Breaching the Billionaire, AR, Kobo

  Craig relayed the message to the rest of the men. “The stork is perched. Repeat. The stork is perched. Make a nest.”

  Chapter Two

  “Get out,” Lil said in her sternest voice. “You are making things worse instead of better. Please don’t make me call Marc.”

  Dominic roared, “I’m not going anywhere.”

  His sister-in-law didn’t back down. In fact, his refusal brought an angry red heat to her cheeks. “You’re scaring the nurses. The doctor can’t get the information he needs. You need to take a walk and cool off.”

  Arms folded across his chest and feet planted, Dominic held his ground. “I will not miss the birth of my daughter.”

  From the bed beside them, Abby said softly, “We have plenty of time. I’m not fully dilated.”

  Lil continued her reprimand. “At least, we don’t think she is. We’d know if you hadn’t just threatened the doctor’s license and sent him scurrying.”

  Remembering the arrogance of the doctor, Dominic didn’t regret his outburst. “He brought interns with him. I said no students. Abby is not a case study.”

  Her expression softening, Lil touched his arm. “It’s common, Dom. It’s how new doctors learn. I’m sure Abby doesn’t care as long as the baby comes out today. Trust me, when I had Colby, I didn’t care if ten people were standing around me. All I cared about was getting her out and getting the right painkillers. Which won’t happen if you don’t let anyone help her.” With a shake of her head, she looked at the door that led to the attached suite. “Where is Jake? Maybe he can talk some sense into you.” With that, she stepped out of the delivery room to find her fiancé.

  Dominic turned to his wife, who was flushed and struggling to look brave. Nothing. Absolutely nothing would ever make him leave her side.

  Her next words rocked him back on his heels. “She’s right, Dom. Take a short walk.”

  “No.”

  Abby held out her hand to him. He closed the distance between them in one stride and took it in his, bending to kiss her fingers lightly. Abby smiled despite the pain of a contraction. “You won’t miss anything. I’m okay. But you—you look like you’re going to have a stroke. The doctor said it could be hours still. Get a soda with Jake. Give Marie a hug. Nicole is probably dying to see you, too. You’ll feel better, and I can get the epidural I thought I didn’t want but which I’m quickly changing my mind about.”

  Jake poked his head in, covering his eyes. “Is it safe to come in?”

  Abby laughed. “I’m all covered.”

  With a flash of a smile, he was beside Dominic. “No offense, Abby, but there are some things I’d prefer remain a mystery for as long as possible.”

  Abby grimaced as another contraction hit. “None taken. You’ll have your turn soon enough. For now, can you take Dominic for a walk? I want to meet with the doctor before Dominic drives him to quit his profession.”

  Dominic shrugged. “I’m sure there are others here. Better ones who follow instructions.”

  Abby made a face and her grip on his hand tightened. “I’m not using another doctor. I like the one I have. I trust him. Now, get out of here for a few minutes and send him in.”

  “Abby—” Dominic started to say.

  She dropped his hand and pointed at the door. “If I have to get up and get him myself, no one in this room is leaving with the testicles they came in with.” She glared at Jake. “That includes you.”

  If he hadn’t been sick with worry, Dominic would have enjoyed the fire in his wife’s eyes and the way she ordered him about. He normally loved her strength and respected her opinion, but this time he didn’t budge. He searched for the words that would convince her he should stay.

  Jake surprised him by giving him a none-too-gentle shove toward the door. Dominic spun angrily on him, but Jake met his glare with his infuriatingly calm stare. “She means it, Dom. Come on. I’m sure she’ll be happier if you let her get properly medicated.”

  Growling under his breath, Dominic walked with Jake toward the door. He stopped just before stepping outside. “I love you, Abby.”

  She wiped a hand across her red cheek. “I know. I love you, too. Now send in Lil and the doctor. It’ll only be a few minutes. Go for a quick walk. Calm down, then come right back. I need you, Dom, but I need the doctor, too.”

