Page 9 of Savage Boss

“No,” he said shortly.

The nurse glanced past Vlad with a frown as two of his men stepped up to his back. They were scary looking motherfuckers and Vlad didn’t blame the nurse for her reservation, but he didn’t have time for anyone except Jane.

“I need a doctor right fucking now. My wife is pregnant.”

Her frowning gaze returned to Jane. The two nurses behind the plastic shielded reception area were now paying attention. A hand hovered over a button that Vlad was sure would connect them with security.

“Okay, sir, I understand you’re worried about your wife, but you will need to check in. I’ll see if I can find a bed while you’re doing that.”

Vlad’s frustration boiled over. “Can’t you see there’s something wrong with her?” Vlad snarled tilting Jane in his arms so the nurse could see how pale she was. “She needs medical attention immediately.”

“I understand, sir,” the nurse said calmly. “But we can’t do anything for her until we have a medical history. Trust me, we’ll get her taken care of.”

Vlad wanted to dare her to call him ‘sir’ one more time. He’d pull his sidearm and force her to find him a doctor. Instead, he turned to Leo and snapped, “Go get us checked in.”

As he spoke, the nurse hurried away, taking advantage of his momentary distraction. Vlad wanted to bellow his frustration. Rage and fear were preventing him from thinking clearly. Jane could be slipping away in his arms and not a single person seemed interested in helping him.

“Fuck this,” Vlad muttered and took off down the nearest hallway.

He heard an exclamation from behind him but kept going. If it came down to it, he would find a doctor and force them at gunpoint to look at Jane. Maxim ran after Vlad, attempting to cover his back single-handedly while Leo took care of the paperwork at reception. Maxim was competent as Vlad’s personal bodyguard, while Leo ran security at the house and took Boris’ place as Vlad’s second-in-command.

Vlad didn’t give a shit what his men did, nor the hospital staff. His entire focus was on Jane. He had to find her help. He couldn’t begin to think what he would do if anything happened to her or the baby.

Just then a doctor rounded the corner at the end of the hallway, his grey head bent over a clipboard. He was so engrossed that he didn’t see Vlad at first.

“I need your help,” Vlad snapped striding toward the doctor. “My wife is pregnant, and she collapsed.”

The doctor looked up in surprise. He stopped in his tracks and automatically stepped back as Vlad rushed at him. He glanced around the empty hallway in concern, perhaps looking for backup as a large angry-looking tattooed Russian mobster bore down on him.

“I… I… have you checked in at reception?” the doctor asked tentatively.

Jane moaned in Vlad’s arms, punching a fist of fear into his gut. Her face twisted in pain, but her eyes didn’t open.

Vlad pulled his gun and pointed it at the now shaking doctor. “You will help her, right fucking now.”

The doctor stood frozen and Vlad nearly shot him out of frustration. Trying to get medical help in the hospital was turning out to be harder than attempting a trade deal with the Yakuza.

“Fuck!” Vlad shouted, then shoved his gun back in his holster while balancing Jane against his chest. “There, my weapon is away. Now help her.”

Before the doctor could say anything, security came rushing around the corner. Maxim reached for his gun, but Vlad held a hand up, stopping him. They didn’t need to escalate the situation beyond what Vlad had already done.

Ignoring the security guards, Vlad spoke straight to the doctor. “Please, you have to help her. She’s six months pregnant and she collapsed about twenty minutes ago. She’s spotting.”

A look of alarm crossed the doctor’s features for the first time since Vlad accosted him. His gaze dropped to Jane. He tentatively took a step forward and reached for her wrist. Vlad tilted her so her arm was more accessible. The doctor checked her pulse and breathing, then touched her face which was becoming paler by the second.

He nodded to himself then turned to the guards. “I’m fine, go back to your posts. Please send a nurse to find us a room.” He turned to Vlad. “Come with me.”

He turned on his heel and strode down the hall, his steps fast enough that Vlad had to rush to keep up. Though his heart was still in his throat and he wanted to tear the hospital apart in his fear, he was relieved that something was happening.

He rushed after the doctor who took him around the corner to where there were beds lined up and down the corridor.

“For when our emergency beds fill up,” he explained and pointed at one.

Vlad gently laid Jane down. She groaned and rolled onto her side, her arms around her belly. The doctor frowned.

A nurse approached. “You asked for help?”

“Yes, we need a room as soon as you can find one. This patient needs fluids right away and I want her scheduled for an ultrasound within the hour.” He glanced over Jane. “Bring me her chart.”

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