“—nine months.” His eyes narrowed as he repeated the words. “I lived and breathed you the whole time. Couldn’t stop thinking about you. I fucking missed you so much.”
Jenna felt her lip wobble and a tear ran down her cheek. She didn’t try and wipe it away.
“I was so happy once I made the decision to give us another try. I couldn’t wait to see you. I looked you up and thank fuck I didn’t ring your doorbell. Imagine my shock…” He clenched his teeth, Gideon’s eyes misted for a second before he composed himself. “You were with another male…your belly swollen with his child. You never loved me. You were with me while still with your first mate and quickly moved on after I left. What we had was never real.” He growled the last few words. “I am going to apologize to Lazarus. I would like for you to return home. I won’t hesitate to report you to Brant. Leave or face the consequences.”
“Wait!” She cried as he pushed past her, brushing his shoulder against her arm. “It wasn’t like that. Let me explain.” There was a part of her that needed him to stop so that she could do just that but there was also a part of her that prayed that he would just keep walking.
Telling him would entail opening painful wounds. It may even make him hate her more. She was weak and pathetic. Jenna didn’t deserve a male like Gideon, but she loved him with all of her heart and would never forgive herself if she didn’t at least try. This was her opportunity to be brave. She watched him until he turned the corner, then she slumped against the wall. It might be better if he cooled down first.
She would speak to him again soon. She would find a way to speak of the events of the last year and a half of her life. Her heart and soul depended on it.
Chapter 4
The stricken look on Jenna’s face had almost been enough to get him to turn the fuck around, but he couldn’t do it. There was nothing she could say to him that would fix things.
Nine months after she had begged and pleaded for him to stay and to give her a chance, her belly was already visibly swollen with another male’s child. It hadn’t taken her long at all to move on.
Gideon meant what he had said, if she didn’t leave of her own accord, then he was going to have to figure out a way to out her to Brant without implicating himself in the process. The last thing he wanted was to turn Jenna in, but he would do it. There was no way he was buying any of what she was selling but at the same time he couldn’t watch her be seduced and possibly mated by one of the other males. Seeing her with Lazarus today had almost killed him.
Speaking of Lazarus. The male had long since left the breakfast table and was sparring with one of the other males in the gym. Gideon watched the big male and despite his bulk, in a careful move, he used his foot to sweep the other male’s legs out from under him causing him to crash heavily to the ground.
Gideon chuckled and moved forward, as it was clear that the bout was over. The smaller male lay groaning on the ground.
Lazarus put up his hands as his eyes caught Gideon’s. “I don’t want any trouble,” the big male growled. “If you tear into me again, I’m going to have to retaliate. You may not come out looking so pretty this time and I would probably end up in the dungeon.”
Gideon felt guilt rise up in him and he ran a hand through his hair. “About that.” He sighed. “I’m really sorry. It was a misunderstanding and it won’t happen again.”
“You mean as long as I’m not talking to that particular female, you won’t cause shit with me again.” Lazarus might be brawny but he also had brains.
Gideon wasn’t sure what to say. There were plenty of other males working out in the gym. Several eyeballs were turned in their direction. Lazarus helped the fallen male to his feet and led him to a nearby bench. By now, his advanced healing had set in, and the male already looked a ton better.
Lazarus turned back to him and gestured towards the door. “Let’s go for a quick walk.” He grabbed a towel, using it to mop his forehead.
Gideon nodded. “There isn’t much to say, but let’s walk anyways.”
Lazarus barked out a laugh or something that sort of sounded like one. “Whatever.” He gave Gideon a slap on the back that almost sent him flying forward. The male was ridiculously huge. The spot where Lazarus’ hand had landed, ached and Gideon was no wilting flower. Even for a vampire, the male was a beast, that was for sure. No wonder the human females were weary of him.
“What did I do wrong to cause you to hit me like that then?” Lazarus had a sly smirk on his face and his eyes glinted.