Do Or Die [Nuworld 4] by Lorie O'Claire Page A

and even though he earned it—at a dear price—he
    knew Andru could take it all away.
     
    “My lord, I will tell her whatever you want me to tell her.” Gilroy stood attentive
    and refused to dwell on Andru’s swollen eye.
     
    Andru sighed and sat down in one of the chairs, touching his cut and discolored
    cheekbone tenderly with his fingers.
     

 
    “I know you would, Gilroy. You’ve proven that enough for a lifetime. I need to
    know what she means to you, though. You tell me what you are going to tell her and I
    will follow your lead.” Andru spoke quietly, nursing the side of his face the entire time.
     
     
     
    Ana sat on top of the stairs, her arms wrapped around her bare feet and legs. She
    wore one of Gilroy’s long flannel shirts, which, when she stood, came almost down to
    her knees. She heard her papa attack her brother and her heart pounded mercilessly
    against her rib cage when she heard furniture break. Silence followed and Ana cringed
    from the sensations she felt from her twin. Her papa stormed out of the conference
    room too quickly for her to move out of sight. His long stride had him in the entryway
    within seconds. He glanced up at her and she froze, prepared for his berating. He didn’t
    say anything to her. In fact, he didn’t even slow his stride. The front door slammed so
    loudly she jumped.
     
    She was down the stairs in a minute and to the conference room door in time to
    hear Andru and Gilroy talking. She didn’t intend to eavesdrop but she could hear them
    so clearly through the door she just stopped in mid-step while reaching for the
    doorknob. Why would Gilroy ask Andru what he should tell her unless there really had
    been a Bachula? And why didn’t it surprise her that those two had planned such an
    illegal act? She pushed open the door and both men turned to stare at her.
     
    “Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered loud enough for both of them to hear her.
     
    Gilroy walked over to her with a determined stride. Her face was blank until she
    saw the fire in his eyes and her eyes widened. He grabbed her arms and literally lifted
    her off her feet before carrying her backwards several feet and pinning her up against
    the closed door.
     
    “Don’t ever do anything like that again.” She’d never seen this side of him before.
    Her jovial Gilroy had a nasty temper. “If there is something you don’t understand, or a
    question you have about anything then you find me or your brother when we are alone
    and ask us. I daresay you better understand me, woman.” He shook her once and she
    nodded. “Look at him.” He nodded his head toward Andru. “He took that blow to
    protect you, to protect us, to protect Gothman.”
     
    She looked at him. He stared back at her with one gray eye and she felt his pain.
    One lone tear fell down her face and she struggled in Gilroy’s grasp.
     
    “Let me get some ice for him.”
     
    Gilroy dropped her like a hot piece of coal. He stepped back a foot or two and
    looked defeated. “Go to him,” he muttered.
     
    “No, Gilroy. Don’t do this.” She went to him instead of her brother. “I wanted to
    terminate this pregnancy but you said you could handle it. I knew this would happen,
    but I kept this child and he is growing in me and I can feel him move. I’m growing fond
    of this baby.” She put her hand on her belly. “And I won’t let him be born into this
    triangle of jealousy and lies. There has to be closure on this.”
     

 
    She sighed and ran her hands up Gilroy’s broad iron chest, gently teasing him with
    her fingertips. His expression was still masked, though, and he watched her warily.
     
    “Gilroy, I went to the doctor today. I didn’t mention any other man’s name, I just
    asked him to confirm that you were the papa.” She could feel Andru’s gaze on her back.
    “This is your child, Gilroy. Do you know how happy that makes me? The only reason I
    considered ending the pregnancy was because I thought the