PROLOGUE
Everything passed by in vivid bursts of bright color and sparkling sunlight. The pastel-colored houses blurred into one, but in between, Ella could see the Atlantic Ocean at regular intervals. Its stormy blue flashed like a beacon of hope in the distance. With the window of the car rolled down, she allowed the fresh scent of the sea to wash over her. Maybe she could convince her temporary bodyguard of a quick stroll along the golden sand later. Sinking back into the black leather seat of the SUV, her shoulders sagged, relaxed for the first time in days. She missed Marcus and hoped when he returned they would resolve their differences. In eight weeks, they would be parents and everything would change.
She examined Jake, her driver, with his formidable bunched muscles as they filled his white shirt. His chiseled features eased a little as he smiled and hummed to some Justin Timberlake song. It was upbeat, and it made her want to swing her hips. Shifting her bottom, she winced and lifted her hand to rub her pregnant belly. The baby gave a healthy kick, and another, which stole her breath.
“Junior okay?” Jake asked.
“He’s a little active this morning, that’s all.”
She tried to laugh as the words tumbled out but another swift kick held it inside. Staring out the window, she recognized Main Street. The Market wasn’t far. She needed to stand and change position. Jake maneuvered the vehicle and pulled into the vacant space right outside the busy store. Ella glanced sideways to catch his frown as he stared down at her hand. He didn’t miss a beat. It was the Navy SEAL in him.
“Are you sure everything is all right? I can always run inside and grab the essentials.”
Not wanting to be left stuck in the vehicle, Ella pushed the handle and opened the door. Before both feet touched the sidewalk, Jake stood in front of her, holding the car door wide and with his hand extended to help.
“Thank you. I need to stretch. I will be fine.”
Ella stepped down and arched her back. She automatically rubbed her side as the baby continued his activity. She gazed down the street. It was Sunday, and tourists milled around in groups, a couple walked their dog, and there were a few local humans. It was busy, but she didn’t scent any otherworldly beings. The black wrought-iron tables outside the restaurant next to the Market were mostly empty, but give it another hour and customers would be chatting and watching the world go by.
“Come on, ten minutes and we are out of here.”
He placed his arm around her back and guided her into the shop. Ella kept her gaze locked on his stern features as he studied the vicinity. Jake pushed the door open and let her inside. To onlookers, they would look like a normal couple about to have a baby. Customers inside the store, when they glanced in their direction, smiled and nodded. Ella blew out a long breath. Finally, his rapid kicks stopped. She didn’t know the sex of her baby, but automatically referred to junior as he. At the eighteen-week scan, when the doctor had asked whether they would like to know whether the baby was a boy or a girl, they glanced at each other and both shook their heads. They wanted to keep it a surprise.
Was she ready to be a mother?
For the first time in ages, she thought back to her own mother. A wave of loss hit her like a tidal wave. She held in the threatening barrage of tears. She wished she was here to help. Motherhood. A well of panic gripped her. Staring at the rows of silver wire shelves, she forced her fear away and focused on the reason she stood here. Ella started to crouch down to grab a basket, but Jake caught her hand.
“Ella, let me get that. You walk in front and pick out what you need. Why don’t you get some ice cream?”
She smiled. Jake was good. Hm, some Phantomberry might ease her worry. The trip off the compound may not have been the best idea, and another frantic kick from the baby seemed to confirm it, but she needed a break. Focus, Ella. Why are you here? She quickened her pace to weave her way through the narrow maze of walkways to head for the refrigerated section. Up ahead was a carton of milk, eggs, and yogurt. She charged on and opened the door, reaching for the gallon of milk, but a high-pitched and scratchy voice behind her, instantly familiar, caused her back to stiffen and the hairs on her neck to stand upright.
“It’s time to go, Ella. Come on.”
The carton of milk slipped through her fingers and crashed to the floor with a heavy thud. Milk gushed forth like a burst water main. She stared at the mess spreading over the linoleum and snapped her gaze up. The narrow and cold gray glare of Aidan O’Connor, the professor, met hers. A man she once considered a friend. A man she was accused of murdering. Now she wished she had. Terrified, she backed away. But a sharp pinprick in her arm made her twist around with her fists raised ready to fight. There stood a sumo wrestler of a man she didn’t recognize, but in his hand, he held a syringe. Cold, fixed determination faced her from pitch-black eyes and a wide mouth that smiled with confidence. Anger fizzed inside, and she growled. She darted her gaze around, looking for Jake, but she couldn’t see him.
