Mending the Rift (24 page)

Luca grimaced, staring at the IV line in disgust. Cool liquid seeped into his veins, and although he knew it was supposed to help him, he loathed it. There could be anything in those bags and he wouldn’t know a fucking thing.

“Luca.” Marcus gave his right ear a light tug.

Irritated, Luca slapped at the offending hand. “I heard him, and the answer’s yes. Happy now?”

Marcus’s eyebrows drew together, forming a sharp crease. “I’m thrilled.”

A wave of shame surged through Luca. Why did he have to snap at Marcus? He was only trying to help, and he was as worried as Luca was. After all, this was
their
baby. He hadn’t wanted to snarl at Marcus, he really didn’t.

He grabbed for one of Marcus’s hands. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to speak to you like that. Can you help me sit up?”

Marcus remained silent, but with his help Luca got into a sitting position. A nurse had secured the IV line to his arm with a dressing and tape, so he wouldn’t accidentally rip it out. He glanced at it then turned to look up at Marcus. His husband was pale and completely focused on him. “Let me guess, I look like shit?”

“Something like that, yes,” Marcus conceded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Why didn’t you say you were feeling sick?”

“I didn’t feel sick, just tired.”

“Tired and sick are two different things, Luca.”

“Could you not scold me now? I feel like an idiot. Though at least I’m an idiot without contractions. That’s some kind of wonder medication.”

Dr. Lewins chuckled. “I really don’t think you’ll be in danger of delivering today. You’re probably suffering from an infection, maybe caused by some of the experiments you were subjected to. Or maybe it’s an infection of the urinary tract that’s caused an infection of the uterus. It’s easily treated, although we’ll keep you here for observation. If you could give us a sample now, that would help to see if my guess is correct.”

Luca slid from the table to the floor, shivering when his bare feet slapped onto the cold tiles. Goose bumps flashed over his skin, and he gestured toward the door. “Bathroom?”

“Oh no, you’ll stay put. Here.” Dr. Lewins held out a bottle to Luca, who took it as if it was a grenade. “Just pee in there.”

Luca cast an embarrassed glance at the nurses bustling around him. Marcus’s lips twitched, although he tried to cover it by coughing. Leaning against the padded examination table, Luca gritted his teeth and stuck his hand into his briefs to pull out his limp cock. “I didn’t know a pregnancy would warrant having to go through so many embarrassing situations.”

Tactfully, everyone else looked away as Luca did what was needed. The nurse who took the bottle didn’t bat an eyelash, although Luca wanted the earth to swallow him. He tucked himself back into his briefs, and the doctor handed him antiseptic tissues to wipe his hands off. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Now lie back on the table. We’ll get you a blanket while we wait on the results. Meanwhile, let’s have another look at the baby’s heart rate.”

With Marcus’s help, Luca reclined. Marcus heeled in a stool and sat down next to Luca’s head. He dropped a light kiss on the tip of Luca’s nose, shushing him when a contraction caused Luca’s eyes to widen. The doctor scribbled another note, but since he wasn’t rushing, everything had to be under control, right?

“Close your eyes, kitten,” Marcus murmured into his ear. “I’m here, you’re in very good hands, and everything will be all right, okay?”

“You can’t know that.” Luca studied his husband’s features. “I wonder if he’ll resemble you or me, or if he’ll be a perfect mixture of the two of us. Oh, and we really need to decide on a name. I wouldn’t want him to be called baby boy after he’s born.”

“All right. We’ll discuss his name again after you’re better. Now try to doze a bit, I—”

The entry of a nurse cut Marcus’s words off. “Dr. Lewin, here are the results.”

Dr. Lewin took the sheet, scanned it, and gave a curt nod. He wrote something before he ordered medication. The nurse readied a syringe and handed it over, smiling at Luca.

“What? What is it?” Luca asked.

“It’s an infection. A pretty bad one, but nothing we can’t get under control. We’ll put you on heavy antibiotics, and you should be feeling better within twenty-four hours. We’ll prepare a room for you now as you need to be observed closely, but I’m guessing you’ll be able to go home in about three days. You’re on bed rest for now.” Dr. Lewin administered the clear liquid into Luca’s IV as he explained everything.

“It’s seriously just an infection? The baby’s fine?” Luca asked. He couldn’t help himself; he needed to hear it again.

