Do Or Die [Nuworld 4] (14 page)

“No.” Darius pointed his finger at Andru. “This bitch has no proof about the

Bachula?”

“Absolutely none.”

“And this baby she’s carrying?”

“I don’t know.”

“Get rid of the baby.” And with that Darius walked out the door.

Both young men exhaled loudly. They stood in the room, not talking or looking at

each other until they heard the front door open and close.

“What do you want me to tell Ana?” Gilroy finally broke the silence.

Andru turned to stare at his friend through his one good eye. He wouldn’t let Ana

come between them. Andru served Crator and Gothman, and he wouldn’t forget that.

“What do you want to tell her?”

Gilroy pursed his lips and thought about the question. Ana meant everything to

him. He remembered coming around this house when he was young, seeing her with

her brother, and wanting her so badly he couldn’t concentrate. She’d been a gift he

never thought he would obtain. She was the ultimate catch of their nation and wouldn’t

be handed over easily to any man. His claim was coveted throughout all of Gothman.

He could handle any man who crossed him but he couldn’t ever let that man be Andru.

Andru had given all of this to him and even though he earned it—at a dear price—he

knew Andru could take it all away.

“My lord, I will tell her whatever you want me to tell her.” Gilroy stood attentive

and refused to dwell on Andru’s swollen eye.

Andru sighed and sat down in one of the chairs, touching his cut and discolored

cheekbone tenderly with his fingers.

“I know you would, Gilroy. You’ve proven that enough for a lifetime. I need to

know what she means to you, though. You tell me what you are going to tell her and I

will follow your lead.” Andru spoke quietly, nursing the side of his face the entire time.

Ana sat on top of the stairs, her arms wrapped around her bare feet and legs. She

wore one of Gilroy’s long flannel shirts, which, when she stood, came almost down to

her knees. She heard her papa attack her brother and her heart pounded mercilessly

against her rib cage when she heard furniture break. Silence followed and Ana cringed

from the sensations she felt from her twin. Her papa stormed out of the conference

room too quickly for her to move out of sight. His long stride had him in the entryway

within seconds. He glanced up at her and she froze, prepared for his berating. He didn’t

say anything to her. In fact, he didn’t even slow his stride. The front door slammed so

loudly she jumped.

She was down the stairs in a minute and to the conference room door in time to

hear Andru and Gilroy talking. She didn’t intend to eavesdrop but she could hear them

so clearly through the door she just stopped in mid-step while reaching for the

doorknob. Why would Gilroy ask Andru what he should tell her unless there really had

been a Bachula? And why didn’t it surprise her that those two had planned such an

illegal act? She pushed open the door and both men turned to stare at her.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered loud enough for both of them to hear her.

Gilroy walked over to her with a determined stride. Her face was blank until she

saw the fire in his eyes and her eyes widened. He grabbed her arms and literally lifted

her off her feet before carrying her backwards several feet and pinning her up against

the closed door.

“Don’t ever do anything like that again.” She’d never seen this side of him before.

Her jovial Gilroy had a nasty temper. “If there is something you don’t understand, or a

question you have about anything then you find me or your brother when we are alone

and ask us. I daresay you better understand me, woman.” He shook her once and she

nodded. “Look at him.” He nodded his head toward Andru. “He took that blow to

protect you, to protect us, to protect Gothman.”

She looked at him. He stared back at her with one gray eye and she felt his pain.

One lone tear fell down her face and she struggled in Gilroy’s grasp.

“Let me get some ice for him.”

Gilroy dropped her like a hot piece of coal. He stepped back a foot or two and

looked defeated. “Go to him,” he muttered.

“No, Gilroy. Don’t do this.” She went to him instead of her brother. “I wanted to

terminate this pregnancy but you said you could handle it. I knew this would happen,

but I kept this child and he is growing in me and I can feel him move. I’m growing fond

of this baby.” She put her hand on her belly. “And I won’t let him be born into this

triangle of jealousy and lies. There has to be closure on this.”

She sighed and ran her hands up Gilroy’s broad iron chest, gently teasing him with

her fingertips. His expression was still masked, though, and he watched her warily.

“Gilroy, I went to the doctor today. I didn’t mention any other man’s name, I just

asked him to confirm that you were the papa.” She could feel Andru’s gaze on her back.

“This is your child, Gilroy. Do you know how happy that makes me? The only reason I

considered ending the pregnancy was because I thought the baby might be Andru’s.

He’s my brother and I love him very much, but you’ve claimed me. I’m yours and I love

you as my claim.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and gently kissed his lips.

