Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Red
“ M att.” I hear a slight whisper of my name and I pull my eyes from our son to Nadia. The beeping of the monitors screeches out as Nadia’s hand goes limp in mine.
“Doc, somethings wrong!” I shout, trying to shake Nadia.
“Move!” Amber shoves me out of the way and drops Nadia’s bed. “She’s going into shock. Get these two out of here!”
Kensi and I are shoved out of the room and the door slams shut before we even know what’s happening. Bells and whistles are loud and nurses are running toward us. I step aside and pull Kensi with me before someone runs her over.
“What’s happening, Red?” Kensi asks. Aftermath, Capone and Blayze come charging down the hallway, trying to figure out what’s happening.
“I don’t know, Kensi.” I run my hands through my hair and I do something I haven’t done in a long time. I drop to my knees and I pray to God he doesn’t take Nadia or my son away from me. I don’t get up off the floor even after Aftermath pulls Kensi away. I don’t take my eyes off the door my Ol’ Lady and son are behind. I don’t stop praying and hope they’ll be ok.
Doctor Amber comes out of the room a little while later, removing her mask. “Matt?”
I stand up quickly and Capone is right by my side, giving me the support I need. “How is she?”
“Her body went into shock and she started hemorrhaging. She is stable and we’re taking her upstairs to perform a D and C.”
“Can I see her?”
“For a moment. We have her sedated for surgery.”
Doctor Amber leads me into the room and I hurry to Nadia’s bedside. I grab her hand tightly and look across the room at our son. The first thing I notice is his hair. It’s not fiery red like mine, but a softer red with hints of blonde. A mixture of both of us. He’s in a big tube-like bed with a tube inserted in his nose., alert and looking around. He’s so tiny compared to all the things they have him hooked up to.
“Pulchra,” I push Nadia’s blonde hair off her forehead and lean over and kiss her on the head. “I’m here. Our son is here. Please fight with everything you have.” Tears roll down my face and I don’t care who sees. “We need you, Nadia. I can’t do this alone.” I press my lips to Nadia’s cheek. “I love you until the end of time.”
“We need to get her upstairs and into surgery, Matt.” Doctor Amber informs me.
I wipe the tears rolling down my cheeks and look at the doctor. “Can I walk with you?”
She nods her head and I stand up, not letting go of Nadia’s hand. “We will be taking the little guy to the NICU once we get Nadia out of the room. It’s right down the hallway.” The nurses come in and wheel Nadia out. I’m torn between being there to move my son and keeping Nadia in my sight for as long as I can.
“Go with her Red. We’ve got the newest little Bastard.” Capone nods, taking the decision away from me.
“Keep a close eye on him until I can come back, please.” I plead.
“We’ll guard him like he’s our own son. He’s a Royal Bastard. Go, we’ve got this.” Capone answers.
“Thank you, Prez.” I still have a hold of Nadia’s hand as we wheel her into the elevator and it begins its ascent. I lean over and kiss her on the forehead again. “Keep fighting, Pulchra. I’m right here with you the whole time.”
The elevator lurches to a stop and the doors whoosh open. The nurses wheel Nadia out and I follow until we reach a set of swinging doors that read NO UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS. “This is where we part, Matt. Feel free to wait in the room behind you or down in the NICU. I will find you as soon as the surgery is over.”
I release Nadia’s hand and kiss her one last time on the forehead. “I’ll be right here waiting for you, Pulchra. I love you.”
Doctor Amber and the nursing staff wheel Nadia through the swinging doors and I stand there feeling helpless and hopeless, wishing there was something I could do.
I’m not sure how long I stand here staring at the swinging doors, hoping and praying everything will be all right when there is a strong hand on my shoulder. I turn and see Aftermath standing next to me.
“Is she going to be all right?”
“I hope so. They didn’t say much, just that Nadia needed a D and C. I don’t even know what that is. How’s the baby?” Guilt eats away at me for choosing to stay with Nadia rather than check on him.
“He’s doing good. His vitals are strong and he’s responding to some tests they ran. He’s small but in very good health. Nadia did an excellent job protecting and nurturing him.” Aftermath answers.
“Good. Good.” I nod my head.
“Are you going to see him?”
“Yes. Will you stay here and guard this place? I don’t want Nadia unprotected for a minute.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Aftermath crosses his arms over his chest and stands in front of the swinging doors. “If anyone wants in, they’ll have to show credentials.”
“Thank you, Aftermath. With everything else going on, I don’t want either of them unprotected.” I sincerely mean it too.
“Nadia and your son are our priority right now. All of us will stand guard until Josiah is taken out.” Vengeance is strong in Aftermath’s voice. “Go see your son and I’ll keep an eye out here.”
