Page 117 of Paternal Instincts
“Goddammit, Jordyn. He’s supposed to be with me having a baby.”
“I know. I’m pissed too. Stop shouting. Meet me at the main doors. I have to make a phone call and sort this shit out.” She hung up as the elevator arrived.
The short ride to the first floor wasn’t enough time for me to catch Torin up on the case, but I translated enough for him to understand that Quaid had figured out where the missing kid was being held, that it was a potentially dangerous situation with a father who wasn’t the father and an uncle who was having an affair with his brother’s wife.
“I think I saw this episode onDays of Our Lives.”
“Shut up, Torin. Quaid’s taken off to play hero and dragged Ruiz along for backup. Meanwhile, our surrogate is in active labor upstairs.”
“You can’t be surprised. Quaid has never been able to shut down and walk away from a case. Ever.”
“I know.”
“He doesn’t want to see that kid hurt, Az.”
“I know.”
A long pause ensued as the elevator took us to the ground floor.
“But seriously, freaking Ruiz?” Torin said with a scoff. “Doesn’t your motherfucking husband know I’m a better choice? That cocksucker doesn’t even work in the field.”
“Oh my god. This isn’t about you.”
“Does that freak even know how to use a gun?”
I ignored my partner’s bruised ego and raced to the hospital’s main lobby. Jordyn spotted us and waved me over as she disconnected a call and planted her hands on her hips.
“What’s the situation?” I asked.
“Ruiz called for backup, and the district police are responding. They’re on their way and have been told it’s a possible hostage situation.”
“Gimme the address,” Torin said, fishing his keys from a pocket.
“What are you planning to do?” I asked.
“I’m going to find lover boy and drag him back here by the scruff of the neck.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Before I could aim for the door, Jordyn and Torin planted hands on my chest, stopping me. “No, you’re not,” Torin snapped. “You’re staying here because one of you knuckleheads ought to be around when that baby is born.”
“But—”
“Go back upstairs, Az. Jordyn will come with me.”
Jordyn agreed, her no-nonsense expression and sneer almost as powerful as Quaid’s. I jammed a finger in Torin’s face. “You bring him back here safe and sound.”
He swatted the hand away. “Don’t start acting like I can’t handle a little family drama. I told you. I saw this episode. I know how it plays out.”
“This is serious, Torin.”
He fisted my shirt and dragged me down to his level, staring me directly in the eye as he lowered his voice. “Have I ever failed you?”
“No.”
“Go be with Bryn. I’ll bring Quaid back in one piece. I can’t promise not to lecture him about priorities, but he will be fine. Ruiz may not be as good a cop as me, but… he isn’t going to let Quaid get hurt. You know that.”
“I know.”
