Page 39 of Jaded Red

“I work here part-time when I’m not running my father’s practice.” Her eyes travel down to my belly I’m running a soothing hand over. Maybe if I can calm the baby down, he won’t come yet. “Oh, you’re the one Derange called in to warn us about. Let’s get you upstairs and as comfortable as can be.”

Amber takes over pushing my chair from the nurse and wheels me into the elevator with a confused Matt, Aftermath and Kensi following.

“How do you know each other?” Matt growls, not moving from out of my grasp.

“Let’s say we have mutual acquaintances.” Amber winks at me but Matt isn’t having any of it.

He slams his palm on the emergency button of the elevator making it come to a screeching halt. “I don’t give a fuck if you’re the Queen of England. I don’t know you, so you tell me who the mutual acquaintances are or I’ll call Capone and you won’t be around to help us deliver my son.” Matt threatens with fury in his voice. I’ve never heard this tone from him before.

Amber crosses her arms over her chest and gives Matt a no bullshit attitude. She doesn’t answer, but instead looks down at me. My eyes are ping-ponging between the two of them, trying to hide a smirk. “She is a friend of Rush’s.”

Amber’s face turns a deep shade of red that rivals Matt’s and he raises an eyebrow. “So, you know she’s?” Matt asks, leaving the answer in the air, and giving Amber an opening.

“Nolan’s sister? Yes, I know. Rush filled me in on what’s been going on just in case Nadia’s doctor couldn’t make it.” Amber states.

“And how do you know Rush?”

“That’s really none of your business,” Amber pauses long enough to check Matt’s road name on his cut. “Red.”

“Actually, it is if you’re treating my Ol’ Lady.”

Amber’s eyes grow wide and she looks down at me. “Ol’ Lady? Did you snag yourself a biker? And a protective one at that.”

I grin at Amber, “Just tell him so we can get out of this damn elevator.”

“Fine.” Amber looks back at Matt. “Rush and I have been seeing each other since he was attacked a few years ago.”

“Fine.” Matt releases the emergency button and the elevator lurches up. “But I will be running a background check on you as soon as we know how my boy is doing.”

“Check away, Red. I don’t have anything to hide.” Amber challenges.

The elevator doors open in a whoosh and I feel another contraction starting. I reach for Matt’s hand and he gives it to me. He kneels next to me, “Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth.” Matt does it and I follow. “That’s good, Pulchra. You’re doing good. Keep going.” I synch my breathing to Matt’s until the contraction passes.

“Jesus. It’s getting worse.” I groan.

Matt wipes the sweat away from my forehead and kisses it. “It’ll be over soon and when it is, our little boy will be here.” A blush creeps up Matt’s face I haven’t seen for a while and it makes me smile.

“Thank you,” I wrap my arms around Matt’s neck and hug him. He hugs me back, kissing the side of my head.

Amber grabs the back of the wheelchair and steers me out of the elevator. Matt, Kensi and Aftermath follow. “We’re going to Labor and delivery. You two need to stay out here until I give you the all clear.”

“Wait, Doctor Amber.” I hold up my hands halting her movements. “I want Kensi in the room with Matt and me.”

“You do?” Kensi asks wide-eyed.

“I do. You’re my best friend, Kensi. Even if I am dangerous with a pair of scissors.” We laugh remembering my crazy side earlier.

“Ok, Kensi, let me get Nadia settled and then you can come in. But we can’t have any more in the room with us. Hospital policy.” Amber states.

“Thank you, Amber,” Kensi responds, hugging Aftermath.

Amber wheels us off into the room where she hooks me up to a couple of monitors. One is for my blood pressure and the other is attached to a band wrapped around my belly. Then she starts an IV for fluids. “Rest when you can, Nadia. I’m going to check your cervix and see how dilated you are.”

My stomach growls, “Can I eat?”

“Unfortunately, you can’t. You can chew on ice chips, but that is it.” She hands me a hospital gown. “Here, put this on please.” Amber steps into the bathroom while I change. I slide my shirt and fat pants off along with my bra and underwear and Matt helps me put the gown on.

“We might need to take one of these home with us,” Matt whispers in my ear, sending a shot of lust through my body.

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