Baby's Got Bite (11 page)

Nervous? As if. The man was a king. “He wasn’t nervous.”

“Trust me, I would have loved to make him leave, but it isn’t the right thing. So let’s give him another chance, aye?”

He said he didn’t want to lose her. She should be focused on her father, but all she could think about were those words. He didn’t want to lose her, and he would do anything to keep her.

“Okay, but I swear to God, if he tries to pull the father card, I’m going to physically toss him out of this apartment myself.”

He smiled. “And I’d pay to see it.”

…

Idiot. Linc should have shoved the bastard out and been done with it. Now they were in the living room talking and laughing. Damn it. Why did he have to be so fucking honorable?

“Linc?” Bennett stood in the doorway to his office. In her knit dress and tights, with long boots and growing baby bump, she was gorgeous.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yes. He wants to take me to the gardens. To, uh, show me what you were talking about.”

Linc bit back a scowl.
Me and my big mouth.
“That’s fine. Give me ten minutes, and I’ll have the car waiting downstairs. Is there anywhere particular?”

“He says he needs gardens or forest. We could drive out of town a bit, but…do you think the Dallas Arboretum will work?”

The Arboretum would more than work—it was perfect. Quiet, contained. “That sounds like a good plan. I can have men on every entrance.”

She shook her head. “Linc. No. Not men on every entrance.”

“At least let me bring Nick.”

“Okay. But just you and Nick—”

She flinched and grabbed her belly.

He jumped up and guided her to the sofa in his office. “What is it, love?”

“I don’t know. I felt a twinge.” She gasped. “Oh! There it is again.”

“Are you in pain?”

“No. It’s…” She put his hand on her stomach. A small kick tapped against his palm.

Linc grinned, awestruck. He’d felt the small flutters before, but now his son was reaching out to him. “He’s kicking.”

“Yes, he is. Owww.” She laughed. “Hey, little dude, that’s my rib.”

Linc chuckled. “You’re so tiny, he’s probably trying to find a way to stretch.”

“God. This makes it all feel so real.”

“I was thinking the same thing. He’s really in there.”

She scrunched up her nose adorably. “We made a baby, Linc.”

“That we did, love,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her.

She sank into him, her arms around his neck as her tongue teased his mouth. He pulled her onto his lap, and his hands slid under her dress.

Would he ever get enough of her?

No.

She was
it
.

His heart pounded as her grip tightened. Heat flushed his face. Bennett shifted on his lap, and his cock strained against his pants. He needed more. It wasn’t enough just to kiss her—he wanted to
feel
her. She shivered.

“Linc?”

He pulled away and inhaled deeply, trying to calm his racing heart. “Love?”

“My father is in the other room waiting on us.”

And that was a splash of cold water. Leaning his forehead against hers, he whispered, “We’ll finish this later.”

She gave him a wicked grin. “Oh, we will and then some.”

His cock tightened. He kissed her on the lips once more. “I’ll be out in a few minutes. Let me get the arrangements made.” And maybe take a quick cold shower.

Once she left, he picked up his phone and called Nick. After he told him what was about to happen, Nick was quiet.

“Do you think he’s planning something?”

“I don’t know. He seems to care about her, but it could be an act. I don’t get the sense he would do anything to harm her. And kidnapping would cause her and the baby a lot of stress. Still, I don’t think we can be too careful. I want the place as secure as possible.”

“Trust me, brother, I have your back.”

Linc hoped so. He hoped it wouldn’t come to it, but he was willing to kill the King of the Fae if it meant keeping Bennett safe.

Chapter Sixteen

March in Dallas usually meant weather in the high seventies, but a cold front had come through and made it closer to forty. Not the best weather for walking through the gardens, but the flowers didn’t know it was wintry. The place was one giant bloom and smelled like heaven.

Bennett’s nerves were getting the best of her again. Her stomach churned in nauseating waves, and she picked at her fingernails with damp, clammy hands. She’d never seen magic. Not like her father had been talking about.

Calm down.

“Nick suggested we go to the Red Maple Rill area,” she said to her father. “There’s a stream and waterfalls, and it has a combination of trees and gardens.”

“That will do nicely,” he said. He’d seemed edgy in the limo. Though, with Nick and Linc staring him down, it was no wonder. She didn’t exactly feel sorry for him. She’d insisted Linc back off with his suggestion to send a squad of security men with her, but to be honest, she appreciated her protectors. That didn’t mean she couldn’t see why it might make her father nervous. King or not.

And that was something she could
not
wrap her mind around. If her father was a king…then she was a princess.

“There’s an area close to the small waterfall that might work best,” Linc added.

She wasn’t sure how he had made it happen, but they had the park to themselves for the next hour. Linc couldn’t stop touching her. Every few minutes he’d kiss her head, or her cheek.

