Page 27 of Daisy Chain
“Yes. Her name’s Remi.”
“That’s a beautiful name.”
A moment later, Evan and Lincoln come back into the room. Sally barrels in behind them.
“Oh, thank God you really are up here delivering a baby.” She holds a hand to her chest and breathes a sigh of relief. After everything that’s happened, I forgot about Sally. “I thought you’d gotten kidnapped and used for human sex trafficking.”
“She threatened security she’d call the cops and have the club shut down if they didn’t tell her where Daisy was,” Lincoln explains with a chuckle, like there’s no way she could have that happen.
“It worked, didn’t it, because I’m here?” She huffs with indignation.
I smile at Lincoln’s disgruntled expression.
“There is a van and a nurse a few minutes away. They’ll bring up a stretcher for you,” Evan explains to Natasha.
While we wait for her transport, no one has much to say. Evan checks Natasha’s blood pressure and then listens to Remi’s heart with a stethoscope. We all stand around watching like they’re an exhibit at the zoo. Finally, after the awkward waiting, her transport and nurse arrive, and they move Natasha and the baby onto the stretcher and get them comfortable.
“I’ll come and see you in the morning. If you need anything before then, Daphne has my number. Call me anytime.” He points to the nurse.
“Thanks, and thank you for your help,” Natasha says.
“It was my pleasure,” Evan smiles.
Evan rubs his hand down my arm. “You were excellent help. You should come work for me,” he jokes.
From my peripheral vision, Kade takes a step toward us, and Lincoln puts a restraining hand on his shoulder. “I had no idea what I was doing.” I laugh nervously.
“Well, you did good. Natasha was lucky to have you by her side.”
Natasha is rolled out of the room into an elevator. We all pile in, my back so dangerously close to Kade’s chest, I can feel heat pulsating from him. I lock my knees, stopping myself from leaning back into him. When we get to the bottom, the doors open up to an underground parking lot. Evan picks up his doctor’s bag from the end of the stretcher and turns to me. “I can take you home now.”
“Can Daisy come home with me, please?” Natasha asks with a pleading expression.
“You have Daphne with you now. She’s a midwife. She’s going to help you,” I remind her.
“I know, but I really want you.” Her eyes fill with tears. I was with her through the delivery, so maybe she needs the comfort of someone familiar.
“Sure, I’ll stay with you tonight.” It’s the least I can do for a young girl who’s probably terrified about her future.
Kade approaches Evan. “Send me the bill for all this.”
“I have it covered. I don’t need your money. Never have,” Evan says tersely. Evan kisses my cheek. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay.” The smile I give him feels stiff as I take in the fierce expression on Kade’s face.
“Sally, I’ll take you home,” Evan offers.
“Thanks,” she says, then to me she adds, “I’ll talk to you later.” And by later, I know I’ll get a phone call as soon as she gets home. She’ll want to know everything that’s happened.
“Is there room for me to ride in the van?” I ask Daphne.
“I’m sorry, there isn’t.”
“I can take you before I drop Sally home,” Evan offers.
Kade sidles up beside me. “She’s coming home with me.”
***
