Страница 24 из 102
Chapter 8 (Lou-Lou)
I'm sitting in the dressing room reading a copy of What to Expect When You're Expecting on my e-reader when Luke waltzes in.
I quickly swipe out of my book and turn off my device.
I don't even know why he's here right now given there isn't a fight scheduled for today or tonight.
His eyes leer over my chest and I fight the urge to toss my cookies.
"Your tits have gotten bigger," he comments.
Considering I'm wearing a simple sweater and jeans at the moment, it's disturbing he even notices my boobs.
But then again, he's done nothing but ogle my body every chance he's had since I was a teenager.
I shudder and I'm about to leave because he's giving me the creeps when out of nowhere he grabs my wrist and shoves me against the wall.
"I'll tell DeLuca," I warn him.
I bring up my knee and aim it for his balls but I'm too daunted by his next statement. "And I'll tell him you're pregnant."
How the hell does he know?
"I'm not pregnant," I say quickly, hoping he didn't notice my brief moment of hesitation.
He rubs his chin and glares at me. "Then why did I spot you coming out of that clinic a week ago?"
"You're spying on me?"
Dammit, what I should have said was he was mistaken and it wasn't me.
"Of course, it's my job. Why else do you think DeLuca sent me here?"
Tears prickle my eyes and I start panicking. I'm debating the best way to threaten the bastard but then he says, "Don't worry, I still haven't told him."
Relief flows through me. "Thank you, Luke. Not go
His dirt brown eyes skim over my body. "I hope so...considering I'm expecting something in exchange for my silence."
Oh, fuck no. I decide to play him at his own game. "Why would I do that? I have no guarantee you didn't tell DeLuca."
He presses against me and I swallow down bile. "Don't you think if I did he would have killed you already?" He moves my shirt up with one hand and reaches for the button on my jeans with the other.
I try to get away from him but he slams my body against the wall. The force is so hard my head begins throbbing.
I immediately stop fighting. It occurs to me that for the first time in my life, my self-preservation isn't going to help.
I have something much more important than myself to think about.
Hang in there, Thumper. Mommy's not going to let you get hurt. I'll do whatever I have to in order to ensure your safety.
I try to calm myself down so I can figure out how to get away, but then he brings up one of his hands and starts groping me.
"Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to do this to you?"
Yeah, ever since I was a child, you sick perv.
"Luke. I'm begging you and you know I don't beg. Please, don't do this."
He ignores me and continues fondling me. "You know, I've been thinking about who the father is." He grabs my neck and forces me to look at him. "I mean...who in the world could your baby daddy be?"
He sniggers and his grip tightens. "You came here to seduce Jackson and Tyrone but I know they haven't fucked you."
He chuckles."Probably because they can tell you're nothing but a used up damaged slut with serious daddy issues." He strokes my cheek. "Fortunately for me, I like them dirty and trashy. And I'm awfully curious how sexually depraved a girl who used to be her father's plaything is."
"Go to hell, you sick fuck!" I yell.
When his hand skims my belly, I bare my teeth and lunge for him. I'm about to tear right into his jugular, but the next thing I hear are the sounds of heavy fists pounding into flesh.
I look down and scream when I see Ricardo beating the shit out of Luke.
It's so bad there's blood all over the floor and I'm certain he's going to kill him.
The downright murderous look in his eyes is like nothing I've ever seen before.
Actually...that's a lie.
Chills creep up and down my spine the longer I stare at him.
Hell, I can practically see Bruno DeLuca right now, just under the surface, threatening to break free.
It scares me so much, I shout for him to stop—but before I know what's happening, Tyrone's ru
For a moment, I hope he's dead. I feel a twinge of sadness when I see his chest rising and falling before he gets up off the floor.
Tyrone position's himself between them and Luke uses the opportunity to shoot me a warning glance before he leaves.
I feel sick when I realize that a small part of me is hoping he still wants to fuck me bad enough that he won't call DeLuca and tell him I'm pregnant.
But I feel even sicker when my mind flashes back to Ricardo's eyes in that moment.
I stare at myself in the mirror and despite the chaos of what happened today, I can't help but smile when I look down.
My hand finds my stomach and I give it a gentle rub. I'm not even close to showing yet, but there's something about knowing I'm carrying a baby in my belly that makes me feel so womanly.
For the first time in my life, I'm not ashamed of my body. I'm actually proud of it and what it's doing.
I have so much love flowing through me for this baby it's unreal.
I pat my tummy and smile. "I'm pretty sure you're the best thing that ever happened to me, Thumper. Even when you make me throw up my breakfast and lunch." My hand immediately flies to my mouth because I can't believe I said that out loud, but then I remember that Ricardo's at the gym doing a late night training session with Jackson.
I put my nightgown back on and step out of the bathroom. Then I head straight for the bag that I have hidden.
When I find it, I take out the plush little bu
My eyes prickle with tears because I hate that I can't share these moments with the one other person I should be sharing them with.
But the truth of the matter is, Ricardo can't even manage to protect me from DeLuca—there's no way he's going to be able to protect the both of us.
At least, not without catastrophic repercussions.
Which means it's up to me and only me. Just like it always has been.
"Mommy will find a way to protect you, Thumper. Even if I have to give up my own life...he's not taking yours." I give the bu
I'll figure out a way to protect the both of them...even if it's the last thing I do.