Page 29 of Unexpectedly In Love

“Hey, kiddo. Can you tell me your name?” Someone says they flash the light in my eyes.

“My name?” Why was I lying down? I try to sit up and hands instantly press me back to the floor.

“Lie down for two more minutes. Tell me your name.”

“Anise.” My throat feels so dry.

“Do you know where you are Anise?”

My palms rub on the scratchy material beneath me. It’s carpet, the thought registers in my brain.

I open my eyes slowly; I stare up into the distraught face of my sister Rosemary. “Hey, beautiful.”

“Hey, can I get up?” I ask.

“Sure.” Rosemary assists me to a sitting position, leaning on the side of a desk. I touch my nose, pain pulses through it.

“Is it broken?” I ask.

“No, babe, but you may have some swelling. All in all, you’re good.” Rosemary presses to the side of my nose gently.

A baby coos in the background, and my memories all come flooding back to me. Eryx is here. As Rosemary begins to stand, I scan the room quickly for a pair of silver-grey eyes.

There he was with his jacket thrown over his leg, a crystal glass of amber liquid.

“Everybody, out,” Eryx commands as he sips his drink, he waits patiently for everyone to follow his demand.

“Excuse me? Who the hell do you think you are?” Cassia’s voice raises high.

“I won’t repeat myself again,” Eryx replies casually.

“He won’t repeat himself. You have no authority here sir,” Rosemary voice shrills through the air.

Before it gets any worse Zac steps in. “Come let’s give them some time. Anise will explain everything after.”

“Zac!” Rosemary and Cassia say in union.

“Let’s go, honey. They have a lot to discuss.” Sage takes the hands of Rosemary and Cassia and pulls them out of the room.

Rosemary pulls her hand out of Sage and marches to the front of Eryx.

“I don’t care who you are or what you do, you hurt my little sister, and I hurt you,” Rosemary stands with her hands clenched at her side.

“Come on, Rosie.” Sage pulls Rosemary away while she is still holding Cassia’s hand.

As they leave the room, Cassia shouts, “Rosemary has a scalpel and she knows how to use it.”

“One nick to your neck, and you’re done,” Rosemary states.

The door closes, and an eerie silence spreads over the room. Only the occasional cooing of Kai’s voice makes my heart happy. My baby is okay.

I didn’t hear when he moved, but two dark Oxfords appear between my legs.

Eryx reaches down and pulls me to stand by my hand. As I stand upright, my palms lay on his chest, like the first night I met him. He smells heady and delicious.

I raise my eyes to his face; he squints at me.

“Is he mine?”

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