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Dea
“That’s what our survey last month suggested. They’re a philosophical people, preferring debate over physical conflict.” Still, Dea
“Ree, think about this,” Dea
“There is no time. You are too close to term. You could deliver at any time. As for the authorities, I will not allow them to harm the child.” The fierce gleam in his eye intimidated her, and her throat constricted.
But she calmed herself and found her voice again. “If you inflict violence on them, matters will only escalate. Hostage situations rarely work out well for the captors. And they will see me as a captor, as a threat.”
Ree whirled to the Lumbuan ward nurses who cowered in a corner. “You! If you would please tell me what you see here,” he said, pointing to Dea
“A…a pregnant giantess?” one of the male nurses managed to say.
The doctor smiled. “Very good. And pray tell, how do your people feel about babies?”
“They…are precious to us. Please, I have a young son at home, he needs me!”
Ree strode closer and spoke in a low growl. “Is this true?”
“Yes! I swear! His mother died last year!”
The Pahkwa-thanh lifted the nurse by his collar and carried him to the exit. “Then go. Make sure the police understand there is an unborn child in this room…and that I will devour anyone who brings the slightest harm to it. Then go to your son and keep him safe.”
He unsealed the door long enough to toss out the nurse. One of the younger female nurses straightened up and said, “I—I have a son too! And two daughters! Just babies!”
Ree’s head whirled to transfix her in his gaze. “You’ve never been pregnant in your life,” he told her after a moment. His head lunged forward, jaws gaping, and Dea
Dea
But her words had no effect. “Calm yourself, Counselor. We don’t want to place the dear child under any stress.”
“You’re creating the stress, Ree! Why can’t you see that?”
Ree came closer, taking her hand. He was suddenly in full Reassuring Doctor mode. “Have faith, Dea
She studied him. Was there more motivating him than an instinctive response to her projected fears? “It’s important to you to believe that, isn’t it?”
“Nothing matters more to me than the wellbeing of a child.”
“You have so much devotion to children.”
“Profoundly.”
“Then why have you never had any of your own?”
His hand twitched atop hers; luckily he filed his claws, or the mild scratches she sustained would have been far worse. He looked away. “My…professional commitments have not allowed me the time.”
“But you have had offers?” He remained silent. “No, you haven’t, have you? Come to think of it, don’t Pahkwathanh females generally prefer their males somewhat larger and more robust than you?”
He fidgeted. “My strengths are in the mind,” he declared. “They are just as valuable.”
“But are they as valued?” She softened her voice. “It’s not your fault if they never appreciated you. Never gave you the chance to prove what a devoted father you’d be.
“But now you have that chance. Your chance to be the strong, aggressive, masculine one. Your chance to be the father figure you’ve wanted to be all your life. It must be a very rewarding feeling.”