ourselves. Just me and Freya and to a man that’s been in hell for the past two days that sounds like heaven.