Page 200 of Sinful Blaze

Jameson gives her the thumbs-up. I’m hoisted to my feet, my arm draped around my sister’s shoulders. They switch places so he can half-carry me out to the car while she wheels my suitcase behind us.

“We’ve got you,” he reminds me. “You’re safe.”

I know I am. I know they’ll take bullets for me if need be—and God forbid that occasion should ever arise.

I just hate how alone I feel, even while surrounded by family.

Jameson peels the car out of the garage, burning rubber as he whips us onto the street. Melanie scolds him to be more careful. They bicker back and forth for a few moments while I try to lean to one side, or shuffle my weight down a bit more…

Another wave of pain spikes through my stomach, making me cry out, then groan through my clenched teeth.

I don’t think this is Braxton-Hicks.

I think this is happening.

“Mel… do you have my phone?”

She rummages through my bag for a second, then hands me my phone. “Want me to call anyone for you? Split the list?”

I shake my head. Woof. Bad mistake. “No, thanks. I got this.”

Pasha’s name is the first one I hit. Please, please, pick up… pick up…

Automatic voicemail.

I hang up. Steel myself for the explosion of his patience. Call again.

Pasha! Please!

It rings. And rings. And rings.

Voicemail.

I can’t cry. Not right now. Think, Daphne!

ME: SOS

ME: I’m in labor

ME: This is happening

ME: Please pick up

Whatever he may be feeling about me, I know how much our daughter means to him. He won’t ignore these texts. If anything, he’ll be calling me in just a second.

Minutes pass. We’re almost at the hospital.

Jameson glances in the rearview mirror. “We’re being followed.”

I try to twist my neck around to see. “Black sedan? Silver detailing?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s Ivan. We’re good.”

My heart squeezes with a pain that’s almost, almost as bad as the pain radiating through my body. Pasha’s men will follow me and make sure I’m okay. But not him?

I see the signs for the hospital through the window. If I’m going to get a hold of anyone, I better do it now.

---