His to Know (His to Own Book 3)

by Autumn Winchester

  “Eh, don’t worry about that,” Travis said, running a hand over his hair. “I got that covered. My buddies in there called it in.”

  “This is one of those things you don’t want to know about,” I gritted out as the pain lessoned.

  She knew that there were a few things in my life that I couldn’t talk about.

  “Gotcha,” Krissy said. “I’ll take her to the ER to be checked over.”

  “She aint going anywhere without me,” Travis said, easily taking the demanding role he was known well for.

  “Don’t tell Zach,” I said, begging him.

  “As long as you go get checked out,” Travis said, giving me a look that said to not push him.

  “Okay. Thank you,” I sighed. I’d do as they wanted, even though I was sure it would be for nothing.

  For now, I’d let them have their way so I could forget about what sort of mess lay inside my home.

  Chapter 17

  Avidya

  Maybe Travis and Krissy were right—I needed to be checked out. By the time we made it to the ER, my stomach was cramping too much, and too bad, to be able to just push it off as anything typical.

  It hadn’t taken long to get into the maternity ward, Krissy was at my side as Travis was forced to wait in the waiting room. The small room only fit one other person, as it was only meant to be used as a check in room. There was a small half bed, one chair, and a desk with a computer with monitors. The monitors had a number of wires that I wasn’t too concerned about figuring out what was used for.

  I answered all the needed questions about how far along I was, who my doctor was, and how long I had felt the contractions. The nurse didn’t waste time to check and what I was feeling was in fact contractions, if the bands around my stomach said anything otherwise. I was too far dilated to try to stop the contractions.

  I was in labor.

  This was not how I was planning my day to go. None of it was. Would I be in labor if Aaron hadn’t barged his way into my home? Would I have come in sooner if I had known about the possibility of going into labor so early?

  “Let’s get you into a room and I’ll call your doctor. Give me five minutes. If you need me, just press that button right there and someone will be in soon,” the nurse said.

  Everything seemed to be such a blur. Maybe I was in shock. Maybe I had been dealt too much. Or maybe I was just tired of my life being so crappy constantly. There always seemed to be something right around the corner when I always thought that everything was going just perfect, or as close to perfect as possible.

  “You’ll be okay,” Krissy said quietly next to me. “I won’t leave. Unless you want me to.”

  “Stay, please,” I asked, trying to hold all my emotions in. It was easier said than done.

  “Of course,” she said. “My parents have Catrina, so I can stay as long as needed.”

  “Thank you,” I said, letting my body slightly relax. Although it didn’t last as another strong contraction hit. It felt like my insides were being twisted together, and not in a good way.

  As the contraction calmed, the nurse whisked back in with a wheelchair letting me know that they had a room all ready for me.

  “Travis,” I said, looking at Krissy. I needed my brother. If I couldn’t have Zach, he’d do just fine.

  “I’ll get him,” Krissy promised. “Let’s get you to your room first.”

  I nodded as I moved from the bed to the wheelchair. There was no way I’d be able to walk with the pain, let alone with having a gown that showed off my backside to the world. The pressure down below was starting to draw my attention quickly, also.

  Before I knew it, I was in a room, sitting on the bed, being re-hooked up to monitors of all kinds. Krissy stood next to me, holding my hand as the IV was inserted into my other hand. Travis stood off to the side, seeming shocked himself. His widened eyes were open, trying to take everything in.

  “All set,” the nurse smiled. “You’re in good hands here, Avidya.”

  One white blanket laid across my legs as the nurse turned the volume up on the computer. The heartbeat of the baby filled the room, soothing me at least a little bit.

  We were both okay.

  “Are you sure you want me here?” Travis asked, looking around with a fearful look.

  I could understand. I was scared myself. I never expected to be here so soon. I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know if we would both be okay.

  “You don’t have to be,” I answered. “Just stay for a little bit. Please.”

  “Okay,” Travis said, straightening his back. I could tell he was preparing himself for what was to come.

  “So, what are you to Avidya?” Krissy asked.

  “Her brother,” Travis answered. “And I come to bring her back home, but I guess that’ll have to wait.”

  “You are not taking her back there,” Krissy said, placing her hands on her hips.

  “I can’t, Travis,” I sighed out. “You know why, so don’t even ask.”

  Shit! I cussed in my thoughts as another contraction hit. At the same moment, I felt like I peed myself. Double shit. Everything felt warm, grossly so.

  “Uh…” I panted.

  “You’re okay. Your water broke,” Krissy said, trying to hide her laugh as my disgusted look. “Totally normal.”

  “No worries. Let’s get that cleaned up, and I’ll see how far dilated you are,” the nurse said softly.

  Within minutes, and between contractions that seemed to come on every two to ten minutes, the bedding was changed and I had a new blanket over my lap. And just in time for my doctor to come strolling through the door. She didn’t take a second look at my brother or Krissy as she made her way to me.

  “Hello, Avidya,” she greeted. “Let’s see how things are going.”

  “Okay,” I muttered. Could it just all be over with already?

