Paradox: A Death Dealers MC Novella (Book 5.5)

by Alana Sapphire

  “Poor thing. I’ve pretty much kidnapped him. I don’t know why, but I feel better having him here.”

  “Well, whatever he’s doing, he needs to amp it up. 150 over 100 is not good, Raven.” I free her arm. “Do you have a headache?”

  “I did, but it’s getting better now.”

  “I may have to move you to the hospital if this keeps up. I don’t want to give you any medication without further testing. I know I’m asking for the world right now, but I think it’s best you talk to Gage.”

  “Why?” she demands, her voice loud enough to jolt Tek awake.

  “Because you can have this cleared up in one conversation. This is about your health and that of your babies.”

  “I know.” Her gaze drops to her belly. “I just can’t stand the sight of him right now. I’ll watch TV or something, get my mind off it.”

  Sighing, I pack my instruments back in the bag. “I’ll give you a couple hours. If it’s the same then, we’re heading to the hospital.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Dr. E.”

  “I’m uh… gonna get something to eat. You okay, First Lady?” Tek asks.

  “I’m good. Go. Thanks for staying with me.”

  “No problem.”

  I leave with Tek, finding Gage in the same position I left him. At least he’s eaten—the plate is empty and he’s now nursing a bottle of beer. He glances up at me, eyes hopeful. I shake my head, knowing he wants to find out if Raven will allow him inside.

  “Fuck!” He shoves the plastic plate away and it collides with the wall in front of him.

  Tek says nothing, making his way to the bar.

  “How is she? The babies?”

  “I’m giving her a few hours. If her blood pressure doesn’t come down, we have to take her to the hospital. Her age and this being her first pregnancy, plus having twins, all increase the risk of preeclampsia.”

  “What’s that?”

  “A problem we don’t need. The only way to treat it is delivering the babies.”

  “Fuck.” His eyes go wide in fear. “Could they make it?” His Adam’s apple bobs with the question.

  “They could be perfectly fine, but there could also be complications. I don’t want to play the what-if game.”

  “I’m going to kill that fucking bitch.”

  I watch his fingers tighten around the neck of the bottle, threatening to break it. As tough as he talks, I know he has a hard time killing women. The last time he had to do it, he made it quick, and that’s not like him. When a man does him wrong, they suffer first.

  “And then what happens to her son? You gonna take him in?”

  “Fuck!” he shouts, anger radiating from him. “Every fucking time I’m happy and things are going good, something happens to fuck with my life. I wish I never laid eyes on the bitch, let alone put my dick in her.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Once the test results come back, everyone will see her for the troublemaker she is, and she won’t show her face around here again.”

  “Fuck that. She put my wife and kids in danger, and that shit’s not gonna fly.” His eyes are focused on the wall before him as he takes a sip of his beer. “It’s time to let the Reaper out of his cage.”

  ***Ellen***

  A soft moan drifts into my ears, slowly pulling me from sleep. I crack a heavy lid open, wondering where it’s coming from. While adjusting to ease the ache in my back, there’s another sound. That’s when I remember Raven. My eyes snap open, quickly surveying the woman next to me. I fell asleep in her bed from fear of leaving her side in case something happened. Charger, who’s asleep in the chair Tek vacated, slowly wakes. Our eyes meet and he rushes to the side of the bed, dropping to his knees.

  “Is she okay?” he asks.

  “I don’t know. She was moaning.”

  His eyes are frantic as they move over her body, his hands frozen mid-air as if unsure what to do. He really cares for her. He’s been her de facto bodyguard since the beginning, and I know they grew close. Each of the men came in at one point or another during the night to check on her. She’s more than the president’s old lady, more than my sister-in-law; we all love her and can’t stand to see her hurt.

  She awakes with a jolt, hand flying to her stomach.

  “Raven?” My voice is filled with anxiety as I move to my knees.

  She groans, trying to sit up but falling back onto the pillows. Charger and I help her up, waiting for her to speak.

  “I’m fine, guys. Really.”

  “Are you sure? Maybe I should get Jon.”