“Now, I’m going to get some ice for my brother.”

* * * * *

Ana slipped out of Gilroy’s arms early the next morning. The house was quiet other

than the gentle breathing coming from her claim. She showered and dressed then went

downstairs to raid the kitchen. Gilroy had been almost savage after they’d shut

themselves in their bedroom the night before. He’d ripped his shirt from her and

pinned her to the bed. Her quick response had thrown him for a curve however and

she’d been able to free herself and then slowly undress him.

She grabbed an apple as she prepared coffee and put water on for oatmeal. Her

body tingled as she thought of Gilroy’s perfect body reacting to her every touch. She

swallowed a bite of her apple and could still taste him in her mouth…the salty taste

she’d grown to enjoy.

“Ah, my lady, a good morning to you,” Fulga said cheerily as she came through the

back door. Ana was glad the servants didn’t sleep in the house anymore. The events

that happened the night before would result in enough gossip to last several winters.

“Good morning, Fulga. I was making myself some oatmeal.”

“Now you just go and sit yourself down, my lady. I’ll bring the oatmeal in to you

right quick.” Fulga started whistling as she moved quickly around the kitchen and Ana

took her apple and went to sit down in the dining room.

She’d decided first thing this morning what she would do today. It was imperative

that she prove herself worthy to rule the Runners. The oatmeal went down easily and

afterwards she pulled her glider out of the garage and confirmed from a Gothman

guard that both of her parents as well as Andru were already gone for the day. She

asked the guard to tell Gilroy that she’d gone to the Runner clan site and then mounted

her glider.

“Would you leave without telling me goodbye, my lady?” She hadn’t noticed

Gilroy until she turned and faced him. He held onto her handlebars and enticing blue

eyes made her insides flip-flop.

“I didn’t want to wake you.” She spoke quietly, not once taking her eyes from his.

He reached down and under her arms, lifting her off the glider with ease. He

walked across the yard and then set her down where no one could hear what he would

say.

“Ana, you carry my child.” He breathed the words with more emotion than she

thought him capable. His sky-blue eyes suddenly seemed moist. “I can’t think of a

higher honor that you could do for me. You are mine and this child is mine.” He spoke

the words like he just heard the news.

“I’ve carried your baby for almost four cycles now, Gilroy.” The way he looked at

her brought back memories of their lovemaking the night before and she smiled and ran

her fingers across his unshaven face.

“But there was always doubt. Now it no longer exists. I want to know where you

are always…and how long it will be until you are back at my side.” He kissed her palm

and then pulled her to him. “Why are you going to the clan site?”

“I’m heir to all Runner clans, aren’t I? I’ll go there every day…”

“Until the doctor tells you no,” he finished for her. “I love you, Ana, and you’re

mine to care for. It’s a task I won’t take lightly. Go to your duties now. But mind me, I

always want to know where you are.”

Ana thrived on the warmth of the sun as she walked toward her mama’s trailer. She

surveyed the active clan site and wondered who she would ask to be her advisors.

Taking these matters into her own hands would definitely impress her parents.

“Well, look at the pregnant lady.” Syra sat backwards against one of the kitchen

table chairs. “Sounds like your life has been pretty exciting.”

Tara stood in the kitchen and shot Syra a disparaging look. Ana saw the exchange

between the two women but ignored it. They couldn’t prove a thing and she wouldn’t

give them any proof.

“Hi, Syra, what are you doing here?” Ana joined her at the table and her mama

brought her a cup of coffee.

“I was about to ask you the same thing,” Tara said and joined them at the table.

“Mama, I want to send more scouts to the Norther country. They’ll need to go north

of Mogsven. I don’t want them to go undercover. They can make it known all the way

that they’re in search of a Runner site, or what will appear to be a Runner site, that is

not a known clan.”

Tara leaned back and something close to a smile appeared on her face. “This is a

new side to you, Ana,” she said quietly.

Ana looked from Tara to Syra. “It became quite obvious to me last night that no one

in my family has faith in my ability to rule the Runners.” She took a deep breath and

then looked her mama in the eyes. “If you did, you wouldn’t have given that Bachula

thing a second thought.”

Tara stared at her carefully for a long moment and it was Syra that spoke up first.

“I’d like to volunteer to be one of those scouts.” She spoke directly to Ana.

“What will Torgo have to say about that?” Ana smiled, greatly relieved that Syra

seemed to be on her side.

“I was going to suggest that he go too. The children can stay with the servants.”