Love Deserved, page 21
His smile made my heart sing. I leaned in to kiss him just as I noticed my father approaching. After a quick peck on his lips, I motioned to my father.
“Dad’s headed this way. Let’s show him the picture of his grandchild.”
Nodding at me, we waited for my father to reach the water fountain. He waved at us when he was a few feet away. “Good afternoon, you two. I was wondering if I would see you today.”
“Sorry, Dad. I slept in this morning. It’s difficult to sleep with all of this attached.” My body jiggled from my laughter.
Dad snickered and shook his head. “You’re at the end of your journey, princess. My grandchild will be here soon. Then you’ll really know what sleep deprivation is.”
“Yeah, you have a point.” Despite the thought of losing more sleep, I knew it was worth it in the end. Besides, I would have plenty of help. “Kay and Holden will be here next week. So will Aunt Jenny and Toni. Other than feedings, I’ll have plenty of help for a while.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear they’ll be here. Jenny plans to stay for a while, doesn’t she?”
“Yes, sir. Now that her divorce is final, she’s ready for a new start. Why not here? This is where dreams come true.”
Dad’s phone buzzed to life. He unclipped it from his side and tapped the screen a few times. I didn’t miss the way he grimaced.
“Is everything okay?”
His silence concerned me. So did the way he cracked his neck. Something was on his mind.
After he fastened his phone in its holster, he observed Ayden and me. “It’s Tommy from security. I’m on my way to meet with him.”
“Why? Did something happen?”
Dad rubbed his jawline. “I heard from the private investigator I hired to track down Izzy. He located her in Mississippi and followed her for a few days.”
Ayden’s brows shot higher. “Is he not following her anymore?”
“He lost track of her two days ago. I think she may have spotted him.”
My eyes fluttered closed. It wasn’t the news I wanted to hear, but it was comforting to know that my sister wasn’t near Music Haven. Knowing her, she was following a band on tour, targeting her next victim.
When I refocused on my dad, he was staring at me. “I doubt your sister will return soon, but you still need to be on guard.”
“So, why are you meeting with Tommy?”
“I informed him of the situation. He thinks it’s a wise idea to increase security. I’m not taking any chances of Izzy showing up to hurt you, Ayden, or anyone else.” He jabbed his finger against his chest. “This is my fault. I should have had her committed instead of trying to take care of her myself.”
“Don’t blame yourself, Dad. You wanted to help her. I can only imagine how difficult it is for you as a parent.”
“Funny you should mention that.” A half-hearted laugh left his mouth. “Chris informed me that the paternity test I ordered will be here in a few days. I’ll know for sure if Izzy’s my daughter.”
I knew what it would do to him if he found out Izzy wasn’t biologically his child. My mother died because of the lies Izzy’s mother told. She would never have been in Death Valley or had her car forced off the road if Selena Giles hadn’t claimed him as her child’s father.
“Do you think your feelings will change if you find out she doesn’t belong to you?”
My father glanced in my direction. “I won’t deny that I’ll be angry, but more so at Selena than Izzy. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.” His phone chimed again as he checked his watch. “Okay, I need to go. I’ll see you guys this evening.”
“Bye, Dad.”
Once my father strode toward the security office, I turned to Ayden. As I expected, he was staring at me. His leg jiggled a mile a minute, hinting at his concern.
Taking my hands in his, he held them as he studied my face. “Mia…”
I squeezed his hands and smiled. “Don’t worry. Izzy won’t show her face around here. Even if she does, security will find her before we do.”
“I can’t lose you or the baby. If she hurts either of you, I’ll—”
I covered his mouth with my hand and shook my head. “Don’t finish that sentence. If we sit around and worry about what Izzy is up to, we’re just giving her what she wants. I won’t allow her to screw with us anymore. We only have three weeks before the baby is due. Don’t waste that time on her.”
Ayden leaned his head to mine and nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just get crazy when I think about someone hurting you.”
“Come on.” I stood and offered him my hand. “We should go to the suite. I could use a nap.”
