Chapter Nine

M

ason hadn’t come back. Oriana and Perron had said their last goodbyes at security. Their plane had disappeared over the horizon. But Mason was nowhere to be seen.

Zach knew the man wouldn’t do anything stupid, no matter how upset he was, but he shouldn’t be alone right now. Looking over at Becky, he could tell, by the way her lips parted and her hand tightened on his while she stared down the hall where Mason had disappeared, that she’d been about to say just that.

“I’ll check on him, then give you a call later.” He leaned over to brush a kiss on her cheek, then nodded to Richter and Bower, who barely acknowledged him. Silver stood between them, staring out at nothing, her face utterly still. Tears would have been reassuring, but this?.?.?. this was a little frightening. Thankfully, her men were capable of taking good care of her. And Becky had been pregnant, so she’d know if there was anything to worry about.

Ford blocked him before he could go any farther. He rolled his eyes when Zach frowned at him. “Cam came with us. His probably with Dominik.”

“What if Dominik doesn’t want to talk to him?” Silver curved her hand around the base of her throat, lips pressed together so hard they faded into the rest of her pale skin. “What if he just needs time to?.?.?. to deal. I think I need that. Just a short walk by myself so I can wrap my head around this.”

“Silver—” Bower reached for her, but Richter drew him back. Bower hunched his shoulders, then nodded. “Go ahead, ma cherie. We’ll wait for you at the car.”

Becky stepped up to Zach’s side as Silver made her way out the closest door, her throat working hard as she looked helplessly at her brother. She looked worn out. Zach had been keeping her up too late, and with the emotional rollercoaster of the last few days, she was probably completely drained.

“You should get back to Richter’s place and get some sleep.” Zach stroked her back gently, warmth filling him as she leaned against his chest, not trying to hide her exhaustion. He didn’t mind a clashing of wills once in a while, but with this, he’d have pushed the issue if she’d argued with him. “I know you’re going to spend the night worrying about Silver and your brother.”

“Come with me?” Becky tipped her head up to look at him, holding back a wince. “Ugh, that sounded pathetic, didn’t it? You have a lot to do tomorrow.”

“My bike’s still back there. I can stay for a little.” He kissed the tip of her nose, grinning at the way she wrinkled it. She was adorable when she was all sleepy. “Tuck you in and sing you a lullaby?”

“Mmm. I bet you have a really nice voice.” Straightening, Becky rubbed her eyes, letting out a light laugh. “I don’t have the energy to say no to you.”

Tempting, but no. He wouldn’t even tease her about her words. This painfully long day needed to end.

But as he passed the automatic doors, familiar screams told him it wasn’t over yet.

“You fucking bitch! Oriana just left!” Silver stood in the middle of the parking lot, facing a woman Zach was sure he’d seen around the forum. “My father sent you for me and Ford? Tonight? Why don’t you tell him—”

“You’ve always been so dramatic, my dear.” The woman—Anne, Mr. Delgado’s secretary or assistant or something—clasped her hands in front of her lime green pencil skirt, her thin lips twisted in a smirk. Her tone was maddeningly calm in the face of Silver’s rage. “Please get ahold of yourself. This excitement isn’t good for the baby.”

“Why didn’t he come? She’s his daughter and all she ever wanted was for him to say he loved her!” Silver’s voice cracked. “It would have meant so much to her if he’d come.”

Richter strode ahead, with Bower following as fast as he could, but Silver waved them both back, then completely ignored Ford as he moved up to her side. Zach took Becky’s lead, sticking close to Bower in case his leg gave him trouble.

“Why would your father make that kind of effort for a child he doesn’t believe is his? And besides, her behavior reflects badly on the family. It humiliated your father that she carried his name while strutting around with all those men.” Anne sniffed, eyeing Silver’s stomach. “Though I can’t say you’re much better.”

“Listen, lady—” Ford took a step forward, grunting when Silver slapped her hand into his chest. “Fuck, Silver. She can’t talk to you like that.”

