In the Dark by Lila Rose (35 page)

Shrugging, I turned my gaze to Jeremiah. His eyes narrowed. He knew what was coming.

"How's the jaw?"

"What's this?" Isaac
asked.

"Leila," Jeremiah warned.

Laughing, I sat back in my man's arms and told him, "Darik wasn't the only one who wanted to do the hanky-panky with me."

"Brother," Isaac growled. "Explain."

Jeremiah's eyes told me he would be getting payback on me one way or another. "It was nothing. I tackled her to the ground and Sofia stopped me from doing anything."

"Why were you here?" Jezanna asked. Her brother's glare turned on her.

"Because, sister, I was stubborn and didn't listen to you."

"True."

"Don't worry, Isaac." I smiled. "I clocked him a good one in the jaw and then Sofia knocked him unconscious."

"Good," Isaac bit out.

Darik stood. "I would like to apologise for what I did in the room."

I waved it away. "No one could help it, so all is forgiven."

"With Leila maybe, but I will be teaching you and my brother a lesson later on."

Which meant swordplay, and I knew it would leave Darik and Jeremiah with a few extra holes until they healed.

Darik accepted his punishment with a nod. Jeremiah rolled his eyes.

So I could meet my mate's eyes, I placed my arm around his shoulders and said, "They really weren't themselves. You can't punish them for that."

"No, but I can for their inability to listen. Jezanna obviously warned Jeremiah and told him to leave. He didn't. And I had ordered Darik to stay where he was. He didn't. Maybe after I'm done with them, they will understand the importance of following instructions."

It was fair. Isaac had to set rules. I understood it and now I was mated to him and—
eek
—queen. I should also lead by example.

I hoped like hell I could.

With a nod to Isaac, I then turned around and asked the room at random, "Was anyone injured last night?"

"No casualties," Seraphine said. "Only a few scrapes and such. Once things stopped, the men came back to themselves, so we had Penny erase their minds."

"Good. I wanted to thank you all for taking care of an awkward situation. I'll be glad to fight at your side when the next one comes."

"We would be honoured. I've heard many great things about your fighting talent." Seraphine bowed her head.

Smiling, I offered a small nod. "I also wanted to thank the other women who helped. Where are they?"

"They had to leave after everything was back to normal," Jezanna said.

"I'll make sure to invite them around." I turned to Isaac and asked, "Um, maybe we could organise a dinner or something as a thank you?"

"That's very thoughtful of you and I'm sure they would love it."

"Only I'm not sure Dad's kitchen will be big enough for everyone."

Isaac's brows drew down. "Why would you have it there when you will be living here with me?"

My head jerked back. "I will?"

He smiled. "Of course. We are mated now. Have claimed one another. There will be no other for us, and I wish to have my mate under the same roof every night. Especially if you are having our child."

I balked. My hands slipped from Isaac and I would have fallen to the floor if he hadn't grabbed me. "I-I-I-I…" was all I could manage.

"I think it best if we leave you two to talk." Jezanna offered a small, sad smile. She knew the thought of me being knocked-up had never crossed my mind.

While I sat in my stunned state, the room cleared of people. I listened to their chairs being scraped back, their shuffling feet exiting and I wondered if I could sneak out and follow them to hide away from the thought, from even talking about it.

Really, I wanted to bury it all because the thought of a child growing inside of me when there was still danger coming for us filled my heart with fear.

"Leila." Isaac ran the back of his hand down the side of my face. "I never thought it wouldn't have crossed your mind. We didn't use protection last night. Unless, are you, as they say, on the pill?"

Shaking my head, I uttered a small, "No."

"Do you not want children?" His eyes were worried; obviously he'd already thought about them. One would after living so long.

"I do, but I never thought. I mean… Can I even fall pregnant from a vampire? And if so, how"—I gulped, hating the thought—"do you not have mini vamps running around all over the world?"

He quickly wiped the smirk off his face—luckily for him, as I may have throat punched him if he'd laughed—as he ran a hand over his mouth. "Simple, my semen only becomes fertile after I claim my mate."

"No shit." I gaped.