“That’s code for snuggle time, right?”
As he wrapped his arm around me, I laughed. “There will definitely be snuggling involved.”
Hand in hand, we made our way toward the condo. I didn’t miss the way Ayden kept glancing at me, pretending like he wasn’t when I caught him. I wasn’t sure how I could relieve his mind, but I hoped some time alone would ease the tension growing in his body.
We were close to the front door when someone yelled. Before I could look for the person, gunshots rang out.
“Holy shit!” Ayden sprinted away, dragging me behind him. He ducked behind the golf cart and pulled me to the ground, trying to hide us from the gunman. As we hunkered down, I felt a cramp in my side. I tried to ignore the pain, but it switched to a burning sensation as everything around me spun. Was I having a contraction?
“Damn it. I can’t believe it.” Ayden’s voice resonated in my mind as I struggled to comprehend what he was saying. “It’s Izzy. Son of a bitch, she’s here. How the hell did she get past security?”
I searched the courtyard for my sister, spotting her just a few feet from the water fountain. I wasn’t sure if she saw us hiding behind the golf cart, but I knew she was speed walking in our direction.
Just as she raised her gun and aimed it toward the golf cart, several security guards tackled her to the ground. One guard stripped the gun out of her hand before she could pull the trigger again.
As other members of my security team came running from every direction, Ayden looked at me. “They got her. We’re safe.”
He helped me stand, but when he let me go, my body swayed. Ayden’s arms wrapped around me before I fell to the ground. “Mia, what’s wrong?”
“I…” It hurt to breathe. I struggled to answer him. No matter how hard I tried to get the words out, nothing came.
Ayden’s face wrinkled in confusion. His head began shaking, but as his eyes lowered, I noticed them widen a second later.
“Oh, my God.” He raised his hand. Crimson stained his skin as blood rolled down his wrist. The sight of it made me queasy, and my dizziness increased.
As my legs grew weak, Ayden caught me. His voice sounded like it was coming from a tunnel as I heard him yelling for help. I didn’t understand why he was so upset until I heard him yell, “Somebody help! Mia’s been shot!”
Shock set in, then the world around me faded.
~Ayden~
* * *
Red lights flashed above me as I stared at the ambulance and the EMTs who were working on Mia. She hadn’t regained consciousness, and every passing second had me fearing the unthinkable. I promised to protect her and the baby. Now, I wasn’t sure if either of them would survive.
The weight of my heart kept me frozen beside the golf cart, observing the horrible sight before me. Mia’s blood seeped through the waist of her cream-colored shirt. The longer I stared, the more I struggled to breathe. This could not be happening. It had to be a dream. Yet the shouting in the background pulled me from the scene that was ripping my soul apart.
The sheriff’s car sat a few yards away from the ambulance. Gary and his deputy stood at the back door beside a handcuffed Izzy. They asked her several times to get in the car. When she didn’t comply, they forced her inside.
Acid churned in my gut. The anger flowing through me took control, and I stepped in Izzy’s direction. I didn’t get far before a hand clasped my shoulder.
“Where are you heading?”
Meeting Bentley’s eyes, I pointed toward the sheriff’s car. “If they don’t get her out of here, I swear to God I’ll snap her neck.”
“Watch what you’re saying, dude. You’re angry and afraid. Don’t react to her, and don’t let the cops hear you threaten her.”
“Focus on Mia, Ayden,” Andi urged as she rubbed my arm. “She’s what matters, not that low-life piece of trash.”
They were right. I knew that, but the hole in my heart filled my head with murderous thoughts. I wanted to kill my ex-girlfriend. She didn’t realize how fortunate she was to be sitting in the back of Gary’s cruiser. It was the safest place for her.
I fisted my hand, squeezing it until my body shook.
Forcing myself to turn away, I found Mia lying on the gurney, eyes closed. One EMT replaced the gauze on her abdomen and pressed on it. If they didn’t stop the bleeding…
My fears came true today. Izzy finally snapped. The worst part of all, she held true to the threats she made against Mia. God, I wanted to kill her.
