Jessica’s eyes were drawn to movement down the hall. She inhaled sharply and bit her lip to keep from screaming in fright just as another contraction started. She’d recognize that hateful, frightening profile anywhere. She still saw it in her nightmares. Tank squatted down in front of her and whispered, “Honey, I’m going to lift you, okay?”
Reaching for an anchor, protection from her greatest horror, she grabbed Tank’s biceps as he carried her forward and whispered, “He’s here. He’s found me. Help me!” The contraction gripped her and she couldn’t stop the howl that erupted from her. The contraction was so powerful she couldn’t speak and the urge to push was too great.
Tank laid her on the bed, and he and Troy both were obviously confused by her words. Lydia looked at her with horrified eyes and asked, “Dornan? He’s here? Right now?”
Unable to speak, she only nodded and cried out as she gave in to the urge to push. Lydia whispered frantically to Tank and he rushed to the door and pushed it closed. Tracey barreled back through it and said, “Jessica, we have to keep the door open for now, I’ll pull the curtain—
“Shh!” Lydia said, frantically waving hands at Tracey to be quiet and pulling her in the room. While she draped Jessica with a sheet, and helped her remove the maternity pants she’d been wearing, Lydia explained the situation to her and the guys. Tracey’s eyes got big and several colorful expletives came from her in hushed whispers as they got her up to speed.
Tank and Troy nodded when Lydia had finished explaining and looked ready to go to war. Jessica knew she’d probably regret having to share that story with them later, but they were here and she needed their help. At least they didn’t stare at her with shocked pity like so many had the year before when she’d been brought into the hospital for treatment and they’d discovered that she was pregnant. The next contraction seized her and the worry was forced into the back of her mind. Her main focus now was getting her baby into the world.
As she moved around the room getting everything set up while keeping an eye on Jessica, Tracey said, “Son of a bitch. I let in a flower delivery right as the four of you came in. I’m so sorry. I thought he was taking flowers to Grace Warner’s room.”
The four of them reacted with wide eyes and Tracey stopped speaking, her mouth gaping for a second, before she held up a hand. “Okay. He never would’ve got past the metal detectors if he had a gun. You,” she said, pointing at Tank. “You stand guard outside that door. You don’t let anyone in who isn’t wearing a hospital identification badge. You.” She pointed at Troy. “Guard the door from this side. Are either of you family?”
Tank and Troy looked at each other and Jessica noted their reluctance as they shook their heads negatively, and Tank said, “No, but we’ll be damned if some lunatic is going to get to Jessica or her baby.”
Tracey nodded as though satisfied. “Awesome. We’re going to put that sentiment to the test. But since you’re not family,” she finished her statement by swishing the privacy curtain between them and Jessica. Tracey went back to her and said, “You ready to do this, hon?”
Jessica nodded as she caught her breath. “Ready.”
Lydia had her phone to her ear and then said, “Emma is in the elevator.” Tracey relayed which room they were in and Lydia passed the information on. “She’s peeking out. She says everything looks normal.” She turned her attention back to the phone. “Emma, no. He’s up here with us. Stay there. Shit. You’re crazy, woman.”
Seconds later, Emma breezed in past the curtain, slipping her phone into her pocket, a smile plastered on her face. She dropped her bag and her purse on the chair and turned to scrub her hands at the sink. She looked at the curtain. “Is the door closed?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Troy said through the fabric.
Emma said, “The lights are off in Grace’s room and the blinds are drawn. Call Hank Stinson. Tell him we may have a hostage situation. At the very least, he needs to get here to find that son of a bitch now that he’s finally surfaced.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m on it.” Troy’s voice softened as he connected with the sheriff’s department and explained why he was calling.
Emma checked Jessica’s pulse and listened to her heart. “I wonder how he found you.”
Drenched in cold sweat, Jessica shook her head, not knowing. “I don’t know if I can do this, Emma.”
Emma went to work, putting on gloves and examining her internally while Tracey worked around her, lowering the end of the bed to give Emma greater access. “You’re going to do great. Push with the next contraction, hon.”