“No. To hell with the reception and the guests. I’ll take you straight up to our suite. You should rest,” he said, leaning closer to her so his voice wouldn’t carry.
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to say I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain later.”
“Cristo, cara.I’m not the devil. I can see your exhaustion clear in your face.”
She glanced at him, her lips pressed tightly together as if she wanted to argue but couldn’t muster the energy. “Okay. Can I ask you for a favor, though?”
“What?”
“In an hour, could you send someone to check on me?” When he frowned, she colored. “Just as a precaution.”
“Half an hour and I’ll come up myself. Let me get rid of everyone.”
He thought she would refuse his offer, but she gave a meek nod.
Every inch of him went on high alert. For Mimi to agree to any proposal of his without a protest was not normal in any way.
Without another word, he placed a hand at the small of her back and guided her through the lobby, ignoring the curious stares of the staff and the opulence he usually took pride in.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Renzo stepped in, pulling Mimi gently along. She winced as she stepped inside, her hand brushing the curve of her belly.
Renzo’s brows knitted. “What’s wrong,bella?”
Before he could finish, she stumbled, clutching his arm. Her weight nearly toppled him, and his hands shot out to steady her. “Are you alright?” he demanded, his voice sharp with worry.
She didn’t answer immediately, her face contorted in pain. And then, a sound he didn’t expect—a faint splash against the polished floor.
Renzo looked down, his mind blanking for a fraction of a second as he registered the darkened leather of his shoes and the small puddle spreading outward.
Mimi’s breath hitched, her wide eyes lifting to meet his. “Oh God,” she whispered, panic lacing her voice. “My water…broke.”
The words hit him like a punch. His heart thundered in his chest as he took in her stricken expression. “What does that mean?” he demanded, even as his insides shook at the implication. He’d demanded and received a crash course in pregnancy and baby delivery from his mother mere hours ago. Water breaking meant…the baby was coming.
“It’s too early, Renzo,” she said, her voice trembling. Pale and small, she looked incredibly fragile. “The baby—it’s not due for two more months. If it comes now…” Horror painted itself across her features in greedy strokes.
His insides swooped with fear, but he beat it back. “Shh…bella,” he interrupted, his hands framing her face. “Look at me.”
Her eyes were glossy with unshed tears, but she obeyed, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
“We’ll handle this,” he said firmly, his voice steady even as fear clawed at him. “Everything’s going to be fine, Mimi. I’ll be there every step of the way with you, and I won’t let anything happen to you. Okay? Just breathe,cara.”
She nodded, her fingers gripping his lapel as if it were the only thing keeping her upright. “You’re here with me, and you’ll make it right,” she chanted, her eyes already far away.
Renzo’s heart steadied at the naked conviction in her words. He reached for the emergency button in the elevator, his other arm wrapping around her protectively.
The grandeur of the hotel, the cameras outside, even the weight of the day—it all faded into insignificance. All that mattered was getting her to safety and ensuring their child came into the world as it should.
And keeping his wife’s faith in him intact…because suddenly, it had become the most important thing in the world.
CHAPTER FIVE
The next twenty-fourhours were the worst of Renzo’s life.
All of his arrogance—that he could control his destiny, that he was the lord and master of his fate—crumbled into so many pieces under the weight of his new wife’s panic.
They had rushed to the hospital, where the world-class obstetrician confirmed her fears—the baby was coming early, and it might not be able to breathe on its own.
Words had been choking in his throat as they checked her vitals and helped her slip out of the ghastly dress that had drained all the color from her face. Although a few minutes later, he changed his mind about the wedding gown. The pale white hospital gown made her look washed out, reducing her to a shadow of worry and stripping away all the attitude and toughness that defined Mimi.
