“What?” I shouted, instantly regretting it when she flinched and the doctor gave me the stink-eye like I was the poster boy for domestic violence.
“Dr. Mohr has been nothing but helpful; it’s not fair for you to take your anger out on her,” my wife reprimanded.
I dragged a hand down my face, my knuckles cut and throbbing from where they’d broken through the drywall. “Someone tried to kill our baby, Rory.” And not just anyone, my own fucking uncle, sending his minions to do his dirty work in his quest to eliminate my bloodline so he could usurp my throne.
She pressed a palm to her hospital gown-clad stomach, her lower lip wobbling as her blue eyes filled with fresh tears. “I know. But he’s okay now.” Her gaze shifted to the doctor. “Because of Dr. Mohr and her team. She deserves our gratitude.”
All I wanted to do right now was burn down the fucking world. Maybe then I’d finally be able to cut off the head of the snake who had come for my family.
I should’ve been prepared for this type of underhanded attack. He’d already set my brother’s home on fire with his two little girls asleep inside. Stupid fool that I was, I believed my unbornbaby to be safe, protected inside the comfort of his mother’s womb. God, was I wrong.
Jaw clenched, I spoke to the doctor, “I appreciate the efforts that have gone into caring for my wife and son.”
The doctor wasn’t stupid. She knew my words weren’t sincere, as evidenced by her tightly pinched lips. Still, she maintained her professionalism, turning to my wife. “Since we’ve uncovered the root cause of the contractions and gotten them to cease, I’m going to discharge you with strict instructions to rest and take it easy for a few days to be on the safe side.”
A relieved exhale flew past Rory’s lips. “Thank—”
“No.” I cut her off with that single word, and both women’s heads whipped in my direction.
“No?” Dr. Mohr challenged, an eyebrow arched.
“She’ll be staying overnight for observation,” I declared.
“Mr. Bellini, that’s really not necess—”
“It’s not up for debate.”
The woman threw the hand not holding her tablet into the air in exasperation. “Fine, do whatever you want. It’s not like I’m the professional or anything.” With that, she left the room.
From where she lay in the hospital bed, Rory fixed me with an expression of disapproval.
I folded both arms over my chest. “You got something you want to say?”
The only response I received was her turning on her side, giving me her back.
“Great,” I muttered. “I’m going to get coffee.”
As soon as I cleared the threshold into the hallway, I bent in half, dropping my head between my knees, sucking in deep breaths. That had been way too fucking close.
A hand landed on my shoulder, and like a bolt of lightning had zipped down my spine, I straightened suddenly, on high alert and ready for a fight.
“Hey, it’s just me.” A familiar voice spoke while I blinked furiously, trying to bring my vision back into focus.
“Matteo?” Confusion filled my voice. “Could have sworn I texted Enzo, but my head’s so fucked up right now, I can’t even remember.”
“You did.” My brother steered me toward a small waiting area with chairs and pushed me onto one.
I stared up at him. “Then why are you here instead of him?”
“He’s busy dealing with Allie.”
My brows drew down. “What’s wrong with Allie?” Had I been so panicked earlier that I imagined she was the one who’d escorted us straight to the maternity floor? I mean, at this point, anything was possible.
Matteo dropped onto the chair opposite me, resting his forearms on his thighs as he leaned forward in his seat. “What you and Rory went through today? You came very close to joining them in the nightmare that is their reality.”
Did that mean . . .
I sucked in a sharp breath. “I had no idea.”
