Conviction: Devine (12 page)

Jane nodded, not removing her eyes from me to look at Leah. “I’ve had a quick scan through your medical records and I know that you were informed pregnancy would be highly unlikely.”

“Highly unlikely!” I blurted. “They told me it was impossible after . . . after . . .”

Concern and sympathy crossed her face as she took my hand and squeezed it. “Your tubes were found to be damaged ten years ago. It is possible, and in your case apparent, that the swelling and injury to tissue can subside and in some cases repair itself. This is quite rare so you weren’t informed of the possibility.”

“Swelling and injury? The bastard raped me with a fucking table leg then beat the fuck out of me. I would have thought after that my insides were fucked forever.”

Cringing, Jane nodded softly. “I take it this isn’t good news.”

I snorted, my head moving from side to side unconsciously. “I . . . fuck!”

My gaze moved to Adam. He stood watching me silently, his eyes telling me everything. “Please, Adam.”

Swallowing, he shook his head. “He’s my best friend, Isla. He needs to know.”

I nodded, my eyes brimming with tears. “Then let me be the one to tell him.”

He smiled tenderly. “Yeah.”

The doctor squeezed my hand again before standing up. “I’m going to prescribe some medication that will encourage your appetite, and paracetamol for your headaches. The progesterone in your system is aggravating your migraines but you’ll find the severity should subside after the first trimester. However, you need to eat properly. No more alcohol. And please, take time out for you. Stress is no good for baby or mum.”

I nodded, still dumbstruck.

“I’ll be back to do a quick scan when you’ve had time to digest and talk with your family. We need to establish how far into the pregnancy you are and do a check on baby. Although I’m pretty sure everything’s fine, it’s best to make sure.”

I nodded again as she left the room, quietly closing the door behind her.

“Isla . . .”

“I want to be alone.”

“Isla.” My dad tried again but I glared at him.

“Please!”

Lifting his hands and nodding he ushered the others from the room quickly.

Fuck.

Fuck.

FUCK!

I
SAT ON THE
bare mattress in the cold cell I’d been escorted to an hour earlier. My hands shook, my heart racing as I stared at the words on the paper I hadn’t let go of since it had been passed to me in the courtroom that morning. For the eighth time, I read every word, etching her soft, elegant writing onto my heart.

Jake,

I tried to see you but you had already left for court, and then they wouldn’t let me see you. I’ve always been too late for everything, but I’m hoping this reaches you in time. Carrie said she would try and get the judge to pass it on. I’m praying he did.

I need you to plead not guilty, Jake. In fact I’m begging you. I have no idea who or even why you’re taking the rap for someone else and as much as I understand that there is someone out there who you love more than me, it still hurts.

But now there is someone else to think about, someone who will hopefully be more important to you than this other.

Your child. I’m pregnant Jake. You’re going to be a father.

I’m not sure I can do this on my own. I have lost my mother, the only person that could have helped me through the agonies that being a parent will bring. I need you. I’m not too proud to admit it.

You have hurt me so much but that aside, you have every right to be a dad. This child needs you. I need you. I can’t stop what my heart feels for you, no matter how angry and disappointed I am. I’m not asking you to think of a future with me but I’m begging you to give your child a future, a life with you in it.

Please, if you can’t do this for me then do it for your son or daughter.

I’ll always love you Jake, whether or not you accept that is up to you and if you still decide that another is more precious than your own flesh and blood I will still promise to be the best mother I can to our child.

After losing my own mum I will sell my soul to prevent my child losing its father.

Please, please plead not guilty. I need you. I love you.

Isla

I pleaded not guilty.

One week later

S
CRATCHING MY HEAD I
sighed and placed my phone on the desk. Adam looked up at me, his frown matching my own. “Something wrong, sweet thing?”

“Mmm,” I mumbled. “Dr Lovejoy was supposed to be looking into something for me but I’ve been unable to get hold of him for ages.”

Diverting his eyes back to whatever he was doing on his screen, he coughed. “Anything I can help with?”

“I’m not sure. I saw Seb’s best friend at Keegan’s party and he told me Seb had been seeing a woman for a while. I asked Dr Lovejoy to check through the CCTV to see if he could find when she visited my mum.”

Adam looked up again, his frown deeper as creases appeared on his forehead. “This is news to me. Both Jake and I looked into Seb’s life and no girlfriend was uncovered.”

“I know. That’s why I need to know who she is. I have a feeling she told Seb to keep their relationship a secret. And that makes me wonder why.”

