Chapter 12

Luci's POV

The next week I didn't hear from Lester but I was still a bit on pins and needles when I went to my next doctor's appointment. I'd just finished filling out the paperwork Dr. Thomas had given me when a knock sounded on the door before it opened to show him standing in the doorway. My hand went to my chest, andI took a relieved breath.

Dr. Thomas frowned. "Are you all right, Luci? I'm sorry if I startled you."

"Yeah, I've just been thinking about what happened last week."

One of his eyebrows rose. "What happened?"

I shrugged. "When I went out to the parking lot, my driver wasn't there. The baby's father showed up, and we had some words."

Dr. Thomas nodded. "That might account for the rise in your blood pressure. I take it that everything is under control now?"

I hesitated for just a fraction of a second before nodding. "Yes. Daddy's made sure that the only ones who can drive me anywhere are trusted soldiers."

"Good, good. Then you have nothing to worry about."

My gaze went to the door.

He must have seen my preoccupation. "Are you expecting someone?"

I let out a sigh. "Stephanie was supposed to meet me here, but she hasn't shown up yet and I can't get her on her cell phone."

He smiled gently and patted my shoulder. "Don't let it stress you too much."

I just nodded.

Dr. Thomas opened the folder he was holding and riffled through the papers for several seconds before pulling out a small stack."Here's the paperwork I want you to fill out. You're close enough to your due date that we need to have everything in order."

"More paperwork? You want me to fill it out before I leave?"

He laughed and then looked as if he were deep in thought for a moment, and then he said, "The other papers dealt with follow-up questions regarding the tests you've taken. I suppose it'll be all right if you take this with you and fill it out. Just make sure you keep it with you at all times. That's the pre-registration paperwork for your being admitted to the hospital."

I nodded. "Okay."

His hand descended on my shoulder once again as he said, "Everything is moving along just fine. I'll see you next week."

I grinned. "Unless I have the baby before then."

He chuckled. "It's always a possibility. One thing for certain... When that wee little one wants to be born, they'll make sure you know it."

I placed a hand on the mound at my waist and grimaced. "I'm not looking forward to the pain, but I so want to see this baby and hold him or her in my arms."

Dr. Thomas patted my shoulder once again. "You'll be a wonderful mother, Luci."

With that, he left the room, and I quickly gathered my things and made my way into the hall. I headed toward the door leading back to the waiting room, but as I neared the door, a nurse came out of one of the offices and darted a look around before approaching me.

The gorgeous black woman was maybe a couple years older than myself and a good four or five inches taller. Not only was she a knockout, but she was no slouch in the figure department either. At the moment, I was a bit jealous of her svelte curves, considering my own berth. Shesmiled at me and seemed a bit nervous, but I didn't really pay that much attention as she said, "They're doing some work in the lobby area of the building. We're recommending all our mothers-to-be go out the back so they don't breathe in the fumes. The workers have already set up detour signs out front."

I smiled at her. "Thanks."

She pointed me in the right direction, and I made my way through the corridors, trying not to get lost. Of course, I got lost in no time with all the orange cones set up. I was trying to find the exit when a man dressed all in black walked past me and gave me the once-over. He looked like he was going to say something but then seemed to change his mind and went off down the hallway.

I continued on my way, frowning when I passed the same door for the fourth time. I knew I'd passed it already becauseI'd started sticking little stickynotes on doors to see if I was going nuts or I'd actually been going in circles for the last few minutes. This particular Post-it had three hash marks on it. It was no use. I was lost and had no hope of finding my way out of the building without some help.

The sound of male voices got my attention, andI felt a wave of relief as I called out, "Hello? Is anyone there?"

Rushing feet headed in my direction, and just as I was debating the wisdom of calling out to unknown persons, a man dressed all in black rounded the corner, and if I wasn't mistaken, he gave me a look of relief as he stopped beside me. He was a different guy than the one I'd seen the time before, and this one had Binkie written on a name plate of his shirt.

I couldn't help thinking, What the fuck is a Binkie?

The man in front of me blushed, and I heard deep-throated laughter from behind me and turned to see another man dressed all in black joining us. My heart stuttered, and I felt like my head was spinning in circles as a man who could be Lester's double strode toward us.

Even at a glance, I knew it wasn't Lester—that is, unlessI'd finally gotten over him and that's why my body wasn't reacting to his presence. He drew even with us, and I read the name on his shirt: Lee.

I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone, what with the blond-haired-blue-eyed Adonis and the Lester look-a-like. Taking a deep breath, I asked, "Could you please point me in the way of the exit?"

Lee grinned and said, "Follow me, sweet stuff."

