Page 1 of Worthy: Cassius and Faith

CHAPTER ONE

nfw

Faith

Faith, you’re pregnant.

I stared at the Madam. She stared back.

“That can’t be right,” I said. “I only started having sex this week. I literally can’t be pregnant. It’s not physically possible!”

The Madam took a deep breath. “It’s physically possible, Faith—of course it is. You’ve had sex. That’s all it takes.”

“I don’t… I don’t understand. I thought it took much longer for one of these tests to work. Not three days.” I’d never looked into how a pregnancy test worked because I’d been a virgin before arriving at Club 444. Still, I had a rudimentary understanding. “I thought it took at least a few weeks for a pregnancy to take hold.”

“That’s true. However, the test shows any increases in hormonal levels, which indicates pregnancy. They’re ultra-sensitive,” Gina explained. “The old pregnancy tests couldn’t show a positive result this early. But the new technology can do it sooner.”

I licked my lips, which had gone dry. “Could it be wrong?”

“Yes.” Gina nodded. “The results aren’t a hundred-percent reliable. But we will keep testing you to see if it continues to result in an increased HCG level. I will have to take you off the floor until we know for sure.”

“Okay.” I was so rocked by the news I felt numb.

The Madam watched me for a moment. “I know you’ve been exclusively with Mr. Blackwood. Normally, I wouldn’t involve a patron in this situation, but he’s the owner. He’s also my boss. I have to tell him about this as soon as possible.”

I winced. “I don’t want to tell him.”

Gina took a deep breath. “I understand, Faith. And I respect your right to privacy. But this is a different—and delicate—situation. You’re a contracted employee at the club. He’s the owner. He’s also potentially the father.”

The room started to spin. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me.

“What if it’s not true—what if it’s a false positive?” I asked.

“Then it’s a false positive, and we’ll proceed accordingly,” Gina said simply. “I want you to know I have your back in this situation. I am here for you, and I am on your side. We are going to figure this out together.”

“Thank you, Gina.”

She nodded. “I do have to tell Mr. Blackwood, though. It’s my job to report everything that’s going on at the club—especially something that involves him directly. I’d be violating my contract if I withheld this information from him.”

“I understand.” I took a deep, shaky breath. “But let me be the one to tell him.”

The Madam arched an eyebrow. “This isn’t news that can wait, Faith. I’ll need you to speak with him this morning, and I will have to verify the conversation with Mr. Blackwood.”

I nodded. “I just think it’s best if it comes from me.” Honestly, the idea of discussing this with Cassius petrified me. But it was between us. Yes, we had a contract. Yes, he’d purchased my platinum rights and taken my virginity.

This was still personal.

“I promise I’ll tell him this morning,” I said and rose to leave.

“I intend to keep you to that,” Gina said. “And please don’t say anything to the other girls yet. I don’t want them to get upset. I’ll come and speak to you before lunch.”

“Okay, Gina,” I said, even though nothing was okay.

I trudged back to the employee wing from her office, grateful it was still early morning. The other girls were fast asleep. I tiptoed into my room and found Tate resting peacefully under her covers. I envied my friend. I had a feeling peace wouldn’t be a sensation I’d experience any time soon.

Cassius was meeting with his brothers. I planned to intercept him on the way back to his house; hopefully, we could speak in private. But my plan stopped there. I didn’t want to tell him the news. I’m pregnant. But it’s so early that the test might be wrong…

I glanced around the cheerful room I shared with Tate. I’d barely arrived at the club, barely lost my virginity. How had this happened? How could I be pregnant?

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