Page 16 of Deceit & Destruction

“Yes,” Cassie replies. “But—”

She doesn’t get to finish the sentence as he cuts her off.

“You’ll have an abortion.”

My eyes go wide as saucers. I don’t have to listen to what either of them say next for the pieces to fall into place. Blackthorne is the father of Cassie’s baby. Why else would he insist she have an abortion?

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m not having an abortion,” Cassie says, her voice a little hoarse. “Besides it’s too late, I’m five months along.”

Any sane guy would walk away and pretend he didn’t just overhear a professor demand his student get an abortion. He’d tell himself it’s not his problem, that he’s got a whole slew of his own problems.

But I’m not fucking sane.

And Cassie Phillips saved my ass.

If she hadn’t put those drugs back in the bag or claim it as her own, I’d have a cast one arm and cuffs on the other.

Without giving myself a chance to change my mind, I creep inside the room.

“You will not drag my name through the mud with that spawn of yours.”

What a piece of shit.

I take another couple of steps, moving closer to the curtain.

“Well, you don’t have to worry because you are not the father,” Cassie says, her voice shaking ever so slightly.

Blackthorne scoffs.

“Oh, no?”

“No,” she says, her tone clipped.

“Okay, I’ll bite. Who’s the father, Cassie?”

Silence stretches between them, and I take that as my cue, stepping around the curtain. Blackthorne’s back is facing me but, Cassie spots me right away, her big, blue eyes catching and locking with mine.

I should’ve asked Webber if I had a concussion or something, at least then I would have an explanation as to why I do what I do next.

Advancing forward, I bypass the sleezy professor and make my way to the side of Cassie’s bed. Careful not to bang my broken arm on the rails, I lean forward and press a kiss to the top of her head.

“How’s my girl?” I ask, inching back.

Again, Cassie stares at me wide-eyed, but I try to reassure her by offering her a wink.

Don’t worry, Ginger, I got this.

I’ve got nothing. I have no idea what the fuck I’m doing.

I turn to Blackthorne, playing it off like I just realized he was standing there.

“Oh, hey, Professor Blackthorne. I didn’t even notice you were there.”

Narrowing his eyes, he straightens his shoulders and shoves his hands inside his pockets. What’s that saying—something about going from the frying pan to the fire? That’s me.

Blackthorne’s eyes jump from me to Cassie and back. Clearing his throat, he says, “I was just checking in on my student.”

I fake a smile.

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