Worshipped (Worshipped Series Book 1) (17 page)

Wait, what?

 “I don’t understand what you are saying, Karen.” I’m not the only one confused as hell. Isaac and Conner both look puzzled.

 “The medical term for this is heteropaternal superfecundation. This is very rare. Since your babies are fraternal twins, they each were conceived by two different types of sperm. My guess is you had sex with Isaac and Conner on the same ovulation cycle. I found that baby A is Isaac’s and baby B is Conner’s.” 

I feel Isaac and Conner look at me. I’m sure I have my mouth open. I don’t know what to think or say or do. Karen keeps talking all medical and I am not listening to a word she is saying. Is this really happening? Can I really have it all? If this is all a dream, please do not wake me. 

“How sure are you about this, Karen? I don’t think I could take you coming back a few weeks later saying, ‘Oops, sorry the test was wrong’.” Karen smiles, knowing me. I always think something will go wrong. I can’t help that. Bad habits and all. 

“I ran the test twice. I knew how you would question it, so I made sure the lab tech knew to run it more than once. Plus, the paternity test is 99.9% accurate.” This is real then. 

I push my chair back so I have a clear view of Isaac and Conner. “How do you feel about this?” I ask them. Conner responds first. He has the biggest grin I’ve ever seen. 

“This is amazing! I can’t believe it, but I’m going to be a father! I love you, Riley, and thank you. Thank you for giving us the most precious gift.”

 I laugh with him, happy and thrilled he is on board. Isaac stands, and my smile quickly fades. Is he upset? Oh god, what if he doesn’t want this. He kneels down so we are eye level. Shit, my heart is beating hard and fast. Please let him be okay with this. 

Isaac brushes my hair back behind my ear, and says, “Never in a million years did I think I would be here, in this exact moment with you. I never thought about having a child. I am forever grateful to you and I will be the best damn father. I love you so much, Riley, and I….” Isaac’s voice cracks up for just a minute.

 My eyes start to tear up. He doesn’t need to say this but I know he’s not only doing it for me, he is doing it for him. “I never knew my father, and I didn’t think I could be so happy in my life. I promise you, I will always be there for you. I will always protect you, and cherish you. As long as you will have me, I will be there.”

 I put my hand over my mouth, trying not to cry again. He looks almost relieved in a way. I wrap my arms around him and hold him as close as possible. I love this man. I know for sure that everything will be perfectly fine with us. I look at Conner and I open my arms for him to come to me. I hold them both, thanking who ever watches over us. 

I make another appointment with Karen to come back in a few weeks. Karen tells me we should be able to determine what the sexes of the babies are by then. I hug her as well. I tell her how much I appreciate her doing this for me and being here. I really don’t know how this would’ve gone if she wasn’t as understanding. I tell her to call me later and with Isaac and Conner, we leave the clinic. 

Isaac drives with Conner and me in the back seat. He holds my hand, drawing circles on my palm. His touch is comforting. To think I thought one of them would leave me today. I am crazy. I make a promise to myself that I will not think the worst anymore. Especially with either one of my lovers. They have proven themselves over and over. I think it’s safe to say they are not going anywhere. 

I look up and see Isaac watching me in the rearview mirror. I give him a smile, hoping he gets us home soon. I still have the ultrasound picture Karen gave me in my purse. I think the boys will be excited to see their babies. 

I begin to think about everything I need to do to get ready for our babies arrival. I am thankful I have a house big enough for them. I will need a lot of things to get their room ready. I mentally started making my list when we pull in my driveway. Isaac quickly puts my rental car in park and jumps out. He has my door open, waiting on me, before I even have my seat belt off. I can see where this is going. I hope they know just because I am pregnant, I am not a fragile, helpless woman. 

Conner opens the front door for us and heads directly into the kitchen. What is he up to? Isaac puts me on the couch and takes my shoes off. I just stare. Now I’m not even able to take off my shoes? He lightly pushes me, making me lie down. He gives me a pillow and covers me with a blanket. Okay, maybe I can get used to this. I’m tired from today’s emotional roller coaster. 

