Reclaimed(30)
Author: Diane Alberts

“I’m sorry. I’m such a mess.”

“It’s okay. I’m sure you’re exhausted. Why don’t I show you the big, comfortable bed I told you about?” she asked soothingly.

“But I just got here. I haven’t seen anything yet.”

“Yeah, but if you go nap for an hour or two, you’ll be more alert. You’ll see so much more, I promise. Your baby needs a rest. Let’s go.”

“Well, maybe a little nap.” Marie spoke through a yawn. She followed Sabrina silently to the bed. Sabrina bit back a gasp when she pulled back the sheets and saw Isaac’s black shirt lying on the mattress. She tried to nonchalantly ball it up before Marie noticed the shirt, but failed. Her sister snickered and ripped the shirt from her hands.

“Sabrina Hodges, has a man been sleeping in this bed?”

She lunged for the shirt, but Marie moved it out of reach by holding it above her head. Marie stood five-foot-eight, easily towering over Sabrina. Anger washed over her at the childhood trick. She had hated it then, and hated it now.

“Marie, I am not above beating a pregnant woman, I swear,” she threatened. Her sister lowered the shirt, smiling apologetically, but raised it before Sabrina could snatch it back. To her dismay, Marie repeated this action three times before she got it back. She glared at her sister as she clutched the shirt to her chest and fought the urge to bring it to her nose to inhale Isaac’s scent.

“So, he sleeps here, or what? Don’t tell me you’re living together already. I know you’re smarter than that,” Marie stated.

Sabrina knew only one course to her sister’s interrogation. Pure denial. “Of course not. He spent the night once, only once. It just so happened to be last night. You barely missed running into him.”

Marie arched an eyebrow. “Part of the reason I came out here is because I’ve gotten a bad vibe from you lately. You’re always so distracted. You never seem to be listening to me, like you are in your own little universe, or something. I’m worried about you.”

Sabrina flushed. Perhaps she had been a bit preoccupied. But certainly it was normal to be distracted when you found out the man you loved was immortal, and loved you over a hundred years ago? Right?

She thought so, anyway.

“I’m sorry, Marie. My being unfocused isn’t Isaac’s fault, though. I’ve been busy writing, is all. Honestly. You know how distracted I can be when I’m sucked into my writing.” Liar. “Now get some rest, we’ll talk later, okay?”

“Okay, but I want to meet this paragon of a man, and soon,” Marie grumbled while climbing into bed.

“Yeah, sure,” she replied before closing the door and walking downstairs.

She couldn’t help but feel she had just escaped torture as she sat on the couch cradling her head in her hands. She’d missed Marie. God, she had. But now didn’t seem like a good time for a visit. Louisa lurked nearby. Close enough for the Enforcers to sense, but smart enough to evade capture.

And to top it off, Isaac would not be able to stay inside to protect them, so it left them even more vulnerable. She’d never hear the end of the tirade Marie would throw her way if she knew he had all but moved in. So, she needed to hide it.

And hide it good, darn it.

She ran to her phone to call Isaac.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Isaac, we have a bit of an issue.”

“I’ll be there in two minutes,” he said in a rush and hung up. She sighed at his quick response and walked outside. She hadn’t meant to pull him away from work, but if he’d come on foot—and he probably had—he was already halfway here.

She might as well tell him in person, and maybe get a kiss or two to hold her over. She paced across the walkway for a few steps before deciding to head into the woods for more privacy. She didn’t want Marie to overhear them. And besides, Isaac could follow her scent.

She found a cozy clearing and sat on a stone to await Isaac. Not long after, she heard a twig snap behind her, and she jumped to her feet, eager to feel his arms close around her and hold her close. His lips were compressed, and his face shuttered. She stopped in mid-flight to his arms.

“It’s okay, nothing’s wrong. I just had some bad news.”

He didn’t seem to hear her, asking instead, “Why are you here, Sabrina?”

“Here? You mean in the woods? I wanted privacy. What’s the problem?” she asked in confusion, before an idea dawned on her. “Oh, God, is there another mongrel loose?”

“No, I’m sorry. I guess I’m a bit paranoid after your phone call. Why do you need privacy?” He quickly changed the subject as he ran his hand through his hair.

Well, he’d obviously been upset by something if he did that.

“My sister decided to surprise me with a visit. I have no doubt it’s because she wants to meet you, and see what’s going on between us. She already found your shirt in my room.” Sabrina sighed.

He cringed. “Oh, well this does complicate things. I’m guessing she wouldn’t like to see her sister spending every night with a man she just met?”

“No, she wouldn’t. She’s already given me the third degree about how much time we spend together, and why your shirt is here, etcetera.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah, shit.”

He opened his arms, and she catapulted into their welcoming warmth.

Heaven.

“Do I get to meet this sister?”

“Yes, she already commanded she wants to meet you, and soon.” She giggled.

He chuckled in return. “Tonight, or should we wait until tomorrow?”

“Hmm, maybe tomorrow would be better. Make it seem like we didn’t already have plans. I’ll give her my undivided attention tonight.”

“Ugh, I don’t like this. Can I at least sneak into your room at night?”

She laughed, and though he sounded like he joked, she knew he didn’t. And, God, she wanted to say yes.

“You could try.” She waited until his eyes lit up before continuing. “If you enjoy spooning a six-month pregnant woman who kicks.”

He groaned dramatically. “The baby or the woman?”

“Both!” She responded.

“So, if she’s in your bed, that means you’ll be on the couch?”

“Yup. Don’t worry, it’s a comfortable couch.”

“Yes, I remember.” He winked. “I much prefer the bed, though. So how long will we be forced to be apart? Oh, I sounded mean, didn’t I? Let me rephrase: how long will your sister be visiting?”