Part 18 (1/2)
Quentin gathered her into his arms and lurched to his feet. ”Sleep, baby. I've got you now.”
She sighed and pressed a kiss to his throat.
Quentin held her close to his heart as he followed the captain toward the waiting van. How would he ever let her go?
Chapter Twelve.
Darcy followed the sound of soft laughter into her kitchen on wobbly legs, rubbing her sore, itchy shoulder. She pushed the door open, and three sets of vampires' eyes swung guiltily toward her.
Suspicion aroused, her gaze darted around the kitchen, but didn't land on anything that would inspire the uncomfortable silence-except an open package of calves' livers.
Quentin shoved something on the counter behind his back and leaned indolently against the Formica.
Darcy narrowed her eyes and reached around him. She pulled out a cold container of her favorite ice cream, Cookies N' Cream. She lifted an eyebrow, but Quentin simply pulled a laden spoon from behind his back and slipped it between his lips.
Emmy snickered. ”So, you're up at last? Should you be out of bed?”
Something was up. Darcy frowned at her attempt to change the subject. ”What's going on here?”
”We were just discussing the merits of organ meat,” Dylan said, then quickly pressed his lips together.
Emmy jammed him in the belly with her elbow and smiled brightly. ”And Quentin's odd cravings.”
”Emmy!” Quentin's narrowed gaze looked just plain mean.
”I think we'd better leave these two alone, darling.” Dylan grabbed Emmy's elbow and herded her out of the kitchen.
”Sweetheart, how are you feeling?” Quentin asked-too quickly.
I'm tired of everyone changing the subject and talking in riddles. Darcy crossed her arms over her chest. ”Everyone has been treating me with kid gloves.”
”You were injured, love. Everyone's been worried about you. Even Captain Springer and the team make it a point to stop in every day.”
”And they talk in whispers when they think I'm sleeping.”
”Right. I suppose you've been wondering about that.” Quentin straightened away from the counter.
Darcy's breath hitched. This was the first time she'd stood next to him since being shot, and she'd forgotten how tall he was. Even unconsciously, he was able to distract her. ”Mmmm-hmm. I'm all better. What haven't you told me?”
”I don't want you to be angry. We felt it was for the best.”
Darcy drummed her fingers on her arm.
”We didn't want to impede your recovery.”
Impatient for him to get to the point, she blurted, ”Out with it.”
”Alright,” he said, blowing out his breath. ”But first, let's go sit. You're looking a little flushed.”
She let him lead her into the empty living room and settle her on the sofa, fussing unnecessarily with the pillows until he was satisfied of her comfort. He'd been this way all week-ever since she'd been released from the hospital. Solicitous. Kind. Distant.
”Have you changed your mind?” she whispered, not seeing any need to draw out this conversation. The suspense was already killing her.
He squatted on his haunches in front of her. ”Changed my mind?”
”About turning me.”
His gaze slipped from hers.
Darcy felt her heart squeeze tightly. ”I suppose you're eager to leave now,” she said, although the words seemed to stick in her throat-behind the lump that threatened to choke her.
”Leave?”
”With the investigation over, I thought you'd be itching to get back to Seattle.”
”It rather depends,” he said quietly.
She knew her heart was in her eyes, but she couldn't help the hope she knew was reflected in her expression. Her emotions were too raw to conceal. ”What does it depend on?”
”On you.”
She swallowed. ”You don't want to turn me, do you?”
”Not now.”
”Because it's dangerous?”
”Because doing so wouldn't be right.”
Shaking her head to clear her confusion, she said, ”I don't understand.”
”Love, you're going to have a baby.” His expression was stark, his jaw tight.
”What?” Of all the reasons, that would have been last on her list. Pregnant? How-”Oh.” Joe. Oh, G.o.d. ”Everyone knows?”
”Yes, love.”
”But the hospital-”
”Captain Springer told them I was your fiance. I asked them to let me tell you.”
”My mother?”
He nodded.