Caged Heat(47)

Troy’s voice sounded surprised. “You’re sure?”

Ry’s sighed. “No, I’m not sure. It’s the same thing Sophia experienced. Not to the degree she had it, but the exhaustion and the hunger. It’s all there. Not to mention she smells different, but I can’t tell this soon. Only Chase, Tryx, and now Sophia have that keen a sense.” Ry’s deep voice seeped into to her pores and made warmth spread through her. Was he talking about her?

“I guess I should congratulate you then.” Congratulate him? About what?

“Not until we know for sure. I’ll have to take her over to Chase and Sophia’s for blood testing.” What test? Frustration started to mount. She wanted them to speak clearer so she could understand what they were referring to.

“Wow. But if you’re right then that means she’s pregnant.” Troy’s excitement made her excited too. Until she replayed his words and inhaled sharply.

Oh my god. Her hands flew to her stomach. Was she pregnant? Was that the reason she’d been starving?

She was about to head to the kitchen when a soft knock sounded at the front door. She pulled the door open. Shock made her stand there for a moment, unable to move. Her aunt Luisa was at the door. And she was in tears. Her heart immediately went out to the soft-spoken woman.

“Aunt Luisa, what are you doing here? What’s wrong?”

Luisa glanced at Sam and made a sad attempt to smile through her tears. Poor woman. She was so distressed, Sam’s first instinct was to make her feel better.

“I’m so sorry to have to bother you, Sam. Could I possibly talk to you for a moment out here? I don’t want to take you away from whatever you’re doing, but I don’t want to share my personal misery with anyone that’s not family.”

Sam nodded at her aunt. She pulled the door shut behind her and strolled down the steps to stand in front of Luisa’s car.

She patted the older woman on her arm. “What’s wrong?”

Luisa started crying so softly it was almost hard to hear. “It’s just that I need to beg you to help me. I never thought I’d have to do this, but with mother leaving you her estate, I find myself without anyone to ask for assistance.”

Her heart broke for her poor aunt. She knew the others usually pushed her around. “Of course. Whatever you need, tell me.”

Poor Luisa, she must have been in dire straits to lose her pride and search for Sam. Luisa’s shaky hand reached into her large handbag for what she assumed was a tissue to clear away the tears. What she pulled out was no tissue. Her dear old aunt held a Magnum .357 in a very steady grip.

Sam wanted to kick her own ass for being such a fool. She should’ve listened to Ry when he told her things were still unsettled. She gulped and thought of what Troy had said. She might be pregnant, and had possibly placed her child in danger. “Luisa, what are you doing?”

Luisa shook her head. “Sam, I’m sorry.” She kept her voice soft. “I really am, but I need you to die. I can’t kill you here, so let’s get in my car and go for a drive.” She cocked the gun to prove she meant business, and Sam got into the car with her aunt.

With Sam in the driver’s seat, Luisa pointed the gun into Sam’s head. She glanced back at the house, hoping Ry or Troy had heard them, but Luisa had spoken so softly even she’d had a hard time listening to her.

Luisa smirked, and Sam started driving off. “I know all about the shifter-enhanced hearing. Trust me, your mother told me things.”

“How did you know I’d get the door?”

Luisa rolled her eyes. “You have huge bay windows with no curtains, incredibly tacky and stupid at the same time. I saw you walking down the stairs. I’d seen the men heading for the backyard earlier.”

Sam tried to think of a way to get out of the situation without getting herself killed. “What exactly do you want Luisa?”

“I want the money that belongs to me.” Luisa’s voice rose the further away they drove.

Sam shook her head in confusion. “But Ginny left you a million dollars, Luisa. I know you don’t live with high expenses, so why do you need more money?”

“Because my sons are sick.” Luisa’s voice lowered again with each word.

Sam had never heard of Luisa’s kids being sick. She’d always boasted of them working for international companies and traveling the world in their successful careers. “Sick how?”

Luisa’s sadness still made her feel bad for the woman. She looked a lot like Sam’s mother. “My oldest has a small drug problem. He tends to spend all our money on the stuff and needs help.”