  “That’s not necessary. I’m okay, just can’t get comfortable.”

  Charger’s gaze locks with mine, seeking direction. I shrug, following Raven’s lead. If she says she’s okay, who am I to say otherwise?

  She rubs her belly in slow circles, taking deep breaths and exhaling through her mouth.

  “Is he still at the door?” she asks.

  “Last I checked, yeah,” Charger answers. “I’ve sorta been giving him updates.”

  “Traitor.” She smiles over at him.

  I check my watch, wondering if Jon came in while I was asleep. He’s supposed to be monitoring her blood pressure. Raven sucks in a sharp breath, and I look over to see her eyes closed, face scrunched in pain.

  “That’s it. I’m getting Jon.”

  I climb out of bed, hurrying to the door and throwing it open. Gage jumps to his feet, worry plastered on his face.

  “Is she okay?” he demands, but I ignore him, running to find Jon.

  He’s in our bed, Mikey curled up next to him, a children’s book on his chest. Any other night I’d stand and admire the sight, but not tonight. I gently shake him awake, watching him blink in confusion.

  “Fuck. I can’t believe I fell asleep. Mikey woke up—”

  “It’s Raven.”

  He instantly shifts into doctor mode, heading straight to her. I observe him in his element, so proud of what he does. Despite the fact that he looks at naked women for a living, I’ve never felt the need to be jealous. I know he loves me and wouldn’t cheat on me. Still, I thought the same of Gage. I know he’s not the same man he was when he met Raven, but to think he was with that slut while Raven was going through her depression makes me sick.

  Would Jon do that to me? What would I do if he did?

  “How do you feel?” Jon asks as he straps on the blood pressure machine.

  She glances up at Gage, who’s hovering nervously by the bed.

  “My headache’s back, and I have a bit of cramping.”

  “Yeah, I’m getting you to the hospital,” Jon says, tossing his instruments in his bag and then glancing up at Gage. “Help me get her to the car.”

  “Don’t.” Raven isn’t looking at anyone in particular, but we all know she means Gage. “Don’t touch me.”

  Charger jumps into action, assisting Jon in getting her out of bed.

  “Ellen, pack her a bag,” Jon instructs.

  “We already have one here.” Gage wipes the hurt from his face and moves toward the closet.

  Everyone is still sitting around in the bar, getting to their feet as we pass through.

  “What’s going on?” Daddy asks.

  “I’m getting her to the hospital,” Jon answers. “Her blood pressure is through the roof.” He pulls his phone from his pocket, dialing a number and putting it to his ear. “This is Dr. Jon Emerson. I’m bringing in a patient, female, nineteen years old and thirty-two-weeks pregnant with multiples.”

  I drown out his voice, following them as fear begins to take hold. This is happening. I could meet my nieces or nephews tonight. Or I could lose them. Christ, this is a disaster. And it’s all because of my stupid brother and his inability to keep his dick out of that whore.

  “You motherfucker!” Daddy strides behind Gage. “This is all your fault. Anything happens to that woman or those babies—”

  “Enough, Pop! I’m not in the mood for your shit.”

  Daddy doesn’t say another w
ord, but his glare speaks volumes. Jon and Charger help Raven into the car, and then Jon turns to me, kissing my forehead.

  “I’ll call you from the hospital, babe.” He turns to Gage. “You coming?”

  “I’ll follow. I don’t think she wants me with her.”

  Damn it. He’s right. I better make sure I tag along so I can be there for her.

  “Daddy, keep an eye on Mikey.” I turn to Gage, smacking him on the back of the head. “Come on, asshole. Let’s get you the hospital.”

  CHAPTER 5

  RAGE

  ***Gage***

  “My wife, Raven Hunter. She was brought in earlier,” I tell the nurse, the urgency clear. She doesn’t even look up at me. I drum my fingers on the desk in impatience.

  “Just take a seat and I’ll let you know when I have some information, sir.”

  I want to tell her where to stuff the seat, but I’m already in hot water with Raven. I don’t want to do anything that could get me into more trouble, causing me to miss the birth of my kids.