  “You’re about eight weeks early,” she mused. “But nothing to worry about. The baby will need some extra time in the NICU, but normal for this early. A station is being set up now as I speak. Just be prepared that the baby will most likely be whisked away out of the room before you can hold him. Nothing to worry about, and everyone here will keep you updated on him every step of the way.”

  “Will she be okay?” Travis asked, hands stuffed into his pockets.

  “I don’t see any reason she won’t be,” Dr. Fare answered as she slipped gloves over her hands to check.

  Thankfully, she waited for the contraction to pass before checking me.

  “I’ll give you about another hour or so before this little one is born. Pretty fast for the first baby,” she laughed.

  “Oh, God. I was in labor for over three days,” Krissy groaned out. “Wish mine was this fast.”

  “I’m assuming you’ve been in labor most of the day, actually. You seem to handle pain well,” the doctor stated.

  At the words, I couldn’t stop the blush from spreading. She had no idea how much pain my husband once said he wanted to inflict me. Not bad pain, but pleasuring pain.

  As another contraction hit, Travis and my doctor introduced themselves to one another. I didn’t pay attention to what either of them said as I concentrated on the pain, willing it to go away. It was too late to have any sort of pain reliever.

  Oh God!

  I felt like I was going to die.

  Chapter 18

  Avidya

  Four hours later, which felt like a lifetime after everything that had happened, I sat in the NICU, watching my little baby boy in the hospital bed. The glass surrounded the baby, but allowed for someone to be able to reach in through the side to touch the baby. The nurses called the baby beds a giraffe bed, although I wasn’t sure why they used name, at least it worked,

  My baby was wrapped lightly, cords were just about everywhere. It would have been scary if I hadn’t known what I was walking into. It was scary, but thankfully the nurse had explained to me what I was about to see before I was allowed in. Still, nothing would ha
ve been able to prepare me to see my helpless child in such a way.

  I could hardly stop the tears of relief and sadness for everything that had happened in such a short time.

  The labor pains were so horribly bad, no book, no other mother, could ever tell you just how bad it was. It was nearly burning from the inside out with no relief to be found. At all. Not even squeezing the life out of Krissy and Travis’ hands helped.

  Now, I was just so freaking tired, but I couldn’t sleep. Not until I was able to see my baby. Joshua Taylor. He looked so small, though, now that I got to see him.

  He had been whisked off right after the umbilical cord had been cut. As I had begun to push him out, his heart rate kept dropping. It had been too late to do a C-section at that time, but I was so tired, I had to have help to finish getting him out. The doctor had taken to using a clamp to pull him out as my contractions continued on.

  No one ever told me it would be so hard.

  Looking through the glass that kept my baby safe and warm, the heart monitor tracking the heartbeat, I was finally able to relax slightly. Not as well as I could if I was able to hold him, but at least it was better than nothing. He was alive, and that was more than I could ever ask for.

  I had been so close to losing my life just hours ago, and now here I was staring at the life I gave.

  His eyes were closed as he slept. He had a feeding tube in and oxygen tubes in his nose. My heart hurt for him, but I knew he didn’t feel any pain. He was just a little over three pounds, and had a few weeks to go before he’d be released.

  “You must be his mother,” spoke a nurse as she came up to check on my baby.

  “Yeah,” I whispered tiredly.

  “He’s doing well so far,” she said. “I’m Hope. And I’ll be watching over him tonight. First time mother?” she guessed after she fiddled with a few of the machines and wires.

  “That obvious?” I laughed, looking at her for a moment.

  She was easily ten years older than me with her black hair pulled back into a low ponytail. Her green eyes were filled with compassion.

  “He’s in good hands here,” she said, giving my shoulder a pat. “Eight weeks early is nothing to worry about. I’ve been there, and although I know it doesn’t work, try to rest. That way you can be ready for those sleepless nights that will be coming when he’s released.”

  “If only I could sleep,” I yawned out.

  “Your doctor can help. It’d be good. You look like you’ve walked through Hell,” she said, trying to brighten my mood.

  “Oh, I have,” I said sadly. “I lost my uncle today, too.”

  “Oh, honey. I’m so sorry,” she said. She sounded like it too.

  I could only shrug, feeling tears prickle my eyes once more. Hadn’t I cried enough already?

  “Things have to start looking up sometime. Do you have family here?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” I sniffed. “My brother. He went to get me some clothes and lock up the house.”

  The same house I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to step into again. But I wanted my own clothes to walk the halls in instead of this flimsy hospital gown.

  How much of a mess was the house in? Did I even want to know?

  No. No I didn’t.

  “He’s not going to go anywhere,” she stated. “Go rest, honey. If anything changes, I’ll give your room number a call.”

  “How long will he be in here?” I asked. I had to know.

  “All depends on him. He has to be able to eat on his own and maintain his body temperature. Could be a couple of days up to a few weeks. It all depends on the baby. And each baby is different,” she answered.

  “Okay, thank you,” I whispered.

  Pushing myself up from the chair, I gave Joshua one last look before trekking back to my room. Somehow, the nurse was able to put me to ease enough that maybe I’d be able to get a bit of sleep. Still think it was likely to get much after everything had happened within less than twelve hours.