“It’s a serious infection that could’ve led to major trouble for you and the baby, but you’re in good hands here. We’ll do everything we can to avoid premature labor, and if you rest now, you should be fine,” the doctor repeated patiently.

“Thank you,” Luca whispered.

He cast a glance at Marcus, who sagged in relief. When he caught Luca’s gaze, he straightened up, slid his hands into Luca’s hair, and gave him a proper kiss. “I’ll give your parents a call, so they know what’s going on. But for now: sleep, kitten.”

LUCA STAYED
in the hospital for over a week because the infection had reached his kidneys and the doctors had to switch to a different antibiotic. Now, two weeks after the incident, Luca was still tired, but the baby was up to his usual routine of kicking and knocking against any of his inner organs.

The C-section was scheduled to take place in three weeks. Whenever Luca’s mind strayed to that fact, waves of heat and iciness combined surged through him. In three weeks, he’d hold their baby boy in his arms. Could it really be? After all this time, he’d see their baby in the flesh? Would he be all right? The doctors had claimed again and again that everything looked fine, as if the Southern Union’s experiments hadn’t caused him any harm, but doubts lingered.

“Hey, what’s the frown for?” Marcus tucked a strand of hair behind Luca’s ear. The first rays of the sun filtered into Luca’s room, giving it a warm glow. Luca nuzzled into Marcus’s hand, swiping his tongue over the palm. “Luca?”

Sometimes Luca wished they never had to get up and could stay in bed all day. Given that they were still living in his room at his parents’ house, that wasn’t likely to happen. After his stay in the hospital, Marcus hovered, and Nicholas did the same when he was home. Keith and other staff observed him with eagle eyes, and any hiss that escaped his mouth became reason for someone to rush over and ask if he needed to see a doctor.

“Just thinking.”

“About?”

“A lot of things. I’m not… I’m not sure I’m really ready to give birth to our baby.” Luca closed his eyes and barked a laugh. “I sound so childish.”

Marcus feathered a series of kisses all over Luca’s face, starting at his forehead and proceeding along his temples, jaw, and nose until he finally reached his mouth. Luca tingled all over when they broke apart. Marcus laid a finger underneath his chin and tipped his face backward until their eyes were on a par. “You’re not childish. I don’t think one can ever be ready to become a parent. Besides, it’s scary to think in a few weeks there’ll be this small bundle depending on us.”

“You’re scared too?”

Laughing, Marcus said, “Of course I am. In case you forgot, this is my first time becoming a father.”

“You don’t seem scared.”

Marcus shrugged. “I’m trained not to show my emotions, especially not when I’m afraid. But rest assured that I am scared. Or maybe I’m just nervous because it’ll change our whole life. Besides, I’m confident we’ll be good parents.”

“I love you.” Luca pressed his lips against Marcus’s, pouring all his love into that one kiss. “We really should find ourselves a new home, don’t you think? We can’t live here forever.”

Marcus exhaled sharply, the breath tickling Luca’s forehead. “This is not the time to go house hunting.”

“When will that time be?” Luca asked, not bothering to hide his frustration. “Marcus, I’m due to deliver our baby in three weeks, and we still live with my parents. We’re both adults, we’re married, we should have our own home and not hide in the room I’ve occupied since my childhood.”

Marcus prevented Luca from rolling away by tightening his grasp around him. Luca pushed against the steel bands around him but quickly ceased his struggle, huffing in annoyance. “Luca, why is it so urgent all of a sudden? You like spending time with your parents, especially your dad.”

“But he’s never here! Father takes him with him all the fucking time!” Luca snapped.

Silence fell after Luca’s outburst. With a groan, Luca burrowed himself deeper into Marcus’s embrace, blinking against the stinging hotness in his eyes. “You really miss him, don’t you? I always thought you two were very close.”

“Well, I’m the baby of the family. He knew I was his last child, so he took me with him wherever he went.” Luca sighed as he traced his fingers through Marcus’s sparse chest hair. “I shouldn’t fall apart because I don’t see my dad for hours every day, but… he’s good at distracting me.”

“Distracting you from what?”

“From thinking about the C-section and how I don’t know shit about caring for a baby. What if Father still won’t let him out of his sight after our baby’s born? I always thought Dad would be there to help me… us… the first few days. That’s what he did every time one of my sisters or brothers had their first child.” Luca splayed his hand over Marcus’s chest and watched the steady rise and fall of his hand. A reassuring sight.