His eyes crinkled. I knew he wanted to laugh at me, but he held off. "No shit."

"Oh, wow, wow." Looking down, I placed my hand over my stomach. Tears filled my eyes. I blinked repeatedly and glanced up at Isaac. "What happens if—"

"Nothing will happen to you. Your life will be safe. Not only will I protect you, but our people will, too." His hand covered mine. "Children are as rare as mates. We are fiercely protective. Do you believe me, Leila? You will be safe."

A tear slid down my cheek and he kissed it away. I smiled. He was happy with the thought I was pregnant. No, his eyes shone with a new excitement. He loved the idea. My belly rolled with nerves. I wasn't sure I was ready to have a baby. If I'd be a good mother.

However, I knew the love Isaac and I had for each other could possibly be enough for most of my worries to subside. Though, the thought of popping our baby out was another worry altogether.

Taking a gulp of air, I said, "As long as you stay safe with me. I wouldn't be able to do the child thing on my own."

His grin was big. "I will do everything in my power to keep it that way, so we have a future and family together."

"Do we know for sure?" I asked.

"No, not as yet. We will find out together when we visit a human doctor."

Nodding, a thought came to me. "If I am,
you
can tell my uncle and Dad."

He cringed.

"Don't look so scared. You did throw Jack just the other day." I laughed.

His eyes searched my face. I wasn't sure what he was looking for until he asked, "Would
you
be happy if you were with child?"

He wanted a serious answer out of me, so I took the time to contemplate it. Thoughts swirled in my mind. Then pictures of Isaac holding a baby. A baby we made together with love. Of Isaac, walking along holding the small hand of our child. Of all of us together, snuggled up on the couch, watching a movie.

It
was
a future I wanted.

I could only hope it would happen.

"Yes." I nodded with certainty, hoping he read as much in my eyes. "A child with you would make me very happy."

He tucked my hair behind my ear, a smug smile playing on his lips. "I'm glad. It was always something I had wished for, a large family we could live forever with."

"What happens if they're like me, a werecat?"

He looked puzzled and then something dawned on him, his eyes widening a fraction. "You do know that you are immortal like me? We will live forever, and so will our children."

Again, I nearly fell off his lap. "Are you serious?"

He smiled kindly. "Quite."

"I-I… my mind has been blown once again." I threw my arms around my mate and hugged him close. "I look forward to our future, Isaac Grey."

"So do I, my love," he whispered against my neck before he kissed me there as well.

Footsteps fast approaching had Isaac out of his seat, placing me on my feet next to him. We both tensed when the kitchen door crashed open.

"Gerald is here and taken Boozers." Jeremiah growled the words.

My bubble of bliss washed away in an instant.

Turning to Isaac, I saw his eyes were hard, his jaw clenched, and a hiss slipped past his lips. It was time to fight for our future.

Glancing back to Jeremiah, I said in a tight voice, "Then we take it back from under him and destroy him."

We stood just on the outskirts of Boozers
,
waiting for the rest of our party to arrive. I'd opted to change out of my hooded jumper and leggings. Instead, I wore a tight-fitting black tee with a jacket over it, combat boots and jeans. Nearly every part of my body hid the weapon of my choice. Knives.

Isaac stood next to me, gripping my hand in a firm hold. He'd also changed and God, did I love what he had on now. Black leather pants with kick-arse boots and a long-sleeved black shirt. His skin looked paler against all the black. He had no weapons on him. He was a weapon enough himself.

Leaves rustled behind us and out stepped my uncle, Ty and their team. I walked over to them and hugged Penny, Ty and Jack.

"Thanks for coming."

"It's what we do, kid." He ruffled my hair as if I were ten. "So, you're Isaac's trouble now. Finally outta my hair."

Rolling my eyes, I smiled. "Yeah, I guess I am. Well, that is until we ask you to babysit."
Oh, Shit.
It just came out and I couldn't take it back. Though, deep down, I knew why I shared it before enjoying the show when Isaac would have told them. I wanted my uncle to have that fierce urge to live. If a great-niece or nephew didn't do it, then wanting to murder Isaac could.

Isaac wheezed out a breath behind me.

