LITMIR.BIZ

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Kylie verified. “They did.”

      “That means a trip back into the city isn’t a good idea,” Lucas concluded.

      At least, not alone. However, it wasn’t a trip Lucas intended to make with her. He’d have to turn this over to a deputy or else Sheriff Knight. This eerie proximity with Kylie Monroe was a lot more than he could handle.

      “I’ll drive her in the morning,” Finn volunteered, probably sensing what was on Lucas’s mind. “I have a colleague who manages one of those back-to-nature kind of birthing facilities just outside San Antonio. It’s in the country. Very serene. Off the beaten path. And private. He’ll let me use his ultrasound machine. We’ll keep everything hush-hush.”

      Lucas nodded, conveying his thanks. Hopefully, a private facility also meant a safe one.

      When there was the sound of movement in the examining room, Finn turned, angling his body so that Lucas and he had a clear view of Kylie. She tried to get up…and failed. With a groan, she eased back down onto the table.

      “They used chloroform on me, didn’t they?” Kylie asked. She didn’t wait for an answer. “Will it hurt the baby?”

      “Probably not,” Finn answered. “We’ll know more in a day or two when I get back the test results.”

      Another soft groan. But a groan wasn’t her only reaction. A tear slid down her cheek, and she quickly swiped it away. “Did anyone catch the men who did this to me?”

      Finn stepped aside. That was Lucas’s cue to fill her in and ask a few questions so he’d have info for the report he would have to make. “They’re still at large.”

      “Oh, that’s wonderful,” she mumbled.

      Lucas ignored the sarcasm and got to work. “Did you get a good look at either of the men?”

      Judging from the way her forehead bunched up, she considered that. “No. They were both wearing ski masks. Both dressed in all black. One was about six-one, the other about two inches taller. The taller one had light gray eyes. And he said something like, ‘Don’t hurt the kid or her. We’re to deliver her to the boss. So they can talk.’”

      “Talk?” Lucas repeated skeptically.

      “I didn’t believe that’s what they had on their minds, either.” She tried to sit up again. This time, she succeeded. Well, for the most part. Kylie wobbled, and she grasped the sides of the examining table. Her gaze came to his. “I’m sorry, Lucas. I’m so sorry.”

      He didn’t want her apology. Nor did he want her to specify why she was sorry. Maybe it was for Marissa. Or maybe it was because she believed she’d placed him in danger with her 911 call. It was true that she had, but being placed in danger came with his job.

      “I’ve got to phone a few people and take care of the arrangements for the ultrasound,” Finn said, making his way out of the room.

      Leaving Lucas alone with Kylie.

      Lucas decided the best approach to this was the most obvious one—to continue his interview. He was the sheriff, after all, and he’d questioned many victims of many crimes. He would treat this one no differently than the others.

      He stopped and admitted that it was a sad day in a man’s life when he started lying to himself.

      He had no choice but to treat this case differently. Because this case involved Kylie.

      She shook her head. Winced. Wobbled again. Flashed him when she tried to use her leg to maintain her balance. She probably would have fallen if Lucas hadn’t reached out and snagged her shoulders.

      “Thanks.” She dropped her head against his right arm. Eased against him.

      As if she belonged there.

      And for some stupid reason, he didn’t move. He let her stay.

      She was shaking, and she looked up at him. Her eyes were ripe with fatigue, spent adrenaline and the aftereffects of the kidnappers’ drug.

      “I’m scared,” she whispered. It was an admission he’d never heard Kylie make. And it was true. He could see that stark fear on her face. He could feel it in her. “They could have killed us. You, me, the baby. All three of us.”

      “But they didn’t.”

      There was no indication in her body language that she believed him. “And here I was so full of myself. So cocky about how I didn’t anyone want to protect me. God, Lucas.” Her voice broke and became a hoarse sob. More tears came. “I was wrong, and that mistake could have cost you everything again. They could have killed your baby.”

      His heart actually skipped a beat.

      Your baby.

      Lucas opened his mouth to correct her. And might have done that if he hadn’t felt Kylie freeze. She went completely stiff; that extreme reaction had him staring down at her.

      She pulled back, meeting his gaze head-on. In the depths of all that blue, Lucas saw something in her eyes that he didn’t understand.

      He shook his head.

      “It’s true,” Kylie said, as if that explained everything.

      It took him a moment just to ask what he needed to ask. “What’s true?”

      “The only reason I’m telling you this is because I’m afraid I can’t protect this baby by myself. Not now. Not with those men still out there.”

      “What are you telling me exactly?” Lucas tried to brace himself for the answer. Judging from her expression, he couldn’t possibly brace himself enough.

      A moment later, Kylie confirmed that.

      “When you applied for a surrogate, I pulled some strings. Called in a few favors.” He watched the words form on her lips, and each one stabbed through him. “Lucas, I’m your surrogate, and this baby I’m carrying is yours.”

      WELL, THAT IMPROMPTU confession cleared Kylie’s head.

      The residual effects of the kidnappers’ drug vanished, leaving her with vision and a brain that was a little too clear. That clarity allowed her to see the thunderstruck expression on Lucas’s face.

      “My baby?” he mumbled.

      She watched that register. First, he shook his head. Stared at her. Shook his head again.

      Then it sank in.

      He stepped back, his chest pumping as if he were suddenly starved for air. He tried to speak. Couldn’t. He looked as if he were on the verge of seriously losing it. Kylie reached for him, but he put up his hands, palms out, in a back-off gesture.

      “Why?” he finally asked.

      She didn’t know how he had managed to speak. His teeth were practically clamped together, and his jaw muscles had seemingly turned to iron. But those responses were tame compared to that look in his eyes. There was fire mixed with all those shades of brown. Fire and brimstone.

      “Why?” Kylie repeated. “I’ve asked myself that more than a few times.”

      “Is this some kind of warped punishment?” Lucas’s anger chilled his voice. “Your way of torturing me?”

      She’d anticipated a few of the things Lucas might say if he ever learned the truth, but that hadn’t been one of them. “No. God, no. It’s because of what happened to Marissa.”

      “Don’t. I don’t want to talk about her.”

      Kylie didn’t even consider heeding his warning. Despite his glare. Despite his defensive posture. They had to get a few things straight. “I did this because of what Marissa said when she was dying. ‘Don’t let my death kill Lucas. Look after him. Help him heal. Make sure he’s happy.’ And that’s what I promised her I would do. I owed her that promise. But you wouldn’t let me help you.”

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