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CHAPTER 31

  There was a team of unfamiliar faces in the kitchen preparing tonight’s dinner, which I was dreading, especially since Heather was home. I didn’t have a clue what her news would be, and she’d hate me getting all the attention because of my engagement.

  I placed my suitcase in the hallway, so it would be ready to go into the fake taxi at nine o’clock. Panic swept over me when I heard Jack laughing in the dining room. I was furious that no one told me he’d arrived. After checking myself in the mirror, I casually walked into the dining room.

  “Kate, where have you been? Heather has knocked on your door twice,” my mother said, her forehead wrinkled with confusion.

  “Yes, Kate. You’ve kept us and your fiancée waiting,” Heather said through gritted teeth. She hadn’t once knocked on my door like my mother suggested.

  “Sorry,” I said with an innocent smile. I glared at Heather and she smiled, knowing she had riled me.

  “You’re worth the wait. You look stunning,” Jack said.

  Looking around the table, Heather looked sick. Not sick with envy, but genuinely ill. My mother smiled deliriously, my father was on his cell, Brett was eating a roll, and Jack was smiling from ear to ear.

  “Now, Jack, I don’t have my usual kitchen staff this evening, but the hired staff will be providing us with a very modern and very expensive seven-course meal. Everything is miniature.” She clapped her hands.

  My heart sank.

  “That sounds lovely, Mrs. Harris,” Jack said. He placed his napkin on his lap.

  “Mom, I doubt we’ll be able to fit in seven courses. Our taxi is coming at nine, remember?” I reminded her.

  “Oh nonsense! I hope you enjoy it, Jack. This must be different for you,” she said, taking a sip of her champagne.

  I choked on my mother’s insulting words. I was convinced that this was going to be the longest and most challenging seven-course meal in the history of the Harris family—possibly in the history of the world.

  “Anyway, Heather, why don’t you tell us your news?” I was happy to share the spotlight.

  “I don’t think my news is appropriate with all the hype of your sudden engagement, Kate.”

  “Well, we all want to hear your news,” I insisted.

  “I don’t think this is an appropriate place to divulge my news. It’s kind of a girls-only thing.” She took a sip of her water.

  “Don’t mind me. After all, I was dragged up with you, and I’m sure Jack doesn’t mind girl-talk either,” Brett said, stuffing another roll into his mouth.

  My mother nudged my father, who was still on his cell, and he left the room.

  “Well, come on, Heather. I’ve heard one daughter’s exciting news, now let’s hear yours.” My mother was smiling, waiting impatiently for her to speak.

  Heather stood up and removed her cardigan. I nearly fell out of my chair and my mother choked on her champagne. Brett sat with his mouth wide open and Jack looked at all of us, not knowing how to react. Heather burst into a flurry of dramatic tears.

  “Heather, how did you get so fat? Your agent is going to be furious,” my mother blurted out.

  Brett laughed into his napkin. “I don’t think food is responsible for that stomach, Mom.”

  “Please don’t tell me you’re pregnant out of wedlock! No daughter of mine would shame our family like that!” my mother said.

  Heather wiped her face with her napkin. “Well, Mom, I am pregnant and I didn’t get married in Paris.”

  “Heather, you stupid girl! How could you do this to us? Why would you ruin your career by having a baby?” My mother stood up and slammed her glass down on the table.

  “Mom, don’t be so harsh. Can’t you see how upset she is? Heather, how far along are you?” I asked.

  “Almost six months.”

  “But you’re still very tiny,” I commented.

  “Well, Vogue doesn’t agree with you, Kate. I’ve been kicked to the curb!” Heather cried loudly.

  My mother guzzled more champagne and dropped the glass. It shattered and the remaining liquid spilled all over my father’s chair. All of us were in shock.

  “Well, who’s your baby’s daddy?” I asked.

  Heather’s face fell. She leaned forward and sobbed over her empty plate.

  “Please tell me you at least know who the father is,” my mother scolded before bursting into tears.