“I don’t need you defending me. I—” Silver cringed and hugged herself. She let out a pain-filled gasp as the color left her face. “No. Not again.”

“As I said. Too much excitement,” Anne said, glancing over at Ford as he wrapped his arm around Silver’s back to support her. “Your father would still like to see you at your convenience.”

“Tell my father he can go to hell.” Ford snarled, nodding when Richter came to lift Silver into his arms. Ford looked shocked when Silver latched on to his hand, towing him along with them. “I got you, sis.”

Anne seemed about to follow, but Becky smoothly cut her off, hissing something under her breath that had the woman skittering away as fast as her stick legs would carry her. Bower limped fast toward the car, cursing as his crutch snagged in a wide crack in the pavement. He gave Zach a grateful smile when Zach took one of the crutches and flung Bower’s arm over his shoulders, bearing most of his weight.

“Fuck, I’m glad you came, Pearce.” Bower let out a strained laugh as he watched Richter ease Silver into the backseat of his SUV. His whole body shook with nervous energy. “You just might be good enough for my sister. Stand by her tonight, let her know she doesn’t have to worry about me, and I’ll give you my blessing.”

“I’ll stand by her either way.” Zach opened the front passenger side door for Bower, then helped him up. “But it’s good to know you approve.”

“Shit. This is it.” Bower took a few deep breaths, sounding a bit like he was doing Lamaze in preparation to push out the baby himself. “You’re okay, Silver. The doctor said you passed the dangerous time.”

“Don’t tell me I’m okay! Damn it, that woman ruined everything!” Silver panted, then thunked her head against the headrest. “It wasn’t supposed to happen yet!”

“Shh. You’re ready, dragonfly.” Richter smoothed hair sticky with sweat away from Silver’s face. “You’re going to be just fine.”

“No, I won’t!” Silver pressed her eyes shut, sobbing breathlessly. “Oriana said she would be here. She’s not here.”

Zach winced as he took the keys from Richter, who’d taken the seat at Silver’s other side. Poor, kid.

Ford patted the back of Silver’s hand, his voice calm even though he was shaking just as hard as Bower. “I’m here, sis.”

Silver cried harder, but laughter broke through her sobs. “But I hate you!”

“Hate me later. Right now, just hold my hand and tell me you’re going to be okay, because you’re fucking scaring me.”

“Don’t fucking swear around my baby! What kind of uncle are you?”

A glimmer of hope stole some of the shadows from Ford’s eyes, but he simply chuckled. “Shut up and breathe, or push, or whatever you need to—”

“Don’t push!” Becky gave Zach a shove toward the driver’s side, suddenly all business. “Just breathe, Silver. Kinda like Landon’s doing, only slower so you don’t hyperventilate.” She climbed into the farthest seats in the back, then snapped on her seat belt, glaring at Zach through the rearview mirror. “Go, Zach! She’s not having my niece or nephew in this car!”

He grinned at her as he started the car, loving the way she inhaled sharply, her cheeks glowing red with excitement. His beautiful sub was fierce, and he had a feeling even the baby would wait until she gave it permission to come out before moving another inch. The best subs always seemed like Dommes out in the world, but with Becky, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to let her take charge in the bedroom.

“I’ll have her there in five minutes, Ma’am.” He winked at Becky when she gaped at him. That look was priceless. Even the title coming from him seemed to disturb her. She wouldn’t be playing his Mistress any time soon.

“Shit.” Silver went still, blushing as she buried her face under Richter’s arm, while still clinging to Ford’s hand.

Richter stroked her hair, murmuring. “What is it,dragonfly?”

“I think my water broke.”

Zach’s pulse raced. He didn’t know much about babies, but the water breaking was universal for “Hospital. Now.” “I can cut that time in half if I—”

“Five is fine, Zach.” Becky looked like she wanted to laugh. “Don’t worry, the baby is not just going to slide out. Drive safe.”

