Reckless (16 page)

              “According to my ledger, you had her on the auction block for sale.” He said. There was embarrassment in James’ eyes before they went black. “How did she get away?”

              “Someone tipped her off.” He shrugged.

              “Who?”

              “I don’t know.” He insisted.

              “Why didn’t you find out?” he asked.

              “I was in prison.” He grunted.

              “Prison. Where I can have you sent back to very easily if you don’t do what I say.” Lucian pointed out. “Stay away from Brianna Michaels and do your job. I need a copy of the new ledger. I want the names of all the girls. Ages too. I don’t want anyone under sixteen on the block.”

              “But-“

              “But, what?” he demanded.

              “That cuts our profit. Are you sure you want to do that?” James was staring at him.

              Lucian sat back in his chair and glared at the piece of shit standing before him. He suddenly hated this guy more than anything else in the world. He hated him more than the whiny investors, the overpriced wedding planners, the hole in his heart for Brianna, and even his hate for his brother for taking her from him. He hated James Connor and he was going to destroy him.

              “There is no “our profit”. It’s my money. My business. And you’ll do well to remember it.” His voice was calm and deadly. “I’m not in the business of selling children to sick bastards. And if you have anyone under the age of sixteen on the block at this moment, I suggest you remove her, or I’ll gut you myself. Do. You. Understand. Me?”

              “Yes, sir.” James said, heading for the door.

              “And Connor?” he said, stopping him. “You have no personal time. Stay away from Brianna Michaels, or you’re out and I’ll black ball you so no one will do business with you ever again.”

              This seemed to really piss the guy off, but he said nothing. Instead, he stormed out of the office. He knew that Brianna was far from safe as he just goaded him. So, as he picked up the phone on his desk, he prayed that things went according to plan. Otherwise, he could lose everything.

              “Crosby, activate the team.” He instructed.

Thirty Two

              “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Drew demanded.

              The random tears over the last few days have finally wore out his nerves. Now, he was packing to head back to New York and she was in tears not ready for him to leave her just yet.

              “I don’t want you to hate me.” She sniffled.

              He put down the shirt he was about to stuff into his duffle bag and stared at her. “Are you sleeping with Lucian again?” he asked. When she gaped at him, he barked, “Tell me!”

              “No!” she cried, surprised by his outburst.

              “Then I suggest you tell me what it is that has you crying all the time, because it’s putting me on edge and I don’t like jumping to conclusions. It makes me…..” he sighed. “Just, tell me.”

              “I just don’t want you to think I did it on purpose, or that I’m trying to use you or anything like that.” She rambled. He just stood there, staring at her, so she blurted it out. “I’m pregnant.”

              He shook his head and continued to stuff his bag. “I know.”

              “You know?” she screeched, incredulous.

              “You’re showing, darling.” He said.

              “I am not!” she protested.

              “Not a lot, but enough for anyone who knows your body to notice.” He shrugged.

              “You’re not mad?” she asked quietly.

              “Of course not.”

              She bit her lip and stared at him. “What if I told you that the baby might be Lucian’s?” she asked. When she saw the anger flash across his face, she blurted out the rest. “I’m about fifteen weeks pregnant, and that puts the conception date to the one and only time that I was with both you and Lucian, so I really don’t know, but the baby could belong to either of you and I just don’t want you to think that I did this on purpose to get money or anything from you, because I mean, who in their right mind would want this! I really didn’t mean…..”

              Her rambling stopped when she finally got the courage to glance up at him. He was staring at her, his sapphire eyes boring into her. He didn’t look angry or upset in the least bit. He looked like he was almost happy about this.

              “Drew?”

              “I was just waiting for you to tell me, baby.” He said, pulling her into his arms and kissing the top of her head. “This child is mine and yours. Lucian has nothing to do with this.”

              “But-“

              “He’s chosen to live his life with Samantha, and we’re going to let him.” He went on. “We’ll do this together. Our child will want for nothing. I mean it.”

              She didn’t know how to respond to that, so she didn’t, choosing instead to put her head on his shoulder and wrap her arms around him.

              “If you already knew I was pregnant, why are you leaving me?” she asked.

              “Work. I need to make money for my little family.” He said, kissing the top of her head. “I’ll be back in a few days. And then we need to make sure you’re able to travel to Atlanta for the wedding.”

              “Whose wedding?” she frowned. When he just glared at her she nodded. “Oh.”

              “My mother and newest stepfather are hosting a pre wedding weekend for Lucian, Samantha, and their immediate family and close friends this weekend.” He said. “Apparently, they can’t just announced their wedding plans over the phone or on social media, they want to do something personal.”

              “That’s nice, I guess.” She shrugged. “So, you’ll be back on Friday?”

              “You’ll be at the airport at eight in the morning when my flight lands. They’ll refuel and you’ll join me on my flight to Atlanta.” He announced.

              “Are we going to tell your mom about the baby?” she asked. “I don’t think I should take anything away from the bride.”

              “We’re not going to make a big announcement, but my mother should know she has another grandchild on the way.” He said.

              She frowned. “Another?” she asked.

              “Ah! See, you don’t know everything about my baby sister. My mother is raising her high school mistake. I mean, my nephew, William.” He said.

              “Holy shit! Really?” she gasped.

              “Baby, you’re about to meet the real Spencer and Davenport family. And this is the world our child will be raised in.” he stuffed the last of his things into his bag and headed for the door. “Stick close to Jon and I’ll see you in a few days.”

              She nodded and kissed him goodbye. They were having a baby together. Her life was still a mess, and she was still torn between her feelings for both brothers, but she couldn’t dwell on it. Instead, she cradled her growing belly.

              “I’m having a baby.”