Adam picked up his phone and dialled quickly. “Kris, job tonight.” That was all he said before he ended the call and looked back at me. “Me and Kris will contact Dr Lovejoy and ‘acquire’ the surveillance records from him. I’ll go through them myself.”

I peered at him with an accusing stare. “You promise not to hurt him.”

“Hurt who?”

“Dr Lovejoy,” I clarified with a sterner glare.

Adam’s lips twitched for a moment before he straightened his face and nodded, saluting me with a finger to his temple. “That I can promise.”

I regarded him for a moment, wondering why he found my request humorous. Just as I was about to ask him the door opened and Carrie walked in, her eyes finding her partner immediately and a huge smile lifting her pretty face.

“Hey, babe,” Adam greeted, shooting out of his chair to wrap Carrie in his arms and kiss her until I started to feel a little uncomfortable. When Adam’s hand found her breast, I left them to it and decided to give Bernie his supper then take myself home.

Adam had begged me to go back to work. I’d agreed now that Jake’s betrayal had been proven wrong, his sexual exploits planned and acted out. His decision to take the blame for Seb and my mother’s murders still hurt but when Adam had told me he was struggling to hold the fort at Deviant and spend time with Carrie, I fell into his sympathy trap and promised I would return. I didn’t mention that my job description was a runner for Deviant and not his secretary. To be honest, working alongside Adam in his office gave me better access to all Jake’s underhand dealings. I was hoping something would shed light as to why he was adamant on ruining his life.

“Oh, Isla,” Carrie shouted just as I was about to close the door. I turned to her and smiled. “Jake’s trial starts in six weeks.”

I took a deep breath to counteract the anguish in my gut. “Six weeks isn’t enough time to find anything out. Shit!”

“Relax.” She smiled softly. “I have someone looking into what evidence there is against him and what his arrest was based on. As soon as I have that information, then finding out why and what to do about it should be quicker and easier.”

I smiled, my anxiousness easing slightly. “Okay, thank you.” Looking at Adam, I asked, “And you’ll let me know what the CCTV from The Grange shows?”

“I promise.” Waving a hand at me, he scowled. “Now, go home and get some rest. Make sure you eat properly and take your meds.”

“Yes, Dad!” I saluted him with a wink, laughing when I shut the door and Carrie squealed.

Bernie nudged my hand as soon as I walked into the reception area, reminding me he was hungry. “I can tell you’re male.” I chuckled when he stuck his nose in my backside as soon as I bent down to pick up his bowl, his cold, wet nose a shock to my skin. He whined, impatient for his food, and devoured the lot within seconds.

Blowing him a kiss and giving his ear a quick scratch, I groaned realising the cottage was bare of food and it was my turn to shop. Eyeing up Bernie’s chow and wondering if I added some gravy that would do for my supper, I sighed and placed my hand on my belly. Smiling to myself I gave a contented sigh. “Are you hungry, Speck?”

“Speck?” Carrie laughed, making me jump.

Spinning round, my eyes widened on her hair. She blushed and attempted to straighten her wayward blond curls that were now a frizzy upset, a tell-tale sign that Adam’s hand had been fisted in it not minutes ago.

“That was bloody quick!”

She blushed harder and then giggled. “What can I say? He is a man after all.”

Laughing with her, I nodded as I picked up my bag and she clipped Bernie’s leash to his collar. “See you tomorrow.”

She nodded and smiled yet pointed her finger at me. “Food, Isla!”

“Yes, yes!” I pacified her with another nod, gaining a wide beam from her. “I’m going shopping now.”

“Plenty of fruit and vegetables. Oh and eggs are full of protein, so are kiwis and . . .”

“Bloody hell.” I laughed. “I did do Home Ec at school, you know?”

Her brow lifted. “Don’t tell me you actually listened at school?”

I gave her a smirk. “I said I did home economics, I didn’t say I took note.”

She laughed and waved me off as I scurried down the stairs into the main building and out to the car park.

“Hey, Isla,” Gary said with a smile. “You walking home today?” He looked into his little hut for my car keys.

I nodded. “Yes, stupidly. I’m trying hard to keep fit but now I need to shop. I should have come in the car.”

He smiled and chuckled, handing the tablet he worked from to his work colleague. “My shift’s just finished. You need a lift?”

“Oh, that’s okay.” I shook my head. “It’s out of your way.”

“No it’s not. My shift at Miss Genevieve’s starts at six. The shop’s just around the corner from there.”

“Okay, say no more.” I laughed, dreading what his answer would be.

He rolled his eyes and nudged me with his elbow as he directed me to his car. “I’m not a gigolo. I work security at Jake’s brothel.”