Chapter Twenty
“Wait, give me the symptoms again?”
Elodie bundled her jacket and shouldered the door open. It was colder than she’d expected, and she hadn’t been dressed for the weather. She juggled a bottle of ginger ale and the bag with the soup. She caught her reflection in the window and resisted the urge to cringe. Her nausea had turned into full-blown vomiting last night. It came in waves, but she wasn’t running a fever.
“I told you, Madz, it’s nothing. It’s probably a stomach bug or something.” Elodie started to her car and unlocked her door.
“Throwing up and tired. That sounds like something, but not a bug, Elle.” Madalyn screeched. “Oh my God, could you be pregnant?”
Elodie snorted, shook her head, and then froze by her car door. Pregnant? No. Impossible. She’d been on birth control since she was sixteen. She shook off the idea. But Madalyn hadn’t.
“How far along do you think you could be? If it’s at least a month, our kids could be in the same grade.”
“Jesus, Madz, I’m not pregnant!” Elodie’s outburst caught the attention of a couple walking by, and she shook her head, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.
“Moody, too. You need to take a test.”
Elodie drew in a breath, her frustration at an all-time high. “I’m hanging up now. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She got in her car, placing the drink and food on the passenger seat next to her pocketbook. She settled back in her seat. Pregnant. As if.
Right?
She reached over, grabbed her bag, and dug inside for her datebook. She generally had a longer cycle, so it was harder to remember her last period. She opened it to the previous month. It had started on the first. As she scanned through the following month, she flipped through the pages.
“No,” she said and turned back to the previous page, counting.
She was officially late by about two weeks. Elodie cupped her mouth and darted her gaze around the street. Considering the timing, this was the last thing she needed. But she couldn’t not know either. Her gaze landed on the corner pharmacy. Do I want to know right now?
Elodie was so lost in everything that’d happened, she wasn’t sure she could handle the truth if she was indeed pregnant with Oz’s child. What would that even look like? The father of her kid was also the killer of her father? Her stomach twisted, and she rested her head back and closed her eyes, taking in deep even breaths.
She’d spent the last few days trying to contend with this situation. How could she be in love with a man who’d lied, betrayed her, and killed someone? Elodie had given a lot of thought to everything Camille had shared. She was holding onto anything that would make sense still wanting to be with him.
A few minutes later, she started her car and drove to her apartment. Without a test. She pulled into her spot and noticed a man at her door.
“Can I help you?”
He turned, holding up a bag. “Delivery for Elle Martin.”
She furrowed her brows. “I didn’t order anything.”
He glanced down at the tag on the bag. “It was placed by Madalyn Reynolds.”
What the…
Elodie walked over, taking the bag and peeking inside.
Jesus Christ, Madz!
In the small brown paper bag was a pregnancy test. She forced a smile and thanked the guy before turning and unlocking her door. She juggled her bags and pushed it open.
Elodie stilled, glancing to the end of the hallway. She was sure she’d turned off her lights before she’d left. Or maybe she hadn’t. She’d had brain fog for the last few days, so she couldn’t be sure of anything. She toed off her shoes and walked toward the kitchen area, placing the soda and bag of soup on the counter.
“What’s it like sharing a bed with the devil?”
Elodie froze at the sound of the man’s voice coming from behind her. She spun around and widened her eyes. She’d only seen him twice, but she recognized Garner. He looked disheveled with his shirt untucked from his pants and his suit wrinkled. His eyes were glassy as if he’d been drinking, and his usual slicked back hair was in disarray.
“What are you doing here?”
“They fucking killed him. Murdered him.”
Oh God… Elodie had no idea who he was talking about, but clearly it had something to do with Oz. She shifted her gaze to the hallway. The chances of making it to the door were in her favor depending on how fast Garner was in his condition. The lock would cost her a few seconds.
“They took my nephew from me.” Garner’s eyes went wild as he approached, stopping a few feet away. He tapped his hand over his heart. “He was like a fucking son to me.”
Elodie darted her gaze around the room in search of some type of weapon to protect herself.
“They fucking killed him.” Garner’s voice echoed off the wall and she jumped.
“I’m so sorry, I…”
“Shut the fuck up.” He shouted.
She clamped her lips and without thinking, pressed her hand to her stomach. His gaze dropped, and he furrowed his brows. The thought was instant. Another lie. Or maybe it was the truth. But if Garner was invested in family, it might give her a fighting chance.
“I’m pregnant,” she blurted.
He winced and for a brief second, he showed some semblance of reality. This was good.
“Oz’s?”
She nodded.
His top lip curled, and his eyes darkened, losing all the warmth he’d shown a few seconds earlier. “Eye for an eye. He took my kid. Now I’m gonna take his.”
