Noon? She needed to stall for time. Swallowing her revulsion, she tried to draw out the conversation. “I’ll come, but I need more time.”
“Oh, dear. I don’t like a woman who makes demands. We’re going to have to work on that.”
“Please. You’re asking me to desert my children. At least give me some time to say goodbye. I won’t tell anyone, I swear. I don’t want you to kill my friends.”
The pause seemed interminable.
“Do I sound stupid to you? I know exactly how long it takes to get from Gemini Island to Exit 25. We’re working on my schedule, darling, not yours. You get until noon. Even that is generous. Don’t be late and don’t even think of alerting your friends or the police.”
“Okay. I’ll be there.”
The sound of the call disconnecting sounded more like a gun being fired.
“Elaine?” called Lia. “Is Josh coming?”
Elaine schooled her features into a mask of calm and returned to Lia. “Um, Josh might be delayed. I want you to take some deep breaths for me while I call Connor, okay?”
The door to the suite crashed open. Ryland burst in, followed by Connor, Andy, and Layla.
“Lia!” Ryland rushed to her side. “I’m here. I’m here, baby.”
“Ry.” Perspiration dotted Lia’s brow. “Josh is busy. He can’t come.”
“Let me call Fleur,” offered Connor. “She delivered Charlotte’s baby. I’m sure she can help.”
While Connor made the short call, Elaine’s brain whirred. For the first time in a long time, her heart seemed to leap into its former off-kilter beat. The awkward noise pounded in her head, taunting her with its irregular rhythm.Don’t you dare, Elaine threatened her unpredictable organ.Keep your shit together!
“Fleur and Jani are on their way,” said Connor.
While Ryland worked on removing Lia’s soaked jeans, Elaine pulled Connor aside. “I just got a call from Royal Hill.”
“What?” He grasped her arms and searched her face. “What did he say?”
“He has Marcelle and Josh. He’s going to kill them if I don’t meet him at noon. On my own.”
“Fuck. That’s less than two hours away.”
“I know,” she whispered. “What do we do? Connor, we have to think of something. We can’t tell Ryland and Lia. They have enough to worry about right now.”
“Let me think for a minute.”
Layla walked over to them, excited. “Mommy, Auntie Lia’s going to have her baby!”
“I know, sweetie. I know.” Elaine crouched down to her daughter’s level. “Will you do me a big favor? I want you and your brother to sit in the bedroom.”
“But I want to help.”
Andy jumped up and down. “I want to help too!”
“Okay,” said Elaine. “I know how you can be a big help. Connor just called Fleur. I need you guys to stand at the door and wait for her. Can you do that?”
“Okay, Mommy.” Layla grabbed her brother by the hand, and they took up spots on either side of the open suite door. They both stood straight and still, waiting to flag Fleur down.
In the meantime, Ryland eased Lia to the floor where he’d placed a couple of blankets.
Lia buckled as the first contraction hit. She grunted.
“Don’t worry, Auntie Lia,” called Andy from his position. “Mommy said having a baby is just like having a big poop.”
