“What’s going on?” Jinx demanded, appearing. “Oh, fuck!”
“Get a vehicle. Olivia, I’m taking you to the hospital,” I said and picked her up gently. Huge tears ran down Olivia’s face as she whimpered. Carefully, so I wouldn’t jar the protruding bone, I carried the wailing kid out to the waiting SUV.
“Campbell, come on!” I ordered. Fuck knows who was supposed to be watching the kids, but I certainly couldn’t leave the boy here unsupervised.
“Okay.” Campbell climbed into the back with me as I drew Olivia close and held her tightly. Any jostle would send agonyshooting through her. Jinx did his best to avoid potholes and suchlike, but every so often, Olivia let out a cry of pain. He pulled up at the ER, and I got out and carried Olivia in.
“Hey, I need help! She’s broken a bone, and it’s protruding from her skin!” I yelled. A nurse who’d been stationed at reception turned and hurried over. Her gaze raked my face, and I froze before Olivia was taken gently from my arms.
“Get a doctor,” April called as she rushed away with Olivia.
Like a dumbass, I was still standing there several moments later when Jinx spotted me with Campbell.
“Call Chance and Clio. I’ll stay with Olivia,” I said, finally finding my voice.
“Will do. I’ll text Big Al to say I’ve got Campbell,” Jinx responded.
With a brief nod, I followed the direction April had fled with Olivia and found both of them in a cubicle.
“Does she have any allergies?” April snapped.
“April?”
“Concentrate, Stone. Does your daughter have allergies?”
“Er,” I muttered, feeling numb. Had someone hit me over the head? Because April was standing directly in front of me.
April sent me a look full of disgust. “You don’t know?”
“No.”
“Harlequin! I want Mommy!” Olivia wailed, and I guessed I had to soothe her. Right now, I was the only familiar person here for Olivia.
“Jinx is outside; he’s calling your mom,” I told her and stroked her head.
“Want Daddy!” Olivia yelled.
“Liv, baby, just hold on. Mommy will be here soon,” I replied.
“It’s important to inform me if she has any allergies. If you’re uncertain, I need her mother, who can hopefully tell me,” April said as she busied herself with equipment.
“Clio should arrive shortly.”
“Go book Olivia in. Can you at least do that? Or don’t you know her details either?” April demanded.
“Um,” I paused, tiredness and shock making me slow.
“Jesus, you’re a deadbeat father, aren’t you?” April sneered. “Move aside, Stone, and let me work.”
That rankled. “April, I’m not Liv’s dad.”
April shot towards me, and then she studied Liv. She stepped in front of Olivia and pressed a button.
“Did you harm this child? Have you kidnapped her or something?” April accused.
“What? No! How could you think that!” I growled, hurt.
“Easily, because I never knew you. What is your relationship with her?”
