Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Stella
One Week Later . . .
Never have I been so exhausted. Leaving the hospital after speaking with Isabelle’s OB/ GYN, who is also mine, I head for the clubhouse to give them the results.
Isabelle didn’t want to wait around to find out.
From what she said, she wanted my brother, Styxx, and Scythe with her.
I can’t blame her there. I’d want the same thing if I were in her shoes.
It doesn’t take long for me to make the drive, but being as tired as I am, it feels like it’s taking me more time than usual.
I pull into the parking area and scan the bikes, looking for Angel’s.
Not seeing it, I park and snag my phone from the passenger seat.
Unlocking the screen, I find the message thread I’m looking for.
Me: I’m at the clubhouse, are you going to be long?
Figuring he’s busy, I turn off my car and climb out with my phone still in hand. The device vibrates as I make it to the door. Stepping inside, I look at the screen and smile, seeing he responded back to me.
Angel: Handling club business, Love. Don’t know how long I’ll be, but I want you to stay there regardless.
Me: Okay, but you don’t have to be bossy. You could’ve said please, you know.
Shaking my head, I glance up and look around the clubhouse, spotting a few of the members of the club sitting around, PPs with them. Diablo and Beast spot me and jerk their chins up in greeting.
“You lookin’ for Angel, Doc?” Beast asks.
“No, I’ve already talked to him.” I wave my phone. “I’ve got to talk to my brother and Isabelle.”
“Kitchen,” Diablo states as one of the PPs slips onto his lap.
Though, I don’t miss the way he moves her back off him and stands.
“I think Styxx and Scythe are in there with them. Isabelle’s been makin’ cookies.
” He moves through the room, heading to the back.
The PP who he ditched shoots me a glare.
Oh goody. I get the slut-glare. Great. Just want I need. Skanky hoes glaring at me for no damn reason.
With a wave to Beast, I leave him to it and head for the kitchen. My ears are instantly assaulted by booming laughter as I push the door open.
“Don’t you dare touch any more of the dough, you big jerk. Keep eating it, and I won’t have any of the cookies I want for myself,” Isabelle snaps, giggling and slapping at Styxx.
“What can I say? Stuff tastes damn good.” Scythe grins, swiping his finger through the bowl and bringing it up to his lips.
“You know if that has raw egg in it, you shouldn’t eat it,” I chastise using my doctor’s voice.
“It doesn’t, they’re egg-free.” Styxx chuckles. “Recipe belongs to our mom and we gave Isabelle her cookbook, figuring she would like it. Our aunt was more than happy to pull it out of the storage unit for us when we asked.”
“That was nice of you.” I smile. The fact they would do that for their sister is sweet.
I glance at my own brother and nod, clearing my throat.
“I have the results for you all.” The tension that fills the room at my announcement is nearly thick enough to choke on.
Swallowing past nerves threatening to take over, I push through.
“According to the ultrasound and the radiologist who Dr. Emiro and I consulted . . .” I look directly at Isabelle.
“Everything looks good, but you are missing a kidney along with your appendix.”
“What?” she murmurs quietly. “I don’t understand.”
“I don’t either, but don’t worry. You’re fine and everything will be okay. Dr. Emiro will keep an eye on you through the pregnancy, and you have nothing to worry about. You have the best medical care you can get,” I say, trying to sound reassuring as possible.
“All they took is a kidney?” Asher asks, pulling Isabelle into his front.
“Far as we can tell from the ultrasound, but with Isabelle pregnant, we don’t want to risk running any other tests. Jeopardizing her and the baby’s health is the last thing we want.”
“Thank you, Twinkle,” my brother says sincerely.
“No problem.” I barely contain my yawn. Working the past week straight on twelve-hour shifts has left me truly exhausted.
I’m fairly certain Angel hasn’t enjoyed the amount of time I’ve spent at the hospital.
One of the other doctors was in an accident, and she’s out recuperating.
“I’m going to go take a nap in Angel’s room since he’s informed me that I’m to stay here. ” I finish by rolling my eyes.
“Get some rest,” Isabelle says, giving me a genuine smile. “I’ll try and save you some of these cookies.”
“Okay.” Laughing, I leave them and head back out of the kitchen, more than ready to find Angel’s room and stretch out on his bed.
I make it to Angel’s room without any problems, only to open his door and find Juniper sitting on the side of the bed, strapping up her heels, her hair mused.
“What are you doing in here?” I demand before I can stop the words from slipping out.
Taking her time to stand, she straightens out her dress and hair—not that it makes a difference—and leers at me maliciously. “What’s it look like I’m doing here?” she asks, throwing my question back at me while propping her hand on her hip.
“Don’t even try playing these coy games with me. I already know Angel’s not here, so you obviously weren’t with him. So, I’ll ask again, what are you doing in here?” I hate childish games, and it seems Juniper doesn’t like the fact Angel didn’t want her and instead chose me.
“Are you sure about that?” Juniper cocks her head to the side ever the slightest. “I believe it was him that I was with not even an hour ago. He left maybe thirty minutes ago, saying he’s got things to do and told me to take my time.”
My heart skips a beat for a split-second doubt trying to slip in, but I know women like Juniper. And I trust Angel.
“Get out of here, Juniper,” I grind out, not wanting to get into some catfight bullshit with her.
“Whatever,” she says, brushing her hair over her shoulder. “Just so you know, he was so good. You must not be putting out for him like he needs.” With that she sashays out of the room.
It’s all I can do not to wretch her hair back and slam her face into the wall. Looking back at the bed, nausea rolls through me, and it’s all I can do not to run to the bathroom and throw up.
“I can’t stay here,” I murmur to myself, shaking my head. I trust Angel, but this is too much. I don’t know what happened in that bed and knowing I found her there, keeps trying to sink doubt into my mind.
Turning on my heels, I don’t bother closing the door and walk down the hall, through the main room, and out to my car.
I don’t waste time starting the motor and putting the car in gear. Without thinking, I drive home on autopilot. Taking the last curve on the long stretch that the clubhouse is on, I let out a scream, unable to stop what is happening.
Metal crashing. My car spinning. Everything goes dark as I pray someone finds me soon.