Chapter 41

Turning and running from the restaurant before anyone could recognize me, I ran toward the car. Flinging open the passenger side door, I climbed in and promptly pushed down the lock with a click.

“You okay?” Keanu’s face was contorted into a confused grimace as he watched me breathe heavily.

Fighting to slow my racing heart, the only word I could utter was, “Go!”

Panicked, Keanu slammed the stick into reverse and peeled out of the restaurant parking lot. Tiny rocks sprayed in all directions while the back end of the car fishtailed. Hitting the highway, he pressed his foot hard against the gas pedal. The smell of burnt rubber invaded my nostrils for just a second as the car took off down the road.

“What happened?” His face was grave as his eyes darted back and forth between the road and my face. I tried to look calm but I know the fear in my eyes betrayed me.

“I came out of the bathroom and…there was a TV up on the wall and…I was on it. My face was on the news.” My voice quivered as I explained, the gravity of the situation began to sink in.

Swallowing hard, sweat beading on his brow, he inquired. “What did it say about you?”

“I…don’t know, I just ran.” Realizing that I should have paid more attention, I gave myself a mental kick.

“Dammit!!” Keanu pounded his fist against the steering wheel. At first I thought he was mad at me and, honestly, I wouldn’t have blamed him.

Watching the dark highway roll underneath us at breakneck speeds, I again thought of what life could have been. With my womb expanding and the arrival of a baby in just a few months, reality slapped me in the face.

Not only was I being hunted by a bloodthirsty cabal, I was now a fugitive. Guilty of what, I wasn’t sure yet, but I trusted the Majestic 12 with one thing, they would destroy me, one way or another.

A deep sadness wrapped itself around my soul.

“I’m sorry.” Tears rolled down my cheeks and my lip trembled as I hung my head. I was to blame for all this; I should’ve just let the Majestic 12 have their way with me. What was one—or two—lives really? Now I’d ruined another, Keanu’s.

“No, no, no, Cassia, this is not your fault. I’m angry because I suspected they’d pull something like this.” His handsome face was etched with anger as he spoke. Reaching over and caressing my face, he added. “I just knew it. They stopped chasing us very quickly. I knew it was too good to be true. Too easy.”

The guilt was too much to bear, I broke down and sobbed. “It is my fault. None of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t gone to the University for testing. I ruined all our lives.”

“Cassia.” His foot lightened on the pedal as he spoke softly to me. “I don’t regret meeting you. I fell in love with you. And…” His hand glided down from my face and landed gently on my stomach. A warm smile kissed his lips when he spoke. “You’re having my baby.”

Oh god! This whole time!

I’d forgotten. I’d forgotten that she—this baby—might not be his.

I had to tell him…soon.