  Feeling slightly ashamed that his wife was reduced to scolding him like a child for impeding the process, Dominic nodded and left the room. The waiting room was overflowing with flowers, friends, and family. Marie was playing with Colby and her blocks on the floor while Rosella watched and cooed. Victor and Alessandro were chatting with their wives.

  Nicole came rushing forward with her fiancé, Stephan, in tow. She wrapped her arms around Dominic’s waist. “How is Abby? Is she okay? You look awful.”

  Dominic hugged his sister to his chest and admitted, “She threw me out.”

  Nicole patted her brother’s cheek sympathetically. “Oh, she’ll let you back in. Just remember that no matter what she says, she loves you. Even if she stands on the table and screams that she hates you, she doesn’t mean it.”

  Dominic looked at Jake in concern. “Is she going to do that?”

  Jake shrugged. “How would I know?”

  Nicole continued, “The most important thing is that you made it to the hospital.”

  For once, Stephan wasn’t sarcastic. “That’s true. Nicole delivered my nephew, Joey, with none of this, in a limo. Don’t worry. Abby will be fine.” Then a wicked smile spread across his face. “Next time will be easier. I hear Abby wants a big family.”

  Dominic paled and swayed.

  Nicole swatted Stephan’s arm. “Play nice today.”

  Jake took Dominic by the arm and said, “Let’s go get you something to eat.”

  Dominic walked away, shaking his head. “I don’t know if I can do this again.”

  Lil overheard his comment and, her tone thick with sarcasm, said, “I’m pretty sure it’s tougher on Abby than it is on you, Dom.”

  The joke was a painful reminder of how he was failing to give Abby what she needed. She was right to throw him out. He couldn’t remember a time in his adult life when he’d felt so emotionally on edge. “You think I don’t know that?” he growled, then instantly regretted his harsh words.

  He was used to being in control.

  Used to being willing to fight for the outcome he wanted.

  Here he felt a bit helpless, and that wasn’t an emotion he dealt with well.

  Obviously.

  I’m a selfish ass. Abby needs me, but I can’t control myself enough to be there for her. And now I’m taking out my anger with myself on Lil.

  She walked over and put a hand on his forearm. “It’s going to be okay, Dom. Delivering a baby is stressful and painful, but it’s also beautiful and completely natural. Abby is at the best hospital in the country and she’s got the best care possible. All you have to do is hold her hand and be there for her.”

  He put his hand over his sister-in-law’s in a show of gratitude. “I would do anything for her.”

  With a teary smile, Lil said, “I know you would. So, have something to eat with Victor and Alessandro. Call Jeremy and Jeisa and update them. I’ll come out and tell you as soon as Abby wants you in there.”

  Dominic nodded and headed toward the Andrades.

  Jake chuckled.

  Lil waved a finger at him. “Don’t you dare laugh at him. You’re going to be just as much a wreck when we have ours.”

  A humbled Jake joined Dominic.

  In a low tone, Dominic growled to him as Lil walked away. “If I see that doctor going in there with anyone who looks like they are not a nurse, I will hang him out the window by his feet.”

  Jake gave the room a quick scan and motioned for Marie to come over. She handed Colby to another woman and stood slowly. Her age didn’t stop her from sitting on the floor, but it did slow her ability to stand quickly afterward.

  Marie looked back and forth be
tween the two men and said, “Did she throw you out?”

  Dominic gave a small quick nod and frowned.

  Marie led them both toward a food-laden table that took up an entire wall of the private waiting room. “Didn’t I warn you to be nice to the doctor? What did she say to you?”

  “She told me to get something to eat and calm down.”

  “Then that’s exactly what you’re going to do.”

  Dominic picked up a croissant and took a bite. For Abby, he would eat. For Abby, he would stay outside while she spoke to the doctor. He would even work on keeping his temper in check. But remain calm?

  That was asking the impossible.

  The rear door near the hospital’s dumpster was still unmanned when Alethea arrived. The door was locked. She sat in one of the nearby chairs, took out a cigarette, and lit it, even though she didn’t smoke. Smokers were seen but unseen. She let the cigarette burn in her hand, tapping off the excess and posing as if bored. When someone came through the back door dressed in a kitchen uniform, Alethea stubbed out her cigarette and entered the building before the door closed.

