Page 91 of Call Sign: King
Khloe’s heart felt like it would explode with love. It was hard to believe just twenty-four hours earlier, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever even see her husband again, let alone have him showering her with his unconditional love surrounded by those she loved the most.
Chapter Twenty-eight
RYDER
He hadn’t really planned to make a public announcement about their very private decision about starting a family, but after barely arriving in time to stop MacGyver from spilling the beans to Khloe about the positive pregnancy test he’d found at the hotel, it had been at the top of his mind.
Even before the celebration started to settle down, Ryder could feel himself getting anxious again. It was probably irrational, but just being in public with his wife was making him nervous. Considering the firepower within a ten-foot radius, Ryder knew the chances of someone nefarious getting to his wife was ridiculous, but his blood pressure hadn’t gotten that memo yet.
Taking Khloe’s hand, he started gently pulling her along, trying to get her to start her goodbyes. When that failed, he resorted to making an announcement. “I’m glad you’re on the mend, McLean. We’re gonna leave you in the very capable hands of your wife. I still need to take my Queen to visit Ricky, Reaper, and Tank, not to mention all the doctors and nurses out there lining up to meet her.”
When Khloe still didn’t move to leave and kept chatting with Madison, he added, “At this rate, you may make it home before we do.”
That brought a smile to Trevor’s face, easing a sliver of Ryder’s anxiety.
Khloe had just started to reluctantly follow his lead when MacGyver got in his parting shot. “You’re not fooling me, King. You’re just trying to get out of here so you can get the Queen back to the bed on the Condor. Tell the truth. You’re wanting to get started making that little Prince or Princess.”
Even with the weird makeup still on her face, Ryder could see his wife’s adorable blush at Dakota’s innuendo. When Ryder added, “Damn straight,” her blush got worse.
“Wait…” Jaxson said, stepping in front of them to prevent them from leaving. “You’re just leaving? You’re not going to take over handling the press now that you’re here?”
Slapping Jax’s arm, Ryder broke the news to their friend. “Angie, her agent, is on her way. She’ll be here before midnight. She’s bringing the PR rep we hired with her. If you can just hold down the fort until then, I’d really appreciate it. Hand over the reins to Angie and you can get out of dodge.”
“I guess that works,” Jax said, breaking into a grin. “I wouldn’t want to delay your baby making. I know firsthand how much fun that is.”
It was Emma’s turn to blush.
After a final round robin of hugs and kisses he finally got Khloe back into the hall. And as tempting as it was to just make their escape, Ryder asked Hawkeye, “Lead the way. Whose room is next?”
“Let’s head to Patrick. He’s not only the closest, but his sister was still there last time I checked on him. I want to make sure you get to see her if possible.”
They hadn’t even made it halfway down the hall before Khloe pulled their small entourage to a halt again.
“Look… a bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
“You need to pee?” Ryder said, annoyed at another delay.
“No, I need to fix my makeup. I can’t very well walk around looking like this,” she said waving to her face.
“It’s fine,” Ryder said before taking a good look at her again and correcting his last statement. “On second thought, you’re right. But don’t take forever. I really would like to get out of here before Christmas.”
A full ten minutes later their group finally arrived outside a very different scene. Unlike the levity of Trevor’s visitors, three people Ryder assumed were Patrick’s parents and sister sat near his lifeless body, tears and fear in their eyes.
Stepping into the room first, Ryder approached them, trying not to look at how different Tank looked from his larger-than-life self.
“Mr. and Mrs. Williamson? Ms. Williamson? I’m Ryder Helms… Patrick’s boss. I’m so damn sorry Patrick was injured in the line of duty.”
“You must be the King,” Patrick’s sister finally said, standing and taking the lead for her shell-shocked parents. “I’m Penny. Patrick talks about you and the rest of his team constantly.”
Ryder wasn’t really surprised about that. Tank always was the life of the party with something funny to say. Looking at him now — silent, tubes coming out of him, keeping him alive — it felt unreal.
“Have you got any new updates from his doctor?” Ryder asked, hoping for good news.
“Not really. They keep saying the next twenty-four hours are really important, but they said that forty-eight hours ago, so we don’t really know what to make of that,” his father offered.
Ryder felt Khloe’s gentle touch in the crook of his elbow as she stepped up next to him just before she offered her well wishes to Tank’s family.
“I’m so sorry that we are just getting to meet you now under these conditions, but honestly, I feel like I know all of you already.”
