The Dark Prince (The Dark Prince Trilogy #1)

by Autumn Winchester

  “I’ll still have mom come look her over, and you too possibly,” Chase mused.

  “Chase, I’m fine,” Clare said, things clicking into place. She kept her look concerned as to not give herself away. “But Summer should be looked at. Not sure what your mom can do to help though.”

  “Depending what she has going on, mom can figure something out, unless she needs an IV,” Chase answered. It was a strong possibility that an IV would be the most helpful at the moment.

  “She has been drinking a lot,” Clare piped up.

  “That’s good,” Chase smiled, seeing his wife’s eyes finally close as sleep claimed her. “Do you know where Summer had her two school choices?”

  “Yep!” Clare said happy for the subject change. “I’ll go get them.”

  While Clare went upstairs with a bounce in her step, Chase walked to his office, calling his mom to come over to figure out what was wrong with his wife. It was definitely not the way he had planned to spend his first day home, but was glad he was home now instead of days later. He regretted even more how he had been ignoring Summer, fearing he may have done more damage to their already fragile relationship.

  Chapter 15

  As Summer slept, Chase waited for his mother, and in turn his father, to show up. He paced the house from one side to the other. He ignored the concerned looks from Clare as she sat on the chair with her iPad, not wanting her sister to be out of her sight. If Chase was worried, then Claire, too should be.

  Clare had been sick a number of times, and was in no way a healthy child, but she had a good idea on what was going on. It didn’t take much to put two and two together in this instance. But Clare hoped beyond hope that she was wrong, that her ideas were just that – ideas. It wouldn’t do the older girl any good if Clare’s fears were correct. It would very easily kill Summer, because now just wasn’t the time. Summer was in no way mentally able to handle it if she was right.

  Summer seemed to be healthier, even with her circumstances of where she had been her entire life. It was amazing that she wasn’t sick more often other than little colds or stomach bugs. She easily chalked this up to be food poisoning, or just a bad case of the flu. She’d been poisoned a time or two on purpose, even.

  Chase ran his hand through his hair too many times to count, not sure what to do, what to say. He was worried for his wife. He was sure this was all because of his absence for almost four weeks. He never should have acted like he did after Valerie said those things, but he didn’t know what to do then either. He certainly felt like he deserved to be punished because of it.

  Chase knew he had feelings towards his wife that he didn’t expect, and using that for the reason of leaving the house for so long was not a smart idea either.

  Chase knew that his entire family already adored both girls and welcomed them with open arms, which was surprising. Zinna was the same way, of course, as she was just . . . Zinna. But Valerie didn’t get a grand acceptance or even hardly a warm welcoming at all at first. She always had an air about her that she was better than anyone else, and it took a while for Chase to tolerate his sister-in-law. He still sometimes didn’t tolerate her after four years.

  Chase’s mind ran over all the things he had accomplished while he had been avoiding Summer. In his time away from the house, he had taken care of a few more pressing matters.

  ~oOo~

  Sitting in the most uncomfortable chair in the warehouse, Chase paced circles around the man that was blindfolded. The Prince knew he shouldn’t let his anger control him, but he needed to take care of this pig that sat tied in front of him.

  But it was a good time as any to get his answers. He had caught the man trying to steal some of the materials that was in a shipment, and Carter had been the one that clued Chase into the fact that there was a spy on their hands. Spy’s were normally killed on the spot, no time given for an explanation. Only a certain few were given time, mostly so the Prince could trail them for days to learn what they were up to exactly.

  “What did you plan to do?” Chase nearly barked out. “Did you really think you could get past me?”

  “He paid me, man!” the man said, his voice shrill in panic. Once again, he tested the rope around his arms, and found there was no escape. The only thing it was doing was causing more of a burn than any escape route.

  “Who?” Chase snarled out. His voice was filled with anger and disgust, hand at his sides.

  “Blackhawk. He . . . he didn’t show his face, but he told me to try to get a few of your shipments away from you,” the man’s voice shook.

  “What shipments?” Chase sighed out, knowing already what needed to be done.

  "A few guns that had tracking numbers on them,” the hostage answered quickly. “The two that are on the far right hand side of the storage crate.”

  Chase knew exactly what guns the man was talking about, as he already knew what would be done with them, and who they were tied to. Jason Meads was attempting to frame Chase Marcel for stolen goods. Stupid man. Chase was smarter than that.

  “Blackhawk? Who is he?” Chase needed to know who this man was. It wasn’t the first time his name popped up, and it wouldn’t be the last.

  “I don’t know, man!” he shouted, fed up. Chase couldn’t decide if Blackhawk was on his side or not. The mystery person had popped up a few times when Chase needed a clue on what to do and who to trust. Without a second thought, Chase pulled out his Smith and Wesson model 1911, and shot the man in the head. A quick and painless death, but still messy. He didn’t even give the man time to say his prayers.

  “Let Brownstead be found, but nowhere populated,” Chase barked out towards Jerry, who was quick to start the clean-up while Chase went to sort through his shipment now that the issue was taken care of.