Just as the EMTs raised the gurney and lifted it toward the ambulance, my heart sank. The thirty-minute ride to the hospital would be one of the longest. I was in no shape to drive, but Bentley promised to get me there.
I lowered my gaze to Mia’s face before the ambulance doors shut. Her pale skin was a sign of how much blood she’d lost. Her nose and mouth hid behind an oxygen mask that was strapped to her head. I prayed for her to open her eyes and look at me, no matter how briefly, before she disappeared from my sight.
My prayer remained unanswered.
“Stay with him, Bentley.” Andi’s voice invaded my thoughts. “I’ll get the SUV and bring it to you.”
“We’ll be waiting,” he answered.
I didn’t look at either of them. I couldn’t.
“Ayden, do you need anything before we drive to the hospital?”
“No.” My voice shook.
Bentley patted my back. “It’s going to be okay, man. Don’t tell yourself differently. Mia’s strong, and so is your kid. Have faith.”
I wanted to believe him, but fear ruled me. Turning back to the sheriff’s cruiser, I spotted Shane speaking with Gary. Both looked in my direction, then Shane nodded and walked toward Bentley and me.
As soon as he reached us, he placed his hand on my shoulder. “How are you holding up, son?”
“I’m not doing well. I feel like I’m losing my mind.”
“Try not to think the worst. Let’s get to the hospital. Chris left a minute ago. He asked me to text him when we arrive so he can meet us.”
“Andi left to get the car.” I pointed toward the condo.
“Okay. We’ll ride together.” Shane squeezed my shoulder just as Gary yelled his name.
“Izzy won’t stop beating her head against the window unless she talks to him.”
When he pointed toward me, my gut clenched. I didn’t want to see her, yet my curiosity spun out of control.
“You don’t have to talk to her. You owe Izzy nothing,” Bentley assured me.
“It’s okay. This won’t take long. I promise.”
By the time I made it to the cruiser, Gary had approached me. “Keep your head on straight, son. I know you’re angry, but reacting to it won’t do you, Mia, or your child any good. We clear?”
Nodding at him, I waited until he opened the back door, then walked to the front of his car. Izzy sat in the seat, mascara running down her cheeks as she sniffled. The sight of her repulsed me.
“What do you want?”
One of her brows lifted. “I wanted to look in your eyes and say I hope my sister and her baby die.”
I flinched at the comment but didn’t give in to my ire. It’s what Izzy wanted. “Enjoy jail.”
She called my name just before I could step away. I was reluctant to give in, but finally did. “Despite what you say, I know a part of you still loves me. You wouldn’t have agreed to talk to me if you didn’t.”
“I’ll admit I was curious about what you had to say. I thought you would brag about what you’ve done. The other part hoped some shred of human decency existed inside you. I see I was wrong about the latter.”
“It’s okay, Ayden. I’ll wait for you. I’ll even help you pick up the pieces after Mia and the baby die.”
“Rot in hell, Izzy.” I took two steps away, then turned on my heel. “You lost any chance you had with me years ago. Now you’ve lost something far more precious.”
Izzy snorted. “Oh yeah? And what would that be?”
“Your freedom.”
It took a minute to sink into her thick skull. By the time it happened, I walked away, leaving her screaming and cursing. As I passed Gary, I motioned toward the back of his car. “Get her out of here.”
“Don’t worry, Ayden. You won’t be seeing this one for a long time. By the way, one of my deputies is escorting you to the hospital. Send Mia my love. I’ll pray for all of you.”
“Thank you.”
Rushing toward the SUV, I ignored Izzy’s pleas. I slid into the passenger seat while Andi and Shane sat in the back. Once Bentley fastened his seatbelt, he shifted into drive and rushed out of the security gate.
The deputy Gary mentioned was waiting for us at the end of the driveway. Once he turned on his lights and pulled onto the road, Bentley followed. The pedal sank to the floor as we raced toward the hospital.
