Princess of Darkness (The Dark Prince #3)

by Autumn Winchester

  Summer no doubt put her mind to searching him out. Now.

  “Please,” Summer pleaded, her eyes wide, her lips drawn into a pout.

  Sebastian’ stiff shoulders slumped. That dang pout of hers was going to be his undoing.

  “You do know I see you as a daughter, right?” he said softly, looking at her up through his eyelashes. He folded his hands on top of the desk as he watched her closely. At her nod, he went on. “I don’t want to push you in that type of relationship.”

  “I wouldn’t have hugged you, Sebastian, if I didn’t want to take that step,” Summer said from her spot. “I knew what I was doing. Even with my stupid emotions.” She ended with a laugh. “Now, come down to dinner. Just don’t expect me to call you daddy.”

  “Sebastian is just fine,” he replied with a laugh, feeling better than he should have. Maybe he’d be able to teach Summer how to say father in a different language, just knowing it’d piss John off greatly.

  He’d really like nothing more than to drive more of a nail into that old man’s coffin.

  ~oOo~

  “Morning,” Summer said with a smile, going straight to sit at the kitchen table. She had learned the hard way a few times that she couldn’t eat right after waking up. It’d make her sick to her stomach. But if she waited for about an hour, she had no issues.

  Unless, of course, she ate anything too sweet. The baby hated anything sweet. Apples were pretty much the only thing that she could tolerate sweet wise. It wasn’t like she was a huge fan of candy or soda, to begin with.

  “You don’t have to be up,” he said, taking a seat next to her. Sebastian could see that she hadn’t slept well the night before, but that could have had something to do with her staying up so late playing on her computer and editing pictures.

  “Won’t be able to go back to sleep,” she replied with a shrug.

  Sebastian wished that he could have done things differently, maybe even going as far as taking her when she was a child and running away, never to be found again. It would have brought a different set of paths. He wasn’t so sure that would have been good.

  “Gabriel called late last night,” Sebastian said, his voice lighter than he expected. He wasn’t happy with his brother or the tactics he was currently using. Just because Gabriel ran his own show, that didn’t mean Sebastian agreed with all of his choices. He also knew better than to ever question them. Gabriel could hold his own, just like Sebastian.

  “Oh?” Summer replied, surprised.

  “Chase is safe, and a being a pain in the ass,” Sebastian said, not surprised at that. His godson was always a handful. “Though, he should be in hiding but isn't. Apparently, their location was not as secretive as it should have been.” John was tracking them somehow. It was better them than the Princess.

  “Is he okay?” Summer asked, instantly alert. She sat up straighter in the chair, not concerned about her bed hair. Her heart beat in worry for her husband. She missed him more each day that passed.

  “Perfectly fine,” Sebastian said calmly, waving a hand through the air in front of him. “The men who found him, on the other hand, not so much.” What he wouldn’t give to have seen that in person.

  “He killed them,” Summer stated, not blinking as she said the words. Nothing her husband did most days frightened her any longer. Looking back, he didn’t exactly ever frighten her to the point of terror. Summer knew he was dangerous from the first day she could remember ever seeing him, but he had never hurt her.

  Sebastian nodded. “Gabriel also said that Clare is doing as well as expected. He didn’t go into detail about her, but Jack and Peter are engaged.”

  “Not surprising,” Summer snorted with a roll of her eyes, but she was happy for them. “What else?”

  “How do you know there is more?” he asked, keeping his voice calm.

  “Your tone of voice, and the way you are holding your shoulders,” she answered, reading him like an open book, letting her blue eyes roam him up and down. Having so much time on her hands gave her more than enough time to learn to read people easily. She had always been able to; it is how she was able to survive for so long.

  “Smart,” Sebastian said with a smile, impressed. “He got a hold of an OBGYN here in town. She’s willing to do everything that needs to be done but without all the paperwork. Even willing to do it after hours.”

  “Okay,” Summer replied, not entirely surprised. She was sure that Gabriel either called in a favor or paid the doctor off to do this. “When?”

  “Since today is Saturday, the office is normally closed. So that means today,” he said, looking at her dead in the eye. “Two o’clock.”

  “Can Fayth come?” Summer asked, her voice soft. She wanted her newest friend to be there, as her husband wouldn’t be able to. This was a time Summer would have loved nothing more than to share with Chase but knew it wasn’t possible. Maybe she’d have to start a diary so he could read it when they were back together.

  “Actually, she’ll be the one that takes you,” Sebastian said. “I can’t be seen out in public with you, just in case John sent more men here. I don’t think he has, as Gabriel has taken care of that little problem. I won’t risk it.”

  He didn’t dare ask his brother what he was doing. All Sebastian cared about was keeping Summer completely safe. The less he knew about what Gabriel was up to, the better.

  “Oh,” she replied, surprised lacing her voice.