I shivered when I heard him speak. If I was blindfolded, I don't know that I'd be able to tell him apart from Lester if I'd just heard their voices. However, Lester was just a little bigger than Lee, and there were tattoos on his arms, whereLee's were bare.

My hormones were all over the place, and I felt the buzz that had been plaguing me the last few months since I'd been going without, I really need to get laid.

A snicker from in front of me had me rolling my eyes as I realized I'd said that last bit out loud. Lee turned and gave me a wink before turning back around and opening a door, letting in sunlight from outside.

I took a deep breath as I started to relax. I stepped out after the two men and saw there were several black SUVs parked near the door. When the guys in front of me moved, I saw Lester standing there. I turned to go back inside, but somehow Lester's doppelgänger was blocking the door.

My fists clenched as I turned to face Lester, all the while reaching into my purse to search for my phone.

Lester took a step forward. "Luci, I need to talk to you. We can do this the easy way and I'll help you into my truck, or we can do this the hard way and I'll take you out of here anyway."

I wasn't having any luck finding my phone by just feeling around, so I looked inside the bag as I rummaged around, saying to Lester as I did, "Les, don't do this. You made it clear in the texts you sent that your lawyer will do all your talking from here on out, so just leave me alone!"

I was still not able to find my phone, and by now my legs were shaking so bad I was surprised they were still holding me up. I glanced up to see Lee holding my phone between his fingers, dangling it in the air. I moved forward to make a swipe at getting it back and lost my footing. I cried out but felt hands on me before I could fall and realized I was in Lee'sarms and he was placing me in the back seat of the SUV.

The moment he let go of me, I started scrambling to get out, butLester had climbed into the driver's seat and gave Lee a salute.

Lee tossed my phone on the front seat before shutting the door.

I grabbed for the handle and realized that the door had been locked so I couldn't get it open. I glared at Lee. Smug bastard! Ever hear of phone tracking?

Les pulled out into traffic, and I started to panic. "Don't do this! Just let me go, and we can talk in a public place." By now tears were streaming down my face.

Les looked in the rearview mirror, and for a minute it looked like his face gentled, but that couldn't be... He'd have to care, and we both knew that wasn't the case. His voice was soothing as he said, "Luci, calm down. I'm not going to do anything to hurt you. I just want to talk. There are things that need to be said, and you have to listen."

I let out a sigh. "Where are we going?"

"Just sit still and calm down."

Seeing there was no other option, I sat back on the seat and tried to calm myself as we drove out of Trenton.

About thirty minutes later, we pulled into a gated community with some very nice large homes. Les drove through the cul de sac till we reached a house off to the side by itself. He pulled into the driveway, and one of the three doors of the garage started to rise. Les pulled through into the garage before turning off the engine and climbing out of the SUV. He opened the door and held out a hand to help me from the vehicle.

If I'd had any option, I would have knocked his hand away, but I knew there was no way I could get out without some help. When I was standing on the ground, he wrapped an arm around my waist and helped me into the house.

The whole time I was trying to pry his arm from me, buthis arm was like steel and it was like trying to move a mountain.

When we were inside the house, I was momentarily distracted by the chef's dream of a kitchen. "You live here? What about the apartment you told me you live in? Was everything a lie with you?" I turned to glare at him.

He had a serious look on his face as his gaze held mine for several seconds, and then he said, "I do live in an apartment most of the time. It's easier for work. But this is my house, and I brought you here because we need to straighten out a few things. I know you'll have to listen because you can't run from me here. Don't worry about someone interrupting us, because I have an excellent security system."

I looked around and frowned. "Where's Sheryl? I'm sure that knocked-up bitch is waiting around here somewhere."

Lester chuckled. "You really need to watch that mouth of yours, Luci. Our child's first words will be curse words." He moved forward and placed his hands on my shoulders as he leaned down to whisper, "Not that I don't find it sexy as hell…"

I elbowed him in the stomach and felt a small measure of glee at his groan.

He moved back and held his arms out at his sides. "You're free to look wherever you'd like. There is no Sheryl here, nor will there ever be."

I gave him a glare, and then for good measure I shot him an Italian hand gesture. "Don't worry yourself with it. This is my child, and he or she will be learning all sorts of things."

He stepped forward till he was standing flush against me and then cupped my face in his hands, his tone deadly soft as he said, "I will muzzle you if that's what it takes for you to listen. Dammit! There is so much you need to hear."

One eyebrow rose as I sent him a smirk. "And you were complaining about my language."

His mouth covered mine, and the heat traveled all the way to my nether regions as my hormones took over. I was like a woman dying of thirst and I'd just been given a canteen of water.

When we finally came up for air, his eyes were hooded with desire as he looked at me.

