I squeeze her palm. “I’d appreciate that.”
Edward bends in to kiss me, and the nurse backs me out of the room while I wave.
Dante and Ryanne follow us to the elevator and both look edgy.
Oddly, I’m not nervous and there’s only one reason.
“Guys, I’m going to be okay. Take care of my husband.” They nod solemnly and Evin’s grip tightens.
We go into the elevator, and I flash my best friends a huge smile, blowing them a kiss as the doors close.
I peer up at Evin and he’s grinning down at me. Yeah, I’ll be fine.
Chapter 25
Evin
I welcome the burn of the whiskey down my throat, staring at the small purple pack on the table. My conversation with Darby replays in my head, and rage sears through my veins.
The lock beeps right before Dad, Dante, and Ryanne come in. My eyes stay on the table.
“What’s up? What’s so important that we aren’t at the hospital with Pips?”
Dante’s irritation is good. I need him ready to fucking rip heads apart.
“We have to talk.”
“We couldn’t talk at the hospital while Poppy sleeps?”
“Not about this. The doctor said she’ll be out for a while. Mom’s staying with her until I get back. She thinks I’m preparing to move hotels closer to the hospital.”
“Evin, no offense, but you look deadly right now and the vibes are seriously strong. Maybe you should tell us what’s wrong,” Ryanne states.
“I look deadly because the thought of killing someone is on my mind.”
“Oh, fuck,” Dad murmurs. “What the hell happened since you left the hospital?”
“And why are birth control pills on the table?” Ryanne points to the pack.
“Poppy was pregnant.”
All the air is sucked out of the room as shock crosses their faces, followed by sorrow.
“Was?” Ryanne’s voice cracks.
“Was.” I shoot back another gulp. “The initial blood tests when she arrived at the hospital showed elevated HCG levels, which indicated it was extremely early. Poppy wouldn’t have even suspected yet. The test that came later changed.”
“Could test one have been erroneous?”
“It could have been, yes, especially since they were originally looking for drugs or alcohol in her system. But I don’t think it was.”
“Son, the probability of her being pregnant is slim with your situation. You should assume the test was wrong because you’ll never know.”
“When the doctor told me yesterday, I felt the same way, Dad. With all the other things happening, I forced myself to sideline the subject. But it kept plaguing me. When she woke up and the doctor announced the surgery a success, that nagging took priority.”
“So, what’s with her birth control pills?” Ryanne asks.
“She was right on track up through Friday.”
“Pills aren’t always one-hundred percent effective,” Dad throws in.
“I know that, Dad, but they proved to work for us so far. That’s why I called Darby. She knew immediately the window of this opportunity. The day after the wedding when Poppy got sick.”
His face falls and eyes fill with sadness. He gets where I’m coming from.
“Fuck.” Dante goes to the bar and pours a drink.
Ryanne sinks in the chair, looking crushed.
“Poppy isn’t aware of this.”
“You haven’t told her?”
I shake my head. “I’d appreciate it if none of you did, either.”
“My lips are sealed.” Dante is quick to agree.
“Dante, we can’t keep this from her,” Ryanne argues.
“I’m with Ryanne. Not a good idea to keep something this big from her,” Dad puts in his vote.
My eyes go between him and Ryanne, passing over Dante. As suspected, he’s in protector mode while Ryanne is filled with heartache.
“You all may feel differently after I tell you the rest.”
My gaze holds Dante’s. “Natasha Bindel did this. When her attempts to seduce me failed and Isaac laid her out, she was beaten. She took one last shot. By tripping her, Tasha went after Poppy’s vulnerability, her legs. Ultimately, she’s responsible for ending Poppy’s career in a gruesome way that stole our baby.”
Ryanne folds over, covering her face with her hands. Dad’s arm goes around my shoulder, pulling me to him.
“Son, you can’t know that last part.”
“You’re right, I can’t know it. And when I tell Poppy, I have to remain strong and convince her it was a fluke, the tests were inconclusive, and she wasn’t pregnant. But, here in this room, you all know where I truly stand. Natasha Bindel has reigned hell on Poppy for the last time.”
Dante whistles low, a wicked grin spreading wide. “I’m in.”
“Me too.” Ryanne leaps up, pouring herself a drink with a new sense of resolve.
“Good, because I need you both.”
“If I’m keeping you all out of jail, better fill me in on the plan.” Dad snatches my glass and guzzles the rest of the contents.
I explain what I need, Ryanne and Dante kicking into action and heading downstairs. Dad helps me get packed, and while I shower, he does a check-in at the hospital, handling Mom.
An hour later, Ryanne and Dante are back, and there’s a knock at the door. No one gives a shit about his notoriety when I open the door and Isaac Blake strolls into my room. He looks at their faces and spins my way.
“Got your cryptic message from the concierge. What’s this about?”
“Eight years out of her life, and in five minutes, Tasha Bendel fucked Poppy over again.”
“What the hell happened?”
He gets the condensed version, and with each of my words, his face goes harsher. “Fucking bitch.”
“Where are the Bindels?”
“No fucking idea. I wasn’t lying Friday night. Natasha Bindel became a pain in my ass quick. She’s been out of my personal life since the draft. The relationship with Marco and Karen was mutually beneficial for both our gains. I told Marco it was over, and honestly, he didn’t seem too surprised.”
“Good for you, but are those motherfuckers here?”
“My guess is yes.”
“Find out where they are.”
He pulls out his phone and types a text. While he does this, I take him in. He doesn’t look like a man that was on the football field a few hours ago. Then again, he was in for less than a quarter. His willingness to help only slightly lessens my hatred for the man.
“They’re at the steakhouse downstairs.”
“I’m paying them a visit.”
“We’re all paying them a visit,” Dante speaks for the first time.
“Who are you?”
“They’re family. Let’s roll.”
I brush past him, leading the charge out of the room. Dante and Ryanne type furiously on their phones, and when we get to the entrance of the steakhouse, a hotel security guard is waiting.
Isaac swings his head my way and grins his approval. “Nice.”
“Not feeling very nice right now.”