  Fuck that. I don’t care what my wife says; I’m going to be in that fucking room.

  I drop down into the chair next to Ellen and Charger, placing my elbows on my knees and dropping my head in my hands.

  Fucking Britney.

  I don’t know what I ever saw in her.

  Yeah, you do. You just didn’t know what a bitch she was because you didn’t care to find out.

  “Did you really cheat on Raven?”

  Slowly, I turn my head to glare at my sister. “Of course not. Why doesn’t anyone believe me?”

  “Because she’s a ho, and you were a ho. Maybe you had a ho ho merry Christmas.”

  My eyes widen. If I weren’t in this fucked-up situation, I’d find her words funny. Charger chuckles but quickly stops when I glare at him. “No, Ellen! I didn’t go anywhere near her.”

  “Okay.” She shrugs. “I’m not the one you need to convince.”

  “I know that, but she won’t fucking talk to me.”

  Her narrowed eyes meet mine, searching for the truth. I don’t know if she finds it, but her gaze shifts and she nods to something behind me. “Here comes Jon.”

  I rush to meet him, eager to find out what’s going on.

  “E?”

  “We have her set up in a room and the docs are with her. I think the babies are coming.”

  “Fuck! Tonight?” I search his eyes for any emotion, hoping he won’t spew some doctor bullshit at me. His reaction will let me know how to gauge the severity of the situation. However, he keeps a professional demeanor.

  “Maybe. Depends on if she can do it naturally or if they have to do a C-section.”

  “What if they’re—” I swallow hard, forcing the words out. “—not ready?”

  “Under normal circumstances, twins are usually early. Most do well any time after thirty-two weeks.”

  “Shit. Yeah, I remember you saying that at one of our appointments.”

  “Right. With the complications… we just have to wait and see, brother.”

  “Can I see her?” I try to ignore the pounding in my head.

  “I’ll take you to her, but the rest is up to her.”

  “No, the fuck it’s not. If any of you think I’m going to sit out here twiddling my fucking thumbs while my babies enter this world, you’re all fucking crazy.”

  “Okay, okay.” He raises his hands in surrender. “Let’s go. You should call her mother.”

  “I will after I see her.”

  He leads me to Raven’s door, gently knocking before entering. My baby doll is hooked up to all kinds of machines, two doctors and a nurse hovering over her. Her blue eyes meet mine, and instead of the warmth of love I always see, there’s ice-cold hatred.

  “What the fuck is he doing here?”

  The doctors turn in my direction, one of them heading my way.

  “Sir—”

  “I’m her husband.”

  He nods in understanding, smiling and shaking my hand. “Don’t worry. I see this all the time. She’ll go back to not hating you pretty soon.”

  Yeah, except this is no ordinary pregnant-woman rant.

  “How is she? The babies?”

  “Her water broke. Jon tells me she had a bit of a shock and that’s why her blood pressure is so high.”

  “Yeah, you could say that.”

  “The babies seem fine for now. We won’t know more until they’re born and we can run some tests. The best way to treat the mother is to get those babies out of her.”

  “Shit. Thanks, Doc.”

  “No problem. We’ll be back in a bit to check on her.”

  The doctors and nurse leave, and E touches my shoulder in encouragement before following them. I walk to the bed, eyes scanning Raven from head to toe.

  “Just go, Gage. I don’t want you here.”

  “Too bad. I’m not going anywhere.”

  One of her machines beeps faster as I take her hand. I raise it to my lips, planting a gentle kiss on the backs of her fingers.

  “Babe, please. I swear that’s not my kid.”

  “Then why would she do this?”

  “I don’t have a fucking clue. It’s not like I can’t easily prove she’s lying.”

  “He looks so much like you.” Tears swim in her eyes, lips trembling.

  “Maybe, but I never touched Britney. We’ve been through this already. Since I met you, the only Hound I was with was Super Head, and you know about that. All she did was suck my dick that night after the barbecue.”

  Her brows draw together in scrutiny. Shit. I pull up a chair and sit next to her bed.

