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

claim
    they make, yes.”
     
    She then pulled Ana into her arms and hugged her lovingly. Ana stifled a grin
    when Syra rolled her eyes.
     
    “I’ll let you women alone,” Gilroy said as he squeezed Ana’s rear end. “Where are
    all the men, or have you scared them away?”
     
    “I believe you’ll find Darius, Andru and Torgo in the conference room,” Tara said,
    and Ana thought her mama looked like she would rather be in there with them as well.
     
    The claiming party was planned for two weeks later at the new winter celebration.
    Ana couldn’t believe all of the work involved in throwing such a party. She found
    herself completely caught up with the preparation and temporarily forgot her brother’s
    instruction to see the doctor.
     
    She’d never been surrounded by so many Gothman women before and was quickly
    unraveled by their continual argument over what was the proper traditional way to
    conduct a Gothman claiming party. Several times she tried to remind the women that
    she was a Runner and heir to the Runner nation. She couldn’t completely submerge in
    Gothman tradition for the ceremony—the Runners wouldn’t like it.
     
    The traditional Gothman claiming dress was modified to satisfy Tara. Ana donned
    a black floor-length gown made out of Runner material. It was cut low in front and her
    growing breasts were displayed more than she cared for them to be. Her middle was
    growing just as fast and so the dress gathered loosely in the middle. The dress was cut
    unevenly at the bottom and she wore black stockings and flat black boots.
     
    As she came down the stairs and entered the throne room, she couldn’t help but
    smile at the impressed looks that crossed Gilroy’s and Andru’s faces when they saw
    her.
     
    “You better keep a tight rein on her tonight,” Andru teased and nudged his friend
    in the ribs.
     

 
    “Don’t worry, I will.” Gilroy wrapped his arms around her and allowed his gaze to
    fall to her cleavage. “You look good enough to eat,” he growled.
     
    “Later, my lord,” she giggled, acting embarrassed.
     
    It wasn’t until Andru caught her alone in the kitchen several days later that he had
    a chance to remind her of his request.
     
    “I hear you plan on seeing the doctor today.” He walked over to where she sat on a
    stool eating boiled apples. He smiled and wiped food from the side of her mouth. “I
    can’t believe how you are changing, even your face. You are so beautiful.”
     
    “I’m getting fat.” She made a face.
     
    “Not fat…pregnant,” he reassured her. “You’ll have the doctor give you that test
    today. All I want you to find out is whether Gilroy is the papa. Don’t mention me.”
     
    “I’m not stupid, Andru.” She scowled at him then took her bowl of apples to the
    sink, suddenly no longer hungry.
     
    “I want to hear from you before the day is out, my sister.” And before she could
    respond he was out the back door and hurrying across the yard.
     
    Dr. Digo could tell there was something on her mind throughout her examination.
    When he finally asked her if there was something wrong she sighed loudly and stared
    out the window.
     
    “Can you tell me for sure that Gilroy is the papa of my baby?” She spoke quickly
    and then looked at him.
     
    Dr. Digo sat down at his desk and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “There is doubt
    then?”
     
    “I’d rather not answer any questions, if you don’t mind.” She set her jaw and he
    could see how hard this was for her. “And I don’t want you to tell anyone that you’ve
    done this.” She suddenly looked like the little girl he’d treated for winters. “This will be
    our secret, okay, Doctor?”
     
    The doctor nodded and gave her the test. A short time later, Ana wiped a tear from
    her eye and stared up at the doctor.
     
    “You’ve always been able to fix all my problems in the past,” she said with a forced
    smile.
     
    “I’m afraid I can’t fix this one, Ana.” He