Chapter 128: Escalating Danger

“Julian…” I hesitated, knowing that I had to fix this situation fast before it got worse. Julian loses his fucking mind when it comes to me even exchanging words with other men, not to mention his furious reaction the last time he caught me texting Liam. Now I’m pregnant with his baby. He probably felt like he had more claim over me than ever before.

*Fuck! How the fuck did Grace even get on my phone?! She a fucking hacker?!*

“Listen,” I tried to think of something, anything, to calm him down. He was still frozen in place, but I could see water inside him beginning to boil with fire under the pot. Grace looked back at me and smiled, she knew that I was in deep shit now, even if she doesn’t get the satisfaction of doing it herself. “Don’t listen to her. I wasn’t flirting with him or anyone! We’re just friends!”

Truth be told, we technically were even though Liam expressed that he has romantic feelings for me, and I… I was beginning to grow interested in him too, something that didn’t involve lust. But if Julian found out about that, it’d only make my situation twice as bad.

When Julian finally started to move again, I heard him collecting the things out of his first aid kit that he was going to use to fix me up. Grace leaned against the wall and watched to see what would happen next.

“Julian?” I spoke up again, trying to get at least some kind of reaction out of him. “You believe me, right? C’mon, man, say something! Do you really think I value relationships over this damned pregnancy?!”

*Oops. That probably wasn’t any better either…*

Julian remained silent as he walked over. I was at a loss for words this time. What could I possibly say? Did I screw up already?? Grace looked to be just as curious as I was over how her brother was going to react. I made it sound like I cared more about the baby and didn’t give two shits about him.

Technically… yeah. That’s about right.

“You’ll have to take off your pants.” His tone was blunt.

*I deserved that… kinda.* “Yeah, yeah, I know,” I grumbled. I was just hesitant to do it because of the pain. C’mon, Suki, you’ve been through this before! Despite my ‘encouraging’ thoughts, I knew that the lactations I’d received before weren’t nearly as deep and severe as this. *Let’s just get this over with!* I summoned the impatient side of me to give me the fuel I needed to get this shitty task done. For a moment, I wished I could’ve gone back to doing the stupid chores.

I flinched in pain and bit my lip roughly, tasting blood as I carefully slid off my pants. Thankfully, I was wearing sweatpants today, but it still hurt like hell. I heaved a heavy sigh when I could finally kick off my pants with my good leg and cautiously sat down. I flinched again when Julian began to handle my stabbed thigh. “OW!! FUCK! Just let me do it, will ya? I’ll be fine.” I shot Grace a hateful glare. “I’d prefer she’d get out of my sight right now, anyway.”

“But this is his room!” Grace was quick to retort.

“Woman, you’re lucky I can’t run!” I threatened. I wanted to shout that I’m gonna scalp her ass but in my current state, I was more vulnerable than ever under this roof. I had nothing to protect myself with and I couldn’t escape even if I tried.

“Let’s go.” Julian thankfully obeyed my wishes, though his tone remained the same. Grace looked like she wanted to protest, but kept her mouth shut and the twins left the bedroom.

The strain my body was under relaxed once they were out of sight. I didn’t notice how tight my muscles were until now. It’s not the first time I had to take care of my bloody wounds. I rubbed alcohol on my hands and bit my tongue with a hiss of pain when I poured some on the cut. To think I’d ever have to do this again. And the boys aren’t around to help me… at least I remember everything they taught me. Biting a chuck of Julian’s sheets tightly and gripping a needle firmly, I sowed the cut shut. It’s not like we had numbing pain back then either, not unless we wanted to rob a pharmacy with heavy security. Just like back then, it hurt like hell, but I refused to stop or cave to the agony. I had no choice. I wasn’t a professional, even if I did have it done before. The stitching was sloppy and even the snipped thread was too long. *Fuck it. It’ll have to do for now.*

After wrapping it up firmly in gauze, my body practically goes numb from brief but sweet relief. My leg was still in searing pain, yeah. But at least it hurt less. I looked back toward the door. Julian will be coming back in at any second. *He’s not happy about Liam… and I bet he feels like he has more claim over me than ever now that he’s fucking knocked me up. Dammit all!!* “Shit…” I grumbled in frustration. What am I supposed to do now?? I don’t think I can rely on him anymore… what if he pulls another stunt like in Gabriel’s study?

With a strained grunt, I haul myself up onto one leg and hop toward the door that led to the balcony. It’s not like I can climb on the roof like I did last time. I might as well leap to my death doing that. *Is there somewhere I could hide at least?* Just the thought burned me alive with rage. Me. Fucking hiding. Shit, I didn’t even hide from the cops! As much as I wanted to leave my mark, my instincts were telling me that my life could be at risk right now. Grace had gone off the deep end with her taste of freedom, and Julian was all out of his medication.

*Either way, you look at it. I’m fucked… and there’s still a week left.*

I jumped when I heard the door open and spun around to see who had come inside. Julian. My swift movement and unsteady balance made me fall into the balcony door and almost crash onto the floor.

“Suki!” he set down a plate and hurried to my side. His tone had gone back to being gentle and affectionate… is he acting? It was unnerving that I couldn’t tell. “What’re you doing? Come here, come back to bed.” He wrapped his strong arm around my waist, helped me hop my way back to his bed, and slowly rested me on the comfy mattress.

“Thanks…” I warily mumbled, still convinced that he was up to something. My tired gaze traveled to the plate he sat down on the dresser. “What’s that?”

A smile formed on his thin lips as he picked it up and brought it to me. “Here. This will make you feel better.”

On the plate was a big bowl of steaming tomato soup and a grilled cheese beside it. I looked up at him with narrowed eyes and a lifted brow. “Seriously? Do I look sick to you?”

Julian took a seat beside me and rubbed my back while pressing his cheek against my head. “Like I said, it’ll make you feel better. When was the last time you had a hot meal? I know Grace has been merciless on you and I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you more… this is me making it up to you.”

He was right. My meals had been shitty lately, and I was worried about nourishment for the baby. This will help, right? “...Fine.” I sighed, blowing on it before taking a sip from a big silver spoon. My eyes lit up as my stomach warmed. “Damn. That’s pretty good, actually. What’d ya season it with?”

Julian leaned down and whispered hauntingly in my ear. “With love.”

“Huh?” I could feel my dizziness gradually becoming worse and my body beginning to weaken. *Shit! Am I still losing blood??* I looked at my leg in alarm, worried that too much blood loss could hurt the baby. But my leg had stopped bleeding for a while now… My attention turned back to the soup and my confusion flipped into alarm when the realization hit me. I’ve been drugged. Julian’s lack of surprise was proof.

I flung the plate and hot bowl on his lap and he shouted in pain when it splashed on his arm. Recklessly leaping to my feet ended with a painful tumble and cry. “ACK!! FUCK!!” even when I tried to spit and puke it out, it was too late. “BASTARD!!” the room spun and faded to black, Julian’s inaudible voice the last thing I heard.