Page 61 of Keeper

“So it’s just a cheek swab for me, huh? Seems I got it easy.” Alex is nervous rambling, and I wish he’d just shut up. Glaring at him, I pump my fist to help her find a vein. “Yeah, you got off lucky. It seems to be that way for men in general. All you have to do is ejaculate into a warm hole while the woman ends up miserable for nine months.”

Okay, maybe I should shut up too, but I can’t. I think I’m starting to hate him.

The needle jab does nothing for me, but doesn’t bother me either. It never has, yet as she fills up a hefty vial of blood, I squint my eyes and look away to keep up appearances.

“All done,” she says gently, rubbing the spot and putting a bandage over it. “Just sit tight and I’ll get his swab done.”

She bustles around labeling the vial and washing her hands, grabs a few things, then opens the package with the cheek swab.

I stand up quickly, praying those two idiots catch on. “Nurse Stall? I think I’m gonna be sick.”

“Oh, no,” she rushes out, helping me toward the small trash can as Alex slips the swab from her grasp.

He mumbles something about taking care of it while she helps hold my hair, and after a few fake dry heaves, my fiancé moves over to rub my lower back. “All done, babe. She does this a lot, is that normal?”

Draven huffs. “Did you just ask if nausea is normal in the first trimester? Read a damn book.”

Alex is smart enough to keep his mouth shut, but I don’t miss the tiny smile on the nurse’s face. “It’s normal,” she says gently, taking the slim vial with the swab. “We’ll have to redo this though. I need to make sure we get enough of a sample.”

“Oh we did. I know you weren’t looking, but I made sure it was a good one. Right, Alex?”

“Mmhm.” He clears his throat. “My cheek still feels dry.”

I let my face fall just a little. “Mr. Creed sent Draven to make sure there were no mistakes. I wouldn’t doubt if he told him to do it himself just to be sure. Don’t take it personally.”

Her eyes flick to her clipboard again, resting forgotten on the counter by the sink. “You’re right. I’m sure that’s what happened. I’ll just label this and we’ll get you those results as soon as we can. Even rushed, it’ll likely be a few days.”

Nodding, I take Alex’s hand and squeeze. “See? Now in a few days, no one will be able to tell you our baby isn’t yours. We’re almost there.”

He nods, looking more genuine in that moment than he has all day. “Almost there.”

The nurse is none the wiser to how fake our loving exchange really is, but my attention is locked just above her head.

This should be our moment, mine and Draven’s. Not Alexander’s. The look in Dray’s eyes as he watches us tells me he feels it too.

I’m sorry, baby. Maybe Alex is right — maybe it’ll be easier if Draven and I aren’t together. He’ll still have to sit back and watch another man play father to his child, but at least he won’t have to watch me play a lovesick wife to his brother.

Yes, things would be easier if we weren’t together. But I’m a pawn, and in this case, I’m a slave to something far greater than any man’s whims. I’m simply caught in a game run by my own beating heart, and my heart says we’re not done here.

I’m too selfish to give him up.

I’m too selfish to stop.

So I’m sorry, baby.

But this is just the beginning.

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