  Brett was trying not to laugh at the seal-like noise that she was making. In the middle of it all, Jack was eating a roll, enjoying the entertainment. Then my father returned, kissed my cheek, and shook Jack’s hand, while congratulating us. Heather quickly sat up, wrapping her cardigan around her baby bump. My mother wiped away her tears and my father looked over at Heather and smiled.

  “Oh, you girls are so emotional. Our little Katherine getting married! It’s so lovely to see my girls so happy.”

  Heather sobbed again.

  “Uh, Dad—”

  “No! Don’t stop me now. I want to make a toast. Everyone, please raise your glasses to Kate and Jack. We wish you happiness and a long life together.”

  We clinked our glasses together while everyone mumbled their congratulations. Then my father sat in his wet chair and leapt up. Brett burst out laughing, Heather fled the room sobbing, and my mother retrieved another glass and poured herself more champagne.

  My father looked at us angrily. “What’s going on?”

  “Dad, you may want to sit down for this, in a different chair though,” Brett said, trying to stop laughing.

  “Well, is somebody going to explain what’s going on?” My father looked at all of us and then settled on my mother.

  My mother wiped her eyes again. “Your daughter has just told us that she’s pregnant.”

  “So, that’s why she’s getting married.” My father looked over at Jack like he was going to get up and punch him.

  “Not Kate, you idiot! Heather! Heather is pregnant!”

  My father looked at Jack apologetically. “Heather? She wouldn’t be that stupid with her career soaring the way it is.”

  “Accidents happen,” Brett said.

  “Who’s the father?” he shouted.

  “We don’t know,” I said, trying to calm him.

  “Kate, go and find out who knocked up your sister,” my mother insisted.

  “Sorry, we have to go. Our taxi is here early.” I took my napkin off my lap and threw it on the table. Then I removed Jack’s napkin, which fell neatly on top of mine. Taking the hint, he stood up.

  “Kate, you can’t go when the family is in crisis like this!” my mother shrieked.

  “Don’t listen to your mother. We can handle Heather. You go and have a lovely time. Your mother and brother will have the engagement party organized for you when you get back,” my father said.

  I asked Jack to put my suitcase in the taxi, but I had to find Heather before I left. She may have been a mean big sister, but I still had to say goodbye to her and check if she was okay.

  I walked upstairs, and knocked on Heather’s door.

  “Mom, go away!” she yelled.

  “It’s me,” I said softly.

  Slowly opening the door, I found Heather sitting at her dressing table trying to fix her makeup. She looked upset and for once, I felt sorry for her.

  “What do you want?”

  I stood next to her. “Jack and I are leaving to go to Italy for two weeks. I want to say goodbye and make sure you’re okay.”

  “Well, I’m not okay. Everyone thinks I’ve let the family down and they’re right; I have shamed us all. But I had to tell everyone; I hardly had a choice. This baby will be in my arms in three months!”

  “I don’t understand, Heather. You must’ve been pregnant before you went to Paris.”

  “So it seems. I had no idea. I only found out three weeks ago. I can’t believe it. I’m so stupid!”

  “Heather, tell me who the father is.”

  “Thanks for your concern, Kate, but you should go and en
joy your vacation. Congratulations on your engagement. Jack seems nice. I’m sure you’re perfect for each other.”

  I didn’t push for an answer; she’d tell us who the father of her baby was when she was ready. I just hugged her. It was the first time we had hugged since we were five years old. She looked at me with terrified eyes and I kissed her damp cheek. Heather smiled at me like she’d never done before and I hoped that this meant that we had a chance of having a loving relationship.

  I heard Jack calling me and headed downstairs. We said our goodbyes, got in the taxi, and headed off on our fake vacation, but we’d really planned a short drive before heading back to Jack’s house. But after we had driven for a while, I looked out the window and didn’t recognize where we were.

  “Jack, I think the driver took a wrong turn,” I said.

  “We’re not going back to my house,” Jack said calmly.

  “Where are we going then?”

  “Just wait and see. Try to relax.” Jack held my hand, which didn’t relax me at all.

