Page 61 of Stolen Bride for the Don

She sniffs, wiping her eyes as she gets to her feet. Ask me to go with you. Please ask.

“Our wedding is next weekend,” she announces hoarsely. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it.” I nod mutely. My phone chimes with a text from Tanner.

“He’s outside with the Jeep,” I tell her.

She hesitates before asking, “You’re really letting me go? Why?”

She gives me a questioning glance, and so many words swirl in my head, “You need to be with your family, and they most likely need you as well,” I manage to say despite the lump in my throat. I need you too. Fuck, I don’t realize just how true that is until I’m faced with the possibility of losing her.

“Thank you,” she whispers before turning to leave.

CHAPTER 37

ANDREA

I glance out the window, not truly relaxed until Tanner pulls out of Hudson’s huge compound. He’s really letting me go? I twist my hands, but something catches between my fingers. I glance down in surprise, and my ring winks up at me. That’s right, I never take it off anymore; even when I shower it stays on because it drives Hudson mad, otherwise. My heart aches as I stare at it.

Then my phone beeps with a message. I quickly unlock it.

AUTUMN:

Ezra is in the operating room with Charlie. They said it could take a few hours. I’m sorry I don’t have any updates right now.

I swallow and grip the phone tightly until my knuckles turn white. It’s going to be fine. I don’t know if it’s a good idea, but I still have an hour drive to reach Brattleboro. I feel like I might go crazy given the jitters running through me, so I open my phone browser and google “going into labor at thirty-two weeks”.

There are various conflicting articles online, but the majority seem to reassure that for twins, it isn’t that unusual this early. Even though they will be really tiny because they’re premature, they’ll spend time in the NICU, but grow to be strong and healthy. They might need extra attention and medical care, but they’ll be fine.

I blow out a breath and close my eyes, dropping my head against the headrest. It’s a little hollow, being in Hudson’s car without his dominating presence. I squeeze my eyes tight and push him out of my head. Was I too harsh with him earlier?

I wasn’t really thinking. I needed to leave that gilded cage, and he was the only thing standing in my way. I must have dozed off because when my eyes snap open, we’re pulling into the driveway of the only hospital in town. “We’re here, ma’am.” Tanner’s gaze meets mine through the rearview mirror as he kills the engine. He opens his door, presumably to come open mine, but I stop him.

“No, don’t get out. I’m fine going in on my own. Thanks for the ride.” I hesitate briefly then snap the door open and jump out. I give the Jeep one last look before jogging through the double doors. I make my way straight to the reception desk.

“I’m here for Charlotte Beaufort, I–”

“Andrea?”

I glance back to see my brother across the room, holding a tray of what looks like several vending machine coffees. “Alex.” I push away from the desk and make a beeline for him. “Do we have any updates? How’s Charlie?”

“Are you here alone?” he asks, his gaze going around the room like he’s looking for someone. “Where’s your fiancé?”

My breath catches when his gaze drops to mine, his brows furrowed in concern. I swallow the lump in my throat and lie my ass off, “He sent me ahead. He had a meeting he couldn’t miss. You know how it is.” I glance down at my shoes. It seems all I do these days is lie to my family.

“Yes, I understand.” Alex clears his throat. “Come on.”

I follow him to the elevator and ride up to the second floor. Autumn is pacing in front of the glass doors that lead to the operating room, her reddish curls pulled up into a messy bun. Dad is sitting on one of those plastic three seater chairs that are common in hospital waiting rooms. Mom sits next to him, holding his hand tightly. Next to her are Donna and Ella, Charlie’s mom and her twin sister.

Ella sees me first and gives me a short nod. Her mom’s gaze meets mine, but it’s like she’s looking right through me. Mom and Dad wave, and Autumn comes forward to pull me into a tight hug.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispers. I wrap my arms around her, holding her like my life depends on it.

“Can you tell me what’s going on?” I ask as I pull back from the hug. She didn’t really go into detail when she called, nor when she texted. She nods and pulls me with her, away from our family to the elevators. We stop in front of them, and, automatically, both our gazes lock on the door of the operating room.

“Charlie has been in a lot of pain since last week. She couldn’t get out of bed and was actually ordered on bedrest by her doctor until the babies’ arrival. She thought it was just Braxton Hicks, but the pain kept getting worse,” Autumn explains. My eyes move to her; this is news to me. She’d been in pain?

“Then we got the call that her water broke, and they were on their way to the hospital. Of course, we came over immediately. She was determined to have the babies naturally, and things were actually progressing nicely. Then a couple of hours ago, she started bleeding; it was discovered that both babies are breech. ”

“Breech?” I ask, unfamiliar with the term.

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