I push the button to the elevator and step inside when the doors open. Once they close, I catch myself in the reflective mirror. I don’t feel any different, but the man staring back at me is someone I wouldn’t want to cross. He’s someone who will move heaven and earth to protect his family. Someone who will kill anyone who tries to take them away.
I find the NICU and see a wall of beefed up, tattooed bikers lined up looking through the window. I smile at all these burly men protecting my little family. I step next to my brothers and they part, letting me see my son.
I rest my hand on the glass and tears form in my eyes. He has a little blue hat on, covering his reddish blonde hair, lying in the incubator wrapped in a blanket. He is sound asleep with his little fist in his mouth.
“Isn’t he precious?” Kensi asks, resting her head on my arm.
“He is,” I respond.
“Have you and Nadia thought about a name yet?” Derange asks.
I shake my head. “We never talked about names.”
“How is she doing?” Kensi asks.
“She’s in surgery right now upstairs and Aftermath is watching the door, making sure she is safe. The doctor is supposed to get me when it’s done.” I keep my eyes on my son. My baby boy. I will move heaven and earth to keep him safe.
The pediatrician comes out to tell me that the baby will be in NICU for a few days while they monitor his temperature and his feeding tube. Once he can eat on his own and can hold his own body temperature, he will be ready to go home.
About a half hour later, Doctor Amber finds me still standing at the window into the NICU staring at my son. Capone, Blayze, Danyella, Monica and Kensi are still here keeping me company even though I haven’t said anything. Capone has updated everyone in the club on what’s going on and they’ll all be here soon to protect my son and Ol’ Lady. With Josiah stalking her, we are not taking any chances.
“She’s out of surgery and in recovery. It was a success. You can go up to see her now if you want.”
“Thanks, Doc.” I look at Capone and he nods his head.
“Go, we’ll look after him,” Capone confirms.
I follow Doctor Amber up to the recovery room and Aftermath is guarding it like a Pitbull. He’s not letting anyone in or out without his approval. He nods to Amber and opens the door like he owns the thing. I follow inside and see Nadia sleeping on the hospital bed. There are tubes and wires hooked up all over her. I don’t have a clue what they’re all for. Something I’m going to have to check up on when I have time. I want to know everything about what she went through. I make my way to the side of the bed and grab Nadia’s hand. It’s cold to the touch.
Nadia stirs a little before shifting her head to look at me. “Matt?” Nadia whispers.
“I’m right here.” I squeeze her hand gently warming it back up.
“What happened? How’s our son?” Nadia’s voice is groggy.
“He’s beautiful. I can’t wait for you to see him. He has reddish blonde hair and he has your nose.” I kiss Nadia on the side of the head. “You did great, Pulchra. You protected him and kept him safe.”
“That’s wonderful. I can’t wait to see him.” She looks around the room confused. “Why am I in here? The last thing I remember was a sharp pain and then everything went black.”
“Doctor Amber said you were hemorrhaging after delivering our son and they had to perform a D and C to get the bleeding to stop. You’re in post-surgery recovery.”
“We will be moving you to a private room as soon as you’re alert and able.” Doctor Amber comes over and checks Nadia’s vitals. “How are you feeling?”
Nadia scrunches her nose. “Tired, hungry, thirsty.”
“Any pain?” Nadia shakes her head.
“What do you want to eat? I’ll tell Aftermath to get it.” I ask.
“Why would Aftermath get it?”
“Cause he’s outside the door guarding it.”
“Why would he be outside the door?” Nadia’s brows scrunch like she’s trying to figure something out that niggling in the back of her mind. “Who’s all here?”
“We’ll talk about it later, Nadia. Get some rest and when you’re out of here, I’ll take you down to see our son.”
“Ok, Matt.” She pats my hand covering hers with her other hand. “You always take good care of me. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Pulchra. Rest and we’ll go see our son.” I kiss her on the head and Nadia lays her head back down.
They move Nadia out of the recovery room and into her own private room. A single bed, a T.V. mounted on the wall, a couple of dressers, a few chairs and a single recliner are the only furnishings in here. Looks like me and that recliner will be getting to know each other very well. Capone sent me a text earlier and said everyone but the babies, Jezebelle, Daisy, Seth and Pretty Boy are here. The hospital is on lockdown until we either catch Josiah or go home.
Nadia’s eyes are open and she’s looking around in full alert. Once she gets settled and the nurses leave, Nadia stares at me with those whiskey eyes that make me cave to every demand she has. “OK, you can tell me the truth now. Why was Aftermath guarding the door? And no Club business bullshit, Matt.”