Her heart dropped as he reached into the waist of his pants. It happened as if in slow motion. When his jacket slid to the side and she saw his hand reach for the gun, she pushed off the counter, racing toward the hall. His footsteps pounded behind her. She grabbed a large granite piece of art from her entrance table. She turned and threw it directly at him. Garner’s reflexes worked in his favor, and he flattened himself against the wall. The piece whipped through the room and crashed through the window, shattering the glass.
It was a two-second reprieve, and she ran down the hall and into her bedroom. She closed the door and tried to turn the lock, but her hands were shaking so much, and the extra second cost her. He slammed into the room, the door nailing her in the temple and tossing her across the room. Elodie fell into her dresser and ultimately to the floor. A loud ringing sounded in her ears, and her vision was so blurry. She could barely make out anything beyond the silhouette coming toward her. She raised her arms, covering her face, but he gripped her shoulders and lifted her.
“Stop!” she screamed. “Help!”
It was her last-ditch effort to save herself. Garner pushed her onto the bed, knocking the wind out of her, and she gasped for breath. He straddled her stomach, pressing his hand with the gun against her throat. The cold metal sent a shiver through her body. He reached across the bed, grabbing her pillow. She flailed her arms as the pillow came down over her face. Her screams were muffled as panic set in. She kicked her legs trying to fight but he overpowered her.
She screamed with every last breath she had in her. But as her breathing shallowed, her head grew heavy.
Was this it?
It was her last thought before his weight was lifted. She thrashed, pulling the pillow from her face as a loud breaking crash sounded from the hall. She scrambled off the bed just as a man stepped inside the doorway.
“Fuck,” Ridge snapped and slowly moved toward her. He stopped a few feet away and bent down, holding up his hands. “Elle? I’m gonna help you okay?”
She nodded, and he gently grasped her arms, slowly guiding her to the bed.
“Have a seat.” Ridge nudged her slightly until she sat. He released her arms and angled his head. His eyes darkened, and he gently grasped her chin, turning her head.
“You’re bleeding. Does it hurt?”
She nodded, unable to speak.
“Alright, you just sit here. I’ll grab a cold washcloth.” Ridge walked out the door but kept it open. Seconds later she heard cabinets open and then the faucet. She had her eyes trained on the door. Her heart was beating too fast, and no matter how hard she tried to settle down, she couldn’t. She focused on steadying her breathing.
Ridge walked back in and dropped to his knees. He pressed the cloth against her temple. She winced and tried to pull away.
“We’ve got to stop the bleeding.”
Elodie kept still and eventually held the cloth on her own. Ridge scanned her body.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?”
“I don’t think so.”
They stayed in her bedroom for a while. Maybe fifteen minutes. Ridge’s phone rang, and he stood, giving her his back. Elodie couldn’t make out any of the conversation from his hushed tone. The call only lasted a minute, and he tucked his phone in his pocket and turned back to Elodie.
“I’m gonna take you to the living room, okay?”
Elodie shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to be anywhere near Garner.
“Where is he?” Her voice shook.
Ridge cocked his head. “Not gonna let him get anywhere near you. But I don’t want you isolated in your room with no way out.”
It made sense but did nothing to ease her nerves, especially as they walked down the hall. As they rounded the corner into the living room, she saw three men surrounding Garner, who was curled up in the corner on the floor. He wasn’t moving.
“Is he dead?” she asked.
“Not fucking yet.”
She jumped, falling into Ridge, who braced her hips. The venomous voice was one she’d heard only twice. Rogue and Trey walked into the living room, neither man acknowledging her as they approached Garner. He still hadn’t moved.
“How the fuck did he get in?” Rogue’s voice echoed through the room.
“We were watching her, not the apartment. When she left, we followed her to the deli. He must’ve broken in while she was gone. We had no idea he was up there until the window shattered, and we ran up,” Caine said.
“So if she hadn’t thrown something through the fucking window, he would’ve fucking killed her. Is that what you’re telling me?” Rogue snapped.
Caine straightened and looked toward the door. “Yes.”
She glanced over to find Oz standing with four men at his back. Unlike the others, he was solely focused on her. His brows dipped in a harsh scowl.
A burst of laughter caught everyone’s attention. It was so out of place for the scene.
Elodie darted her eyes across the room. Garner was up on his hands and knees.
His menacing cackle echoed through the room and sent a chill down her spine. “So close.” He turned his head, looking to Oz. “You took out Karl. He was a fucking son to me. My kid.” Garner sat back on his knees, his eyes wild and evil. “And I almost had yours.”
Her heart dropped to her stomach, and she felt all eyes on her as the room was drowned in silence. She wasn’t sure why she did it. Maybe out of instinct? She dropped her hand to her stomach as if shielding a possible child. She didn’t have confirmation, but in that moment she knew.
****
And I almost had yours.