  “I’ll drop you off at her house, then I’ll follow you,” Sebastian went on with a smile. He loved watching his daughter wear her emotions so clearly on her face. That was what drew so many people to her. Her sweet innocence, calm demeanor and how she felt everything. She followed her feelings, and that alone would take her far. Further than even Sebastian ever expected.

  She was a force to be reckoned with. Anyone that had the guts to go against her, would surely pay the price. Looks could always be so deceiving, and with Summer looking so small when placed against any body builder, no one would ever think twice about taking her on.

  She even had a gun concealed under her long shirts, and no one would ever think she could handle such a thing.

  Summer was torn, though. She wanted him to be there too, as their relationship was getting stronger day by day. At the same time, she wasn’t sure Sebastian would even want to be there. Sure, he was there when Summer had needed him so far, but would he be willing to be there during this time too?

  “I’ll stay in the parking lot to keep an eye out,” he went on, taking Summer’s worried look for fear of what could happen instead of her spinning thoughts. “Then, if you’d like, Fayth can bring you back here, and she can stay for a while. I know you have been wanting to hang out with her.”

  “I have,” Summer said, shoulders sagging. She knew that asking Sebastian wouldn’t go to the doctor appointment along with her. Not right now. Maybe in a few weeks, giving her enough time to talk him into coming along.

  “I need to get some phone calls taken care of while Fayth is here,” he stated.

  “I’ll see if she can do something about my hair,” Summer mused. Her hair was growing much faster now that she was pregnant, and taking the prenatal vitamins. It was in need of a trim, and she wanted to try a different color maybe.

  “Perfect,” Sebastian said. “We can stop at whatever store needed, before coming back, then.” He knew Fayth was the right person to help Summer get her hair fixed. Just hopefully, it wouldn’t be too out of style for the girl. Sebastian was worried that Fayth would push her too far, but of course, he knew he shouldn’t worry. Summer could, and would, hold her own.

  Sebastian was thrilled that the relationship was on the right track but feared what was going on with his brother. And Chase. Two hot-headed guys together was never a good a thing.

  Having Summer, here with him, was his one main concern. He couldn’t wait to see how the doctor appointment would go, but knew he wouldn’t be able to be there the way she wanted. Heidi, or even Fayth, were better
to be there for the girl. Female things, such as this, just creeped him out.

  Chapter 23

  Inside the Woman's Family Center, Summer sat in one of the gray cushioned chairs. The waiting room wasn’t too bad but was on the chilly side. Considering that the temperature outside was below zero, it would seem they would have it warmer inside.

  The dark laminate wood floor was a sharp contrast to the gray chairs and the light blue walls. In a corner sat a little nook painted pale yellow for children. There was even a child’s table a few chairs. Animals painted in soft colors were placed around the small nook on one wall.

  Although the place was set up to be friendly and relaxing, Summer was anything but. Her heartbeat thumped in her chest, knee bouncing in place. She had only been seen by any type of doctor only a handful of times and had no idea what to expect at this one. The pregnancy book was little help.

  “You’ll be okay, Grace,” Fayth said, laying a hand over the girl’s bouncing knee. Summer shot Fayth a tense smile, her hands clenching and unclenching one another.

  Had Clare felt like this? How was Clare handling everything? She’d be just over six months now, and Summer felt horrible about not being there for her sister, not to mention how bad her nerves probably were from worry. Did Clare even know that Summer was safe? Maybe she’d be able to get a message to her sister somehow.

  Before she could worry more, the swinging door by the check in counter swung open, revealing the doctor.

  “Grace?” she called out. Summer quickly looked up, her heart in her throat once more, her eyes as wide as they could go. She imagined that she looked like a cartoon character with popping eyes and thumping heart that surely would be pounding out of her chest if it could be.

  The doctor stood in what appeared to be regular clothes. Black pants and a light pink shirt under a white doctor’s coat that was left opened. Her short blond hair was styled in gel, standing up on its end with a tie dye styled coloring. Summer slowly stood up, Fayth following right behind her, clasping her hand.

  “Hi, dear. How are you?” the doctor asked. Her voice was calming and light. No hint of worry or disgust at having to work on a day she’d normally have off.

  "She's nervous,” Fayth answered, leading Summer as the doctor made to lead them to an empty room that was already set up.

  “Understandable,” the doctor replied with a smile their way over her shoulder.

  “My name’s Marie, by the way. I’ll be the one that sees you, as long as you stay in the area of course.” She entered the empty room, motioning for Summer to take a seat on the cushioned table, that was covered in a protective white paper.

  As Summer sat, Marie talked, explaining what she would be doing. Blood tests, asking a few questions, doing an ultrasound, and taking Summer’s weight also along with a urine sample. Normal first appointment things, just like what the pregnancy book had briefly described.

  “Now, I’m a midwife, but I am able to do everything a doctor does, maybe more depending on what way you look at it,” she spoke, knowing how frightening is could be for any new mother to be here.