The irony of the situation left a bitter taste in my mouth. Mia swore we would get rid of Izzy. It finally happened, but it came at a steep cost.
I prayed my wife and my child survived this.
Chapter 23
~Ayden~
I stared at the clock on the Emergency Room wall, counting down each second that passed. After thirty minutes with no news on Mia, my mind was entering a territory full of darkness and desperation. I couldn’t fathom what was happening with my wife and child. Chris hadn’t responded to Shane’s text either.
Scanning the waiting area, I thought back to the last time I sat inside the ER on one of the uncomfortable chairs. I had been waiting for word on Izzy’s baby. The news we received was grim. I prayed the same news wouldn’t reach my ears a second time. It would differ from the last time because Mia was further along than Izzy. If the baby didn’t survive, it wouldn’t be a miscarriage. It would be a stillbirth.
My gut twisted. I swallowed back the acid churning up my throat and focused on the floor. I couldn’t handle the unknown. My life hung in the balance, teetering between everything I ever wanted and a cruel reality.
Unlike the night Izzy was here, Music Heaven employees and guests filled the waiting room. Many people cared about Mia and our baby. They were there to offer their support and to wait for word on her condition.
Consumed by my thoughts, I didn’t realize anyone was speaking to me until I glanced at Shane. His mouth was moving, but his words fell on deaf ears. I struggled to focus on anything but the pain twisting through me.
“Ayden, Chris is here.”
When his words sank in, I glanced to my side. Chris stood beside me, waiting for me to acknowledge him. As soon as he had my attention, he lowered himself onto the chair beside me.
“Mia’s awake.”
The words gave me a smidgen of hope. “How is she? And what about the baby?”
“One thing at a time. First, Mia is experiencing severe pain. We’re limited on what kind of pain medication we give since she’s pregnant. Second, the test we did showed the bullet didn’t hit the baby. As of now, the fetus is okay. Mia isn’t.”
All semblance of hope faded. “What’s going on?”
Chris grimaced. “The bullet passed through the amniotic sac. Now Mia is losing amniotic fluid. To top it off, the bullet hit the main vein in her body. It’s lodged in the tissue behind the baby. If we don’t operate soon and remove it, she could bleed to death.”
“What about the baby? How can you do surgery when she’s pregnant?”
“Mia is far enough along to deliver the baby. Once your child is born, we’ll begin the operation to remove the bullet. We’ll move her to a room once the surgery is complete.”
The news wasn’t great, but it was better than I expected. Mia and the baby survived the gunshot, but if she didn’t have surgery soon, she would die.
I didn’t want to lose her.
“When are you delivering the baby?”
“Mia is being transported to the maternity floor as we speak. I came to get you so you could be present. We have to get you prepped.”
“Prepped?”
“Because of the delicate situation with the bullet, Mia is undergoing a C-section. If she labors and tries to push, it could rupture the vein and kill her, as well as the baby.”
Jumping up from my chair, I raked my hands through my hair and drew in a deep breath. “Why are we still here? I’m ready.”
Nodding at my response, Chris stood from the chair and motioned me to follow him. He assured Shane, Andi, and Bentley that he would update them every chance he could. Then we disappeared into the elevator. As he pushed the button for the maternity floor, I held on to the sliver of hope I had. Nothing guaranteed Mia and the baby would survive.
I fell into a haze of confusion as Chris led me through the maternity ward. When we arrived at the end of the hall, we entered a set of double doors. After stopping at the second door, we walked inside.
“Here you go.” He handed me what looked like a scrub brush. “There’s antibacterial soap inside the brush. Wash your hands and nails with it after you change. There is a cap, scrubs, booties, and a face mask on the counter. When you’re finished, I’ll take you to the operating room.”
“Wait.” His words caused my heart to slam against my chest. “I thought you said Mia was having an operation after the baby was born.”
“That’s correct. As soon as the baby is out, we’ll begin the operation. A nurse will take the child to the neonatal unit for its first bath. You can spend time with your child while you wait for Mia to wake.”
