Chapter 143

Chapter 143
Hope

The sound of the door closing behind Justin felt like the final nail in my coffin. He’d always been clever but I never thought he was evil as well. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that he had been a massive part of the fucking up the whole world and killing millions of people just because he wanted me to never leave him.

Creepy didn’t even cover it.

He was sick.

Sick, crazy and he had me totally over a barrel. I could easily give up the rule and riches and never being in danger again but what would I do for a chance to see my family again?

I would do anything to be able to raise my daughter. And Justin knew it.

Eyes downcast and dripping tears down my cheeks I caught sight of Lincoln’s stricken face.

He knew it as well.

“Here.” Blake was suddenly in front of me and I blinked at him in surprise. I’d completely forgotten he was there. Carefully he lifted my hand to study it. His eyes crinkled. “Let’s get this set before the bones start to heal wrong and you lose the use of it.” Gently he led me to the bed and motioned for me to sit down.

I did so silently. Holding my injured hand in my lap and staring into space.

“What were you thinking hitting him like that! His skin and muscles and bones are like rock. You’re lucky you didn’t shatter your arm completely.” Blake laughed as he crouched down and began rummaging in his pack. I didn’t make a sound as he began to prod and poke even though it hurt like a bitch.

I was completely numb as I tried to take in everything I had found out. And right there in the foreground was the promise of my child. 

A child I hadn’t seen for so long. One that my body craved. Even the thought of her made my breasts ache. Wet patches spread across the front of my shirt.

Lincoln sniffed, Blake didn’t say anything but I knew he had sensed it as well. He stood up and moved out of the way.

“It’s ok Hope.” Lincoln murmured as he crouched down. “I’ll do it. Be brave for me.” His eyes met mine. “I’m going to need you to be brave because I need to move the bones into place. Can you do that?”

Silently I nodded. Turning my head away.

The pain was instant and unbearable. I screamed and then cut it off by biting into my bottom lip. 

“There.” Lincoln soothed. He quickly wrapped my hand. “There’s it’s done and it’s ok.” Hooking his fingers under my chin he forced me to look at him. “It’s ok.”

I knew he wasn’t talking about my hand. He was letting me know in his own way that it was ok to choose the other man if it meant I got my child back.

Our child, I reminded myself. Faith was his daughter as well.

“I love you.” The words slipped from my mouth.

His lips twitched and then curved into a wide smile.  “I love you as well and that’s why I -“

“Let her talk.” Blake muttered under his breath.

“I just wanted her to know that whatever she chooses I’ll still love her.” Lincoln’s eyes met mine again. “You have to do what is right for you. For you and our daughter. I want you to be happy.” He smoothed his fingers across my wet cheeks.  Catching up my tears with his fingertips. Each swipe was gentle but firm. “I want you both to be safe. Please don’t look so sad. Choosing safety over pain won’t make me love you any less.”

I surged toward. Smashing my  mouth on to his  in a kiss that almost knocked him backwards. At the last minute he wrapped his  arm around my  waist and steadied us. 

Hungrily I kissed him, opening his mouth with mine so I could taste the sweetness of his tongue. Lincoln sighed against my lips and kissed me back. His tongue darting into my mouth to swipe against mine.

Arm tight around my waist he half lifted me more firmly onto the thick mattress. Pushing me down and sliding between my thighs that’s I wrapped around his waist.

Need blossomed in my lower stomach. A ravenous need.

Behind us Blake cleared his throat loudly. “I’m sorry to interrupt this impromptu mating but-“ there was  laughter in his voice. “But I don’t really want to witness this. And I’m sure our host.” More laughter. “You know the ancient vampire creature who is the literal father of all alphas and Hopes jealous ex lover , doesn’t want to hear it either.”

Lincoln slid his lips over mine and stood up. “I don’t really care what he thinks.”

“But we should.” I said quietly. “Justin is dangerous.”

Lincoln’s eyes flashed. “I won’t let him take you if you don’t want to be taken Hope.” He spat.

“If it comes to a fight then you might not get a say.” Blake hissed. “I’m not even sure he’s given Hope a say.” His eyes danced over to mine. “He’s only pretending to give you a choice. You know that right?”

Slowly I nodded. “Yeah I know. He is the original alphas and he thinks I am his omega. He thinks he made me to love him.” I glanced at Lincoln. “But I love you.” I told him. His shoulders relaxed an inch. “I don’t think he planned for me bonding with another alpha. He doesn’t know how to deal with that.”

I had seen the shocked realisation in Justin’s eyes when he saw me with Lincoln. He had been jealous. Jealous and hurt. And hurt animals were dangerous. I didn’t want the people I loved and cared about hurt because of Justin’s feelings for me again.

He had already hurt enough people.

A giggle escaped my lips. I used to love the whole stalker trope in romance novels. The whole him being obsessed with her thing but the universe hadn’t given me that. They had given me a man who literally killed the world just to possess me.

It wasn’t quite was I fantasised about.

Lincoln’s eyes met mine, I let out a sigh. Maybe it had given me my hero after all.

“So we all agree he is dangerous?” Blake asked snapping me back out of my day dream.

“Yeah and don’t forget crazy and a literal genius. If what he said was true then he’s been working on this whole shit show since his early teen years. Don’t underestimate him.”

“So how do we deal with the centuries old, insane vampire genius who wants to force you-“ Blake asked quietly.

I took a deep breath and my eyes found Lincoln’s. Reaching out with my good hand, I squeezed his fingers and he squeezed them back.  “Trust me?” I asked him.

“I love you.” He didn’t answer my question.  I arched an eyebrow and he sighed. “Yes I trust you.”

“Good. You want to know how we deal with this situation and there’s only one way of doing that.” I took a deep breath. “I am going to give Justin everything he wants.”