"What the fuck, kid? The bastard knocked you up already? I'm gonna skin the hell outta him."

He went to stalk toward Isaac, but I placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked down to me and I said, "This is why you need to fight with everything you have. I need my uncle to meet our child. I need you to live through this night."

His eyes softened. He knew I'd just given him something extra to fight for. Jack nodded and again ruffled my hair. "It'll be good, kid, and your dad wants the same from you." I nodded. I'd asked my dad not to attend. He'd been out of practice being a hunter for a long time and I knew I would be too worried for him. Everyone who stood with me, I knew was ready and prepared to fight. Had been training for it.

Before I moved away, I reached out and caught Ty's hand and gave it a squeeze. He looked up and smiled before he nodded. I offered a quick hug back. My hands drifted over the guns strapped to his holster. I knew, like he did, we would do our best for victory.

I walked back to Isaac, his hand already stretched my way. I took it. He got in close and said in an amused tone, "Well played."

Looking up, I sent him a wink and glanced at the people already waiting with us. As well as our family and friends, there were a few others I hadn't even met; however, they were willing to fight at our side.

Please, Lord, let us all survive the night.

More footsteps approached. We all turned to see Sofia and Raven step into our circle. My eyes widened at their presence.

"No," Darik snarled and stepped to Raven's side. His hand wrapped around her wrist.

"I agree," Jeremiah bit out. His jaw clenched as he eyed Sofia.

"We're not going." Sofia glared.

"Both of you are," Darik grumbled low.

"We don't have time for this," Raven stated. "The more time that man has in there, the more damage he will do. Do you want that?"

She was right. We had discovered Gerald had many of our people in there and God only knew what he was doing to them.

"They stay," Isaac ordered.

"Sire," Darik snapped.

"No. They are willing to fight, then they will."

"Goddamn it." Darik threw Raven's wrist out of his grip and turned his back to her. A hand ran through his hair. Raven stepped up behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders. She leaned in and whispered, "Everything will be fine."

Darik's stiff form sagged. He nodded. "Stay close to me," he ordered.

She kissed his neck quickly. "I'll try."

He groaned and shook his head.

"This is bullshit. They're just girls," Jeremiah blurted, which was really the wrong move.

"A girl who could knock your dumb-arse to the ground," Sofia snapped, her hands going to her hips.

He snorted. "I wasn't myself then."

She cocked her head to the side and asked, "Do you want to try it again?"

Seraphine clicked her fingers together. "Can we stop with the foreplay and get this show on the road?"

My gaze spun to Isaac, his face a mask of fury. "What is it?" I asked.

"He has started the torture."

"Okay, everyone, we're going in."

With no chance of a surprise attack because Gerald would have felt us arrive, we walked calmly to the front door. Isaac and I were the first to enter. We made our way down the hallway and out into the large room.

What I saw made my stomach curl. Bile threatened to rise, but I swallowed it back down. Isaac's hand in mine was applying more pressure. He was feeling exactly what I was: disgust and a rush of vengeance.

He let out a snarled hiss. Glancing up to him, I followed his gaze.

"No," I gasped, my heart in my throat.

The scene on the floor in front of us was enough to turn my stomach. Our people were on their knees. Their wrists and arms were pinned down by silver chains and nailed into the floor. He wanted them bowing before him.

Sick fuck.

Worse was what was on the stage, where karaoke had been only months ago. Gerald sat in a throne. Where he got it, I had no clue. Beside him stood a smug MaryJane. And just behind her were Daphne and Trixie, naked and bound to the wall by their ankles with silver. Both were bloody, swollen and bruised.

Tears welled in my eyes.

Rage. Pure rage boiled inside of me. A shiver ran over my body. My heart beat so fast I could hear it in my ears.

Isaac's arm wrapped around my waist. I hadn't even realised I'd taken a step forward.

"You sick bastard," I hurled venomously towards him as our team came to stand at our backs.

Leila, no. You need to stay calm.

How can I, Isaac? Daphne, Trixie…

I know, my love, and we will kill all who did this to them. However, they will need our help to get through this. They will need their king and their queen. Stay strong and calm.