Chapter 98
NINETY-EIGHT
ANSON
Iwas going to throw up.
Bianca had gone into labor two weeks early. The doctors said it was normal with twins and not to worry.
But the labor wasn’t progressing as it should, and they were taking her to have a C-section. We’d been in the hospital for hours, it felt like, and I’d listened to her cry out with each contraction as she clung to my hand.
“It’ll be OK,” I said, kissing her forehead.
“C-Call Dom and Fallon. Please. I’m scared,” she choked out as we waited for the staff at the hospital to come get her for the surgery.
I pulled my phone out and requested a video call from Dom. He answered immediately.
“Bianca is in labor,” I said.
Dom’s face visibly paled. “Is she OK?”
“They’re going to do a C-section. I’m here with her.”
“Let me… please…”
I handed Bianca the phone as she wept, repeating his name.
I stepped out of the room to give her some privacy. This sucked. He should be here for this. I had no idea what would happen now, but it wasn’t like I had long to wait because Matteo strode toward me as he exited the elevator.
“Father,” I greeted him tensely.
“Alessandro.” He glanced at Bianca’s closed door.
Fuck, I hope he didn’t go in to find her talking to the kings.
He smoothed his tie. I looked past him to see Alessio at a vending machine.
“How is she?” Matteo asked. A flicker of concern passed over his face, but he quickly schooled it.
“Uh, she’s OK. I needed a break. They’re taking her for a C-section. They should be here any minute.”
“Plans for the children?” He stared me down.
“Take them home, and I’ll raise them with her.”
“No.” He shook his head. “Get rid of them.”
“I’m sorry. What?” I asked, my anger simmering.
“It is not safe. I don’t care what you do with them, but they cannot exist.”
“You want me to kill them?” I snarled, glaring at him.
“Listen to me. I have put off Carmine as long as I can. He will come. He will bring Francesca. It is imperative that those babies be nowhere near. You do not want those children marred by those monsters. They love newborns. Do you understand?” The way he said that sent chills up my spine.
I swallowed hard. He was telling me to get rid of them. Make them disappear. I got it.
“OK,” I replied. “I’ll do it. I’ll see to it that they don’t exist.”
I hated saying the words. They were disgusting. This would devastate Bianca, but I’d do what needed to be done.
“Anything on Rosalie? You said Klaus had a lead.”
Matteo sighed. “Turned up a dead end.”
“Fuck.” I tightened my hands into fists. “If Everett has her—”
“He will die.” He paused. “Alessandro, we do need to speak.”
“About what?” I rubbed my eyes.
“The Rosalie situation. Klaus cares for her. I have never seen him so… desperate.”
My stomach churned. I was aware of his feelings. I said as much.
“He loves her,” I mumbled.
“It is what I fear,” Matteo answered. “She needs to leave. You need to ensure her safety. Klaus has other things he needs to do before he can even consider love. He is not ready.”
“Where is this all going?” I asked, glancing back at Bianca’s room. She likely needed me. “Just… give me a minute, OK? I need to check on her.”
“Of course. I will wait here.”
I opened the door and stepped inside to find Bianca still talking to Dom and the guys.
“Hey,” I said softly. “Matteo is outside the door. I-I can’t hold him off forever.”
She wiped her tears and nodded. “O-Oh. Dominic… Fallon. I-I love you. I love you Vinny. Levin.”
They responded in kind, both Dom and Fallon sounding so helpless. It broke my fucking heart. She handed me my phone.
“Hey, I’ll keep you guys updated,” I said. “I promise. I need to talk to you. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can, OK?”
“Keep her safe. Please. I-I couldn’t handle something happening to her or the babies.” Dom’s voice shook, his face filled with turmoil. “I should be there. We should be there. This is so fucked!”
“It’ll be OK. I swear it will. We’ll talk soon.”
“OK.” Dom visibly swallowed as Fallon swore in the background. “Promise me.”
“Promise,” I murmured, meaning it.
He disconnected the call, but I could tell he was crying. I hated that for him. He was a hard ass, but he sure as shit loved Bianca.
I made to pocket my phone, but it rang, Sylar’s name on the front.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Archangel. I have something for you,” Sylar said.
“What? Do you have her?”
“In a manner of speaking. You can have her, too. You need to meet me in exactly one hour or deal’s off.”
“What?” I snarled. “Where? I-I’ll send the horsemen—”
“Only you can retrieve her,” he cut in. “It was a deal she made with Church. You’ve heard how he can be with his deals, right?”
“Sylar, Bianca is in labor—”
“One hour. Choose, Alessandro. Bianca or Rosalie. Duty or love. Your choice.” He disconnected the call. I swore softly as my phone buzzed again with an address.
“Is everything OK?” Bianca called out.
I went to her. No sense lying. “No. I-I have to choose. You or Rosalie.”
She blinked at me. “You already chose. Go to her, you idiot.” She winced and clutched her stomach as another contraction came through.
I gripped her hand as she breathed through it. When it was over, she looked at me. “Go, Anson. She loves you. You love her. There is no question here. I-I’ll be OK. I-I…”
“Bianca,” I whispered. “I have to protect you and the babies, too.”
“I have faith you’ll be back to do that. Go to her. She’s the one you’re supposed to marry. No offense, but I already have Dom, who is overbearing and protective. I don’t think I need another one.”
I laughed softly at that. She was telling me to fuck off.
“I will come back. I promise.”
“I know.”
I kissed her forehead fiercely before pulling away.
I left the room and met Matteo in the hall with Alessio.
“I have to go,” I said.
“Where?” Matteo asked, frowning at me.
“Rosalie. I-I’m going to get her. Bianca… Please…”
“Go,” Matteo said firmly. “I will handle Bianca.”
“Father. She’s scared. Please don’t hurt her or the babies—”
“How little you know me,” he murmured, stepping away from me. “Alessio, let Klaus know I’ll be with Bianca. Keep watch. You know the drill.”
Alessio inclined his head as Matteo looked back at me.
“You love Rosalie. Do not be a fool, Alessandro. Go get your woman.” He opened the door without waiting for me to say a word and disappeared into Bianca’s room.
Fuck.
I had to trust him.
“Have some faith, Archangel,” Alessio said, giving me a small smile. “Drake is on his way.”
“H-He is?”
“He is. He will be with her for the birth. Matteo is simply keeping her company until his arrival. It shouldn’t be long. He was on his way after I told him we needed another man at the hospital.”
“You know…?”
“Of course I do.” He chuckled. “He caves under pressure.”
“You didn’t tell Matteo?”
He smirked at me. “Go to Rosalie. All is well here.”
I nodded, my throat tight. I had to have a little faith. I rushed to the elevator and rode down to the lobby before dashing outside. Drake met me on the sidewalk, looking like he was freaking out.
“Bianca?” he choked out.
“In labor. You’re going in with her. They’re going to do a C-section,” I explained as fast as I could. “Matteo is sitting with her right now.”
“Fuck,” he said, scrubbing his hand down his face.
“I’ll be back. I’m going to get Rosalie.”
“You found her?”
“Yeah. I-I have to—”
“I know, man. Go. I’ll be here with my girl.”
“You two are OK?”
“No.” He looked sad. “But I’m working on it. Maybe this will help.”
“Maybe. Good luck.”
“You too.”
We said our goodbyes, and I got into my car, my heart in my throat as I looked at the address I was being sent to.
It was an apartment. A high-rise. One of the most prestigious areas to live.
I guess I was going to finally meet Dante Church.