Page 38 of Jaded Red

I close my eyes and tears are rolling down my cheeks as I fight through the pain. “Shit, Nadia.” I hear someone shout my name. I don’t know who it is but someone sees me. I’m not alone anymore. “Someone get Red.”

Warm hands grip my shoulders, forcing me to sit up. I open my eyes and Jezebelle is in front of me, trying to get my attention. “Nadia, what’s wrong?” I open my mouth to answer when another sharp pain stabs through my stomach and I clutch it tighter. “Shit, she’s going into labor! Where the fuck is Red?!”

“I’m right here, what happened?” I can feel Matt’s touch around my shoulders and it calms me down.

I breathe through the pain and open my eyes to see Matt staring back at me. “Went for a walk. Felt wetness between my legs. Now I’m in pain.” I grit out through clenched teeth.

“Ok, Pulchra, we’re going to get you to the hospital.” Matt pushes the hair out of my face. “Where’s Derange?”

“I’m right here. I need everyone to step back and give Nadia some room, please.” Derange demands. He bends down so he is at eye level with me on the floor. “Hey, Nadia. I’m going to check you over and make sure the baby isn’t already on its way here. How long have you been having these pains?”

“Just started.” I shift so Derange can look me over. My back is to Matt’s front and I’m settled between his legs. “I have been feeling uncomfortable for a few hours but figured it was gas. But when I went for a walk outside, I felt a rush of water and then the cramping started.”

Derange pushes on my stomach. He looks at me and then at Matt behind me. “We need to get her to the hospital ASAP.” Derange’s eyes move back to mine. “You’re in labor, Nadia. The baby is coming whether you’re ready or not.”

“I can’t be. I still have another six weeks.” I clutch Matt’s hand when another contraction hits me. “Uh!” I groan through the pain.

Matt gently picks me up and carries me through the Clubhouse and into an awaiting SUV. He carefully settles me into the backseat and follows. Before Matt can close the door, Derange sticks his head inside. “Get her there as quickly as possible. I will call ahead and let them know she’s coming. One other thing, time her contractions. If they come any quicker than two minutes apart, you’re going to have to deliver that baby. We’ll be right behind you, brother.”

Aftermath and Kensi are in the front and as soon as the door is closed, Aftermath slams the gas pedal, shooting out of the Club’s parking lot like hell was on his heels.

Matt wipes the sweat away from my forehead. “How are you doing?”

“This shit hurts, Matt. Are you sure he’s going to be ok?” I question. I’m scared something is going to happen and we’re going to lose our baby.

“Everything will be fine, Nadia. We’re getting you to the hospital as quickly as we can.” Matt’s lips linger on my forehead and I breathe him in.

There is no one I’d rather have here at my side during this than Matt. He’s been my rock and my salvation. I’ve opened my heart and my soul up to him, leaving my jaded past behind. What we feel for each other is something I never thought I’d have.

“We’re about ten minutes out, how are you doing back there?” Aftermath asks. He glances at Matt in the rearview mirror before turning his eyes back to the road. Something passes between the two of them.

“What was that about?” I ask.

“What was what about?” Matt questions my question.

“That look between you and Aftermath.”

“Nothing for you to worry about. Just trust we have this.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. If you need to know, I’ll let you know. As of right now, you need to focus on the baby, nothing else.” I rest my head on Matt’s shoulder and close my eyes. I’m suddenly exhausted and can’t keep my eyes open. “Rest, Pulchra. We’ll get you there safe.”

“I know you will. I trust you, Matt.” I answer in a whisper. A sharp contraction hits me and I double over in pain.

“Breathe, Nadia. In through your nose, out through your mouth.” Matt inhales through his nose and out through his mouth and I follow suit until the pain goes away.

“Pulling in now,” Aftermath states. He throws the SUV in park and hurries to open my door. He helps me out of the vehicle with Matt right behind me. A nurse is waiting with a wheelchair to take me inside. I sit on it and breathe a sigh of relief. We made it and hopefully, my baby will be ok.

“How far apart are her contractions?” the nurse asks in a hurried, clipped voice.

“They’re around six minutes apart lasting for less than a minute,” Matt informs her. “She is six weeks early.”

The nurse nods her head and pushes me inside. I still have ahold of Matt’s hand and I’m not letting go. “We need to get this woman to OB stat.” A doctor with long brown hair pulled up into a tight bun comes from around the corner and shock is the last thing I need right now.

“Nadia?” The female doctor asks.

“Doctor Amber? What are you doing here?” I ask, shocked.

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