WORK IN PROGRESS The Parent Contract

Truth

Peta

It was them. My mystery brothers from the club were sitting in front of me. Well, they were sitting in my boss’s office on his leather couches accepting offers of coffee.

Their appearance matched their voices. Smooth dark chocolate. Strong powerful muscles.  They were absolutely identical,  apart from slight differences in their voices.  Aemon had a slight drawl to his tone, whereas Declan was sharper. I felt myself wanting to close my eyes to enjoy the sensations thrilling through me.  But I couldn’t.  I had to control myself. 

I, personally,  got the water for Declan.
“Thank you, Ms. Manson.” He rumbled as he took the glass from me.
“Good girl.” He whispered, as I quickly put a coaster down in front of him.  I caught my breath and looked away.  I hoped Drake hadn’t caught the exchange.

A knock at the door signalled the arrival of the coffee. I lept up to take them from Steve and distribute them. 
“Now let’s talk.” Drake started the informal meeting. I watched and listened to the two men take control as they always had. Their powerful presence took my breath away.  It was all I could do to take reference notes.

Finally, they sat back in their seats, on the point of relaxing.  The three businessmen looked like they’d all won.
“So it’s agreed? I’ll draw up the contract and send it over to you both.” Gerard said,  putting away his notepad. 
“Thank you, Gerard.” Drake said, “I guess this is the start of a good working relationship.” He nodded at Gerard and put his hands in his pockets.  I noticed Gerard relax a little more with the seemingly rude gesture.   The Brothers made a different gesture. They gave little fist pumps.
“Thank you, Gentlemen.” He smiled before leaving. 

“Before we go, Drake,” Declan spoke. “I noticed there were quite a lot of journalists around the foyer.”
I froze,  while Drake rubbed his forehead and temples. 
“Yes,” he groaned. “They’re trying to insinuate a relationship between Peta and myself,  which is ludicrous. She’s only ever been my PA.”
I stared at Drake, a little hurt by his dismissal. 
“I have a proposal.” Aemon drawled in his rich voice. " You seem to have two PAs, while we have none.  How about we take one off your hands?”
My gaze slammed to meet his.
“You want Peta?” Drake sounded confused.
“Yes,” Declan replied. I gripped my hands into fists to stop them from shaking.  I couldn’t work with them. We only played. 

A knock at the door interrupted the standoff. Steve came in looking pale.
“I’m sorry sir.  I think you’d better see this. You too Peta.”
He brought over a tablet that was playing a video.  Drake frowned and watched it,  then paled.
“This job offer might be a good idea, Peta. The quicker you get out of the way of the paparazzi, the less trouble you’ll get in.” Drake’s shoulders had slumped.
“What’s going on?”
“The press are digging into Peta’s personal life,” Drake explained, holding the device out to me.

The news clip had photos of me leaving the club.  There were interviews with neighbours talking about how the club was suspicious. I started shaking.
“I’ll leave you to discuss the new job.” I felt Drake’s hand pat my shoulder impersonally as if I were a pet. “Make sure you get yourself a good deal,  Peta. It’s not worth this nonsense to work here,  not with the baby in the way.” He murmured and left.

He left me alone, with the two men that were likely to be my baby’s father. And they didn’t know. I bit my lip.
“Sit down, Peta.”
My knees almost buckled,  but I stayed standing.
“2481, I said sit down.”
My knees actually gave way this time, and I slammed into the chair. 
“What’s happened, Baby bird?” Aemon’s voice broke me, and I started shaking.
“I’ve been naughty.  I’ve been very bad.” I whispered. He took the tablet away from me and watched the clip.
“Well,  that’s a pain,” Declan grunted as he watched over his shoulder.  “How have you been bad, Little Bird?”
“I was supposed to have Drake’s baby,  but now I’m pregnant with yours,” I admitted. 
“Pardon?” Aemon drawled out the word, making it sound dangerous.  His voice still sent a delicious thrill through me.  I felt Declan move to the seat next to me. 
“Tell us the whole story.” He ordered.  And I did.