Conner walks back in a few moments later with….well, it’s a bowl of cereal. And my favorite kind at that. How sweet. I sit up to take my cereal, and I eat every bite. Isaac takes my empty bowl away and picks up my legs to sit down. Conner is letting me lie on his lap while he rubs my head. I love all the attention I’m getting. I think I can get used to being pregnant very soon. I almost doze off when I remember that picture. 

“Isaac, will you get my purse for me, please?” He literally jumps up and all but runs to my purse. 

I quickly grab the picture, trying to keep it hidden. I want them to be surprised when they see it. I sit my purse down, holding the precious ultrasound picture with both hands.

 “What are you hiding there?” Conner asks. 

I get off the couch, wanting to see both their reactions when I show them. Isaac waits patiently for me to reveal my little secret. My cheeks are starting to hurt from all the smiling I’m doing. I turn the picture around and say, “These are our babies.” They both snatch it out of my hand, wanting to look closer. 

I watch them, seeing both their faces light up with joy. It’s memorizing to see their reactions. I knew they would be excited to see their babies, but this is so much more. I see so many emotions from watching them. Joy, excitement, fear, and mostly love. They haven’t even met them yet, and they already loved our babies. 

They both get up and came to me. Isaac sets the picture down on the coffee table. Just as they are about to kiss and show me how much they are thrilled about the baby, the doorbell rings. I sigh, thinking, “Why, oh why, did whoever was here, needed to interrupt us now?” Conner says he will get the door, while I head to the bathroom. I hear another man’s voice, and I rush in the bathroom. I am curious who it was. I don’t know many men, and can’t help but I wonder who it is. 

I walk back into the living room, seeing Conner, Isaac, and the mystery man sitting down on the couch. Okay, do they know this man? I find out sooner rather than later. “Riley, this is Detective James. He’s here to tell us some news. I think you should sit down,” Isaac tells me. Fuck, why are the police here? Is it about my accident? Or maybe it’s the fire? Have they finally caught the person responsible? 

I follow Isaac’s order and st down by Conner. Detective James clears his throat a few times. My guess is he needs to quit smoking and is in desperate need of a shave. The guy looks as if he has been working weeks without any sleep. I take a good look at the detective. Even though he needs a shave and sleep, he is very attractive. He has sandy brown hair, brown eyes and a strong jaw. He clears his throat enough times I think I might go get him a glass of water. 

“Miss Blake, I just want to ask you a few questions, if that is all right?” I nod, still wondering what the hell is going on. “Did you know a Miss Cammie Turner?” 

I answer, “Yes. I dated her for a time. We went our separate ways a few months ago. I’m sorry, Detective, what is this about?” He seems hesitant about telling me, but seems to recover. 

“We found Miss Turner’s body this morning. We have reason to suspect foul play.” The last thing I thought he would ever say are those words. 

“Where….uh, I think I’m going to be sick,” I run to the bathroom, emptying my stomach. I dry heave over and over until I think I might throw up a lung. I feel a hand on my back, knowing it will be Conner. Isaac is most likely trying to get all the information he can. I can’t believe this. I saw Cammie, just a few short months ago. There is no way she is dead. Or murdered. This isn’t happening. Nope. That cop is lying to me. Had to be, right? Oh god. What if it is true? Who would do such a horrific thing? After a few more dry heaves, I start feeling somewhat better. At least my stomach wants to cooperate. I wash my mouth out while Conner stays by my side.

I know he’s worried. He knows more about Cammie and me than Isaac does. “You okay to go back in there? I think the detective may have some more questions for you.”

 I give Conner a weak nod, dreading it already. We walk back in the living room. Detective James stands, and says, “I am sorry I upset you. I just have a few more questions, and I will be on my way.”

“I’m okay, ask anything you want.”

 Detective James looks at Isaac, and when Isaac nods his head, the detective starts asking his questions. He runs through them rather fast. Mostly it is the basic ones like, “When did you last see the victim. How long did you know her? Do you know if she had any enemies?” I answer all his questions as best as I can. I realized then how little I know of her. I haven’t met any of her friends. I don’t know the photography company she worked for. Damn it, all I know is how we fucked. 