Ella twisted back to face the reptile of a man whom she loathed. The desire to kill him rose like bile in the back of her throat, and she dove at him. She raised her energy levels, determined to fight. He wanted her baby. Briefly, she stared down at her bump as her blood pulsed through her veins and pounded loud in her ears. The two voices around her grew distant. Ella slammed her fist toward his chest, but Aidan blocked it with his ready hand. A suffocating weakness climbed through her body, leaving her boneless and about to collapse. She staggered against Aidan’s reedy frame, and he snaked his arm around her waist to hold her tight against him.
“Now, I wouldn’t fight, Ella. The drug Ketalar is in your system and it works fast. It’s going to render you incapable of screaming or talking at all soon. All your strength will slip away and you will not be able to stand. You have no choice but to come willingly or your baby will die. Come now, sweet Ella. It’ll be all right.”
She shoved his chest and struggled to pull away, but the world around her grew hazy and her vision blurred. Ella opened her mouth to scream, but all that came out was a pathetic squawk. She tried again but there was no strength to her voice. How did this keep happening? No one was supposed to know her location. The professor guided her forward, and she had no choice but to take quick steps in the direction she was forced. She blinked, willing her eyes to stay open despite the heavy sensation taking over.
“Make sure everything is ready for when we arrive at the hospital. Deal with him. I don’t want a screw-up or any loose ends to deal with.”
No matter what steps were taken, the professor was always one step ahead. They approached the front counter and Ella willed her head to stay upright. Aidan’s grip around her waist squeezed and she pushed against him, forcing her head up to stare at the young man at the till. Their eyes connected for a second, but his gaze switched to the man holding her.
“Everything okay?”
“My wife is going into labor.”
“Wow, congratulations. Can we help?”
People around them chatted and her heart rate sped up. A scream rose inside, but a sharp pain in her belly made her bend over.
“Thank you, but no, we have everything ready. Come on—a few more steps, darling, and we will be at the car. The hospital is on standby.”
A wave of claps sounded as the bell tinkled at the entrance. In a second, she was ushered outside into the bright sunshine. It was the end of May. The sun shone but a cold breeze washed over her face and she shivered. Marcus. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t be in labor. It was too early. This was her fault. If she hadn’t left the compound this morning and if Marcus hadn’t left her… She always knew Aidan would be waiting.
A flurry of footsteps pattered on the sidewalks, and doors opened and slammed shut. She felt her body hoisted into a large waiting car. When her ass touched the seat, she sank like a gooey mess. She barely made out Aidan next to her. He had his hand on her pulse; she focused on his mouth, but she couldn’t make out the words he spoke. Sleep called to her. Needing to strike back, she lashed out and sunk her long nails in his cheek.
“Bitch.”
He shoved her away and a wave of severe pain clawed at her belly. The world faded away to nothing. When she next opened her eyes, she wished she hadn’t. Her body didn’t belong to her anymore. It was heavy and cold. All control and willpower was gone.
“We need to do this now. There’s marked fetal distress. If we wait any longer, we’re going to lose the baby.”
Ella didn’t know where she was or how long she had been unconscious, but she lay stretched out on her back, numb, in a clinical gray operating room with enormous overhead blinding lights. The pain from earlier was replaced by a heaviness. She wanted to sit up, but couldn’t move at all. Male and female voices spoke from her left and right side as she lay sprawled out on a metal examination table. The air that touched her skin was frigid and the smell musty, with an undercurrent of strong bleach. The bright lights made it difficult to keep her eyes focused on anything clearly.
Masked strangers stood around the table, waiting and chatting to each other. They ignored her as if she were invisible. Each person was dressed in a full-length blue surgical gown, complete with matching face masks. They held their gloved hands up as they stared down at her abdomen. She recognized Aidan at the foot of the table because of the steel glint in his narrow eyes that flicked over at her once, before returning to study the beeping machine next to her. The faces blurred and swirled around her. Ella blinked as a plastic breathing mask descended over her face. The man to her right lifted a slim silver scalpel, and her heart protested as it bashed inside her ribs.
“Now.”
Noooo. Her silent screams went unheard.