I exhale a deep breath and settle into the recliner. “We have a lead on where Josiah is and Aftermath was protecting you while I went to see our son. Capone has Bones posted up on the NICU wing with other brothers spread out throughout the hospital. If anyone looks or acts suspicious, we are removing them from the premises.”
Nadia’s face pales slightly. “Where’s Josiah?”
“Stalking you.” I wince when I say this, not knowing if Nadia will go bat shit crazy or make my head spin crazy.
“That’s who was out there.” Nadia stares off in the distance and I perk up at her admission.
“That’s who was where Nadia?”
“At the Clubhouse. You were in your meeting and I needed fresh air. I walked the perimeter of the fence line and heard a twig snap, then I smelled his cologne. I ran back to the Clubhouse scared out of my mind and that’s when my water broke.”
I pull out my phone and dial Capone. He answers on the first ring. “He was there, Prez, at the Clubhouse.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Nadia just told me.”
“Ok, I’ll have Pretty Boy and Seth up security and I’ll send Trigger and Dagger back to search the grounds.” He hangs up before I can respond. “Capone is sending Trigger and Dagger back to search the grounds,” I inform Nadia.
I pick up my phone and dial Bones. He answers on the first ring. “Yeah, boss.”
“Do you have your laptop with you?”
“I do.”
“Give it to Kensi and have her bring it up here. I need to check a few things and need you to watch my son.”
“Roger that, boss.” Bones hangs up the phone and I refrain from rolling my eyes. That kid is going to be the death of me I swear.
“Have you thought about names for our son yet?” Nadia asks. She struggles to sit up in bed and I help her.
“I haven’t, have you?”
“I have.” Nadia blushes, something I’ve never seen her do.
“Well, what is it?”
“I was thinking we could name him Matthew Nolan Phillips. After you and my brother.” My jaw drops and I’m speechless. “That is if you want. I don’t want to pressure you into something you don’t want to do. I know you and Nolan don’t have the best track record.”
“Nadia,” I stop her rambling with a slow kiss. “I’d be honored to share my son’s name with Nolan. He’s not a complete asshole anymore.”
Nadia lets out a giggle and then a moan when I press my lips to hers again. A knock on the door has me pulling away from her delectable lips and I adjust the hardness in my jeans before answering the door. Kensi is on the other side with Bones’ laptop.
“Come in,” I open the door a little wider to let Kensi in. She enters handing me the laptop. I sit on the recliner and let the two of them catch up. I pull up the security feeds around the Clubhouse and rewind it back to the night Nadia went into labor.
My eyes feel gritty as I watch hours of endless video feed. It’s been days since I slept last and I have a feeling it’ll be longer before I can sleep again. The girls are talking quietly to each other while I stare endlessly at the footage. A shadow passes through the feed and I sit up. I slowly rewind and fast forward until his face appears on the screen.
Josiah.
He’s creeping around the fence, looking for a way in. I follow his movements and watch as he clips a piece of the fencing carefully. He stops what he’s doing and looks around. Satisfied no one is watching him, he squeezes his big body through a small hole and enters. Son of a bitch! I check the time and date on the screen and my heart stops.
I dial Capone with shaky fingers. I don’t even give him a chance to answer. “We’ve got a problem, Prez. He’s there now! Get everyone you can to the Clubhouse. I’ll call Playboy and let him know what’s happening.” I hang up the phone and dial Playboy.
He answers on the first ring, “What’s up, Red?”
“Playboy, where are you?”
“I’m at the Clubhouse.” He answers. I can hear his eyes roll through the phone.
“He’s there. Put everyone on lockdown and don’t let anyone in!”
“On it, Red.” Playboy hangs up the phone and I pace. Kensi and Nadia stopped talking and are watching me intently.
“Everything OK?” Nadia asks.
“No. Josiah is in the Clubhouse. Fuck!” I rake my fingers through my hair and tug.
Shit! I will not lose another person to this asshole. Waiting for word from Capone is driving me insane. I pace back and forth for several hours until my phone rings.
“Capone,” I answer in a half a ring.
“He’s gone,” Capone growls into the phone. “Everyone is safe but he isn’t here.”
Shit! I hang up the phone and squeeze it hard enough that I feel it bend in my grip. I dial Bones, who’s still guarding my son, but he doesn’t answer.
I dial Torch. “We’ve got a problem. Bones isn’t answering his phone and I can’t leave the girls.”
“Aftermath is on his way to you, I’ll go check on Bones and the baby.” Torch hangs up the phone.
I hope with everything I have, this will work and Nadia’s terror will come to an end.