Isaac walks out with the detective and I just lose it. I’m not sure why I act this way, but I feel guilt, and sorrow. I cry and yell, until there is nothing left. Conner holds me until I am finished. That is all I need of him and I am glad for it.

 Isaac stands off to the side of us. He starts pacing, and it makes my head spin. “Isaac, please stop pacing. I’m going to get sick again,” I tell him. He stops immediately and sits down. 

“What’s going on, Isaac? What did detective James have to say?” Conner asks. 

“I don’t think I need to talk about this right now.”

 I instantly jump up. There is no way in hell he isn’t telling me this. I deserve to know what happened to her. “Fuck you, Isaac! If you know what is best for you, you will talk. Tell me everything the cop said. I have the right to know what happened to her.” 

I’m pretty sure I stunned Isaac and Conner with my outburst. Well screw them! I’m not some little princess. I wanted to know. I am tired of being in the dark. 

“I didn’t want to make you mad, I just thought you might not want to hear all the details. Detective James was really forthcoming with information. He felt if we knew everything, we would be more help. We are his only leads right now.”

“I’m sorry I went off on you. I just wanted to know.” Isaac nods and takes my hand. With his other hand, he runs it through his hair. Whatever the detective said was bad. I start doubting if I really want to know. 

“Cammie was found by the river. The police think she was taken, and killed somewhere else.” Isaac stops, not knowing if he should keep talking. I give him an encouraging nod and he continues. 

“She was beaten. She was beaten almost to the point where she was unrecognizable. She was….God, Riley, I really don’t feel comfortable telling you this part.”

“It’s all right, Isaac, I need to know.”

 After a few more hands through his hair and sighing loudly he finishes telling us. “Cammie was raped. And it was as brutal as it can come. All of this was done before she was murdered. Detective James thinks her killer strangled her, but they aren’t for sure because of all the bruising on her. Riley, to me it sounds like someone wanted something from her. No random killer would take that much time beating their victim, and then taking the time to rape her.” 

I sit, stunned. What kind of monster could do this to someone as innocent as Cammie? I’m in a daze. I stop listening to Isaac and Conner talk more about how she was beaten, and what it signifies. 

I’m familiar with the five stages of grief. I fly quickly through denial and anger. I know bargaining is next, but I know there is nothing I can do to bring her back. Depression will probably hit me later. I just can’t accept this. I’ve always had a problem dealing with that one. Even when my parents died, I just refused to accept I would never see them again. Obviously, my mind rationalized that I had to accept it over time. 

I just need time to process this. I can’t help to wonder if I could have done something differently. Maybe? No, there wasn’t a thing I could’ve done. Whoever did this to her wanted something. What that is I have no clue. How can one day be so amazing, filled with so much joy, then turn into this? I don’t know how much more I can take in one day.

 Isaac and Conner are still talking about Cammie. I was trying to tune them out when I catch the end of something important. “…what if it was him?” Conner is asking Isaac. Crap. I missed something I really needed to hear. 

“Who are you talking about?” I ask. 

“I think—we think—that Dominic may be behind this. It makes sense. We saw firsthand that someone was watching you. What if that person was Lance, he knew what your relationship with Cammie was. He could’ve taken her, thinking she would know about us. It has Dominic written all over it. It’s his MO to hurt women, and the way Cammie was so brutally murdered, it makes perfect since.” Isaac does have a good point. Lance has been my preferred cab driver for a long time. Many of those times Cammie was with me. 

How could I have missed him being a monster? I try going back, think about all the times I asked for him because I thought he was nice. He never said anything inappropriate, or hit on us. Hell, most nights he never said a word. 

“Did you tell the detective about our Lance theory?” I ask Isaac. 

“I hinted that, but he wasn’t too keen on listening to that. He promised he would work hard on this. He wants to find the bastard who did this.”

 I’ve had absolutely enough for one day. I tell Isaac and Conner I’m going to lie down. I can’t stand to hear anymore.

 I wonder how much one person can handle in one day. Is there a limit? If not, there should be. I have reached mine. I change out of my jeans for my fluffy pajamas. I grab the phone and dial the only person I know that will help me.

 Karen.