Page 116 of Líadan's Code

The rental also has a place for me to be able to do laundry, another positive point I plan to pitch later.

Líadan dresses in a pair of jeans and a sweater, making my brows raise. She doesn’t often dress down like this. Brendan does the same as I pull on my clothes, answering my unanswered question.

“Lía and I need to visit with some of the people that were kept as human sex slaves,” he explains. “She wants to see what they want to do, or if they’re capable of making those decisions. She’s planning to open a sex club, and sometimes that sexual freedom to choose can be helpful.”

“What position would they work in?” I ask, interested as I stand in my long-sleeved shirt and chinos.

“Whatever they want,” she says honestly. “I want to put the option to stay in Chicago out there for them. I’ll provide housing, a job, and a chance to start over.”

“That’s amazing,” I tell her. “Seriously, I heard some of your plans earlier when we were returning from New York, but it’s impressive that you’re willing to help.”

“I killed their owners, I can’t just disappear,” she says as a knock sounds at the door. Making a face, Líadan shoves her feet into comfy socks and decides that shoes are too much effort.

Shoving a pocket knife into her back pocket just in case, she walks over to the front door of the little cottage.

“She’s going to be difficult about this visit, isn’t she?” I ask under my breath. Brendan smirks as he nods.

“Don’t ask questions to things you already know the answers to,” he grunts as he walks out of the bedroom with me to follow her.

Dr. Kurtz is already standing in the living room chatting with her, several pregnancy tests in his hand. He must have shoved some in his pocket on his way out the door, and that vision has me quickly rolling in my lips to hide the smile that wants to come out.

“Líadan, I need to rule this out before I run any other tests,” he says. It’s then that I notice that he has a heavy medical bag looped over his shoulder. The doctor glances at me, but doesn’t mention anything about my presence as I shove my hands in my pockets to keep away the nerves.

So maybe he didn’t shove the tests into his pocket.

“Doctor, you know I can’t get pregnant,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around her waist.

That kills whatever odd amusement my brain is twisting in my mind, because I understand the very idea of being pregnant is difficult for her. The letdown from any tiny bit of hope it could manifest would be devastating.

“No, I know no such thing,” Dr. Kurtz growls. “I know some dumb shit looked at the scans after your surgery and spewed a bunch of bullshit you believed after surviving trauma. Just because your uterus is a bit scarred after the infection you had, doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant and carry to term. Now go take the damn test, please. If it’s negative, we’ll go from there, alright?”

Taking a deep breath, Líadan nods shakily, reaching out to take a test.

“Take two,” he suggests. “It’s easy to mess up the first one if you’re nervous.”

Accepting his suggestion at face value, she takes another test, scurrying away for the bathroom.

Sagging, I blow out a breath.

“Fuck,” I whisper.

“I see you made your way back into her life, Jordan,” Dr. Kurtz says, lips twitching in amusement. “How long has she been not feeling well?”

“Three days?” Brendan guesses, his tongue ring flashing in the sunlight streaming into the room as he swipes his bottom lip. “We’ve been moving non-stop to change locations, so I initially chalked it up to that. Do you really think she could…?”

“Yes, I do,” the doctor grunts. “She’s young, and her body is resilient. I wanted to mention a dozen times that she should book an appointment with a specialist, but I enjoy being alive. I also think she could safely carry a child, though I suspect she may be at high risk due to the previous trauma.”

“Okay,” Brendan breathes, shaking out his hands as we wait. “Fuck it, I’m going to go sit with her. Even if it’s against the wall while she takes a piss.”

I begin to worry my lip with my teeth again as he starts to stride across the room. I want to go with him, but would she want me there? Fuck, I hate how unsteady I still feel.

Dr. Kurtz cuffing me behind the head brings me back from the spiral of anxiety, and I see Brendan walking backwards, arms spread wide.

“Come on, then,” he says, rolling his eyes. “This is your engraved invitation to join me, Jor.”

Pulling my hands out of my pockets, I hurry after him, ignoring Dr. Kurtz’ muttered words under his breath.

Brendan

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