“Safe. Got it.” Zach felt his cheeks heat as he caught himself breathing along with Bower in short puffs, then long exhales. He supposed it was better than Ford, who seemed to have stopped breathing altogether. Only Richter and Becky still had some semblance of control.

“All right boys, with me. In.” Becky inhaled a long, slow, steady breath. “And out.”

“Becky.” Bower growled. “Focus on Silver.”

“Silver is fine. Let’s try that again.”

“Shut up.”

“Watch it, little brother. You’re not too old to spank.”

Richter snorted. Bower clamped his lips together. Silver stopped panting long enough to giggle.

Zach just did his best to focus on the road as the tension eased out of the car. He’d never met a woman like Becky. Her strength, the way she put others before herself, no matter how she was feeling, her dedication to her family?.?.?. if he looked at her again before he got ahold of himself, she would see something in his eyes that it was too soon to share.

She would see that he was falling in love.

*?*?*?*

Hours passed, time measured by the short spans between contractions, then suffering that seemed endless. Suffering Landon wished he could take away. He limped across the delivery room as Silver bent forward, her face red and beaded with sweat. She bit back a scream as he took her hand, fighting so hard to be brave for him.

He braced his free hand on the bed by her side, leaning over to kiss her forehead. “Let it out, mon amour.”

“I can’t.” Silver hissed in a breath through her teeth. “Are you all right? You shouldn’t be standing so much. Where’s Dean?”

Landon did his best not to react to her asking for the other man. Dean was just as involved in this as he was. The only problem was, Silver didn’t seem to think Landon was strong enough to stand by her. His behavior over the past few months probably hadn’t helped.

“I’m here, dragonfly.” Dean spoke up from where he sat across the room, reading the sports section from that morning’s newspaper, tipping down his new reading glasses to smile at her. His calm was driving Landon a little insane, but his level tone had Silver relaxing back on to the pillows and smiling back. “Becky’s gone to get some more ice. Did you need something else?”

“Yes. I need you to?.?.?.” She gave Landon an apologetic look before meeting Dean’s eyes. “Make sure he doesn’t make his leg worse. I know how bad he wants to get back between the pipes and—”

“The pipes? Mon dieu, Silver, do you think I care about the damn game right now?” Landon raked his fingers through his close-shaved hair. “All I can think about is you and our baby.”

“Right.” Silver panted. “But you were in the hospital not that long ago. You need to take care of yourself. The team’s got a lot of money invested in you, and you’ll be a free agent in—”

“You’re in the hospital now.” He shook his head, eyes narrowing as Dean chuckled. “You seriously want to talk about my contract?”

“Absolutely. I want to extend it—ah!” Silver’s grip on his hand tightened. She rasped out the words even as she bent over in pain. “Twenty years. Dean can?.?.?. work out the details. I don’t?.?.?. don’t want any other team stealing you from us.”

“No one’s taking me away from you.” Landon winced as Silver tossed her head from side to side, gasping, then finally letting out a sharp scream. There was an IV taped to the back of her hand, but the damn thing was useless. Where’s the fucking doctor? “Let me see if Dr. Singh can come and give you something else—”

“Don’t want anything else.” Silver huffed out a breath, whispering thanks as Becky returned with a pitcher full of ice and a plastic cup. Her eyes fluttered shut as Becky gently stroked her wet fingers across her cheeks and down over her throat. She let Becky feed her a sliver of ice, then relaxed as she crunched on it, looking close to sleep for the first time in over an hour. With her face nuzzled against Landon’s forearm, she mumbled. “Talk to him, Becky. Has to be careful.”

“Tabernac.” Landon gave Dean a grim smile as the man pulled a chair up for him. His leg hurt like a motherfucker, but it was nothing compared to what Silver was going through. “I really messed up. She shouldn’t be worrying about me.”

