Linc shook his head. He wasn’t letting those assholes anywhere near her.
Nick sighed. “I’ve said she’s on bed rest and doesn’t need any more stress. They’ve agreed to wait, but I don’t know how long I can hold them off. And honestly, we need to find out so we have some idea of who we’re going to be dealing with.”
“But if we unbind her magic, it could harm her or the baby.”
“Which is why we’re doing this the old fashioned way. Through her blood. I ran some tests when she was in before. The DNA markers show she’s fae, but it’ll take another week before the lab can discern what faction.”
A week. Linc could plan a lot in a week.
“And the wolf thing…” Nick hung his head.
Crap.
“You won’t be punished for breaking the treaty. You had no way of knowing. That said, it’s a tricky situation. I was able to keep them from making any final decisions. But you need to be prepared, brother.” Nick put a hand on his shoulder. “As much as I want to help you with whatever decisions you feel you must make, my hands are tied.”
Linc understood. And in any case, he wouldn’t allow Nick to risk his Council leadership.
“You have to be Switzerland. I’m okay with that.”
“Are you?” Nick frowned. “I’m not. Pisses the hell out of me. You’re my family. You have been since the day we met.”
Linc smiled. What a day that had been. They’d nearly killed each other before discovering they were fighting on the same side. “You have to think about the greater good. Sucks being the boss, but that’s what you signed up for when you became the leader of the Council. And we need you there. So yes, I get it.”
Nick sighed. “I’m glad you do. Casey’s going to go berserker on me.”
Linc smirked. “So don’t tell her everything.”
“Have you met my wife? Not a magical bone in her body, but she knows all. I’ll walk in the house and she’ll say, ‘So why didn’t you just crush those fae people and make them do what you want?’”
“Good luck.”
Nick squeezed his shoulder. “It’s going to work out. I’ll do everything in my power to keep your babe and his mother with you.”
And so would Linc. Even if it meant going against his best friend.
Chapter Ten
“What are you talking about? I’ve only been pregnant for like three weeks. It’s not time for Lamaze yet.” Bennett pointed a finger at the doctor. Linc kept mum. Even though her belly had grown in the last few days, delightfully so, she hadn’t come to terms with the fact that this wasn’t like a human pregnancy.
They’d had another sonogram. The babe was growing fast, and they were at the beginning of the third trimester. The morning sickness was gone, and for that he was grateful—he hated seeing Bennett suffer. She was a trooper, but the illness was making her weak.
The doctor helped Bennett sit up. “Yes, but you’re in your third trimester. You have about three weeks until the baby will be here.”
Bennett’s eyes went wide. “Three weeks?” she whispered.
“Give or take a few days,” the doctor said. “I told you the time would pass quickly.”
Bennett bit her lip. “But Lamaze?”
“Yes. If nothing else, the breathing exercises will help you. And it’s good to understand what’s coming. I have a class beginning tonight. You would be the fifth couple in it, which is good. The smaller classes mean the instructor can give you more one-on-one help. Do you know who you want for your birthing coach?”
Linc held his breath. He wanted to be there. Wanted to see his child born and be the first to hold him in his arms. He’d watched a few videos online. What women went through… Fuck. He was glad he was man. But in any case, he’d respect her wishes.
She turned to face him. “I’d thought about Casey for sure, but I’d like you to be there. I mean, the baby is yours, too. But it can get kind of gross, and a lot of guys don’t like being in the room.”
He smiled. “If you’re okay with it, I’d like to be there. Two coaches have to be better than one.”
“That’s what I was thinking. I want to have all my bases covered. Is that okay? Can I bring them both to class?”
The doctor laughed. “Sure. It’s actually not that uncommon. A lot of couples have one of them who travels for work, so they have a stand-in.”
“Then it’s settled,” Bennett said. “Sign us up. And for the record, this is weird. Lamaze class. Wow.”
“One more thing,” the doctor said. “Before you leave… Nick mentioned you spoke with Mikala, but would you like me to confirm the sex of the baby?”
“Yes,” Linc and Bennett said together.
They laughed and Bennett smiled at him. That grin of hers did crazy crap to his insides.
“So what are we having, doc?” Bennett asked.
Linc squeezed her hand.
The doctor brought up one of the pictures she’d taken on the sonogram machine. She clicked a few buttons and a picture printed.
“That…” She pointed to a tiny dot in the middle of the baby-like form. “…shows us it’s a boy.”
The smile on his face was so big it hurt. A boy. Blimey. It wasn’t Mikala telling them. They had photographic proof. Which shouldn’t have been more meaningful than the magical word of a witch, but somehow, the picture made it feel real.
“Cool. I mean…” Bennett paused. “I wasn’t sure how I’d handle a girl. Always so much drama. But a boy. Um, cool.”
“Very cool.” Linc kissed her forehead.
“We’re going to have a boy,” she said. The awe in her voice was unmistakable. “I know your friend told us, but I’m not sure I believed her. But this is…”
He hugged her and sniffed. “Lass, I couldn’t be happier.”
She drew her head back. “You aren’t crying, are you?”