  The narrow hallway led to a small break room and then a locker room. There she found a white kitchen-staff uniform and a hairnet. She hunted through the lockers until she found a staffer’s badge at the bottom of one of them. It was always a risk to use someone else’s ID, but most people didn’t read the name on the badge.

  One hospital kitchen was pretty much like any other. Orders were generated via a computer. Luckily there was a computer and printer in the corner of the room. Even though it was early afternoon, Alethea typed in an order for pancakes. She needed something that would be a special order.

  She went over to the grill station and handed the cook the printed order. “I need this ASAP.”

  “Pancakes?” the frazzled cook snarled. “Breakfast is over.”

  “Hey, don’t bite my head off,” Alethea said in a thicker New York accent than normal. “This is a VIP order. Nursing says they have a child up there and this is what she wants.”

  “Nursing? Do they understand that my grill is prepped for lunch items? No, to them it’s one quick item. It’s a royal pain, that’s what this is.”

  “Can you do it?” Alethea asked, doing her best to sound worried.

  The cook shook his head in disgust but agreed. “Give me five minutes. But tell them I’m not happy. Once dinner rush starts, I don’t care who they are, they can order from the menu or they can wait.”

  “Thanks.” Alethea shot him a small smile. She didn’t look him straight in the eye. Connections made interactions memorable. They opened the door for people to ask questions. She kept her eyes down and her red locks hidden beneath the dull brown wig.

  Meek.

  Average.

  Easily forgotten.

  When she had the order in hand, she carried the tray to the service elevator and went up to the maternity ward. Just outside the door she faced her first set of suited security. She explained that she was delivering food to the nurse’s station. They called downstairs to the kitchen to confirm. With a curt nod after confirming her story, they used their badges to let her through.

  The nurses at the private station didn’t look past her name tag and uniform. Alethea guessed hers wasn’t the first food delivery that day. She flashed the printed order and stated what was on the tray, explaining that the order had been called down by the family. The nurse nodded impatiently and said, “You can take it in. Hard to believe they forgot anything after seeing what was already delivered.”

  Alethea explained that it was for one of the young children.

  The nurse nodded. “They brought their whole family with them. Unbelievable, huh? A lot of fuss over something that happens here every day.”

  The other nurse leaned against her station and sighed dreamily. “Don’t even try to pretend you’re not excited that the Corisis are having their baby here. I’d ask to take a photo with them if I wasn’t sure it would get me fired.”

  Alethea nodded and smiled blandly in agreement. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing to question. One of the nurses walked Alethea to the outer door of the suite, where two more security men where standing. “It’s okay, she works here. Just more food being delivered.”

  The nurse had her hand on the suite door and was swinging it open when the hair on Alethea’s neck rose and she turned her head to see why. Steel blue eyes clashed with hers and she knew she’d get no farther.

  Marc Stone strode forward and shut the door firmly. He took the tray in one hand and grabbed her arm with the other. “You don’t belong here,” he ground out.

  The nurse waved her hands nervously in the air. Her high-pitched voice carried. “What do you mean? They cleared her at the door.”

  Not letting go of Alethea’s arm, Marc addressed the nurse. He handed the tray to her and said, “You’re not in trouble. I’ll handle this.”

  Alethea struggled to free her arm, but his grip was ironclad. She tried not to enjoy it. There was something about Marc—perhaps his imposing height, the expansive breath of his muscular shoulders, or the cool steel in his eyes—that never failed to set her libido running. What would it be like to be with a man she wasn’t entirely certain she could control?

  And why was that image so damn enticing?

  He pulled her around the corner into a quieter hallway. “I should have known you would show up today.”

  “Let go of my arm,” Alethea ordered between clenched teeth.

  “Not likely. Not until I throw your cute little ass back out the door you came in.”