“Why don’t you talk to your dad?”

Luca propped himself up on an elbow. “If Father wants him to tag along, there’s nothing he can do. Besides, I’m not
that
pathetic.”

“You’re not pathetic at all.” Marcus brushed his bangs out of his eyes, a soft smile appearing on his face. “Besides, if your dad wants something, then your father won’t deny it to him. If he’s tagging along with your father at the moment, it’s because he needs to stay close. Or maybe he’s just too curious for his own good.”

“Too curious for his own good? What do you mean?”

“If your dad stays with your father all the time, he’ll know everything that goes on with the treaty and the negotiations.”

“So?”

“Luca! Seriously? He’s probably hanging around your father so he can be sure you and every other breeder are safe. Maybe he’s even trying to change some of our laws regarding breeders. Maybe he’s pushing the issue of the list so that breeders should be able to find a suitable partner on their own.”

Luca’s eyes widened. “That’s something he’d do, all right, but he’s only the vice president’s husband. He’s got no political power or anything.”

Marcus snorted before he ruffled Luca’s hair. “He’s got all the power he needs. He’s got your father wrapped around his little finger, and your father will do pretty much everything—within reason—to make your dad happy.”

“You’re screwing with my perception of my parents. I always believed Father had the last say in everything and that Dad was a rebel, but eventually he always relents to Father’s decisions. But the more you talk about them, the less likely that seems.”

“You could always ask them,” Marcus suggested.

“No way.” Luca shuddered. “They’re still my parents.”

A knock came from the door, interrupting their talk. Marcus sat up abruptly, then swung his legs over the edge of the bed. Every muscle coiled in anticipation, and Luca’s mouth went dry.

“Luca? Can I come in?” Nicholas’s voice floated to them. He sounded off somehow, but that was probably a given after all the time spent in the office, listening to legal gibberish.

Marcus expelled a sharp breath as the tension eased from his body. Luca gave Marcus’s head a light cuff, snickering. “You’re pretty high-strung, aren’t you? We’re at home. No one is getting inside this house unseen.”

Marcus grazed him with a chagrined smile. “Sorry.”

“Hang on a second, Dad. Marcus is coming to unlock the door,” Luca called back. He stared at Marcus’s naked back that showed off his rippling muscles. The sleep pants he’d tugged on sat low on his hips, accentuating the overall broadness of Marcus’s body.

When Marcus unlocked the door, Nicholas shouted, “Luca, hide somewhere!”

Before Luca had time to process his dad’s words, the door flew open, and people rushed inside the room.

“MARCUS!” LUCA
called.

But the people rushing inside punched and kicked Marcus, leaving him no chance to defend himself. Marcus crumpled to the floor after a vicious kick to his head. Luca crawled to the edge of the bed as fast as he could, ignoring the way his pelvis screamed at him in pain.

Hands landed on his shoulders, roughly pulled him off the bed and onto his feet. He cried out and doubled over, all the while cradling his baby bump.

“Stop it! Please!” Nicholas shouted.

“Get dressed,” the man closest to Luca commanded.

Luca gazed up, taking in the whole surreal scenario. Around ten men, all dressed in black, their faces hidden behind masks, stood in his room. Two held Nicholas between them, one holding a gun at his dad’s left temple while two more men pointed guns at Marcus’s head.

“Who are you?”

“What does it matter to you? Do as you’re told, and we might let your husband live,” another man sneered.

His abdominal wall hardened to the point where Luca had to grit his teeth. He rubbed his belly, fervently hoping the baby was going to be okay. How could this happen—again? They should’ve been safe here. Except for the president’s home, there was nowhere with higher security levels.

“Hurry up,” the man standing next to him snarled.

“Let me help him,” Nicholas begged. “Please.”

The guys pushed Nicholas forward, and together they dressed Luca in a long-sleeved white shirt and jeans overalls. Luca squeezed his dad’s hand as they sat on the bed, and he struggled to get his sneakers on. He kept his voice as low as possible when he asked, “Dad, what’s going on?”

Thick fingers slid into Luca’s hair and yanked his head back. Nicholas went for the offender’s arm. “What do you think—”