Page 43 of Jaded Red

“What happened? How’s our son?” Nadia’s voice is groggy.

“He’s beautiful. I can’t wait for you to see him. He has reddish blonde hair and he has your nose.” I kiss Nadia on the side of the head. “You did great, Pulchra. You protected him and kept him safe.”

“That’s wonderful. I can’t wait to see him.” She looks around the room confused. “Why am I in here? The last thing I remember was a sharp pain and then everything went black.”

“Doctor Amber said you were hemorrhaging after delivering our son and they had to perform a D and C to get the bleeding to stop. You’re in post-surgery recovery.”

“We will be moving you to a private room as soon as you’re alert and able.” Doctor Amber comes over and checks Nadia’s vitals. “How are you feeling?”

Nadia scrunches her nose. “Tired, hungry, thirsty.”

“Any pain?” Nadia shakes her head.

“What do you want to eat? I’ll tell Aftermath to get it.” I ask.

“Why would Aftermath get it?”

“Cause he’s outside the door guarding it.”

“Why would he be outside the door?” Nadia’s brows scrunch like she’s trying to figure something out that niggling in the back of her mind. “Who’s all here?”

“We’ll talk about it later, Nadia. Get some rest and when you’re out of here, I’ll take you down to see our son.”

“Ok, Matt.” She pats my hand covering hers with her other hand. “You always take good care of me. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Pulchra. Rest and we’ll go see our son.” I kiss her on the head and Nadia lays her head back down.

They move Nadia out of the recovery room and into her own private room. A single bed, a T.V. mounted on the wall, a couple of dressers, a few chairs and a single recliner are the only furnishings in here. Looks like me and that recliner will be getting to know each other very well. Capone sent me a textearlier and said everyone but the babies, Jezebelle, Daisy, Seth and Pretty Boy are here. The hospital is on lockdown until we either catch Josiah or go home.

Nadia’s eyes are open and she’s looking around in full alert. Once she gets settled and the nurses leave, Nadia stares at me with those whiskey eyes that make me cave to every demand she has. “OK, you can tell me the truth now. Why was Aftermath guarding the door? And no Club business bullshit, Matt.”

I exhale a deep breath and settle into the recliner. “We have a lead on where Josiah is and Aftermath was protecting you while I went to see our son. Capone has Bones posted up on the NICU wing with other brothers spread out throughout the hospital. If anyone looks or acts suspicious, we are removing them from the premises.”

Nadia’s face pales slightly. “Where’s Josiah?”

“Stalking you.” I wince when I say this, not knowing if Nadia will go bat shit crazy or make my head spin crazy.

“That’s who was out there.” Nadia stares off in the distance and I perk up at her admission.

“That’s who was where Nadia?”

“At the Clubhouse. You were in your meeting and I needed fresh air. I walked the perimeter of the fence line and heard a twig snap, then I smelled his cologne. I ran back to the Clubhouse scared out of my mind and that’s when my water broke.”

I pull out my phone and dial Capone. He answers on the first ring. “He was there, Prez, at the Clubhouse.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Nadia just told me.”

“Ok, I’ll have Pretty Boy and Seth up security and I’ll send Trigger and Dagger back to search the grounds.” He hangs up before I can respond. “Capone is sending Trigger and Dagger back to search the grounds,” I inform Nadia.

I pick up my phone and dial Bones. He answers on the first ring. “Yeah, boss.”

“Do you have your laptop with you?”

“I do.”

“Give it to Kensi and have her bring it up here. I need to check a few things and need you to watch my son.”

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