96. CHAPTER NINETY-TWO
Before Eoghan and I leave Divona, Darragh does a quick examination on me. I wasn’t physically hurt, just terrorized, and the family doctor sends me off with a clean bill of health but with an order to rest.
Griffin Quinlan, the big auburn-haired man drives us into a more commercial part of Astoria with Lachlan.
“My wife’s dance studio takes up the lower floors of the building where Eoghan lives.” Lachlan speaks casually, like that meeting didn’t take place. Shows how unrattled he is. “Feel free to go downstairs at any time to say hello to her or spend time with her.”
“That sounds nice actually.” I wonder what I’ll do for the other twenty-three hours of each day, every day.
Shane Quinlan drove Taryn back to the airport. In Vegas, they’ll return Eoghan’s rental, and drive my car back to my building. Along with any other loose ends.
“Is Taryn really going to work for you?” I whisper to Eoghan.
“He’s been loyal to Darragh for years.”
I recall the detective lingering in the courtroom a few months ago with the twin I met today.
Sighting a CVS Pharmacy ahead, I call out to Lauchlan, “Can we make a quick stop?”
Eoghan follows my gaze and tenses. “What for—”
“I have nothing. No toothbrush.”
“I have everything you need.”
“I doubt you have toiletries for women or women’s bare necessities, like underwear.” My torn thong won’t get me very far.
“You don’t need panties.” He smirks at me, and Lachlan chuckles.
“Stop the car, please,” I say, level-setting this man and his family right now that I will not be controlled. Not outside the bedroom anyway. “I’m not in danger, am I?”
“The wives all travel with guards. We have to…”
“I’ll take Taryn,” I say and can’t believe I’m going to have a bodyguard.
Like a celebrity.
Which I guess, is sort of cool.
My throat tightens, and I plead with my eyes to get out of the car.
“Pull over, Griffin,” Eoghan says. “My side, sparkles. Remember?”
“Yes, dear.” I scooch over and step onto the curb, but wobble.
“I got you.”
“You sure do.”
My hand in his, we enter the store.
It’s a medium crowd for a late afternoon. Walking among normal size men reminds me how large Eoghan is. Over six foot with broad shoulders, hulking, and brooding.
“They don’t sell actual clothes here, obviously. But I recall…” He steers me to an aisle where I can buy underwear and socks.
“My suitcase from Reno is sitting on my bed.”
Eoghan nods and gets on his phone. “Shane, when you’re in Vegas with Taryn, go to the villa and grab the keys in the top desk drawer. It’s Jillian’s apartment. There’s a suitcase on the bed. Bring it back for me.”
When he hangs up, I smile. “At least it’s all clothes you like me in.” Even if they’re dirty. I have all the time in the world to do laundry. “It’s a good start.”
“I’ll take you shopping for more clothes tomorrow.”
“Okay.” At least I don’t have to tell anyone I wear a size eighteen.
After a scan of the overhead signs, Eoghan tensely walks toward the feminine aisle. In front of a row of pregnancy tests, he…
He…
Gets down on one knee.
“Eoghan. No. Not here.”
“Yes here. It’s so there’s no misunderstanding, Jillian Diamond,” he says my name to signal he’s serious. “You’re mine forever. I don’t want any doubts in that head of yours telling you I’m just doing the right thing by you.”
“I didn’t want to contradict you in front of anyone, but I don’t see how I can be pregnant, I’m on birth control.”
“If you mean those measly, low-dose pills you just started taking?” Eoghan says, drilling me with a stare.
I cross my arms. “Are you saying, you’re so potent you beat the effectiveness of my birth control?”
“Aye. That’s exactly what I’m saying. That and I railed you and filled you with so much cum just to keep the odds in my favor,” he says this calmly, like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
“The odds? Are we back in Vegas? My getting pregnant works in your favor somehow?”
“It makes you mine forever.”
The sincerity makes my knees go rubbery.
The way this man so assuredly, so undoubtedly wants me forever questions my own decision making because I have trouble choosing a topping for my pizza. I want them all.
The way Eoghan loves my body, I’ll never have to deny myself again.
“Are you sure?” I whisper in a moment of weakness. “This is a big deal.”
“I can handle big deals.” He kisses me and stands up. “Okay, we can do this your way. Go. Take the test.”
“Here? Your brother is waiting for us.” I sneak a glance at a box and swipe one. “Let’s go do it at home.”
“Home? You think of my place as your home already?” He holds my hand against his heart.
Unsure of the test result, or what the hell else is going to happen to me today, I say, “Aye, I guess I do.”