I hardly registered Dr. Amarillo’s arrival.
“Dad? Step up toward mom’s head while I insert the intervaginal sonogram. I want to check on the baby. If everything looks good, you both will be free to go.”
I did as she bade and stroked Sloane’s braids. With a moan, she relaxed against the pillows allowing the doctor to slip inside her with the wand with no discomfort. She probably didn’t realize how much tension had leaked out of her body right now. It was like my touch had done that to her. A swell of pride made my chest puff out.
“Everything looks wonderful. I don’t think the baby is in any distress, but Ms. Williams, you need to take it easy. Eat healthy. Drink water. Rest. Take your vitamins. And most importantly, relax. Stress is not good for you or the baby.”
She removed the equipment, cleaned up, and wrote some notes.
“Call me when you’re out for a follow up appointment.” She headed toward the door. “I’ll get them to begin your discharge.”
AS the doctor left, a nurse came into the room. I felt Sloane tense up as the woman neared the bed.
“I had to see it to believe it.” The nurse looked up and down at us like we were pieces of shit. “I didn’t even know you were pregnant. Last I heard, you were missing.”
“Excuse me?” I warned.
The bitch looked at me and shrugged. “It’s a small town. People talk.” She then addressed Sloane again. “Anyway, you may want to call your people. They’ve been worried over you.” With that little speech, the nurse left us alone in the room.
Sloane’s breathing became erratic. “They’re going to find me,” she whispered.
“No one is going to touch you,” I growled.
“You can’t promise me that,” she countered.
“I can and I just did. You are mine. Mine to protect. Are you not,malishka?”
“Yes,” she said on a shuddery sigh.
“Then let me protect you.”
“The baby,” she whispered.
“I will protect the baby too. Now rest. I got this.”
She nodded, but I could see her wide-eyed panic.
“Be a good girl for me. Close your eyes and rest,” I reiterated.
“Okay. Okay.”
I knew she was tired because, as I typed out text messages to get things organized, she easily went from meditative breathing to soft snores.
What the people of this town didn’t know was who the fuck I was, but they were soon going to find out.
???
Two more ofmy men had already arrived by the time we received the discharge papers. They followed closely as Sloane was wheeled to the entrance.
On our way through the waiting room, a massive man looked up and our gazes met. His lashes were red rimmed. He’d either been partying too hard or had been crying. I didn’t care either way. However, he then looked at Sloane, who was oblivious to him as she chattered with the person pushing her wheelchair, and his eyes widened. He stood up slowly but then noted my obviously armed men and stopped himself.
I shook my head and smirked. I could already tell I was going to have to burn this bitch town the ground.
He tilted his head at me, as if I would be intimidated that he noticed me.
Just to fuck with him, I brought my phone out and snapped a photo.
He narrowed his gaze, and tensed like he wanted to do something, but he was too much of a pussy to actually act. I could tell this fucker was thinking if only he had his brothers with him, he would show me.