Page 74 of Derecho

Greg’s dad is here! What do I do?

What the fuck?! I got out of the truck, slamming the door shut as I moved toward the entrance. I didn’t even have time to stop and think about walking back in to a place I’d been terrified of for the last three years. I just needed to get to them.

A security officer standing next to the registration desk immediately caught my eye.

“Sir, are you here to see a patient? Visiting hours aren’t for⁠—”

“You!” I growled as I pointed to the security guard, ignoring the check in clerk. “I need you to come with me. My…”

Christ. How should I phrase this? Ah, fuck it. I was going to lie, and lie big to protect her. “My wife has a restraining order against her ex. His father is here on the maternity floor harassing her. I need your help.”

Luckily for me, the guy listened, and took off straight for the stairwell.

Why maternity had to be on the third floor of the hospital was beyond my comprehension, but adrenaline was running so strongly through my veins, I barely noticed the pain crawling up my leg with each rushed step I was taking. I just needed the damn leg to get me to her. I could rest once I knew she was okay.

Fighting for my life against the stitch in my side as we reached the third floor, I watched as the security guard swiped his card and rushed into the maternity wing. I tried to keep up, leaning more and more desperately on my cane.

“What room is your wife in?”

“220!” I shouted, pointing to the sign showing the direction we needed to go down the long hallway.

By the time I made it into the room, my vision was red with fury. That prick was in a business suit, standing in front of Lainey’s bed while she held onto the baby, tears streaming down her face.

“What’s all this commotion for?” I recognized Greg’s dad immediately, crossing his arms like he couldn’t see that Lainey looked to be about ten seconds away from passing out.

“Ma’am, is this man bothering you?” the security guard asked.

“Bothering her? Are you kidding me?” He scoffed. “Let me see that ID badge so I can take down your name. I sit on the board of this hospital!”

“Yes,” Lainey whispered, clearing her throat as she squared her shoulders. “He’s bothering me. He needs to leave. Please.”

“Lainey. You need to be reasonable. I’m not asking for much. And our family is willing to give so much more than you deserve.”

“Leave, Joseph. I want nothing from you. The baby isn’t for sale. Just leave me alone.”

What the fuck?! When he didn’t move away from her, I snapped.

“Get out,” I growled, my grasp on my cane so strong my joints ached. I moved quickly, putting myself at the foot of her bed so Lainey and the baby were tucked safely behind me.

“Sir, please come with me.” The security guard now had his hand on Joseph’s arm.

Greg’s asshole of a dad narrowed his eyes at me, lingering a little too long on my cane for my liking. I had half a mind to beat him with it, but I knew that wouldn’t solve anything. Lainey needed him gone, and the security guard was seeing to it.

“Remember, Lainey. It’s an offer. But the offer is only good for so long.”

A young nurse rushed into the room as soon as Joseph was escorted out. “I’m so sorry that happened. Someone should have asked on arrival if there was anyone who needed to be excluded from entry,” she said, checking over the machine Lainey’s IV was hooked into.

“They did,” Lainey whispered, her eyes still on the baby. “I just put Greg’s name down. I didn’t think about his father…They always get what they want.”

“Lain?”

She shook her head. “I’d like to be discharged now.”

“Ms. Calloway, we really do recommend that you stay for at least twenty-four hours of observation following the birth of your child.”

“I understand. But I’m not safe here. And neither is this baby. Please tell Dr. Witten that I’d like him to work on the discharge paperwork.”

The nurse nodded. “You’ll be leaving against medical advice, hon. This may affect how much of your hospital bill your insurance will cover.”