Chad smirked at Trenton, trying to push his buttons. He needed to hit someone, but he wasn't going to throw the first punch and have Bree all over him when she woke up – and she would wake.
Trenton took a menacing step forward and Chad felt his adrenaline kick in. It had been a while, but he'd been on many combat missions, and fighting was second nature to him.
"I don't think so, boys," Jennifer called out as she stepped between the two men. "Last time I checked, you were both adults," she snapped.
"This piece of crap violated my sister," Trenton snapped. His wife glared his way and he instantly backed down. It almost made Chad smile.
"Your sister isn't a child, Trenton and this isn't the eighteenth century. If they made love, it was a mutual decision, plus none of your business," Jennifer continued.
"But … " Trenton tried to speak, but Jennifer interrupted again.
"There is no, but. They have to work this out on their own, and like it or not, it looks like your sister made her choice and this is the father of your niece or nephew. Do you really want to start a relationship with a fistfight?"
It looked to everyone like that's exactly what Trenton wanted to do.
"As much as I'd like to deck you right now, Redington, my wife has a point. What the hell happened? You were supposed to be guarding her, not seducing her."
"That's none of your business," Chad snapped, frustrated that he wasn't going to get the fight he so desperately wanted. Trenton growled something, then started pacing the halls.
"I need air," he snapped, heading for the doors.
"I'm not thrilled about this but Jennifer's right. Bree is a big girl and can make her own decisions. I'm warning you, though, if you leave my sister high and dry, there won't be a woman around to protect you," Austin said.
"I'd let you kick my ass if I did that to her," Chad said, meaning it. He was ready to take her to the courthouse right then. She carried his child; he would take care of her.
The men stared at each other for several moments and Austin must have seemed happy with what he saw because he surprised everyone when he clapped Chad on the back as he walked by. It seemed he had at least one of the brother's approval.
It didn't take long for the news to spread through the family. After the shock wore off, everyone went into planning mode. Hopefully she woke up soon because they now had two irreplaceable people lying helpless in the bed.
***
Bree cracked her eyes open and felt instant terror. She was choking. She couldn't breathe, and her head was pounding. Where was she? Why were wires tugging on her arms? She forced her eyelids further open and glanced around the small room that had a beeping monitor next to her head.
Her heart accelerated and the machine started making a high pitched sound. Her only thought was that she was in danger and had to get away. She didn't know how she'd gotten into the room.
"It's okay, Ms. Anderson. You're okay," a woman said as she stepped up next to her. Who was Ms. Anderson? Was that her? She didn't know who she was. Panic flared even more as she started thrashing around in the bed, the wires connected to her felt like chains.
"You have to calm down. We're going to give you something to help. We aren't trying to hurt you," the woman spoke in a calm manner. Bree didn't believe her. Danger! There was danger. She didn't know why or how, she only knew she was unsafe.
"Call the doctor now, and notify her family," the same woman said to someone else, and the person quickly left the room.
The woman poked a needle into one of the wires hanging from her arm, while a man held her hands down so she couldn't unplug herself. She felt an instant calmness wash over her. She was still fearful, but the panic was ebbing.
"Where am I? Who are you?" she croaked, the words hurting her throat. She winced. The door opened again and a man walked in. He quickly glanced her way and their eyes locked together. She felt like she should know him, but she didn't.
"Bree?" he asked questioningly, like he didn't know if it was her. She looked at him blankly. Was he talking to her?
"Bree, you're awake," he practically shouted as he stepped forward. She flinched when he reached down and brushed the hair from her face.
"It looks like she may have amnesia. We've called for the doctor," the woman said when Chad looked at her.
"Hi Bree, I'm Dr. Bailey. I know you're a little scared right now, but I'm going to see if I can help you, okay?" the man said. Bree nodded her head, reassured by the tone of his voice. He slowly approached the bed and started checking her vitals while continuing to ask her questions.
After about twenty minutes, the door opened again and more strangers stepped inside. Bree turned toward the doctor, not knowing what she should do or say. The room was too crowded – too many strangers.