Page 136 of Illicit Heir

It's a long way. We're hours into the drive when I finally ask, "Where are we going?"

He arrogantly states, "To my house. Where do ya think we're going?"

I don't know why I would think he would take me anywhere else. It's not like he's going to keep me hidden. He'll let all of Dublin and Belfast now he has me as his.

I beg, "Caleb, please listen to me. I didn't mean to hurt ya. And I don't know what ya think ya know—"

"I know everything, Lauren. I know it's an O'Connor inside you and not an O'Leary. Do I need to know anymore?" he interjects, scowling with hatred.

"It's not," I say in my most convincing voice.

"Don't lie to me," he screams, and the crazed look on his face intensifies.

I take a deep breath, pleading, "Please don't hurt my baby."

He snorts. "Here's what's going to happen." He lights up another cigarette and takes a drag. He blows the smoke toward me and asserts, "You're going to marry me. The baby will be named Caleb. He'll be known as my son, and ya will not tell anybody anything different. Do ya understand me?"

My entire body quivers. My chest tightens to the point I can barely breathe. "Please, Caleb. Just let me go. Ya don't want me. There are so many women better for ya than me."

He grunts. "Oh, I know there's better lasses out there, but you're still going to be mine. Whatever I say for the rest of your life, you'll do. And if ya dare disobey me, that abomination inside your belly will pay for it."

Tears continue to fall down my face, and I turn back to the window, not wanting to be in this position but unable to figure out how to get out of it.

Now, my fate is different than what I wanted. Everything I was scared of is coming to fruition, except it's a thousand times worse.

Mum. Maeve. They both betrayed me. It hurts what they've done. And I vow to make them pay, even though I've never considered myself vengeful. Yet the lines have been crossed. They took things too far, and now my child is in danger. So if it kills me, I will eventually figure out how to make them regret ever telling Caleb anything.

My only thought of how to keep my son safe is to find Devin, but that still scares me. I wish I knew the O'Connors wouldn't take my baby, but I don't know what to believe.

I need to take my chances with Devin.

How?

I curse myself for getting rid of my phone. I don't know his number. Plus, I doubt Caleb's going to give me a phone. I'm going to become his prisoner.

At some point, I doze off. It's hours later when we finally pull up to Caleb's mansion.

"Get out," he orders, jerking the door open so my body almost falls out of the car.

I groggily sit up, realizing I'm still in this nightmare.

"Now," he demands.

I obey him, knowing there's no point in doing anything but what he wants. His house is full of guards. Everyone works for him, and their loyalty is only to him. No one would dare disobey him. And even though I didn't disobey him by leaving, he surely sees it that way.

He leads me up the stairs and puts me in a guest room instead of going to his bedroom. It surprises me. He must be able to tell from my expression.

He chuckles, then seethes, "Ya thought I'd let ya in my bed and give ya the privilege of sleeping with me while that bastard's in your stomach?"

I protectively put my hand over my belly, unsure what to say or what he has planned for me.

He shakes his head and mocks me, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Lauren, what would your uncle Tommy have said?"

I stay quiet, knowing my uncle Tommy would be just as ruthless as Caleb. Neither man has any heart or soul. I've known that for a long time. And both of them hate the O'Connors more than anything.

"Strip," Caleb demands.

I stand frozen in shock.

---