  We had been in the taxi for half an hour before the driver came to an electronic gate. There were signs everywhere stating that we were on private property, and I saw a beach house in the distance.

  The taxi stopped at the gate and Jack helped me out of the car before paying the driver. As the taxi drove away, the gate opened and I saw someone walking toward us. It was Marcus. As the gates closed behind us, I looked at Jack for an explanation.

  “Kate, this is Marcus and my mom’s old beach house. You’ll be adrenalized here. It’s safe.” Jack squeezed my hand.

  “What about the lab? Everything we need is there.”

  “Marcus has transported everything we need. It’s all here. Don’t worry; Marcus owns this land. We’re not trespassing.”

  I was in shock when I saw Sebastian and Ethan walking toward us. Jack looked at me guiltily and I sighed, shaking my head.

  “I’m sorry if you’re upset, but the adrenalization isn’t going to happen tomorrow; it’s going to be tonight,” Jack declared.

  “Jack, hold on! This is your decision, Kate; you can still walk away from this. I’ll drive you back myself,” Marcus assured me.

  “No. Jack is right; it should be tonight,” I said. “There’s no point in dragging this out any longer.”

  I just wanted the adrenalization to be over. Part of me was worried that I might change my mind if it didn’t happen soon. Jack held my hand as we walked inside the house, and I knew there was no turning back now.

  “Go on in. Marcus wants to speak to you alone in the back room. Ethan, Seb, and I are going to go for a walk along the beach. I won’t be long,” Jack said as he kissed my cheek.

  I followed Marcus.

  “Are you ready for this, Kate? This is your last chance to change your mind.”

  “I’m ready. I want to do this,” I assured him.

  “Don’t worry; I’m going to take good care of you. You’ll be fine.”

  I wanted to believe him, but the only way I’d ever know if the adrenalization would be a success was if I woke up afterward.

  Marcus led me into a small bedroom with two chairs on either side of a single bed. He looked at me, willing me to relax, and gestured for me to sit down.

  “So this is it; your life is about to change forever.” Marcus’s statement was now more real than ever before.

  I couldn’t speak so I nodded at him, trying to look braver than I was actually feeling.

  “Kate, don’t be afraid, but I have to tell you something.” His body language changed, instantly worrying me. His voice was now very serious and I fearfully nodded, wondering what more he could possibly tell me. “This is going to be painful, excruciating.”

  I felt lightheaded.

  “Once the drug circulates in your bloodstream and takes hold of your body, the pain will subside. You have to understand that I’ve felt that level of pain, and this will hurt like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. If you want to back out, just say the word and nobody will think any less of you. I’m not trying to scare you, but you should be aware of what’ll happen.”

  I saw Seb standing in the doorway, and I ran into his arms, my eyes filling with tears. He looked over at Marcus.

  “Kate, are you okay?” he asked.

  “You’re supposed to be at the beach with your brothers,” Marcus said.

  “Jack went for a swim; he’s showing off his skills to Ethan who finds his ability to merge with the water fascinating. I said I was going for a run so that I could come and check on Kate.”

  Seb gently pushed my chin up with his finger so he could see my face. His eyes were full of fear. “This isn’t right. Just forget it all!”

  “No! I’ll do whatever it takes to save you and Jack,” I said.

  “What’s going on?” Marcus asked.

  “What do you mean?” Seb removed his hands from me.

  “Why are you looking at Kate like you’re in love with her?”

  “Don’t be stupid; I just care about her.”

  “You’re in love with her. I know that look—that’s the way I used to look at your mother.”

  “Marcus, please don’t tell anyone,” I said.

  “What the hell is going on?”

  “Kate and I are in love, but you can’t tell Jack, or he’ll die.”

  “How can you do this to your brother?”

  “You can’t help who you fall in love with; you just can’t.” Seb looked at me and in that moment, I wanted to kiss him more than ever.

  “Are you going to say anything?” I asked.

  “Of course not. But you need to stop looking at Kate like that or your secret will be out.”