Something had changed in his office at the house. Their kiss had been explosive, and the way he looked at her—she couldn’t define it.

Did he want something more permanent?

And why did she hope so very much that he did? They’d been clear from the beginning that they were just going to raise their kid together. But he kept looking at her in a way that made her think maybe he wanted more.

But she didn’t want to go there. Not now. She had to get through whatever this was with her father. Then she could focus on Linc.

“This is the perfect place,” her father said. They stood at the edge of the small creek leading down from the waterfall.

Linc took her hand in his. “It’s all right, love,” he whispered. “I’m here with you.”

It was as if he willed his incredible strength into her blood. She squeezed his hand in response, and he gave her the most devastating smile. Really. That thing was dangerous. Fluttering craziness launched in her lower regions.

Focus.

Her father turned to her. “Would you like to see our home?”

“Maybe someday, but—”

“You misunderstand. It’s not necessary for us to go anywhere for me to give you a glimpse of what awaits you.”

“Okay…”

Her father lifted his hands, and before her eyes, the entire place changed. The stream and waterfall were gone, and in their place was a lush meadow. The gray skies disappeared, and the sun shone down. The air warmed and somehow seemed fresher.

“This is the meadow outside of my home,” her father said. He waved his hand and their surroundings changed again. This time a castle straight out of a movie was before them. The stone structure was at least a city block long and had more spires than she could count.

“This is my home, Alororhha Castle. It has stood for more than a thousand years in this very spot, protected by some of the strongest magic in any world.”

Bennett gasped. “How am I seeing this?”

“Illusion,” Linc said softly. “A powerful one.”

“So it’s not really there?”

With a swipe of her father’s hand, they were back in the Arboretum.

“You changed the weather,” she said.

“No, I created my world in your mind,” her father said.

“In all of our minds,” Nick said from behind them. “You shouldn’t have been able to break through my barriers. The most powerful of witches aren’t able to do that.”

His voice was edgy. Whatever had just happened, he didn’t approve. And from the enraged look on Linc’s face, he wasn’t so happy either.

“So what else can you do?” Bennett tried her best to act like she wasn’t that impressed, even though she was scared shitless. “Any Vegas magician can create an illusion.”

Her father smiled. He opened his fist and hundreds of blue butterflies unfolded from his palm and fluttered around her. Blue Morphos, to be exact. She’d been fascinated by the creatures’ iridescent sapphire and cerulean wings since she was a child.

“If you like that,” her father said, “then behold.”

A flock of blue jays flew around them and formed a replica of her face before dispersing.

Holy shit.

“There is more,” he said. “Some things I cannot show you in front of others. They are well-guarded secrets, but should you decide to come home to your palace in Alororhha, I will show you the many wonders of our magic. Bound in you is a combination of your mother’s magic and mine. She was every bit as powerful as I was back then, which would make you incredibly gifted. Maybe more than anyone we’ve ever known.”

She snorted. No fucking way.

“I appreciate you showing me this,” she said, her voice way steadier than she felt. “But why can’t Linc just come with me, or visit at least? I don’t understand.”

Her father and Linc stared at each other.

“It’s not that simple,” her father said.

“Well, make it that simple—”

Linc shook his head. “He’s not forbidding me to go. The magic there would kill me.”

“And once we unbind your powers, it may take you many years to learn to control them. You wouldn’t be able to leave,” her father added. “You and the child would need to stay close.”

Bennett rubbed her forehead. “But my kid is half wolf. Won’t the magic hurt him, as well?”

“He carries your blood and your magic, so he will be protected.” He glanced at Linc, like he was issuing a warning. “You need to come home, Bennett. It’s the only place you and the child will be safe. The wolf can tell you no different. Even if the Council allows your union, there will be those who will always be after you. But back in our realm, with me and your kind, you’ll be safe.”

He reached for her, but she backed away. Away from everyone. “Safe from what?”

“From the company of wolves and vampires,” her father bit out.

And there it was.

She crossed her arms. “Those wolves and vampires are my friends and family. I’m not running off to some place I’ve never been with some guy who thinks he can tell me what do. If you thought this power display of yours was going to win me over, you couldn’t be more wrong. If anything, you’ve proven exactly the opposite. I’m not leaving the people I care most about. As far as I’m concerned, you can go to hell.”

Her father growled, but to his credit—though little good it did him now—he softened his tone. “My daughter, I meant no offense—”

“Just stop.” Everything from the past few weeks seemed to come crashing down on her at once. Her head ached, and her body trembled. “Linc, I need to go home. Now.”

They walked away together.

Once they were out of hearing distance of her father, Linc said, “Just say the word, and I’ll have every wolf in the area tear him apart.”

“What do you mean every wolf in the area?” She looked around, and only now did she see the high numbers of security coming out of hiding from behind trees, bushes, hell, everywhere a person could hide.

