Page 84 of Vex

“Does Lucy know about this?” I ask.

“She knows my history, but she doesn’t know the Feds are snooping around here,” Chubs says with a miserable tone to his voice.

“We need to have Church. Explain everything to the guys and let the club decide what’s the best course of action. We make big decisions together, as a club, and you know that. This isn’t just your problem. It’s ours too because you matter to us. You’re one of us. Bring this to the club, Chubs,” I implore him.

“I’ll think about it. I’ve got to go. I have wrecker calls to make,” Chubs says with a slap to my shoulder before walking out of the clubhouse. Fuck!

I drive my truck to work because it’s snowing and icy outside. In Denver, it can snow one day and be sunny and warm the next. Today, it’s decided to be nasty.

When I leave for work, Taja and Tessie are playing video games and arguing up a storm about who’s the better player. I give each a kiss on the forehead and leave. Opening the door, I find a wet, cold Duffy sitting on the deck, pissed off look on his face. He’s also breathing heavy, so I’m assuming the walk from Ava’s to our place was long for his little kitty legs. I wave him in the door and hear Taja squeal in delight as I shut it behind me. I don’t think just a puppy will be enough for the sisters. I see a trip to the animal rescue for a kitten in our future. As long as it’s not the size of Duffy, I’m good with that.

Work’s boring but easier now that Suki’s put the message out, in her own unique way, that I’m off limits. I grin remembering the battle between bartender and stripper. Go Suki!

Pooh calls to give me shit about something, but the storm is wreaking havoc with our connection, and I can’t hear half of what he says. I do hear the phrases “pussy-whipped” and “pregnant sex” so I know the call’s not an important one. Hanging it back up, I stick my phone in my back pocket and get to making rounds.

A few hours later, music booming, I see Freddy run into the room coming from his office. His body movements are frantic and I feel my blood run cold. Bolting across the room, pushing patrons out of my way, I feel real fear when I see the look Freddy gives me when our eyes meet.

“What?!” I shout before I even get to him.

“Let’s go! You’re riding with me,” Freddy shouts back as he rushes toward the door, barking orders to Rod on the way.

I don’t waste a moment of repeating myself, I just run. Making it to Freddy’s truck, we get inside and he starts it up. Once on the road, I then repeat myself.

“What’s wrong, Freddy? What’s happened?”

Freddy visibly takes a deep breath and calms himself. He’s driving like a bat out of hell, especially considering the road conditions, but he speaks in a steady voice.

“Tessie drove Taja to the compound. Taja’s bleeding. Bad. More like hemorrhaging and their phones wouldn’t work. Tessie got Taja into the Jeep and hauled ass. Axel saw Tessie’s Jeep sliding onto the road by his house and jerking to a stop. Tessie saw him and started screaming for help out the window. He ran to see what was wrong and found Taja slumped in the backseat. He tried calling for an ambulance but didn’t have cell service either. He sent Tessie inside to use the landline. Ambulance arrived and he’s following it to the hospital now.”

My heart in my throat, I can’t even reply. God, no. I can’t lose Taja or the baby. I need them. My thoughts are scattered, and I’m fighting not to lose it completely.

Freddy’s driving attracts a cop’s attention and lights are flashing behind us. Freddy doesn’t slow in the least. I’m still incapable of speaking, so I try to slow my mind and wish the distance away. I hear the siren kick on, but we’re only a few blocks from the hospital. I know Freddy’s going to get me there regardless of a flashing blue light.

As we slide to a stop outside of the ER, I bail out of the truck at a run. I leave Freddy to deal with the cop and rush frantically up to the nurse’s desk. I’m told the ambulance’s ETA is two minutes. We beat it here. I rush back outside and can hear its siren in the distance. Freddy’s still explaining things to the cop when Cash suddenly appears beside me. Hand on my shoulder, he’s always the calm one.

“She’ll be fine, brother. Just keep positive thoughts,” he murmurs.

“I can’t lose them,” I barely whisper my fear.

“She’s a fighter. You know that. Right here for you, any way you need me.”

When the ambulance comes to a stop, I see nothing except the stretcher they remove with Taja on it. I run beside it, holding her limp hand, as they rush into the hospital and down a short hall before coming to a stop. Instantly, doctors and nurses are in motion around us, but my eyes stay locked on Taja’s face. When her eyes open, they hit mine immediately. Hers are filled with fear, and I know mine probably are as well. She grips my hand and I bend to kiss the back of hers.

“It’s going to be okay, Taj. I’m right here. We’ll do this together,” I say trying to ease both our fears.

The doctor places Taja’s feet into the stirrups and covers her the best he can with a blanket. The nurses are calling out Taja’s stats as the doctor barks orders. It seems like chaos to me, but I’m sure it’s controlled chaos from their perspective.

After a few terrifying moments, the doctor moves to Taja’s side and raises her shirt to expose her belly. Using an ultrasound, he watches the screen intently. While doing this, Taja’s OB-GYN, Dr. Spitz, walks into the ER bay and starts speaking quietly with the on-call doctor.

I lean down and place my lips on Taja’s forehead and hold them there. I know she’s in a lot of pain, and I wish to hell I could take it for her. I feel helpless. I’m not good with that.

“Taja. Vex. Please listen. We have to deliver this baby immediately. Things are not good and we have no choice,” the doctor informs us.

“It’s too soon. It’s too early!” Taja moans while gripping my hand and her belly.

“I’m sorry, Taja. I’m so, so sorry. We have no choice and we need to do it now.”

“Is she alive?” Taja whispers the words I’m too terrified to ask.

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