“I heard that,” Jeff growled, a vein bulging in his forehead. His thick white hair practically stood on end. Then he went very still—which, from him, was somehow worse than shouting.
“Easy, guard dog,” Ford said. “You can kill him once he’s recovered.”
The corner of Jeff’s mouth moved. Almost. “Ford, we can’t park in front of the hospital. A bunch of Dupreesclimbing out of a vehicle will make a scene. So when you get there, drop Griffin and his parents at the curb, and then head around back. The rest of us will go in through the gastroenterology wing.”
“Got it,” Ford said.
“Blue and Liam?” Jeff said.
“Here,” Liam chimed in from Sophie’s phone.
“Listening,” Blue said from Maddie’s phone.
“I need you two to play a zone defense and cover the front of the hospital. At least one person needs to be planted at every entrance, but you’re the last line of defense in case Juliette gets past them. You two are my fastest, except for Blaze?—”
“Hey!” Belle protested from Peyton’s car. “I’m faster than Blaze.”
“Not even close.” Blaze scoffed, also from Peyton’s car.
They broke into a squabble.
Blue and Peyton both shouted, silencing them.
“And Belle.” Jeff exhaled. “Sheesh. Girl. Have some patience.”
Belle scoffed. “Didn’t your momma ever tell you, ladies first?”
“Not the time,” Blue barked.
“I apologize,” Jeff said. He was a big softie for the women in the family. “Belle and Blaze, you cover the back. Remember, last line of defense. You cannot let Juliette get past you. You hear me?”
“Don’t worry about us,” Blaze said. “We both know how to tackle.”
“No tackling!” I shouted.
“Are you trying to kill her?” Blue said like,don’t y’all know anything. “The woman gave birth yesterday.”
Four minutes later, Ford dropped me, Mom, and Dad at the edge of the hospital parking lot. Behind us, James hoppedout of Ashton’s van. Then the cars took off for the back of the building.
As we speed-walked, my eyes were everywhere—scanning every car, every shadow, every face—searching for my ex-wife.
“I don’t see her,” James said under his breath.
I didn’t either, but I tried not to let it get to me.
A handful of people sat in the waiting room. None of them was Jules. The man working at the information desk directed us to the birthing center. Two minutes later, we stopped in front of Suite 107.
Or I stopped. The rest of them stumbled into my back.
“Sorry.” I pressed a hand to the door. “I need a second.”
“Take your time,” Mom said, though I knew she was dying to see her new grandson.
I took one more breath and pushed open the door.
Chapter Forty-Six
JULIETTE
