When I knock on the window, it’s the handsome one named Declan who rolls it down.
“Well, isn’t this a nice surprise,” he says, smirking. “Good to see you, Your Royal Highness.”
I decide to skip the pleasantries, because I hate his boss. “I’m gonna need you guys to clear out. Right now.”
Declan raises his dark brows and looks me up and down, his baby blue eyes sparkling with amusement. “I’m sorry, were you operating under the mistaken impression that you’re in charge here?”
I anticipated that. Gangsters aren’t generally known for being accommodating.
“If you’re not gone in two minutes, I’ll call Channel 5 News and tell them that Killian Black has some SUVs filled with mobsters parked on Mount Vernon street and give them the license plate numbers. Maybe they’d like to ask you a few questions about your boss’s unusual and abrupt release from federal custody last year.”
Declan’s smile vanishes. I think he’s angry about the threat, but then he says with quiet astonishment, “He told you his real name.”
“He told me a name. I have no idea if it’s the real one or not.”
“Oh, it’s the real one, lass,” says Declan, gazing at me with furrowed brows. He doesn’t look as if he approves of this development.
“If you’re worried I’ll tell anyone, don’t be. I don’t care if he wants to call himself Jabba the Hutt. I don’t care about anything to do with him at all. I just want you guys to leave. And stay gone.”
Declan cocks his head and narrows his eyes at me. From his jacket pocket, he produces a pack of cigarettes. He shakes one out, sticks it between his lips, puts the cigarettes back into his pocket, and fishes a Zippo out of another pocket.
Then he lights his smoke, all the while staring at me like I’m an interesting but untrustworthy riddle.
“You’re upset.”
“And you’re a genius. Now leave.”
“What did he do?”
When I sigh heavily, rolling my eyes, Declan says, “Because if anyone knows how he can be, it’s me.”
I say drily, “That’s a fascinating tidbit of information. Bye now.”
I turn to walk away, but Declan calls out, “I’ve never seen him like this before, lass. He’s crazy about you.”
I stop in my tracks, my face heating instantly. I whirl around and send Declan a murderous glare. “Tell your boss I’m not as dumb as he thinks I am. And that he can go to hell.” I laugh darkly. “And that I got my period. That should pop his scheming little bubble.”
I walk up the apartment steps with my head held high and my heart breaking.
When I get back inside, I head to my room and close the door. I stand by the window, looking out at the street, until both SUVs pull away. I’m a little surprised, but if Declan told Killian what I said, maybe he’ll leave me alone now. Maybe he’ll find some other girl to seduce and lie to.
Hopefully, she’s smarter than me and will take pruning shears to his balls.
I get another pregnancy test from the bag in the top drawer of my dresser, then go into the bathroom and pee onto the little white stick.
I sit on the toilet for two minutes that feel like two hours, staring at the damn thing.
I release the breath I’d been holding when the results are negative.
But I still haven’t had my period, and it was due yesterday.
Nine days after I had unprotected sex.
One day after the earliest the test could possibly detect pregnancy hormones.
I go to bed early with a bad feeling the rest of the week is going to be a nightmare.
I wake up in the middle of the night with the distinct sense that someone else is in the room with me.
I don’t move or give any indication I’m awake. I just lie on my side, facing the wall, listening hard over the drumbeat of my pulse. The room is dark and silent. Where did I leave my knife?
“If you’re looking for your knife, it’s on the bathroom sink. Next to the pregnancy test wrapper.”
The voice is low, calm, and unmistakable. My blood turns to fire in my veins.
I sit up abruptly, turn on the light on the nightstand, and stare at Killian sitting with one leg casually crossed over the other in an armchair across the room.
He’s in his Armani power suit. The one he wears like a suit of armor. The one that makes him look elegant and dangerous, a hungry tiger dressed in a gentleman’s