Page 41 of Possess Me

I don’t like to run, and I’m not one to hide. But my obligation is to Cosette.

I know where we’ll hide until we get our footing. Hidden behind a thick forest of trees, Le Marquise will suit our needs, at least until I can conference with my brothers and come up with a plan of attack.

Adrenaline still pumping from that godawful high-speed chase, I make sure Cosette’s safe. God, if I’d done anything that would’ve caused harm to her or the baby—but no, she’s totally fine, thank fuck.

The car, on the other hand, will need some love.

I call Dr. Martin back.

“I was able to pull some strings, Mr. Gerard. I had the lab open early so they could process the results.”

“Thank you.” That wad of cash I handed her on the way out didn’t hurt then. Most things that take time can be expedited if you know the right price.

“And?”

I know the answer before she says it.

“She was right. You are the father. I’ll have these results printed and sent to your home as well as email.”

“No.”

“The results are very clear, Mr. Gerard. You can’t deny scientific data —”

“No. I believe you. But I don’t want them sent to my home. This information dies here, understood? We never had this conversation.”

“Yes, Mr. Gerard. Understood.”

I hang up the phone and stare at the road in front of us. It feels as if we’ve driven straight out of the heart of the city and into a place all our own.

Cosette gives me a curious look.

“And?” she says, though she knows full well what I’m going to say.

If I’m honest, I knew the minute she told me she was pregnant, but I needed evidence. I needed to confirm it.

A baby. She’s pregnant with my baby.

She only betrayed my family because she was trying to protect our baby.

Our baby.

It feels as if a weight’s been lifted. Like I’ve been viewing things through mist and clouds that have been cleared away. I didn’t know how anyone who could behave the way she did would ever betray people she’d come to view as family. Cosette lives to serve, and longs to be needed. I knew this about her after our first night together. But I doubted myself.

I doubted her.

I thought I hated her. I thought I’d never forgive her for what she did, but now that I know her reasons—

I turn to her. “She told me you’re carrying my baby.”

Cosette’s eyes widen. She isn’t surprised by the news. She told me the news herself.

Is it my reaction, then, that surprises her? Or the knowledge that she’s finally told me everything?

I reach for her. This time, she doesn’t flinch. I cup her face in my hands and look into those beautiful green eyes.

“You’re having my baby,” I whisper, shaking my head. “I never thought I’d be a father.”

“I know,” she whispers back. “I never thought I’d be a mother either. I promise you, Lyam. I swear, if I thought there was any other way, I never would’ve done what I did. I hate that I did. I don’t know how I’ll ever look at Thayer or Savannah again. I—”

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