  How did other parents do all this? Did they lose a family member and gain one at the same time? How was I going to handle all this? I never let the thought of having a preemie. Everything had gone so well the entire pregnancy, so I never expected things to turn out this way. Maybe fate had stepped in for a reason now instead of waiting for another few weeks.

  Was it because of the shock I had been through? Was my body just not able to handle anything else?

  I had no idea.

  What I did know is that I wished that I had my family here to keep me company and tell me that everything would be fine. I wanted Zachariah. I wanted to go home. I just wanted things to be different than what they were.

  None of those options were likely once more.

  Once I was back in my room, taking a slow walk the entire way because my body wouldn’t let me go much faster, I found it to be empty, just as I had left it. Travis wasn’t back yet, and wouldn’t be until morning since it was past visiting hours. Krissy went home to sleep since it wasn’t often she had a kid-free night.

  I had promised them all I would be perfectly fine on my own, but now I wished one of them had been determined to stay with me. I just really didn’t want to be alone, despite what I had said earlier.

  Surprisingly, it didn’t take me long to doze off on the uncomfortable bed with a blanket pulled up to my chin. I’d been walking around with the blanket over my shoulders to hide the gown that I wanted to change out of.

  Soon. Soon I’d get better clothes and shower.

  For now, I’d live with what I did have. I had a baby. I still had family. And I was still alive.

  What more could I ask for?

  Chapter 19

  Zachariah

  The sun was just peeking over the horizon when my cell phone rang. I glared at it. Not because it woke me, but because I wanted to be left alone. If my glare could burn it into ashes, it would already be smoke blowing in the wind.

  It had been three days since Travis had called, and he was no closer to getting my wife back home and in one piece. He wouldn’t even tell me what town he was in so I could come do it myself. He only gave me the brief words that ‘now isn’t the time.’ What was that supposed to mean? It was past time! I wasn’t paying him to just go on vacation.

  “What?” I barked out.

  “Figured you’d be up,” Carlos answered in way of greeting. “I will be going out of town for a few days. Some of my men came across a snitch and I need to make sure the clean-up crew do their job.”

  “And why are you telling me this?” I asked, confused.

  “Because I know you are following my tracks, that’s why,” my dad answered with heat, not pleased I was doing so. “Plus, your mother will be going along with me. Something about wanting a vacation.”

  “Fine,” I breathed. What did I care? Why won’t everyone just leave me, then?

  “I expect you to behave and keep things under control,” Dad went on. “I should be back by this time next week or so.”

  “Got it,” I spoke. “Anything else?”

  “That’s all,” he said.

  I didn’t give him a chance to say anything else as I hung up the phone.

  My father was getting on my last nerve. He wanted me to do everything for him, it seemed. I understood that he was just trying to keep my mind busy so I didn’t do something stupid. I did want to do something stupid, many things. But he made sure I had no time to do anything of that sort.

  Did he purposely tell me he was leaving town because he knew I’d follow his moves, or because he wanted to see what I’d do? I would have followed him if he hadn’t have told me, because I would take any lead right now that I possibly could.

  There wasn’t much I could do if he was leaving me in charge of everything. I had to stay here and be the good son he expected me to be. Besides, I already had Travis on the job.

  Sighing, I ran my hand down my face. I wondered if anything would have been different if I never met Avidya. What would I be doing if she ha
d never fallen into my lap as she did? Would I have ever come across a woman to marry? Probably not. I couldn’t see myself marrying anyone other than Avidya. She was it for me.

  I wasn’t going to let her go that easily, either. I just had to come up with the perfect way to get her back, other than dragging her ass back home. I would if I had to, but I wanted to try to get her to see I couldn’t live without her.

  In the kitchen, I made a cup of coffee. I had a number of interviews for the club today for new members. It was not something I was looking forward to, that was for sure. So many people were too new to the lifestyle, and had warped views of how things were supposed to be in my place. They all had to learn the hard way. Either agree to follow my rules that I had lined out, or don’t apply to become a member.

  Pretty simple.

  Only crappy thing was that most of the men I was doing business with under the brothel name wanted in. I couldn’t willingly allow them in knowing what they were after. I didn’t ever want to mix that with business. Some people didn’t understand BDSM wasn’t a game; it is a lifestyle I was starting to get the itch to start a brothel back up just to keep that high money coming in.

  Almost.

  As the coffee pot finished brewing my java, my phone once again rang.

  Groaning, I answered, my words short and to the point. “What now?”

  “Not a good morning, I take it?” Travis’s voice came through.

  “What do you want?” I repeated. I wasn’t up to playing games right now. He sure as fuck knew that too.

  “I just wanted to let you know that Avidya is sick and won’t be able to come back right away. Nothing life threatening,” he hurriedly explained. “I’m going to stick around for another day or so just to make sure. But she promised she’d think about returning when she feels up to traveling.”

  “Sick with what?” I barked. She wasn’t the type to get sick at the drop of a pen. Was she really sick? Was she just not wanting me to see me again? Had I possibly ruined whatever we once had?