Page 58 of Wicked and Bound

“You seem nervous.” Dr. Haynes’s eyes gleamed as she prepared the needle. “But I’m told, Mr. King, that your recent diligence to the process has been quite admirable. I think the word I heard was vigorous. Much better than your initial…hesitation.”

Nash lounged in a nearby chair, the picture of casual dominance. But Haisley caught the tension in his jaw and the slight narrowing of his eyes that betrayed his hatred for this woman.

“I’m getting what I paid for,” he drawled. “And I’m enjoying it.”

The needle slid home. Haisley flinched, heart thundering, as she watched her blood fill the vial. Her skin felt clammy. Her stomach roiled.Please, not here. Not now. Not in this place where they sold people like commodities…

Once the tube was full, Dr. Haynes inserted the sample into her handheld device with an air of smug satisfaction. Seconds crawled by like hours. Haisley held her breath. She didn’t know what to wish for. Getting pregnant here would be terrifying. Dangerous. But a positive test was her ticket home. On the other hand, the opportunity to start a family with Nash. During her two lonely years in California, she’d wanted nothing more…

Finally, the doctor’s smile widened. “Congratulations, Mr. King. Your investment—and your efforts—have paid off. She’s pregnant.”

The words hit Haisley square in the chest. A storm of emotions crashed through her—terror, wonder, hope, dread. Her vision blurred as memories crashed over her of her last positive test, the terrifying solitude, the devastating loss. Now here she was again, carrying Nash’s child. And instead of loneliness and fear, she was battling uncertainty and danger. Her hands flew protectively to her stomach as tears pricked her eyes.

“Given last week’s negative test,” the doctor began, “I’m guessing conception took place in the last seven to twelve days. If you carry the baby to term, she’ll be delivering in October.”

Haisley scanned her memory. She’d broken down and told Nash about her miscarriage eleven days ago. They’d made love with their bodies—and hearts—that night. From the ashes of that confession had risen another child, another chance at their future.

She turned to Nash. He wore a smug smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. What was he really thinking? Was he happy? Upset? Angry? Was his smirk just to satisfy the horrible doctor…or a true reflection of his feelings? After their heart-wrenching conversation about their lost son, she thought she’d understood his heart. But lately, he’d been so closed off, so focused on whatever he wasn’t telling her…

“Excellent.” Even Nash’s voice failed to hint at what he was thinking.

“Quite.” The doctor began gathering her things. “We can take her down to medical this afternoon for her first exam?—”

“That won’t be necessary.” Nash waved a dismissive hand. “We’ll be leaving after tonight’s auction.”

“You’re attending?”

Nash shrugged. “Like I said, I’ve enjoyed the process. Why not add another breeder to my collection?”

Horror sliced through Haisley. Even knowing he didn’t mean those words, hearing him talk about women like cattle made her skin crawl. This place had forced him to behave like someone he wasn’t—the kind of man who could say such things without flinching.

Dr. Haynes nodded, seemingly satisfied as she typed on her phone. “Mr. Gray will be pleased to hear of your success. I’m sure he’ll be happy to help you add another mare to your stable. If you’re interested in maximizing your investments, we have lucrative options. The research market pays handsomely for fresh fetal tissue. Or there are buyers who would plunk down a fortune and take the infant off your hands after delivery…”

Haisley smothered a gasp of horror as she fought to shove her subservient mask back in place. These monsters weren’t just sex traffickers; they were baby brokers. Monsters who sold infants to the highest bidder.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Nash’s expression never changed.

How did he do it? How did he maintain such iron control? Haisley wanted to scream.

“Congratulations again.” Dr. Haynes swept from the room, leaving behind the acrid scent of antiseptic and evil.

The moment the door clicked shut, Nash was on his feet. His fingers made quick work of the buttons on her blouse. “Time to celebrate, sweet thing. Let’s fuck.”

Haisley recoiled internally even as she forced herself to lean into his touch. She hated this—hated that their intimate moments had become performances for their captors. Hated that Nash had learned to play this role so convincingly.

He guided her to the bathroom. She caught glimpses of his face in the mirrors they passed—taut with some emotion she couldn’t read. He’d seemed on edge all week, wound tight as a spring. Had the pregnancy news only upset him more?

He flipped on both shower and music before stripping them both and pulling her under the spray. The moment his lips found her ear, his mask dissolved. She saw joy in his eyes.

“A baby,” he whispered, voice raw with emotion. “Our baby.” His hand splayed protectively across her belly. “I swear to God, I’ll die before I let them hurt either of you.”

Relief flooded her. This was her Nash—the man who’d mourned their lost son, who had promised her a future filled with the family they both wanted.

“So…you’re happy?”

“Thrilled, baby.” He cupped her face and kissed her like no other woman existed in this world but her. “This may not have been planned or happened how you wanted it, but?—”

“None of that matters if I’m with you. C-can we really just leave tonight?”

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