Page 43 of Raphael (Belles & Mobsters 5)

“I’m going to die,” she whimpered.

“No, you’re not. You just lean on me.”

My eyes locked on her face and something deep in her dark eyes cut deep into my soul.

“You take care of the baby,” she croaked.

I shook my head. Enough was enough. We had to run. “Wewill take care of the baby. Together.”

Without warning, she folded over and before her knees hit the floor, I caught her. More blood pooling at our feet. The metallic scent seeped into my lungs.

“I peed myself,” Anya gritted.

My eyes lowered. A mixture of fluid and blood stained her legs. I didn’t think it was pee.

“I think your water broke,” I breathed.

Struggling to keep her up, I shot a look over my shoulder.

“Please, help,” I shouted.

Then the chaos erupted. Nurses ran over. Doctors shuffled around me. More nurses.

Beep, beep, beep.

“She’s not going to make it.” My eyes darted back and forth. Terror crawled up my spine and took a hold of my throat, suffocating me.

“We have to operate.”

More words. Darkness. I held Anya’s hand. Her eyes opened, a distant look in her eyes. I didn’t recognize it. It held a hint of relief.

“Don’t leave me, Anya,” I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Keep the baby safe. Promise me.” She barely forced the words through her chapped, dry lips. The panicked look in her eyes shattered my heart.

I swallowed. “I promise,” I croaked.

“Be happy, Sail.”

The last words. And she was gone.

A strange silence followed as they wheeled her away from me. Time stilled. Darkness reigned. Loneliness followed.

I had no idea how long I stood there. Lost and alone. A feeling deep down warned me to prepare. I’d lose her. She needed rest.

Standing in the same spot, in the same room, I could still hear my sister’s words.Keep the baby safe.

“Miss McHale.” The voice was distant through the haze filling my brain. “Miss McHale.”

I blinked. A woman with red hair and kind eyes watched me. She was young. Older than me but too young to be a doctor.

“I’m Dr. Sophie.” My eyes lowered to the tiny baby in her arms. Black hair. Wrinkly face. I’d never seen a newborn before.

“Aren’t you too young to be a doctor?” It was an irrelevant question. My mind wasn’t ready to deal with reality.

“I just finished my residency.” Her voice was soft. A look of pity on her face. Sorrow.

My eyes locked on the baby wrapped in her arms. “Anya?”

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