Page 27 of The Devil's Demise

I release a heavy sigh, rushing back to her, my hand in hers as I finally settle in the chair beside her bed. I made sure she had the best room this hospital had. She’s on a luxury floor, only two labor rooms here. “Which part is okay? The fact that the doc said you have preeclampsiaa day after we saw that bitch?”

“I mean, I’d blame her for everything.” She squeezes my hand on a shaky laugh. “But the doctor also did say with my BP going up and down during the third trimester, he’s not surprised.” She brings my palm to her mouth and leaves a soft kiss there.

My heart lurches. Fuck, I’m worried about her.

“Good thing is,” she goes on. “This baby is coming and he’s fine. I’ll be fine too. Don’t worry.”

“Well, sorry, baby, worrying about you guys is about all I can do right now.”

Her eyes grow bright and glossy, her brows drawing tighter as she presses my palm to her chest. “I love you, Dante.”

“Me too, baby.” A rush of an exhale leaves me in a hurry. I’ve never been this nervous in my entire life.

When Carnelia came, sure I was a wreck too, but she came fast. One minute, Raquel was having contractions, the next minute, we were in a room and she was pushing. Five minutes later, and that kid was out. I didn’t even have a second to breathe with that girl. She’s always been on the go. But little man, hell, Raquel is getting induced, and this wait is fucking me up.

“How about you go get a coffee or ahh, maybe tea?” She giggles.

“Babe, stop laughing.” But now I’m chuckling too because she’s looking at me with hilarity and pity. “I don’t even drink tea.”

“I think you should start. Might relax you.” She giggles, pressing those damn fuckable lips together.

I can’t even think about that right now. I know how hard it’s been for her this time around, and I keep reminding her how proud I am of her. She’s an amazing mother.

The way she’s looking at me right now—her cheeks all flushed, bare faced—fuck, I’d knock her up again and again because I love her pregnant. Minus the complications we had this time. But having kids with her, knowing she’s growing our children—it does something to me.

“I’m sorry. I clearly suck at this whole ‘having babies’ thing.” I reach a hand for her, my thumb stroking down her rosy cheek.

“You don’t suck at a damn thing, Dante Cavaleri.” Her eyes burn with affection, her hand coming to cup mine. “You’re allowed to be nervous. This is your baby too.”

“It’s not just him I worry about.” Raw emotions claw at my heart. “If anything happens to you . . .” I swallow against the lodge of pain in my throat.

“Oh, Dante.” She slants her head to the side. “I love you. I’m right here.”

I’m instantly on the bed beside her, tugging her to my chest, stifling the ache building in my chest. “I can’t help it. I want this to be over so I can take you both home.” I brush my fingers up and down her arm.

“I want that too. But the doctor said it could be a few hours until the meds start to work. That doesn’t mean anything will go wrong.”

As soon as we checked her BP this morning and saw that it was high, we went to the hospital and they immediately admitted her.

“I’m supposed to be the one calming you.” I peer at her. “Not the other way around.”

“Daddies are allowed to stress out too. It’s part of the job.”

“Daddy, huh?” I wag my brows.

Her gaze turns to a narrowed slit as she pinches her lips and shakes her head. “Yeah, no, don’t do that. Literally. No.”

I burst with a laugh. “Daddy likes it when you look at him like that.”

“Mmm, yeah, no. Still nothing.”

“But are you sure?” I wink, teasingly.

“Sooo sure.” Her eyes grow large as she shakes her head, her mouth flanking with amusement.

I love making her laugh, and she’s damn good at making me laugh too. It’s one of the reasons we get along so well. She’s more than my wife and the mother of my kids. She’s my friend above everything, and I’d set the world on fire if it messed with her.

There’s a sudden knock on the door.

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