The Black Sheep The rain has gone from a drizzle to a heavy downpour. In barely a few minutes, I'm drenched from head to toe. My clothes are sticking to me and my trainers feel murky from the water getting inside. I never realised it was such a long walk from Cameron's estate to the main road. I've never had to walk the path before. Maybe I should have taken the keys. Or a coat at least. But it's too late to regret now. It's late into the night and the streets are abandoned. This is a private road so there's hardly any car in sight to flag down. I don't even expect to see one so it catches me off guard to hear the distant rev of a motorcycle engine. The headlight is bright and blinding as it approaches, I lift a hand to shield my eyes and wait for it to pass by. It doesn't. The headlight still stings my eyes when I lower my hand, and squint. My heart shrivels up to find myself staring at a stranger decked from head to toe in black leather. With a pitch black helmet hiding his features. His bike is something out of a nightmare. It gleams under the streetlight. Black and brutal. This scene reminds me of every murder thriller I've read. The engine revs loudly, coinciding with a clap of thunder overhead. I jump. Retreating a few steps back on instinct. It shuts off with a low purr, and he takes off the helmet, shaking out his hair slightly. I find myself staring at the last person I expect to see. Pitch black hair reaching down to his neck, cold eyes, a sculpted face and a day's worth of stubble. It's Kael. Cameron's estranged brother, and the literal black sheep of the Blackwood family. In the three years I've been with Cameron, I've only met him twice. Once at our wedding and the second was at a family dinner. He shouldn't be here, Cameron didn't mention he was in town. He doesn't even live in this city. Reaching behind him, he grabs another helmet and stretches it to me. "Get on." "I... what?" He frowns. "Get on, Laila. I don't have the patience to convince you." He tosses the helmet at me and I scramble to catch it, nearly tripping over my own feet. Glancing around uncertainly. I don't see any other options at the moment. I've been walking for hours, I'm cold and in desperate need of coffee and a warm bath. So with a wary exhale, I walk over to him. Putting on the helmet, I get on the bike behind him. "Hold tight." He says, putting on his own helmet. I tentatively hold his jacket and he scoffs. "Suit yourself." He revs the bike and we go flying down the road. I'm nearly tossed off and I shriek, grabbing his waist for dear life. Kale doesn't stop or slow down when we get to the main road. I shut my eyes tightly, clinging to him as he weaves through the traffic like he's intent on making certain today will be our last day on earth. After what feels like an eternity. We come to a stop in front of a high-end apartment complex. "You can let go now." Kael says. I quickly pull away from him and jump off the bike, clutching my stomach. If it had any contents, it would be all over the floor by now. Still, the urge to retch is uncontrollable. I double over, dry heaving and panting in the cold air. It takes a good few minutes and when I stand up straight. Kael is leaning against his bike, staring at me with unreadable eyes. His helmet now dangles from one hand while the other is stuffed into his pocket. He doesn't offer a single word of comfort or sympathy. He is emotionless like that. I've always felt, if he wasn't a Blackwood, he would most likely be a serial killer. "Why did you come for me?" I ask, my voice is barely audible over the rain. "I didn't ask for your help." He shrugs."I never said you did." I frown at his vague response. "So what now? You dump me in front of some fancy apartment and ride off into the night?" He quirks a brow. "You think this is fancy?" I glance behind him at the building. It's modern, sleek, and definitely expensive. "Yes." His reply comes in a blank tone. "It's mine." Of course it is. Blackwoods. Even their outcast has an entire apartment complex to his name. "You'll be staying here," he adds. He turns and heads to the entrance. "I don't think this is appropriate..." He stops, glancing over his shoulder just enough to glare at me. "Then feel free to go back to Cameron." The words sting. I wrap my arms around myself, heart torn between pride and practicality. "I'm not your problem, Kael." "You're not," he says simply. "But I'm offering you four walls, hot water, and a roof for the night. What you do after that is up to you." He leads the way into the apartment complex and I hesitantly follow him. He takes us to the elevator and punches the button for the penthouse. As the doors close, a lady tries to squeeze in. "No." Kael says bluntly, The lady stares in disbelief as the elevator doors slid shut right in her face. If there's anything Cameron didn't lie about, it would have to be Kael. He's terrifying. When we arrive at the penthouse, Kael unlocks the door with a key card and lets me in. "Stay. I'll be back." Was all he said before he turned and headed back the way we had come. I blink in astonishment. But I don't even have the energy to contemplate on his oddity. I instead glance around the apartment, perching on a couch. But the urge to retch sends me running into the nearest bathroom. I'm bent over, heaving my guts out when Kael returns. I glance over my shoulder weakly. "I'm sorry. I don't know... what's wrong with me." I feel the urge to cry but I suppress it. I don't think Kael will appreciate that. However, the tears come out when he hands me a pile. Fresh clothes, a towel, and sitting on top of the pile, is a pregnancy test kit. "What's... this..." I ask in disbelief. "Your scent is different. It's barely noticeable but it's different. More like his." He asserts. "It's not possible." I shake my head. "You mean you and Cameron never fucked?" He asks bluntly. I gag. "Use it." My scent? What did he know about that? He barely knows me. Indignation and a measure of dread curls in the pit of my stomach. I snatch the pile from his hand and slam the door shut.