  ~oOo~

  Summer slept through Chase’s pacing, and Clare was unsure how. But with the lack of sleep, it shouldn’t have been a surprising fact. Clare had woken up often during the night, finding Summer gone from bed, or wide awake as she stared blankly out the window.

  Clare turned her attention back to reading the latest book she found, as Chase paced through the house once again, waiting on edge for his parents to show up. He knew his father was going to have a few words with him about his behavior while his mom looked Summer over, so she could answer whatever needed to be answered without the fear of Chase hovering over her. And Chase would for sure hover over his wife. She was not well, and he had to make sure that she was taken well care of. It was the least he could do.

  An hour after the dreaded phone call, Ivan and Kayla pulled up to Chase’s house. It took them longer than he would have liked, but as it was Kayla’s day off. He did feel slightly guilty for interrupting her time, even though she only worked part time.

  “Hello, son,” Ivan said, seeing Chase as he opened the front door.

  “Thank you for coming, mom,” Chase spoke sheepishly. He was probably worried for nothing, but he knew he would feel better if his mom looked his wife over.

  “Of course, dear,” she said, giving him a quick hug and then making her way to the living room, carrying her doctor's bag with her.

  “Let’s stay out here, son,” Ivan said, stuffing his hands in his pockets His dark sun glasses covered his eyes, so Chase was unable to see what his thoughts were.

  Chase closed the door behind him, taking a stand against the porch railing. He kept his eyes on the door, willing it to open. He didn’t want to talk to his father, but knew he didn’t have a choice.

  “What were you thinking?” Ivan asked, keeping his voice calm despite the rise in pitch. Chase knew his father was disappointed in the way he acted. His shoulders were held back, his back stiff.

  “I wasn’t,” Chase mumbled out, running a hand roughly over his face. “I’m . . . having feelings for the girl, dad. I don’t want to!” Chase told the truth. He hadn’t meant to fall in love with the enemy’s daughter, knowing that it would cause more issues, more problems, later on. It wasn’t safe to l
ove, and especially not Summer. Just because Chase had known the girl for years before he actually took her didn’t make a difference. Her sweet innocence appealed to him in ways no one else ever had before.

  “Chase,” Ivan sighed out, trying to find the right words to not push his son over the edge. “How can you be sure? You haven’t known her that long, son. I know you met her years ago, but that doesn’t have to affect the way you feel now, today. She is a sweet girl, but giving her a chance at life is better than falling in love with the girl.”

  “I didn’t mean to, dad! But she needs love, and I . . . . I couldn’t stop it. I don’t know what I would do without her. She’s . . . Summer,” Chase said, not able to get his words right. “So I ran, not wanting to hurt her more. And then what Valerie said didn’t help matters either.” He picked her for more than her blood line. Although, that was only part of his choice. Combining two strong bloodlines would be the best thing to ever happen, but Summer was just so much more than that. She was . . . . Summer Grace.

  “Valerie has been dealt with. She isn’t allowed in our house anymore,” Ivan replied, his voice filled with unsaid threats. “Trent told me about her other bank account, and I don’t trust her. I never did. If it wasn’t for the fact that Trent is still married her, I’d shoot her myself.”

  The older man had tried to get Trent to not marry that woman, even if her father gave them money for him to do so. It wasn’t worth the risk of their family, to marry a woman that was hell bent on spending money just to spend it, and thinking she could get away without paying a price for her behavior. Valerie had grown up being a spoiled brat, getting her way constantly. It was highly likely that it was because she had no mother, as she had overdosed shortly after the girl was born. But that didn’t excuse the way she had behaved, nor would it.

  “I know. And Trent never listened to you,” Chase said, rubbing a hand across his face.

  “Do you trust those two girls in there?” Chase shot another look at the door before turning his green eyes to his father. Chase waited, afraid for the answer. He wasn’t sure if he really wanted to know. What would he do if the answer was no?

  “Yes,” Ivan answered after a few moments of deep thought. “I have watched them through the years, just because I knew who they were. Your mom begged me many times to take them in, Summer more so than Clare. But I didn’t, in fear of what Jason would do to our family, if he knew my motive. Clare was mostly okay where she was, until she ran off. But Summer,” he swallowed. “That girl has had a hard life. She shouldn’t have survived what she has, and to live to tell the tale of it.

  “Some people are born into our way of life with no worries until they get older, and I wasn’t going to risk my family’s life over two girls who should mean nothing to me. They were never part of our blood family, so I chose to stand back. Fate would do what needed to get them to wherever they were meant to be.

  “But you, Chase, Jason doesn’t expect that. But I’m sure he knows about it by now. Over a month you have been married now, and yet there are no rumors out about who Summer really is. In the last few years, she has changed a lot. And seeing you with Summer, you have changed. You both have.

  “So, yes, Chase. I trust them both. They would not turn their back on you for any reason. They were born into this life with no way of knowing that there is a better life, and you are doing what I was too chicken shit to do,” Ivan answered, staring off in the distance.

