Part 8
"Here," Lucien said smiling as he picked up Faith's basket. "Allow me."
His sudden appearance had startled her badly, but she managed to pull herself together quickly. All she could think about was her child. She couldn't let Lucien know that she was pregnant.
"I apologize if I startled you," he continued while handing the basket to her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked coolly. "I heard you left town."
"I did," he replied smiling. "But it seems that I have some unfinished business here."
"Right. Well, don't let me stop you," she huffed, trying to walk away. He blocked her way.
"What's your hurry, darling?"
"I have no reason to chat with people I don't like. Now if you'll excuse me…"
"Cute toys," Lucien cut in. "Who are they for?"
"If you must know, my friend is having a baby," Faith replied, keeping her voice cold.
"Hmm, how nice. What's your friend's name?"
"None of your business," Faith snapped. "I'm leaving now…"
"You want to know why I'm here, Faith?" Lucien hummed smiling. "A little bird told me something quite interesting." He paused and leaned towards Faith. "You're pregnant, aren't you, darling?"
Faith froze, she felt like her heart would have stopped for a moment.
"No," she murmured. "I'm not."
"Oh, I think you are," Lucien hummed. "In fact, I know you are. I can hear the child's heartbeat."
Stupid vampire hearing…
"Alright, fine, I'm pregnant," she snapped. "So what?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Well… Have you informed the father?"
"As a matter of fact, I have," she replied coldly.
"Really? And who might that be?"
"Again, none of your business."
"Hmm. You seem certain that I'm not the father," he stated smiling.
"Of course you're not," Faith replied as calmly as she could. "You said it yourself, you can't get anyone pregnant."
Lucien observed her face for few seconds, Faith didn't like the look in his eyes at all.
"Tell me who the father is then," he stated.
"No!" Faith snapped. "I don't have to tell you anything…"
"Enough," Lucien snorted. "We both know the child is mine."
"No, it's not, you stay away from me," Faith snarled, struggling to hide her fear.
Lucien smiled and touched her hair.
"I could easily get the truth out of you, but I already know that I'm right, so be a good girl and come with me. Let's not make a scene…"
The rest of his sentence turned into an angry scream as Faith sprayed vervain water on his face. She always carried both pepper spray and vervain spray in her bag. A firm kick between the legs dropped Lucien on his knees, giving Faith a chance to run for dear life. She was in panic; all she knew was that she had to get as far away from him as she could.
"Hey!" some woman shouted after her. Few people had seen her attacking Lucien, but thankfully no one tried to stop her. Faith ran as fast as she could, trying desperately to come up with a plan.
"Hey! Stop!" a male voice shouted. A security guard.
Faith headed to an emergency exit and yanked it open. She was running down the stairs when she was being grabbed from behind and pushed against the wall.
"Now that wasn't nice," Lucien snarled. "I wouldn't try that again if I were you."
"Let me go!" Faith shouted, trying to struggle.
Lucien turned her around, forcing her to face him.
"I advice you not to test my patience," he stated icily and grabbed her arm. "Move."
She had no choice but to obey, his grip was viselike. He led her out of the door and into awaiting car. She tried to open the door immediately, but of course it was locked.
"Go," Lucien said to the driver as soon as he had closed the door behind him. Faith's heart was pounding like a drum, she was trapped on the backseat with Lucien. She tried to get as far away from him as she could.
"That wasn't very ladylike behavior," Lucien stated after a moment of silence. "Honestly, I thought that your father raised you better."
"Let me go," Faith murmured. "Please."
"I don't think so," Lucien replied. "Not when you have something of mine."
"What?" Faith gasped. "No… No, this child is mine. You have no right…"
"Of course I have," Lucien snorted. "And may I just point out how rude you were for not planning to tell me at all."
"Why would I have told you?" Faith murmured angrily. "I don't want you anywhere near my child."
"Hmm. Too bad your opinion makes no difference."
Faith pressed her lips together and forced herself to look at him.
"Where are you taking me?"
"You'll see."
She tried desperately to think. There had to be some way out of this.
"Look, I'm sorry about the vervain and kicking you, but you scared me," she started as calmly as she could. "Could we please just talk about this? I'm sure you have a great life; women, money, parties, why would you want to ruin it? I'm not asking anything from you, you can just leave and forget this whole thing…"
"Do you really think that I'm worried about alimonies?" Lucien snorted. "No, I simply want what's mine."
"No," Faith snapped. "You won't touch my child."
"Don't you mean our child, darling?" Lucien hummed smiling.
"No, I don't. I'm not letting you anywhere near me or the child."
"That's not your decision, I'm afraid. But no need to worry, I intend to take a good care of you until you give birth. After that… well, we'll see."
"I'll kill you," Faith hissed. "I swear to God."
Lucien smiled.
"Oh, I do like your spirit. I have no doubt that we're going to have a lot of fun."