“Just you and Nick?” She pulled away from him. “Isn’t that what you said?”

Linc put up his hands in supplication. “You had to know I couldn’t take that chance.”

“The last thing I need right now is for you to be an overprotective asshole.”

“Think about this,” he said. “If your father’s intentions hadn’t been honorable. If he had tried something—”

“Then we’d have a fight neither of us wants,” her father said.

They both turned and saw him walking toward them.

“What do you want?” Bennett said.

“I was worried I’d triggered something within you. Unbound you in some way.” He shook his head. “Please know, the last thing I would wish you is any kind of harm. I only wish to protect.”

“That disease seems to be going around.”

She hated how he flinched, but she couldn’t curb the anger in her voice.

“You did overreach. But it’s just a killer headache. Probably a combo of North Texas allergies and not eating breakfast. Sorry guys. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“I still think it best we get her home,” Linc said in a clipped tone.

“I’ve already called Jacinda,” Nick added. “She’s going to meet us there. Just to make sure you’re all right.”

“Fine,” she said. “Fine. Oh my, God, my life has taken a weird turn. I’m hanging out with wolves, vampires, witches, and fae. I don’t even know what half of
you
are.” She waved a hand toward the security team. “Right now, I need a warm bath, a chicken fried steak, and some mashed potatoes. And pie. The baby really wants some chocolate pie. This kid has a thing for chocolate.”

“And you’ll have it,” Linc said. He guided her toward the car.

“Your majesty,” Nick said. “Why don’t you come with my wife and I? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.” His tone brooked no argument.

Her father started to speak but then stopped. He simply came forward took Bennett’s hands in his. “Are you well, darling girl? Please understand, it was not my wish to cause you harm in anyway.”

Bennett’s head hurt like a mother, but she was fine. His concern seemed genuine, but she wasn’t going to give him an easy out. He didn’t deserve it. “I’m fine.”

He frowned. “Really?”

“Really. It’s just the last few weeks have been full of all kinds of crazy. It wasn’t your magic. It was just everything. Plus, the pregnancy hormones, which just intensify all of it. I think.”

He touched the top of her head, and the pain receded—even the wooziness disappeared. Was healing another of his powers?

“We’ll talk later,” he whispered.

“Maybe. But only if you stop with the bossy crap. I mean it. If you want me to trust you, don’t try to pull me away from what’s most important to me. Understood?”

“Understood. Get some rest, darling daughter.” He followed Nick to the other limo.

She got into the limo with Linc and, finally alone, relaxed into the seat. “I can’t figure out if he’s a good guy or a bad guy,” she said honestly. “He hasn’t done anything that would make me suspect him of being evil, but he’s a little too good to be true.”

Linc glanced back at her father’s car. “It’s wise to be wary. Sometimes people
are
too good to be true.”

“You’re the one who told me to give him a chance.”

“Had I a clue as to how much magic he holds, I would have been kicking his arse out the door hours ago. Beings with that much power, who have lived as long as he has…”

“What?”

He looked out the car window. “I don’t know, love. I get no sense he wants to harm you or the babe, but I’m not sure how he feels about the rest of us.”

“You think he’d try to hurt you?”

Linc shrugged. “I think if he wants something, he’ll do most anything to get it. Men like him are always planning and plotting. He’s managed to stay in power for hundreds of years for a reason. He’s smooth, but Nick’s on it. You don’t need to worry. He won’t try anything, not while we have you so well protected. And I think we have his adoration of you working for us. He doesn’t want to upset you.”

Bennett had done her best to set her father straight. And the man had seemed apologetic, but…she didn’t trust him.

Because Linc was right. Sometimes a person
was
too good to be true. She wasn’t going to write him off. Not right then. But she wasn’t going to drop her guard, either.

“Love, can I ask you something?”

She sighed. “If it’s some big decision I need to make, it will have to wait. I’m done for the day.”

“Nothing like that. You said that you don’t want to leave the people you care most about. Did that include me?” His voice was low, almost a whisper.

Did he really have no idea how she felt about him?

“Yes. I do care for you, Linc.” She was still too afraid to admit more than that. Let him take it how he wanted. If they got out of this okay, there would be plenty of time to figure out what they meant to each other.

He had tried to give her father the benefit of the doubt, even though she could tell it was the last thing he wanted. Should she do the same for Linc?

Should she trust the father of her child?

God, she wanted to, but it was tough.

She’d been alone for so long, and she couldn’t just forget why that had worked so well for her.

He’d said he cared about her.

Maybe.

He took her hand in his and squeezed.

“Thank you.”

She wasn’t sure what for, but at the moment, she was too tired think about it any further.

For now, she’d trust him to see her through what was about to come.

For now.