While slowly stirring rice in a giant boiler, Alexandra said, “I’ll be the first to admit that Deacon has a very nice ass.” She threw a wicked glance at us over her shoulder. “Very firm when you grab or spank it, not to mention being very lickable.”
Rev groaned. “Do you mind? The last thing I want to hear is a description of my brother’s ass.”
While Kim and I laughed, Alexandra grimaced. The stirring spoon in her hand fell to the floor as she clutched her stomach. At her whimper, Kim, Rev, and I rushed forward.
“What’s wrong?” Kim demanded.
“I . . . I think my labor might be starting,” Alexandra replied in a hoarse whisper.
“But you’re not due for another three weeks,” Rev argued.
“Have you been having any back pain?” I asked.
Alexandra nodded. “A little. Not a whole lot more than usual.”
Kim’s eyes looked concerned as she asked, “Any blood?”
“Maybe a little in my underwear this morning.”
“Oh shit, you had your bloody show,” Kim replied.
“My what?” Alexandra questioned.
“It means you’re in labor. Hell, you’ve been in labor. God only knows how far you’re dilated.” Kim grabbed hold of Rev’s shoulder. “Go call Breakneck. Tell him to get his ass here ASAP.” She then turned to me. “Go find Deacon.”
When Alexandra cried out in pain again, I knew we were in trouble. Her contractions were coming pretty quickly. Although my scientific knowledge of birth was limited to animals, I knew from a few early anatomy courses that labor could take days or mere hours.
“Come on. Let’s get you to bed,” Kim instructed.
Once she recovered from the pain, Alexandra shook her head. “I need to get to the hospital.”
“Besides the fact you’re progressing way too fast, we’re on lockdown, sweetheart. You’re having this baby here.”
Alexandra’s dark eyes widened. “I want Deacon. Now.”
With a nod, I turned and fled the kitchen to find him. I had no idea where on the compound he might be. After glancing around the main room, I didn’t see him. At the back door, Archer was standing guard with Crazy Ace. “You guys seen Deacon?”
“Down at the warehouse.”
When I started past them out the door, Crazy Ace grabbed my arm. “Where the hell do you think you’re going? No women are allowed outside, least of all you.”
“I have to get Deacon,” I protested.
“We’ll get him. You wait here,” Crazy Ace replied.
“You better run like hell for him. Alexandra is in labor.”
Archer’s mouth gaped open. “Holy shit.” He glanced at Crazy Ace. “I’m faster. I’ll go get him.”
Crazy Ace nodded, and then Archer tore out the back door. The entire main room went silent as a tomb when Kim led a hysterical Alexandra out of the kitchen and down the hall to the bedrooms. Just when the conversation started up again, Deacon blew through the door.
He and I then raced across the main room and down the hall to his and Alexandra’s roadhouse bedroom. When he threw open the door, we found Alexandra stretched out on the bed, weeping uncontrollably, while Kim stood by, helplessly wringing her hands.
Deacon went to Alexandra’s side. “Babe, I’m here. It’s all right.” He took her hand in his and squeezed it.
Alexandra stared up at him. “I don’t want to do this here. We need to go to the hospital.”
Deacon’s expression grew grim. “We can’t. It’s not safe.”
“But it’s not safe to have this baby here. I need my doctor and nurses.”
“Breakneck will be here. He’s delivered lots of babies.”
“Please, Deacon. Don’t make me do this here.”
“Babe, I’m sorry, but we just can’t risk it. We’re already taking a huge risk getting Breakneck here,” Deacon argued.
Another contraction had Alexandra contorting her body in agony. When she recovered, tears streamed down her face, but she managed to shout, “I hate you!”
“Alex, please.”
She shook her head wildly back and forth. “You promised me that the club was going to go legit. You promised me that Willow and I and the baby would be safe. If anything happens to my son, I’ll never forgive you!”
Tears welled in Deacon’s eyes. “I’m sorry. Jesus, I’m so sorry.”
“Get out! Get out of my sight, you lying bastard!” When Deacon reached for her hand to try to calm her, she slung him away. “I said get out!” she screamed, then broke down into hysterical sobs, which were so hard they shook the bed.
With an expression of defeated agony, Deacon fled from the room, the door slamming behind him. Kim and I exchanged a look of horror, at a loss as to what we should do next. Although my experience was completely limited to animals, I knew it wasn’t good for Alexandra to be so emotional.
I went to her side and took her hand. “Alex, look at me.”
It took her a few moments to calm down enough to stare into my eyes. I held her gaze, stroking her forehead with my other hand. “It’s going to be all right. You’re going to be all right, and the baby is going to be all right.”
At my words and touch, her entire body seemed to relax. She sighed deeply and squeezed my hand. “Thank you, Annabel.”
Breakneck burst into the room, followed by Rev. The good doctor had his standard black medical bag, along with a rolling suitcase. I guessed he had raided the maternity ward at the hospital for all the necessary supplies.