He laughed. “Wolves don’t cry. It’s all this antiseptic, tough on my wolf nose.”
“Uh-huh. If you say so.”
“Nurse Cary will bring in the paperwork for the class. And I’m going to print up a new food list for you. I want to make sure you’re getting enough protein to support the speedy growth of the child and the changes going on in your body. You can expect your size to increase rapidly from here on out. You may go up a size overnight.”
“Why do I get the feeling I’m soon going to look like an Oompah Loompha?”
He hugged her again. “At least you won’t be that weird color.”
She snorted. “You always know what to say.”
Linc turned to the doctor. “Jacinda, do you mind giving us a moment alone?”
“Of course. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” The doctor left.
Linc sat next to Bennett on the examining table. “It’s a lot for you to take in. Are you okay?”
“Truth? I’m used to being on my own. I never rely on anyone but me. It works best that way. People usually end up disappointing me.”
“Bennett–”
She held up a hand to stop him.
“Let me finish.” She took a deep breath. “I’m not sure how I would have made it through the last few weeks without you and Casey. Seriously. About every ten minutes, I feel like I’m going to have a nervous breakdown. And then you’re there. I’m scared to trust. I’m scared to depend on anyone. But right now, I need you and Cass.”
“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be in this situation,” he said honestly. It wasn’t the first time he’d voiced the guilt driving at him. It was a hollowness in the pit of his gut, knowing he’d put her in a situation that could get her killed.
He fucking hated it.
“True. Do you have regrets? I mean, I know you’re on board; you’ve been really awesome about everything. But it must be a lot for you, too.”
“No regrets.” It was true. Even though they had a lot to work through, and there was still a ninety percent chance they’d have to go on the run, he had family now.
She put her hand on his he
art. “Today, it feels real.”
He smiled. “It does. How about you? Regrets?”
She shrugged. “Not really. I mean, I don’t like what’s happening to my body, or getting fatter. I’m already kind of uncomfortable. But there’s a real baby in my belly. And it looks human, which, quite honestly, was a huge relief today. I know what you said, but I was scared it might have a tail or something.”
He laughed. “I told you, we’re all born looking like a human.”
“I know. But come on, it’s weird. To be honest, if I’m going to go through all of this, I’m glad it’s with you. I never knew my dad. And my mom, she was great, but she was always working. When she died, I just felt so alone. And I worry that our baby might lose us. I mean, what if they decide we can’t be together?”
“I told you, I won’t let that happen.” He put his arms around her. “I will protect you to my death.”
“Shit. Crap. I mean, don’t say that. I’d rather you save our baby. Promise, no matter what, that you will always put him first. Promise me, Linc, that you will always be there for our baby.”
“I will. I vow it. But you can never ask me to choose. You are equally important to me.”
Damn. It was true. She’d wormed her way into his heart. There was no way around it.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” she said, “but you’re going to do whatever it takes to keep us safe. I haven’t had that kind of security for most of my life. But right now, in this room, I feel safe with you.”
He didn’t think it possible, but his protective instincts kicked into even higher gear. She was right. He would do whatever it took.
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just a little headache. I’m hungry, and I swear I still miss caffeine and chocolate. I don’t think my body is finished with withdrawals.”
“Let’s check with the doc. Maybe you can have a little chocolate.”
“Good idea.”
Linc’s phone dinged. Of all the times for someone to interrupt him…
It was a text from Nick.
DNA results are in. We need to chat NOW.
“What’s wrong?” Bennett asked.
Then Linc saw the next text. It identified who Bennett’s father was and, well…
He put his phone back in his pocket. “Lamaze class may have to wait.”
He tried to hide his concern, but she knew him too well.
“Oh, fuck,” she said.
You have no idea.
Chapter Eleven
“My dad is a king?” Bennett sat across from Nick and Casey in their dining room. Linc sat beside her, his arm around her shoulders. “That’s, like, the most insane thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“You’re royalty. That part is kind of cool,” Casey said, but she was frowning.
“Right. So what does this mean? Did he know I even existed? Maybe he didn’t want me and that’s why my mom left.”
“He didn’t know you existed,” said Nick. “Your mother ran away before anyone knew she was pregnant. He thought she’d been kidnapped. They searched for her for years—even blamed the wolves, but nothing could be proven.”
“And he lives in Ireland on a island that’s protected by magic? What, are there leprechauns there, too?”
“It’s not like that,” Linc said. “The island is like Nick’s in Greece, except it’s warded to protect it from humans. They live much the same we do, but their magic is tied to the ley lines there, so few of them venture far from their homeland. The magic within them, within you, is tied to the earth, and there is no more powerful place for your family than where they live off the coast of Ireland.”
“This is fucking weird.”
Linc squeezed her shoulder. “There’s more.”
A few months ago, she’d have been happy just to know she had a dad. Now she knew she wasn’t human. Oh, far more. She was fae. But it didn’t stop there. Her father was royalty?
“I don’t know if I can take any more,” she said.