  “But there’s more, isn’t there?”

  “It’s not cheating if we weren’t together.”

  “Oh God….”

  “Babe, please. Can we do this some other time?”

  “No. Tell me.”

  I take a deep breath, running my fingers through my hair.

  “After I dropped you off that first night I took you to the clubhouse, I went to the Kitty.”

  “Jesus Christ, Gage. Strippers?” she exclaims, tears running down her cheeks.

  “No. No strippers… but there were these two girls….”

  “Two?”

  Her machine goes crazy again.

  “Calm down, doll.”

  “Don’t tell me to calm down! While I was in my bed, you were off having a threesome!”

  “What was I supposed to do?” My voice is slightly raised in frustration. “You basically told me to fuck off, said I couldn’t give you what you wanted. You can’t blame me for that.”

  “I guess not. I knew you were a whore before we even got together,” she seethes. Her eyes narrow, then she snaps the lids closed, turning away.

  “I’m sorry about everything that’s happening now, but I won’t apologize for my past, Raven. You’re the only woman I’ve had sex with since we became a couple. Those two babies you’re carrying are the only ones I’ve fathered.” She won’t look at me, so I gently grasp her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. “First thing in the morning, I’ll set up a paternity test and show you I’m telling the truth. Right now, let’s just concentrate on our babies… those two healthy boys you’re gonna give me.”

  She cracks a small smile, but it’s gone in an instant. She squeezes my hand, eyes snapping closed as she grunts in pain.

  “You can do this, babe. I’ll be right here with you.”

  “I’m scared, Gage. What if…?” She shakes her head, fresh tears clouding her eyes.

  “They’ll be fine. They come from fighters. You and me? There’s nothing we can’t do together. We made those little humans, and they’re gonna come out swinging just like their mom and dad.”

  “If anything happens to them, I swear I’m gonna kill that bitch.”

  “Not if I get to her first.” Standing, I rest my forehead on hers, laying a protective hand on her belly. “I love you, Raven. There are a lot of things that could come between us, but know that it will
never be another woman. Ever.”

  She sobs, sniffles, and then grabs the sides of my cut. I pull her into my arms, rubbing slow circles on her back to soothe her.

  “Edith Hamilton… ‘Love cannot live where there is no trust.’” She pulls back, teary eyes meeting mine. “I’m sorry, Gage. This is the second time I’ve doubted you. First with the Janet thing and now this. I promise I won’t do it again. I’m so sorry I even thought she was telling the truth.”

  “Don’t apologize. What you did, how you feel, it’s normal. I’m a little disappointed you thought I’d cheat on you, but I guess it’s what anyone would’ve believed. Hell, it’s what everyone else believes now.” Cradling her face, I lower mine to hers, meeting her sad eyes. “Just don’t do that shit again. Got it?”

  “Got it. I promise.”

  “Good.” I press a kiss to her lips. “Now, let’s get these babies out of you.”

  ***

  “Push for me, Raven!”

  Her grip tightens on my hand and she sits forward, growling with effort as she follows the doctor’s instruction. With my free hand, I wipe the sweat from her forehead with a wet cloth. I’ll be a father today. Probably in the next couple minutes.

  Holy fuck.

  I’ve been trying to prepare myself mentally since the day Raven told me she was pregnant, but no amount of preparation could help me now. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. I’m only focused on her, getting her through this.

  “That’s it, baby doll.”

  She cries out, falling back on the bed.

  “I can’t, I can’t,” she chants, head lolling from side to side. “I can’t do this. I can’t do this twice!”

  “Yes you can, babe.” I move her wet hair from where it’s plastered on her face. “You got this. We’re gonna meet our babies soon. All you have to do is push. Just a little bit longer.”

  “Oh God. I need to push, I need to push.” She sits up again.

  “That’s it, Raven,” the doctor coaches. “Your body knows what to do, just listen to it.”

  My fingers go numb from her death grip, heart constricting when she screams. I hate that she’s in so much pain and there’s nothing I can do about it. It’s fun making them and all, but getting those kids here is no joke.