Page 11 of Lucian's Soul

Finn looked unsure for a moment, but must have seen something in Lucian before he narrowed his eyes and grunted. “Okay. Whatever you say, boss.”

Chapter Five

Three months later

Tessa stared at thebuilding and gently stroked her stomach.” Are you sure we should go in there? I can look after you without him. I’m sure I remember him saying he was sterile, so he probably won’t believe me anyway.”

Warmth surrounded her, and she sighed as it confirmed one of the main reasons Tessa needed to talk to her baby’s daddy. Her baby had powers—it warned her of danger and wrapped her in love and warmth when she needed it. Sometimes she would swear it talked to her. Whispered things to her likemother, safe, love. Lately the words had beenmother, love, safe…father?

Tessa was scared. She looked a lot more than three months pregnant. She hadn’t gone to the doctor to get check-ups, terrified they’d find something unusual with her baby. Would it have wings like its father? Would it be massive and bright red, and have fangs or something else weird?

Tessa loved her baby and didn’t want anything to happen to it, and she didn’t want it to be a lab experiment. So she’d finally gathered up enough courage to see Lucian. She’d used a fake name just in case she chickened out, or if he didn’t want to see her.

Slowly walking into Devil’s Inc., she choked on a cough as the name sank in.Oh, God. Was that what Lucian was?

A beautiful redheaded man sat behind the front reception desk. He had big green eyes that homed in on her as she entered. He looked her up and down and paused at her stomach. Clearing her dry throat, she went to him with her head held high and her arms protectively around her baby belly. “Hi. I have an appointment with Lucian Samson at ten AM.”

The man’s eyes never left her stomach as she spoke. When she finished he typed into the computer. “Miss Bluebell?” He raised his eyebrow and a smirk spread over his face. The look almost took her breath away. Dimples on each side of his cheek deepened as his perfect white teeth showed.

She groaned when she heard the lame made-up name she’d given. She really should have come up with something better, like Smith or Black. “Yes. That’s me.”

His lips curled in the corners. “Go right on up.”

Tessa nodded, turned, and walked to the elevators. She got in and pressed the top button, only to try and get out when the doors started shutting. Holy shit! She remembered that guy. That was the man she’d seen with Lucian months ago. As the doors shut, she heard him say, “He’s been expecting you for a while.”

The further the elevator went up the happier her baby got. Tessa could feel it radiating out. “I’m sorry, bubba, I can’t do this.” She pressed the button so she could get off at the next floor when she started to feel sad. Letting her hand drop, she cradled her belly and stood still as the door opened. When she didn’t—couldn’t—move, the door slid shut and continued to their destination, opening on the top level. Tessa stood frozen for a moment. Warmth, love, and devotion settled over her and she groaned, moving into the foyer.

Taking a deep breath, she walked towards Lucian’s office. A young woman sat behind a desk before the big doors. Tessa hadn’t seen her before, she wasn’t the same woman Lucian had months ago. The young woman looked up as Tessa came to stand in front of her. Her eyes narrowed and Tessa felt her baby shrink back.

Straightening her shoulders, she forced a smile on her face as she looked at the woman. “I have an appointment at ten AM with Lucian Samson.”

The woman didn’t even glace at her screen. “I’m sorry to inform you, but Mr. Samson’s appointments for today have been cancelled. If you go down to the front reception Xore will reschedule you.”

Tessa knew if she left now she’d never have the courage or strength to come back again. “Tell him Tessa Jackson is here to see him.”

The woman’s eyes widened, her skin turned a deathly white, and her fingers flew over the keys. Tessa backed up as a weird look came into the woman’s eyes. “Don’t leave,” the woman yelled. “Please don’t leave.”

Before Tessa had taken two steps back, the doors to Lucian’s office banged open and a hulking, angry-looking six-foot-something Lucian came stalking towards her.Oh, shit. Tessa was in big trouble. Wrapping her arms around her baby to keep it safe, she looked around for an escape.

Turning, she ran, praying she reached the elevators, but she didn’t even get to press the buttons before Lucian came upon her. Black, bat-like wings came around her and she trembled in his embrace. “Please don’t hurt me. I will do anything. Please, please, be careful of my stomach.”

Lucian visibly flinched back, shock and hurt clear on his face. “I would never hurt you.” His hands cupped her face and his thumb gently stroked her cheek before gliding down her body. As they got close to her belly, Tessa batted them away. This had been a bad idea. Tessa needed to get away.

“Don’t even think about it, Tessa. I searched for you for three months and hoped you’d come home. The first week I thought you’d come back. I thought I’d bonded with you enough.” Lucian rested his forehead against hers. “Don’t ever leave me again. I need you.” His mouth came crashing down on hers and his hands scanned her body like he was making sure everything was how he remembered. “I’m not letting you go, now or ever again. I’ve missed you so fucking much.” He held both her hands in one of his, using his other hand to stroke her baby bump. “You wouldn’t have come if he hadn’t begged you to see his daddy?”

Struggling in his grasp, she freed her hands and pushed at him. “Herdaddy told me he was sterile. I tried to tell her that he was a lying arsehole. But…she won’t listen.”

Lucian chuckled. “Sorry, honey, but there are no female demons. I also said I could only get my mate pregnant and you, Tessa, are my mate.”

Tessa gasped, even though she knew with the black bat-like wings and the increase in height and width, turning bright red and sucking of blackness out of people, that he was something otherworldly. Having it confirmed the father of your child was a demon was a lot to take in. What did that mean for her baby?

She pushed against his chest and when that didn’t work she tried looking over and then under the leather-like wings. Giving up, she huffed. “Can you put those down? Can we go to a café or something to talk?”

Like magic, his wings slowly rescinded like they were folding into his back. She watched, amazed and a little scared for her future. Would she be chasing around a flying baby?

Lucian moved his hands to hers and brought them up to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. “Sure, anything for you.” He looked behind her. “Cancel all my appointments until I tell you otherwise, Brenna.”

“Yes, sir.”

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