I felt my cheeks flush, and I looked away as I let out a sigh. "Just say what you need to say if it means I get out of here sooner. Besides, I need to get something to eat, and I'm sure someone will be looking for me."

He shook his head. "Nobody knows where we are. If you'll just shut up for five minutes and listen to me, I'll take you out for spaghetti."

If he was looking to shut me up, he'd certainly found a way to do it. I loved spaghetti.

I had to wonder at the look on my face, because suddenly Lester started laughing. He looked so carefree, and my heart melted at the sight of him.

I lifted my head in the air and said, "Start talking. But you've already dug yourself in pretty deep, so you'd better make it good."

"Let's go into the den so that you can be more comfortable sitting down."

I rolled my eyes but followed him through the house until we reached the den, and then I let him help me get seated on the sofa.

He sat down so that he was facing me. His leg was bent at the knee and resting on the cushion, and his arm was resting on the back of the sofa. "First off, I'm sorry for what I said to you."

I did a double take. "Wait! What?"

He reached out and let his finger rest against my lips. "Just listen." His eyes twinkled, and then he added, "Or you won't eat until tomorrow."

I nodded.

His head dipped for a moment, and then he looked back at me as he continued. "I'm sorry for what I said at the fundraiser and before that at the restaurant. I know now I was totally off base. I have no excuse other than I was jealous. The thought of you with another man was eating me up inside. I hit out at you to keep you from finding out just how gutted I was. I thought I wasn't able to father a child. That was one of the reasons why I insisted on casual relationships…but now, I know all that was a lie."

His hand clenched into a fist. "Long story short, I was injured on a mission about ten years ago. When I healed, they did some tests and the doctor told me that I'd never be able to have children."

I started to reach out to him but caught myself. Even if all that was true, it didn't explain Sheryl. Before I could call him on that, he broached the subject himself.

Les ran a hand through his hair and thenshook his head before his gaze met mine once again. "I've never had sex with Sheryl, and she most certainly is not carrying my baby. I've been out of the country since the night of the fundraiser, andI really had no idea what texts you were talking about."

I went to say something, but he grinned at me and shook his head. "Thatreally threw me when you accused me of texting you last week. I had a long time to think about that while I was setting up my plan to get to talk to you. Being in the business I am, I had the opportunity to do some digging, and I found out a thing or two."

I was torn between wanting to believe him and wanting to flay into him. He was the one who broke up with me…over spaghetti of all things, and now he was claiming all of this shit and I didn't know what to think. I didn't lie. Ihated it when other people lied, and that's how he made me feel, and it hurt like hell. Those text came from his phone, so why would he sit there and lie about it?

I suddenly became aware that Lester's lips were twitching and my face heated as I realized that once again I was pulling a Stephanie and saying things out loud that I'd had no intention of saying.

Lester leaned forward and kissed my nose. "I did break up with you over spaghetti. It's a wonder you still eat the stuff."

I gave him an eye roll. "No man is worth going without my favorite food…but do go on."

Once again he shook his head. "I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you, but instead of focusing on what I'm saying, you go and fight me on food."

I motioned for him to go on and then folded my arms over my chest.

His eyes narrowed. "I never sent those text. As I said, I was out of the country, and my phone was secured in a drawer back at Ra…my apartment. As I was also trying to explain, I did some searching and found out what did happen, if you are interested in the truth…since you put so much store in it."

He stood up and walked over to a painting on the wall. I wasn't surprised when the painting moved to reveal a safe. He quickly tumbled the lock and opened the safe's door and then took out a folder and brought it back over to the sofa. He handed it to me and said, "I would never threaten you with taking the baby. I couldn't do that to you. I do want to be a part of my child's life and I don't need lawyers hashing this out. Just you and me. I will do everything in my power to show you just how much I love you. Whatever it takes, Luci."

"You crushed me in so many ways. I loved you and told you countless times, but you could never say it back to me. You could never love me because I was just an easy fuck. All those hateful things that were said...and every time the baby moves or kicks, I remember it all again. It's like I'm constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. So many times I've cried myself to sleep at night because I was all alone and trying to deal with things. I have people around me all the time, but it's not the same. I'm scared, I'm tired, and I'm done trying to put up a front for others when I'm falling apart inside."

Next thing I knew, my head was resting on Lester's shoulder as tears fell. We stayed like that for several minutes, and then I turned my head so that I was looking up at him and said, "If you didn't send those texts, how is it they had so much personal information that only you would know?"

He wrapped me in his arms and pulled me into him. "It's all there in the file."

He arranged us so I wasable to read through the material in the folder while still surrounded by his hold.

The more I read, the more I could feel the steam coming out of my ears.