  “I hope I can give them that life, dad,” Chase said tiredly. “Jason will find out soon enough, if he doesn’t know yet, and he won’t be happy. But I hope to keep both girls safe, and bring him down as soon as I can.”

  “Let me know what you need, and when,” Ivan spoke up, knowing that his son had connections that he himself was not privy to. He was proud of who his son had turned out to be, even though he had a different way of doing things than Ivan would have ever thought of doing.

  He could no longer just stand back at let those two girls be defeated until there was nothing left to live for. They were now part of the family, and Ivan would do whatever needed to keep them safe.

  As the two men stood outside talking, Kayla was quick to get to the living room, setting her bag on the coffee table. Clare put her IPad down on her seat, preferring to take one next to her sister instead. Clare wanted to give her sister any support that she needed. As she sat next to her, she took Summer’s hand into her own.

  “Can you tell me what’s going on?” Kayla asked, wanting the younger girl’s view. Chase had been frantic when he called her, and not much rattled her son.

  “For the last two weeks or so, she’d been not feeling well. Throwing up sometimes, and not eating much. And her sleep has been affected,” Clare answered worriedly, not removing her eyes form Summer’s form. “But I think it’s from Chase not being here. She’s been . . . . different since the wedding and then with how dinner ended at you house. I could see she was almost depressed. Is depressed.”

  “That’s understandable. She was drugged and lied to, then forced to marry a man she didn’t know in a matter of hours,” Kayla said calmly. And then Valerie demanding her the way she did couldn't have helped. She certainly expected depression, no matter what her health was like. “There can be a number of things going on to affect her sleep and eating habits.”

  Once again, Clare wanted to ask why Chase married Summer, but refrained. It was something only Chase would be able to answer anyway. Summer finally peeled her eyes opened, not really wanting to. She was tired, and it showed on her face. Deep circles around her eyes was a dead giveaway. It made her pale skin look even whiter.

  “Hello, dear,” Kayla said with a gentle, but warm smile. “Can you sit up for me? I just want to check you over. Chase is worried about you, but I’m sure it’s nothing life threatening.”

  Summer slowly pushed herself up, sitting next to her sister, who was quick to re-grab Summer’s hand. Kayla smiled at the action. Summer was barely able to hold herself back from leaning her head on Clare’s shoulder.

  “I hear you haven’t been feeling well?” Kayla asked more than stated, digging out her blood pressure cuff. Summer simply shrugged through a yawn. She was just tired, or she thought so. Nothing she couldn’t handle. Surely once whatever this illness was gone, she’d eat and regain back her strength.

  Kayla talked, keeping the girls’ worry away as she checked Summer over. Her blood pressure was a tad bit low, but wasn’t uncommon for someone that was so over tired and being under the weather. Not eating correctly could also cause low blood pressure.

  “I am going to take a blood sample to test for a couple of things,” Kayla said, getting the needle ready.

  “What things?” Clare asked, sitting up straight. She was always full of questions, wanting to know every little thing she could.

  “Low iron, which is most likely because of the lack of food,” Kayla answered. “To rule out a virus, and also testing for pregnancy.”

  “Pregnancy?” Clare asked a look of worry crossed her face. “We both took the morning after pill. She can’t be pregnant. Chase and Summer only had sex once, and that was just twenty-four hours after we took the pill.” It couldn’t be. Clare had refused to let the thought linger more than a few moments here and there all day long.

  “It’s a possibility,” Kayla said, watching Summer for any sort of reaction, but the girl kept her face blank. “And right now, I am not going to rule it out.” She then took two samples of blood, already sure of the answer, but was hoping for the girls’ sake, it wasn’t so. Kayla wasn’t going to say anything to anyone until the tests came back.

  Summer’s mind ran a mile a minute. She couldn’t be pregnant. It wasn’t possible. She had been like this before a time or two, and was never with child before. It had to be a virus going around.

  “I won’t tell Chase until the test results come back in a few hours, but for now, Summer, I do want you to rest. And to eat. You can’t lose more weight, as you have nothing left to lose, alright?
” Kayla went on. Summer nodded her head, still lost in thought. Both girls had the same thoughts, and Clare just knew. There was no way around it now.

  Summer was trying to remember when had she had her period last? It was almost a month and a half ago, right before she was brought into the compound where Nick had his way. But it wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be. Kayla made her way out of the house, stopping to tell her son that Summer needed to rest, while Summer slowly made her way upstairs to the student office, where her own personal laptop sat. Her heart kept a steady pace regardless of the horror she felt within.

  She needed to know if she could, in fact be pregnant. Once the laptop was up and running, Summer opened the Chrome app, entering Plan B Pill into the search engine, hoping that it would be good news for her. Clicking on the first link from Wikipedia, she read:

  Labeling for Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets states that the treatment prevents 7 of 8 pregnancies that otherwise would have occurred; that means it reduces your risk of pregnancy by 88%*. And if you take these progestin-only emergency contraceptive pills within the first 24 hours after sex, they reduce your risk of pregnancy by up to 95%. It doesn't prevent pregnancy if you have sex after the pill has been taken.