  “The ultrasound is to give me a better idea on how far along you are, and how the little one is growing. Gabriel made sure to tell me that you are under his protection, so no one will know you were here or see your file. Even if you are to give birth here everything will be under tight security.

  “I trust him, but that man is a little too pushy,” she turned her bright blue eyes to Summer with a shake of her head. “Now, is Fayth going to be here for every appointment?”

  “Absolutely!” Fayth said in a voice that was filled with fury. Where else would she be?

  “Just covering my tracks. I had figured that Bash would have been here,” Marie said, not at all upset. As she said Bash’s name, her voice took on a dreamy edge.

  “You like him!” Fayth nearly shouted, bouncing in place. “I knew there was a reason why he refused to come. He adores Grace, ya know. And terrified of you!” She sounded as if she could hardly believe it.

  “Who wouldn’t be,” Marie laughed with a shrug. “But this isn’t about me. Grace, if I ask or do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, make sure to let me know. I’ll be happy to talk you through anything I do.” She turned her attention back to her patient.

  “Okay,” Summer said quietly, watching the doctor. So far, she seemed nice, almost like a friend in a way. She didn’t sugar coat anything that was said so far, even when she explained why a Pap smear would also have to happen today. Although, that was the one thing Summer was loathing the most.

  “Now, I did pull up what I could find on your health records. Everything looked to be perfectly fine, and I have no concerns. I can tell you now that I think you should take an extra iron supplement, just to be on the safe side. Pregnant women who are smaller, like you, tend to need the extra boost. It’s not a concern at all that you aren’t yet showing, either.

  “Gabriel said that you have been working on self-defense moves, which I think you should continue as long as you can, but not too hard. It will help you fight off any depression that can easily come with your pregnancy and in your current situation, it can help with making delivery easier.”

  “What exactly do you know?” Summer asked. She couldn’t help but want to know what Marie knew of her past. Maybe it’d help get her nerves to calm.

  “Truthfully?” Marie said. At Summer’s nod of her head, she went on. “Not much. Gabriel only said you are here under strict security, which Bash is in charge of. I know you are hiding from someone; someone that is intending to hurt you. I will not tell a soul about you being here. All this will be under Fayth’s profile since she is my cousin.”

  “Plus, no one would question, as I do like my privacy,” Fayth laughed, not at all upset about that. She was used to things like this, playing a part in protecting people. It wasn’t the first time, and she knew it wouldn’t be the last.

  “Nothing about who I’m running from?” Summer asked quietly.

  “Not at all,” Marie said easily. “But I do watch the news, so it’s not hard to figure out, Grace.”

  Summer simply shrugged, knowing that if Fayth could figure it out, others would. Really, she never could understand why she was still so sought after.

  "I advise you to not come out often if you don’t have to,” Marie stated. “You seem like a sweet girl, and in a place that no one should ever have to be. I’ve only seen what has been reported on TV, but I know they don’t have the full story.”

  “No,” Summer replied with a shake of her head. “Not even close.” She hadn’t tried too hard to keep up with the lies newscasters were coming up with. A few have come up with the idea that Chase killed his wife, and then ran off because he was guilty. Such a thought was laughable.

  “Will the father be here at all?” she asked.

  “I don’t think so,” Summer said after a moment. “I’m not even sure what will happen tomorrow as it is.”

  “That’s fine,” Marie said. “Now, let's do the ultrasound first before anything else. It’ll help give me a baseline for everything else.”

  She then had Summer lay back on the padded table, the paper crinkling with each of her movements. When she laid down flat like this, there was a good sized bump that popped up on her stomach, right where the baby was.

  It didn’t take long for the doctor to bring over a machine right next to the bed, and dim the lights with a remote.

  “This will be cold,” Marie said after Summer’s shirt was up high enough, then squirting some cold gel onto her stomach.

  Fayth stood on the other side, holding Summer’s hand almost tighter than what Summer was. Of course, she couldn’t help but jump slightly at the cold temperature, causing her friend to laugh lightly.

  “Do you want kids, Fayth?” Marie asked, making sure the ultrasound machine was on.

  “Absolutely not,” Fayth laughed with a shrug. “I don’t mind holding them, or even helping to take care of them sometimes. But
motherhood is not something I want.”

  “Awe,” Summer fake pouted, turning her eyes to her friend. “I thought you were gonna be my baby’s other mommy?”

  “Hell no!” Fayth said, bending over and laughing with her entire body. Her laugh sounded through the room.

  The doctor used a wand, spreading the gel around, looking for something that only she knew where to exactly look.

  “Hear that?” Marie asked, turning up the volume on the machine. A steady, but fast, thump, thump, thump, filled the room.

  “That’s the baby’s heartbeat. Sounds perfect,” Marie said before pressing a couple buttons on the machine, entering the data. She then moved the wand around, pausing to type up a few numbers, then moving it around again.

  Summer kept her eyes on the monitor, seeing her baby. She really couldn’t make out much, but Marie did point out where an arm was. The head. A leg there. A leg here.