“Your father wants to meet you,” Nick said. “I don’t know if it helps, but he was as shocked as you were. I talked to him on the phone. He never denied it might be true. When I told him your mother’s name, he didn’t recognize it at first. And then he asked what color your eyes were. When I told him they were almost navy blue, there was a long pause. And then he said he had to see you.”
She’d given up on the idea of a father when she was five. As Bennett had grown older, she’d figured, whoever her father was, her mother was afraid of him. She’d assumed he was a bad guy she didn’t want to meet.
But now?
What were you thinking, Mom?
Her mother wouldn’t have put them through the hell they’d lived in on the road if she hadn’t been afraid of something. She may have lied to Bennett about everything, but her mother had also been protective.
“With all this craziness, could he hurt us more? I mean, hell… I don’t even know what I mean. I don’t trust him. My mom kept me away for a reason.”
“I won’t let him harm you,” Linc said with a low growl.
“We don’t even know what he wants,” Bennett said. “But it makes me nervous. What do you think?” She glanced up at Linc.
“I can’t make this decision for you. But I, too, am nervous about bringing anyone else in at this point. It could be a power play. Or it might be a father finding a long lost daughter. Whatever you want, that’s what we will do. I’ll keep you safe no matter what happens.”
Why did everything have to be so fucking hard? As much as she wanted—needed—her independence, she had to admit that the way things were looking, she needed Linc, too. She’d come to rely on him in ways she’d never expected she’d rely on anyone.
But this was also her first chance to connect with the father she’d never known, and Linc’s presence—loving and protective though it was—wouldn’t help put her Fae father and the wolves at ease with an already tense situation.
“I don’t know why my mom left my dad. She never told me. I mean, she told me he was dead. But after all this time, I need to talk to him. I need you to give me enough room to do that. Linc, you have to back off the alpha crap. You’ve been great. And you say you’ll respect my wishes, but your eyes are saying something else. I have this feeling you want to throw me over your shoulder and run to your private plane to whisk me away to God knows where.”
Casey and Nick glanced at each other.
Linc growled. “You aren’t wrong. But I will respect your wishes.” He ground out that last bit.
So protective, that one.
“And you have to respect that I’m not the kind of girl who lets anyone get away with anything.” She poked him in his rock hard chest.
“True,” he said reluctantly.
“None of us will let him hurt you,” Casey said. “He can’t do any woo-woo crap, right? Or kidnap her? Cuz if that happens, I’m going to kick all kinds of ass. Assuming Bennett leaves anything for me to kick.”
God, she loved her best friend.
Nick sighed. “Calm down. They’ll meet in an area where his magic won’t work.”
She shivered. Was her father really so powerful that they were worried he’d whisk her away?
Just another boulder on the mountain of crazy. Every time she reached the limit of how much she could take, there was more.
“I’ll meet him,” Bennett said. “But with Linc and you guys with me. I want every bit of security we can have in place. But you keep your distance, got it?”
Nick smirked. “Yes, ma’am.”
Linc coughed. She glanced up to find him hiding a smile.
“What?”
“There aren’t many people who can get away with talking to the head of the Supernatural Council like that, save his wife.”
“Oh, sorry. Was that kind of bossy? I forget you’re not just my best friend’s husband. I guess I’m a part of your freaky world now.”
“I’m used to it.” Nick nodded toward his wife.
“Damn straight.” Casey crossed her arms. “Nothing will happen to you. He’ll have to come through Linc, Nick, and then me. Maybe not even in that order. He messes with you, I will personally kick his ass.”
“If he can get through me first.” She pointed to her belly. “Nobody is going to mess with us. Even if Linc’s made me so fat I can’t see my feet anymore.”
She and Casey high-fived across the table.
“All right. I’ll put it together. He’ll be here tomorrow.” Nick said.
Her new bravado faded. “So soon?”
“I’m pretty sure he boarded a jet the moment he hung up with me. He could have used magic to get here faster, but I think he wanted to give you time to absorb the information.”
That had to mean he might not be a total bad guy, right?
So she was going to meet her father—tomorrow.
Holy hell.
…
“The place is reinforced with iron rebar. There’s no way he can use his magic,” Nick said for the third time.
Linc paced back and forth in his studio. Bennett had fallen asleep hours ago. Linc had tried to work—his new collection wasn’t going to design itself—but he couldn’t focus. He’d asked Nick to come down to go over the plans again.
“And the witches are on board? They’ll do the wards?” Linc asked again. The security set up for the next day would be as tight as possible. He’d called in almost every favor owed to him to make sure of it.
“Yes. Brother, she’ll be safe. And we’ll all be there. He tries anything, Council leader or not, I’ll rip his bloody throat out.”
“You’d have to get in line. Why does this shite have to be so fucking complicated? Why did she have to be fae and his daughter?”
Given this latest turn, Linc was certain the universe hated him.
“They killed my pack. My whole pack, Nick.” He’d left that part out when he told Bennett about his past. He’d been cast out, but twenty years later, the fae had attacked.
“It wasn’t him. It was that asshole Dickens, the Mad Fae. He wasn’t acting under anyone’s orders when he took out your village. The truce had been called. You can’t blame Bennett’s father. Dickens was a madman acting on his own.”
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