Page 47 of Rescued By Four Alphas
"Stop," I say firmly. "This is a medical facility, not a war zone. Half of you need to wait outside."
Rodriguez steps forward. "Ma'am, our orders are to maintain full protection..."
"Your orders?" I raise an eyebrow. "Who gives you orders about my medical appointments?"
Leo places a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Dahlia, please. Let them do their job."
"Their job is to protect me, not to turn my doctor's visit into a circus," I snap, then immediately feel guilty for my harsh tone. The pregnancy hormones are still making my emotions volatile. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to take this out on you. But this level of security is making me more anxious, not less."
Axl exchanges a look with Leo, then nods to Rodriguez. "Scale it back. Post guards at the building entrances and keep two with us. The rest can wait in the vehicles."
Rodriguez looks like she wants to argue, but she nods curtly and starts issuing orders into her radio. Within moments, most of the security team files back outside, leaving just two guards to accompany us down the hallway.
"Better?" Leo asks.
"Marginally," I admit.
We make our way to Dr. Marianna's office, our footsteps echoing in the quiet corridor. Even with the reduced security presence, I feel conspicuous and exposed. The familiar hallway that usually brings me comfort now feels foreign and threatening.
When we reach Dr. Marianna's door, I pause to collect myself. My hand hovers over the polished wood for a moment before I finally knock.
"Come in," comes her familiar voice from inside.
I push the door open and step into the office, with Leo and Axl close behind me. Dr. Marianna is seated behind her desk, but something feels different about her demeanor. She doesn't look up immediately when we enter, and when she finally does, her eyes seem to avoid making direct contact with mine.
"Dahlia," she says, standing slowly. "Thank you for coming so quickly."
"Of course," I reply, studying her face. "You said it was urgent. Is everything okay with the babies?"
"Please, sit down," she gestures to the chairs across from her desk, still not quite meeting my eyes. "We need to discuss your recent test results."
Leo and Axl position themselves on either side of my chair as I sit down. Dr. Marianna's gaze flickers to them, and I notice her hands trembling slightly as she reaches for a file on her desk.
"Actually," she says, her voice carefully controlled, "I'd prefer to discuss this privately. Would your... Alphas mind waiting outside?"
"No," Leo says immediately. "We're staying."
"I understand your concern," Dr. Marianna replies, "but this is confidential medical information. Patient privacy laws..."
"They're the fathers," I interrupt. "They have a right to know about any issues with the babies."
Dr. Marianna's composure slips for just a moment, and I catch a flash of something in her eyes. It's gone so quickly, I almost think I imagined it.
"Nevertheless," she says, "I really must insist. There are certain protocols..."
"What protocols?" Axl demands, "You've never had a problem with us being here before."
I hold up my hand to silence him. Something is wrong here, but arguing won't help me figure out what it is.
"It's okay," I tell Leo and Axl. "You can wait outside. I'm safe here."
"Dahlia..." Leo starts to protest.
"You can stand right outside. If anything happens, you'll hear it immediately. Nothing and no one can get into this office without going through you first."
Leo's jaw tightens, but he nods reluctantly. "We'll be right outside the door," he says, his eyes fixed on Dr. Marianna.
"Ten minutes," Axl adds, his tone making it clear that this is a warning, not a promise.
