“When was the first day of your last cycle?” the doctor asked.

That question pulled her from her anger as she saw the opportunity it provided.

“Uh...yesterday,” she lied.

The doctor stopped shuffling his papers and looked at her sharply. It felt like he had seen right through that lie, but that was impossible. It was a ridiculous thought. She’d never met the guy in her life; there was no way he would know anything like that about her.

“Right,” the doctor said as he wrote something down. “And is there a risk that you may already be pregnant?”

“I just said I’m on my period. You’re a doctor; you should know how this works,” she said.

“Were you intimate with someone before I found you?” Jackson asked quietly.

She had been concentrating on the doctor so much she had almost forgotten that Jackson was there. He wasn’t looking at her but sat so still that he reminded her of a predator about to pounce on its prey. But why did it matter? Her sex life before their deal was none of his business. Was he actually expecting a virgin to carry his child?

“Did you let someone fuck you, Layla?” he said, raising his voice slightly.

He was angry. Like he had been angry in the forest when she had tried to run away. Like he had been furious when he’d locked her in her room.

In less than twenty-four hours, Jackson King had scared her many times. He had shown his true colours. Getting away from him was the only choice she could make.

“I did,” she lied, folding her arms. “Many times. Does it matter? Are you backing out?”

Jackson remained quiet for a moment, and when he finally looked at her, there was none of the anger that she had felt from him before. His ice-blue eyes were as cold as the day they met.

“It doesn’t matter at all. And no, I’m not backing out,” he answered. “Are we done now, doctor?”

“Yes,” the doctor answered. “She appears healthy, and I’m sure the tests will confirm it. You can start trying but make her take the supplements. They’re necessary for human pregnancies.”

His choice of words brought a bubble of laughter up her chest, but Jackson stood so quickly the laughter died in her throat. She flinched and reached for her knife, but he didn’t do anything to her. He just nodded to the doctor and started walking to the door.

“Let’s go, Layla.”

She followed him through the hospital, trying to keep his pace, not because she was eager to be with him, but because the other people couldn’t hide their hostility. The nurse handed him a pharmacy paper bag, but Jackson didn’t stop or thank her. When she was back in Jackson’s car, she realised she was safer with him though he was an asshole. They all seemed to keep their distance from him. Maybe Jackson had more influence around the place than she thought.

The drive back to her prison felt shorter. In the light of the day, she could see the town bustling with people. Everyone looked well-dressed and healthy. They probably didn’t have a divide as they did in the city. Though she had never experienced it, it was like being in another country. And they didn’t even look like the heat affected them like it did her. A few minutes away from the air conditioning, she was already a puddle.

The gates closed behind her all too soon, and Jackson parked the car. There were still many people outside the building that she had to rush to make sure Jackson didn’t leave her behind. She knew he was leading her to lock her in her room, but she didn’t care. She needed to think and plan. Brit probably didn’t have a phone after Costas kidnapped them, so she had to find a way to communicate with her.

Jackson opened her door. She avoided his gaze as she walked past him, finally taking a breath as the tension left her body. The door closed behind her, but she didn’t hear the sound of the lock. Was he going to allow her to roam free?

She turned quickly to make sure Jackson really hadn’t locked her in again but stopped when she saw him standing before the closed door.

“Take your clothes off.”

She stepped back. Was he still upset about her clothing choice?

“Why?” she asked.

“Because we’re going to make a baby.”

Chapter 17

Jackson watched Laya take another step back and cursed the beast inside him. Cain was being a hypocrite.

‘She’s mine,’ Cain growled.

‘She’s a healthy young woman, and sex is natural. Of course, someone fucked her!’