  Cute little ass? She fought the bolt of pleasure that his comment sent through her. With a slight curl to her lip, she pushed back at him verbally. “You should be thanking me. I could have been anyone. Now you know that you need to cover all back entrances and issue specific photo security badges to enter this area. Take your Neanderthal hands off me and I won’t even tell anyone about the hole in your security.”

  “There was no hole. You never made it into the suite.”

  “Because you recognized me. But what if you hadn’t? Or what if you’d looked away for just a moment?” Her rebuttal came out huskier than she would have liked. “That’s all it takes. One opportunity.”

  Something we had the night we met, before I blew it. I could have achieved my goal without testing if I could distract you from your duties that night. And, having discovered how wonderfully easy it was, I could have reaped the benefits of our mutual attraction instead of documenting your lapse in judgment in a report to Dominic.

  So I may have earned the bite in your grip, but I don’t have to accept it. She glared at him and assessed the likelihood that a well-placed kick would loosen his hold long enough for her to break free.

  “Oh, my God, Al.” Lil came rushing toward them. “Why are you here?”

  Marc dropped Alethea’s arm and swore beneath his breath.

  Alethea took off her wig, shook out her long mane, and faced her friend proudly. “I had a feeling Marc had failed to cover all access points, and I was right.”

  A less observant person would have thought her barb didn’t bother him. Marc’s expression remained coldly professional, but his pupils dilated and his nostrils flared ever so slightly. Without an audience, Alethea was certain his response would not have been so well concealed.

  Lil turned to Marc and said, “Can you give us a moment?”

  He nodded abruptly and moved a few yards away but kept his eyes on them. He’d moved out of respect for Lil’s request, but his nearness declared that the reprieve was only temporary.

  Lil threw up both hands and paced in front of Alethea, her tone high from emotion. “I can’t do this right now. I can’t deal with you and your crazy need to test everything. The nurses are upset. We heard someone tried to break in.” She shot her friend a furious look. “Do you know what that did to the mood in the waiting room? Thank God Dominic is back with Abby. Jake calmed everyone down. He didn’t have to come out here w
ith me—you know why? Because we both knew as soon as we heard what happened that it was you. Only you would do this.”

  Contrition was slow in coming. No, she didn’t like upsetting Lil, but how upset would everyone have been if something had happened to Abby or the baby? Lil’s anger was acceptable collateral damage. “Be grateful it was only me. Anyone could have come in that back door. Anyone.”

  Lil covered her face with her hands. “I know you mean well, Al, but you took it too far today. I don’t know what to do with you anymore. I thought it would get better as we got older. I thought you would calm down once you knew Jake and Dominic. I keep putting off my damn wedding waiting for you and Abby to make up. It’s never going to happen unless you change.”

  Alethea folded her arms in frustration. “So, you’d prefer to have your family in danger than be annoyed by me?”

  With a frustrated sigh, Lil said, “No. Of course not. But was there danger today? Really? Or did you need an excuse to come here?”

  Arms falling to her side, Alethea rocked back on her heels beneath the accusation. “That’s what you think?”

  Hugging herself around the waist, Lil said, “I don’t know what I think, Al. But I know you can’t stay here. Go home. Wait for me to call you and tell you how everything went. Just like I asked you to do. Like any other friend would.”

  Suddenly torn between believing she was right and regretting the pain she was causing her friend, Alethea offered what was close to an apology. “I didn’t mean to upset anyone.”

  Lil’s bottom lip quivered, a sure sign that she was holding back tears. “I know, Al.” She shook her head and walked away. “Please, just go home.”

  As Lil departed, Marc started toward Alethea, but halted when Jake called to him from the suite door. “Marc, we need to talk.”

  Alethea was about to take advantage of the distraction when Marc pinned her with an angry glare from across the hall. There was heat as well as anger in his gaze, and her breath caught in her chest as she reeled beneath the intensity of their attraction. The desire to cross the distance between them was almost irresistible. What would he do if she boldly walked over, not stopping until her breasts were pressed against the solid wall of his chest? She imagined winding her arms around his neck, pulling his stern mouth down, and kissing him until he groaned and lost control.