  Minutes later, Jack and Ethan returned.

  “You two had better get changed. We’re ready to adrenalize Kate,” Marcus said.

  Jack took my hand and led me to our bedroom. He took off his swim trunks and wrapped a towel around his waist.

  “So, this is it. How are you feeling?”

  “Scared, excited, and a little more scared.”

  “I know this is all going to work out.” Jack walked over to me and pushed my hair away from my face. “I can’t wait until we can be together. I want you so badly.” I buried my head in his shoulder, not wanting to say anything. “It won’t be long until I can show you exactly how much I love you.”

  “You should get dressed. We don’t want to jeopardize the adrenalization,” I said. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  “No, wait. We should go downstairs together.”

  “Actually, I need some air.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  “Jack, please. I just need some space.” I looked up at him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap.”

  “It’s okay. Why don’t you take a walk along the beach? That always helps to clear your head.”

  “That’s a good idea.”

  As I closed the door behind me, I caught my breath. It was so much more apparent now how much Jack was in love with me, which made me feel so much worse. I ran out of the house and to the beach. The breeze whipped through my hair and blew the tears from my face. Through my sobbing, I struggled to catch my breath. I fell to my knees and began yelling at the top of my voice. I wanted all the craziness to go away, but I wanted Seb more. I threw the sand around me and clenched my fists before collapsing into a heap on the sand. Strong arms lifted me up and I sobbed into Marcus’s shoulder.

  “Kate, why don’t I take you home?”

  “No. I just need a moment to pull myself together.”

  “I’m going to take good care of you, I promise.”

  “I know.”

  “Are you ready for this?”

  “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

  I walked back to the beach house with Marcus, ready to be adrenalized.

  CHAPTER 32

  Everyone was waiting for me. It was obvious that I’d been crying, but I didn’t care. Marcus walked me back to the room and told Ethan to make sure that a
ll the windows and doors in the house were locked. Then, he asked me to lie down on the bed, and I still felt sick and dizzy with nervousness. I watched Marcus’s face as he called Seb over to assist him. Two beakers—one containing an electric purple liquid, and the other with white serum—sat in the chair along with a syringe.

  “Kate, I’m going to secure you to the bed now,” Marcus said quietly.

  “No! Wait! She has to change first,” Jack said, and handed me a set of clothes.

  Everyone left the room and I put on a pair of black jogging shorts and a pink camisole. I felt unsteady and my hands were shaking, but I took a deep breath and called everyone back in. Jack flew through the door first.

  As I lay on the bed, Seb shook his head. I watched as Marcus gently pulled four thick, leather belts over my body and clipped them underneath the bed, before giving each of them a tug to make sure I was completely restrained.

  “This is it. Are you ready?” Marcus asked, holding the syringe between his fingers.

  “Wait! I want Seb to do it. I want Seb to adrenalize me like we agreed!” I yelled. Jack looked horrified.

  “Are you sure you want me to do this?” Seb asked.

  “Yes, I’m sure. Release us all from this curse that’s tearing us apart,” I said, becoming lost in his dreamy green eyes.

  “You’re going to be fine,” he said.

  “I hope so,” I said, unable to look away from him.

  Seb felt along my arm for a vein and then took the syringe from Marcus. “I’m here for you. Look into my eyes and trust me,” Seb told me.

  As he spoke, he injected the serum into the awaiting vein in my arm. The needle stung as it pierced my skin, which made me feel woozy. I looked into Seb’s eyes and hoped for the best.

  The purple liquid was now visible through my pale skin. I watched it course up my arm, across my shoulders, and through the rest of my body.

  Jack rushed to my side. Just as Seb placed the syringe in the chair, I began convulsing and it felt like there were a million knives carving into my body. I gasped for air and saw my reflection in the mirror: my eyes were a deep purple and burned more than any other part of me. I tried to focus on everyone, but my vision was a blur of purple and black; I was in excruciating pain, but I knew that my suffering would be worth it to save Jack and Sebastian.