Oz kept his eyes locked on Elodie and felt a rush of ice course through his veins. His gaze was laser focused on her hand covering her belly. Everyone was staring directly at her, but no one said a word. Oz stalked across the room, stopping a foot in front of her.
“Elodie?” His rumbling tone had her wincing, and his immediate reaction was to grasp her arms and pull her against his chest. He was in protection mode. After all that she’d endured, and with the added risk of being pregnant, Oz was seconds away from complete alpha mode. He strummed his thumbs against her back, and she inched closer, resting her hands on his chest.
“I don’t know for sure,” she whispered.
“You don’t know what?”
“If I’m pregnant. I might be, but I didn’t get a chance to take the test. I said it because—” Her voice cracked, and he felt her shake under his hold.
It had been a long time since Oz felt any fear. It was usually the opposite. He wrapped his arms around her back, and she nestled closer, burying her face against his chest. Seconds later, he heard her soft murmured cries. He’d never allowed himself to comfort anyone in a public space. Oz knew his men, Rogue, and Trey were watching. Good. This would send a message to them all that Elodie was more important to him than his reputation or anything in his life.
“I am gonna fucking get off watching you die, motherfucker!” Rogue taunted.
There was no doubt in anyone’s mind what Garner had meant.
Oz’s child.
While Rogue may have been a loose cannon, Oz kept his control locked down. He’d get his revenge and release soon enough. But for now, Elodie was his main concern. He pressed his lips to the crown of her head.
“You need to pack a bag. Do you want to do it or have one of my men do it for you?”
She slowly craned her neck, her bright eyes dull and red-rimmed. “A bag?”
He slid his hand up her back, over her shoulder, and cupped her jaw. His thumb caressed across her cheek, wiping away her tears. Oz clenched his jaw, forcing his hand to remain gentle. It was what she needed from him. Inside? His muscles tensed, and his blood raged through his veins. Seeing the fear in her eyes sent him to another level of protection and possessiveness. Garner would pay but not in her presence. Oz would shield her from everything from this day forward.
“You’re going to pack your things. I’ll have someone drive you to my house. And I’ll be there shortly.”
Elodie widened her eyes. “I might not be pregnant, Oz. And I…”
He tightened his hold over her jaw. “That doesn’t matter. You’re coming home with me.”
She slowly nodded. “I’ll pack myself.”
He released her and stepped back, gesturing down the hallway leading to her bedroom. Oz watched, as she made the trek, not looking at anyone. When she walked into her room, he turned, glaring at Garner in the corner. I’m going to make you suffer. It would’ve been protocol to take him to a safe house to conduct the next course of action. Oz didn’t have the patience for that.
He lifted his hand, calling over Nash, who quickly stalked forward. “Where do you want him moved to?”
“Nowhere,” Oz said with his eyes locked on Garner. “Have a crew on standby. I want this whole place scrubbed in an hour.”
Nash gave a curt nod.
“I want you to take her to my house. Stay with her until I arrive.”
“Me?” Nash asked.
“I need someone I trust and who she feels safe with.”
Rogue and Trey would’ve been options, but Elodie didn’t have a relationship with them. His brothers were virtual strangers to her. But Nash? There was a comradery. A comfortableness. Elodie needed to feel safe, and Nash would prove to be an adequate backup.
Nash straightened his shoulders. He took the job and responsibility as it was intended. An honor.
“Yes, sir.” Nash glanced down the hall just as Elodie walked out of her room, hiking her bag over her shoulder. “And I’ll have Doc come to the house. As a precaution.”
Oz nodded and started toward the door, which was halfway down the hall. If he could shield her from Garner one last time, he’d do it. He heard Nash following close behind.
“I’m all packed,” she said.
“Nash is going to take you to the house.”
“You’re not coming?” Her voice hitched.
Fuck!
“Soon.”
While he wanted nothing more than to stay with her, Oz had one more matter to deal with. He could’ve left it in Rogue and Trey’s hands. Oz had no doubt they’d deliver a deserving punishment. But this is personal.
“Okay,” she whispered.
He reached out, grasped her neck, and spread his hand across her throat. He leaned down, taking her mouth for a kiss. It wasn’t meant to be anything but reassuring, but he’d been without her for too long. The idea of losing her only increased his possessiveness. Her lips parted, and he deepened the kiss, pulling her body against his. Her warm breath mixed with his. His need for her to be close was too much to take. Oz broke away from the kiss and stepped back.
“Go with Nash.”
Elodie seemed hesitant but walked to the door. She walked out and glanced over her shoulder, meeting his stare briefly before Nash closed the door behind them. Oz waited another few minutes. He wanted her in the car and out of hearing distance before he walked back into the living room.
Two minutes later he turned, and entered the room. He stopped a few feet from where Garner was held captive in the corner. Oz gripped his tie, ripped it off, and rolled his neck. While he was eager to get to Elodie, he was going to take his time making Garner suffer.
And suffer, you will.