Page 94 of Savage Little War

“The doctor will probably tell me he’s just running out of room and send me home,” she says with a forced laugh.

“You’re doing the right thing,” I assure her. “Sean’s with me. We’ll meet you at the hospital.”

“Okay, we’re going inside now. See you soon, okay?” Cara’s voice cracks at the end and I know she’s trying her best to be strong, so I won’t lose my shit.

“See you soon. Everything is going to be fine, milaya. Do you hear me?”

“Uh-huh.” Now she’s sniffling.

“I love you,” I tell her.

“I love you too,” she replies before ending the call.

“Fuck!” I exclaim just as the elevator arrives. Sean and I rush on and hit the button for the lobby.

“Cara’s in labor?” Sean asks while I text my driver to tell him to get his ass to the front door.

“No. She’s worried about the baby. He wasn’t moving as much…” I tell him, then swallow around the lump in my throat.

“Oh. Well, I bet he’s just sleeping more, saving up his energy for the big day, yeah?” Sean says, his voice strained.

“I hope that’s all it is,” I tell him.

Neither of us say another word as we ride down and wait for Arman. It’s only a few minutes, but it feels like years go by as I keep an eye on my phone for any updates from Cara.

“Get us to the hospital as fast as possible. Run every light you can,” I tell Arman when we throw open the doors and climb into the SUV.

“Yes, sir,” he says in understanding.

Only once we’re heading toward the hospital do I finally take a breath.

“I’ll send some of my men to the hospital,” Sean says as he types on his phone.

“Oh, right. I didn’t even think…”

Things have been calmer but that doesn’t mean we can afford to let our guard down, especially not when it comes to the safety of my wife and son.

“You’ve got more important things on your mind.”

“Right,” I agree just as an incoming call comes in. “It’s Leo,” I mutter. “Tell me she’s okay.”

“How far away are you?” he asks instead of answering my question.

Shit.

“Drive faster!” I direct Arman then tell Leo, “Ten minutes or less. Why? What’s happening?”

“You need to get here fast, Dmitri! They’re taking Cara back for an emergency C-section.”

“A fucking C-section?” I exclaim and Sean’s face goes pale. “Why?”

“Something about the baby’s heart rate being too low. All I know is they didn’t waste any time. Cara begged for her phone, but they said they needed to get her into surgery…”

Jesus. She must be terrified. Alone and terrified.

“Tell them to fucking wait!” I demand, grabbing onto the passenger seat’s headrest as Arman speeds through a turn. “I’m on my way. We’re almost there!”

“I’m sorry, Dmitri but they can’t wait any longer!” Leo replies.