Page 35 of But I'm Still Standing

“I know, but you didn’t see all the faces coming and going from that house, I did. If I recognize any of them, I will call them out.” I let him know that I’m not going to be a quiet little mouse like the rest of these women. I will not tolerate anyone who supported what she did.

“Apparently, Brock, one of the elders who has had it out for Vivian since they gave her control over the pets is counting on it. He said he wants all those who sinned against the Saints to be punished. I had lunch with him and a few others last week. They want what we want. They also want to make sure that you are happy with them using the caves. They want our help in bringing those who break the rules to justice.”

“This will be my last rodeo, love. Once they are all dead, I’m hanging my gloves and putting everything I have into being the wife and mom you and Eli deserve.”

“Elijah will love you and you are going to be an amazing mother! You already are an amazing wife and I thank God every day for giving me my family back.” Sin raises my hand to his perfect lips, kissing my palm before wrapping it back in his and resting them both on the console. I feel the heat spread between my legs at the very small gesture. Fuck, I officially am over being pregnant. The moment I hit thirty-six weeks, I am fucking my husbands’ brains out, labor be damned. I give a small huff, showing my annoyance.

“I’m sorry, angel, I’ll make sure to wait to have dessert until we get back home.” Sin smirks, knowing how unbelievably horny I have been.

“Must be nice to help create a life and not have any restrictionson yourself!” I chastise him, knowing it’s not his fault, but feel like he should have to suffer, too.

Sin pulls up in front of Gianna Restaurant and puts the SUV in park as he comes around and helps me out of the car, handing me off to three of our guards while he goes to park, the other blacked out SUV following him with the rest of the guards. Six in total. Sin just says we can’t be too careful when I try to complain. I know he will keep this up for a while, but he is going to have to let up eventually. There have been zero threats since Max was caught.

SIN

I park the SUV and get out, moving as I normally do. Three guards catch up to me and match my stride. I’m not worried about me, they should all be with Savvy, but the Saints have decided we are a prize commodity right now and want us to be guarded, at all times. Sure, I want Guards with Savvy, but this is ridiculous having them with me all the time too. I plan to ask them to back off at least a little with me, but keep Savvy covered at all times along with the rest of my family. The closer Elijas birth and MJ’s wedding get, the more people they are piling on us. I feel like we are missing something. If all the threats are gone, or at least captured, what is all of this for?

I make it inside the restaurant and am escorted back to a small private room, where my beautiful glowing wife sits with three other women who are gushing over how beautiful she looks. The men at the table stand when I enter, all shaking my hand before I sit next to Savvy.

“Son, it’s time we celebrate. Savvy is about to have my first grandson, my family is back to being whole again, and you now know your full birthright. This whole fiasco has made the Saints change bylaws and we all need to go over them soon. Things are changing my boy, and it’s all because of you and Savvy. No one would have ever figured out what Sylvia had been doing without you both, and we want to show our gratitude. You were always theone Christian, I’m sorry we didn’t tell you sooner.” My dad slaps me on the back before taking his seat at the end of the table with a blonde bimbo hanging on his arm for the night, a pet, I’m sure! The rest of the men hold up their glasses, “To Savvy and Sin,” they all shout.

Savvy grabs my hand under the table, squeezing it as she takes a gasping breath, slamming her other hand on the table.

“Fuck!” Savvy yells.

“What is it, angel? Are you okay?” Everyone stands up abruptly, moving closer to us.

“Contraction, call Cowan, somethings not right!” Savvy tries to get the words out, but doubles over holding her belly, making her yell out in pain.

I look across the table to my dad, and he nods as he holds the phone up to his ear.

“Ambulance is on the way! Cowan will meet us at the hospital!”

“Fuck the ambulance!” I pick Savvy up from her seat, holding her close as I race through the crowded restaurant and out the doors as one of the guards’ screeches to a halt in front of me with two more coming out of the restaurant behind me opening the back door to the SUV as I climb in continuing to hold Savvy close.

“It’s gonna be okay, angel.” I try to reassure her as the SUV takes off towards the University Medical Center when she cries out again.

“Christian! Oh my God,” She screams as her stomach gets rock hard again. I see sweat start to trickle down her forehead.

“It’s okay angel, we are almost there. Breathe baby, breathe!” I feel her body go slack in my arms as warm wetness coats my thighs.

“Savvy! Angel! Oh God!” I reach down and lift her dress, it’s blood! “Step on it, Savvy is bleeding!” I feel the SUV jolt forward as I hold my angel in my arms and pray. Please God, let them be okay. Don’t take my life from me. Please protect them.

“Call Charlie and tell him to get everyone to the hospital. Savvy is going to want her friends with her.” I let the tears fall holding the love of my life as she slowly drifts away in my arms. The SUV comesto a halt as my door is flung open and Savvy is taken from my arms. I get out helping them lay her on the gurney.

“She is going to be okay; I’ll come back and get you when she is stable!” Dr. Cowan yells back as they rush off into the hospital with my entire world. I hit my knees in front of the lobby doors and beg God again to spare them. Someone taps my shoulder, “She is going to be okay. Cowan is the best OBGYN in the country, he will take care of her.” I look up into an unfamiliar face. “Brixon Blaze,” He holds out his hand for me to shake and helps me up when I do. He isn’t a guard. He is dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt with tennis shoes.

“Do I know you?” I ask as I break my hand away from his. No, but our dads have been friends for years and I saw what just happened and thought you should know your girl is in good hands. Don’t worry, the Saints take care of their own. I know you are new to all of this, but if you ever need someone who grew up in it to talk to, here is my card.” The tall dark haired guy hands me a business card with a Saints and Sinners logo with the address and phone number in Florida.

“Thanks.” I take the card and walk away not sure what I’m supposed to say to this guy. It’s becoming clear that the Saints are all around us and I need to remember that.

I make my way to the little chapel in the church, lighting two candles. One for Savvy, and one for Elijah as I continue to pray. I know there are three guards behind me, and they wait patiently without making a sound. The other three guards are outside of wherever Cowan took Savvy. I hear Cami bust through the doors of the chapel as she stops in her tracks, looking at me as if I’m broken. I guess I am. The guards all moved out of the way for my friends to all file in.

“What happened?” Cami finally blurts out as tears fall down her pink cheeks.

“I don’t know, we were at the restaurant, and all of a sudden Savvy just started yelling out in pain and passed out in the car when I thought her water broke. Her water didn’t break, I don’t thinkanyway. Dr. Cowan didn’t say anything, just that she would be okay. She lost a lot of blood! She is only thirty-two weeks; they both have to be okay!” I stand up to show them my pants and shirt covered in her blood as my hands shake at my sides also covered in her blood.

Jasper comes over to me putting his hand on my back, “She is going to be okay man, but we have to get you cleaned up before you can see her. She will freak if she sees you like this.”

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