“Relax, Baby Girl,” I told her when she sniffled. Wiping her tears, I then kissed her forehead before closing the door. I dapped Brooklyn, who went to meet Bri, who’d been steps behind me and Pen.
Climbing in the driver’s seat, I immediately took her hand into mine while easing out of the parking lot. I double checked to make sure Brooklyn and Bri were right behind us so we could arrive at the same time.
“Shit,” she uttered when something started buzzing. Digging in her bag, she retrieved her phone.
“Daddy,” she tearfully answered. That was all it took for her to break down.
Taking the phone from her, I put it on speaker then addressed her father.
“This is Zeus, Mr. London. I’m takin’ Penelope to the hospital now.”
“Zeus,” he replied, “we’ve heard about you.” I couldn’t stop to gloat about the fact that Pen mentioned me to her parents. Instead, I listened to her father. “My wife and I are already on the way there. There wasn’t a flight leaving soon enough, so we’re on the road.”
“Okay, cool. We’ll be at the hospital waiting for you. If I get any information, you’ll be my first call.”
“Thank you,” he responded gruffly.
“It’s no problem. Penelope is safe with me, so y’all safe driving,” I assured. He thanked me again before we disconnected.
“I feel like I’m going to pass out,” Pen stated. I put the AC on full blast and pulled over to the side of the road.
Snatching her seat belt off, I pulled her shivering frame into my lap.
“Pen,” I crooned, cupping her chin and bringing her face to mine. Softly, I pecked her lips. I felt her heart pounding as she fought to control her breathing. Kissing her lips again, I smoothed my fingers down her face and shushed her. “You feel me holdin’ you?”
She nodded.
“You feel safe in my arms?”
Her head bobbed up and down.
“Gimme that worry and fear. Let me hold on to ‘em, aight?” I coaxed. Tears slipped from her closed eyelids as she hiccupped.
“Okay,” she whispered.
“I’m not givin’ ‘em back,” I stated, bringing a smile to her face.
“You’re so crazy.” She chuckled.
“A lil’ bit,” I responded with a tweak of her chin. “Let’s get up here to Naomi, aight?”
She blew out a deep breath. “Okay.”
I helped her back into the passenger seat, then eased back into traffic. This time, she took my hand. Firmly, she held it. Although her gaze followed the scenery outside her window, her fingers followed the veins on top of my hand as she sat quietly.
“You’re not over there worryin’, are you?” I questioned, breaking the silence.
She snickered and shook her head. “Nope. I gave it to you.”
Grinning, I sped up the road towards the hospital. Hopefully, Pen trusted my word because I was dead-ass serious. If I could’ve taken every one of her worries and fears and crushed those bitches, I would’ve. I vowed to. The best way for me to show her that I could be there for her wasto be there for her.Keeping my word wasn’t going to be hard because I truly liked Pen.
Hell. At this point, my ass was falling quick as fuck.
When we arrived at the hospital, I parked as close to the entrance as I could. I assisted Pen out of the truck and brought her into my arms.
“Look at me.” Gently, I turned her face towards mine. She’d been quiet the fifteen minutes it took to get there. I needed to make sure she was still straight. “Whenever you feel you need to, just climb into my arms, take my hand, or whatever gives you the most strength. That’s if I don’t recognize ya need for me, first. Understand?”
“I understand,” she softly replied.
