Desert Rogues Part 2. Susan Mallery

can escape me. We are talking about my son. My heir.”

      “So if I have a girl, I’m free to go,” she said bitterly, hating that his words had ripped her apart. She didn’t simply fear his threats, she felt as if he’d destroyed every hint of a dream. Sadik didn’t care about her—he never had. As far as he was concerned, she was little more than a vessel. She was the carrier of his offspring, and not a person in her own right.

      “I am Prince Sadik of Bahania. I will have a son.”

      That almost made her smile. “As long as you had that conversation with your sperm, Sadik. You did realize those little guys might have a mind of their own, right?”

      He frowned, as if mothers of royal babies didn’t discuss such things.

      She jerked free of his hold and walked to the far end of the alcove. Even as she placed her hands against the cool walls, she knew there was no escape. Not from him and not from her circumstances.

      Her eyes burned, and her throat tightened, but her pain was too deep for tears. Sadness tugged at her, making it difficult to stay standing.

      “What happens now?” she asked, barely able to form the words, then changed her mind. “Don’t bother. I know what happens. You keep a close watch on me until the child is born, but then what?” She swallowed, not wanting to hear the truth but desperate to know. “How long until you throw me out of the palace?”

      He was at her side in an instant. He grabbed her and turned her toward him. Rage tightened his face. She hadn’t known he was capable of such emotion and it should have frightened her, but she had other things to worry about. Once she knew his plans, she could come up with her own ideas of how to escape, either before or after the child was born. Because no matter how he threatened her, she would never abandon her child.

      “Is that what you think?” he demanded. “That I would cast you into the streets?”

      “You don’t care about me. Until now you only wanted me to warm your bed. Now that you know I’m pregnant, you’ll want me to carry the baby to term, but after that I’ll be of no use to you.”

      He released her as if she’d burned him. Sadik stalked to the entrance of the alcove and turned back to face her.

      “You think so little of me,” he said.

      “I’m a realist. All I want to know are your plans.”

      “You will be the mother of my son. As such, you are to be honored.”

      Her racing heart slowed slightly. “You wouldn’t expect me to leave my child and just disappear?”

      “I am not an animal.”

      She wasn’t sure she believed him, but his words gave her hope. If he was willing to say that, then maybe she could go to the king for assurances. The idea of making some kind of coparenting plan work seemed impossible, but she would do anything to stay with her baby.

      He glared at her. “I see the doubt in your eyes. How is that possible? In what way have I so betrayed you that you would not trust me now?”

      “How much time do you have?” she asked, not caring that she continued to stir his temper. In truth she wanted him to—

      The sudden sensation of butterflies in her stomach surprised her into silence. She wasn’t nervous…she was furious that she’d been put into this situation, and relieved that at least for now she didn’t have to worry about losing her child. There was no reason she should be feeling a fluttering sensation.

      Cleo’s breath caught. Sadik was at her side in a second, putting his arm around her to support her weight. “What is wrong? Do you need to sit down? Should I call a doctor?”

      He was so solicitous and obviously worried that she nearly laughed out loud. Then she remembered that none of his attentions were about her.

      “I’m fine,” she said, as the fluttering continued. “I just felt the baby move.”

      He frowned. “Is that good? Are you supposed to?”

      She considered him the enemy in this situation. Worse, she had feelings for him she wasn’t willing to explore or define. The man tempted her beyond reason and made her forget herself. The safest course of action would be to get as far away as possible. But he was also the father of her child. While growing up she’d seen countless fathers who wanted nothing to do with their offspring. At least Sadik showed interest.

      So against her better judgment, she took his hand in hers and brought it to her belly, where the fluttering was the strongest. She pressed his fingers into her belly.

      “Can you feel that?” she asked in a whisper. “It’s the first time I’ve felt the baby move.”

      He was still, then his fingers moved slightly and he grinned at her. “My son is strong.”

      She pushed his hands away and rolled her eyes. “You make me crazy.”

      He ignored that and stared at her stomach. “You do not seem very large in the belly.”

      “I’m not showing a lot right now,” she agreed. “I’m a week into my fifth month so I would imagine I’m going to pop anytime now.”

      “Pop?”

      “Get huge. I’m too short to carry the baby with any grace and style. Tall women can hide their pregnancy longer.”

      “Why would you want to hide such a blessing?”

      For one thing she hadn’t wanted him to know. For another…She drew in a breath. “Sadik, you have to promise me something. We can’t let everyone know about this. Not until after Zara’s wedding. I don’t want her big day spoiled by speculation.”

      Sadik considered her words, then nodded. “I agree that the happiness of my sister must come first. In return for this, I want your word that you won’t steal away after the wedding.”

      She hadn’t considered ducking out but realized the thought would have occurred to her eventually. “I promise,” she said.

      “Good.” He put his arm around her. “We have much to discuss. I wish to know everything you’ve experienced with the child and I will share in the changes as they occur.”

      She thought of how she’d had morning sickness just about twenty-four hours a day and how her body was the one that was going to swell like a watermelon. “I don’t think there’s going to be a whole lot of sharing,” she said glumly. “I can tell you what I’ve experienced, but that’s not the same.”

      “I have many questions,” he said as if she hadn’t spoken. “When did you first realize you were pregnant? Have you been eating right? Why did you not tell me?”

      Weariness descended. Cleo told herself that she should be grateful that Sadik wasn’t furious with her anymore. She was even surprised that he was taking it so well. But there were so many things she didn’t understand and situations she wasn’t willing to deal with at the moment.

      She slipped away from his embrace. Everything was different now. He saw her as the mother of his child, so it was unlikely he would want her in his bed. The thought should have made her relieved, but instead she felt sad.

      “I’m really tired,” she said. “Would you mind if we tabled the discussion until later?”

      He hesitated, then nodded his agreement. “Would you like me to get you something to drink?”

      “Yes, please.”

      She wasn’t all that thirsty, but she did need some time alone. Her composure had scattered and she had to collect herself before the formal dinner.

      Sadik headed for the bar, but his mind was not on his task. A baby. When his father had mentioned Cleo was pregnant, Sadik had known right away that the child had to be his. He’d felt delighted by the news.

      Now that he had confirmation, elation welled