A Highland Wedding

Betrayal

Claire

I knew Maddox was up to something. I just had no idea what it was. The fact that he let that slut leave made me sick. I stroked my stomach cooing to the baby knowing that if I were upset the child would be upset.

“Claire, you need to just turn yourself in. I will do the same and take all the blame.” I scowled at him and sat down on the couch.

“How could you do this to the baby and I?” He glanced at me and then looked away. He was nervous, why was he so nervous?

“You realize you lost the baby, right?” His words hit me like a ton of bricks and I felt tears sting my eyes. How could he be so cruel to a pregnant woman?

“Shut up! How dare you jinx me like that.” I slammed the door on him and stalked out to the street. I needed to find that stupid witch before she blabbed to the police.

There were too many people out at this time of day so I was going to have to be subtle in my pursuit. I cradled my stomach as I pushed my way through the crowd of people.

I heard sirens and watched as the police drove by. I froze, were they going to stop and arrest me? There was a brief flutter of panic in my stomach as I continued to watch them.

Breathing a sigh of relief I leaned against a tree as they kept going past me. I took out my phone and dialed Gregor’s number. He needed to know that his wife and child were fine.

“Where are ye Claire? Is Anna all right?” I scowled at the phone, my pulse raced and I needed to keep it together. Even though I had been missing and running for my life, he still wants to know about her.

“In case you are wondering, your wife and child are fine. Even though we have been running for our lives.” I would not cry in public; I will not show weakness. Weakness will only bring trouble.

“There is only so much I can do to protect ye Claire. Alexei’s father is now tracking you.” I was tired of hearing about Alexei and his father. Why was everyone so afraid of them?

Alexei was just a lawyer; sure he was slightly intimidating and if I wasn’t head over heels for Gregor I would have chosen him. He had more money and prestige than Gregor, but I was not the type of girl that bases her decisions on prestige and money.

“I am so tired of people being so afraid of Alexei Nikolaev and his family.” Sighing I was going to hang up. He was obviously still hung up on that slut Anna.

“Claire, are ye really that dumb? Do ye not know about his family?” My mouth dropped open and I heard people gasping and muttering. There was some sort of disturbance ahead.

Moving forward toward the commotion I thought about what Gregor said and why Maddox was so afraid. There was nothing special about the Nikolaev family, if there were, I would have known it,

“I don’t really care for you calling me dumb. As my husband, you should at least support me and be worried about me and our child.” I placed a hand on my stomach and smiled.

I finally came to the spot where all the commotion was. I saw police and ambulance workers surrounding a figure that was slumped down by a car. I rolled my eyes and figured it was probably just some drunk or some drug addict.

“Claire, if ye have any sense in yer head please turn yerself in. I will even say that ye are not quite right in the head.” I grit my teeth and muttered a curse under my breath. What is wrong with these men?

“I have done nothing wrong. You are the one who has betrayed us.” I tried to keep the hurt out of my voice but could not help it. His betrayal is like a knife to my heart.

“I have done nothing to betray ye Claire. Ye drugged me and then tricked me into sleeping with ye and marrying ye. I am saying this because we have history turn yerself in.” I hung up the phone and tossed it into a rubbish bin.

I was feeling faint and out of sorts. Maddox needed to get back out here and search for Anna, I can’t have her running off and slandering my name.

I made my way back to our apartment and saw Maddox throwing stuff into bags and he was in a hurry to start moving again.

“What are you doing? We are not going anywhere.” I slammed the door and he flinched; he acted as if I hit him. When did he become so twitchy?

“I just received word that the Nikolaevs will be sending people here and that Alexei is coming as well. Do what you wish Claire, I love you but I am out.” I gawked at him and kicked the door in a fit of anger.

“Why are you so damn afraid of him? What is so great about his family that has you practically pissing yourself.” I didn’t get it.

Maddox looked haggard, why did I not realize that he was looking so horrible? His cheeks were sunken in and he had dark circles under his eyes. I touched his cheek and he pulled back.

“They are part of the mafia you, i***t. I told you, in the beginning, to leave Anna alone but you just had to go and kidnap her and practically kill her. I love you but I am not going to die because of you.” He stalked into the back bedroom and the door rattled when he slammed it.

I stood there absorbing what he said and still did not believe a word of it. He was just scared and had been seduced by that tramp. Why did all the men in my life betray me?