“Why not?” Dean laid a hand on Landon’s shoulder, his thumb moving soothingly up and down the back of Landon’s neck. “There’s nothing wrong with her focusing on you rather than her pain. And you’re doing very well. I thought you’d be panicking by this point.”

Becky laughed as she fussed with the thin blue sheet covering Silver. “The doctor threatened to kick him out if he didn’t calm down. Don’t give him too much credit.”

Landon scowled. “Thanks a lot, sis.”

Eyes wide, Becky covered her mouth, then shook her head. “Damn it, I’m sorry, Landon. That wasn’t fair, it’s just?.?.?. Patrick made it all about him when I had Casey. I know you’re not like that. I know why this is so hard for you.”

Sighing, Landon straightened and held out his arms as his sister moved in for a hug. That fucktard had put her through a lot. “It’s okay. Actually, I’m glad you’re here to make sure the focus is on Silver. Where it belongs.”

“Yes, but Dean’s right. Any distraction is good for her.” Becky smoothed her hand over Silver’s hair, the fondness in her eyes making him smile. After the rough start between the two, he’d wondered if his sister would ever accept the woman he loved. But they’d bonded during the pregnancy, and Becky obviously considered Silver part of the family. “Poor thing must be exhausted. It’s been a long night.”

“But it will be over soon, right?” Landon groaned as Becky exchanged a look with Dean that couldn’t mean anything good. “The doctor said it shouldn’t be more than twenty-four hours since her water already broke. It’s been—” He glanced at the clock on the wall and groaned again. “Only six? Fuck!”

The door swung open and the short, bald doctor strode in, a broad smile on his face. The nurse behind him fiddled with Silver’s chart, her cheeks red as her eyes darted from Dean to Landon.

“Ah good, she’s resting. I was a little worried that having so many people around would wear her out.” Dr. Singh ambled around the bed, checking the heart monitor and the IV. Silver’s original doctor had been a woman, but Silver refused to see her after the woman had made a snide remark about the baby’s paternity. Dr. Singh was easygoing and took the relationship in stride. He’d extended Silver’s bed rest after both Landon and Dean expressed their concern. Silver had been comfortable enough with him to confess to her past drug use. Luckily, it hadn’t affected the baby, but the doctor had warned Silver that the damage to her heart could be an issue. Which was probably the only reason Silver hadn’t argued too much about being stuck in bed.

“The stress didn’t create any problems?” Landon let Becky help him stand, his breath catching as Silver’s eyes shot open and her lips parted in a silent scream. He automatically gave her his hand, which had gone numb at some point from being squeezed so often. “Hey, mignonne. Look who’s here.”

“Dr. Singh!” Silver whimpered, pressing her other hand to her stomach. “I need—I need to push. I know you said I shouldn’t—”

“Let’s see how far along you are, honey.” Dr. Singh quickly positioned Silver for the examination. After a few moments, he moved away from her, glancing over at the machine monitoring the contractions. “Very good. You’re fully dilated. I’ll give you something for the pain and we can get started. Remember what I told you about your breathing?”

Silver nodded, audibly grinding her teeth as the bed was repositioned behind her by the nurse. “I’m ready.” Her eyes widened as she looked around her. “Landon? Dean?”

Landon kissed her hand. His eyes teared as he grinned at Dean who’d moved to Silver’s other side. “We’re both here, ma cherie.”

Nodding again, Silver pushed her head back into the pillow. “He’s coming!”

“Or she.” Dr. Singh stepped between Silver’s parted thighs. “All right, sweetheart. Push!”

The piercing screams tore right through Landon, and he was grateful for his sister, standing by his side, whispering encouragement to Silver as his voice left him. The crimson towels the nurse held made his pulse stutter. He glanced over, spotting a tiny head, and his vision flashed white. His blood turned to ice as, with one last push, Silver’s head dropped back and her whole body went still. The heart monitor showed an erratic pulse.

Then steadied. He let out a rough sound of relief as Silver stirred.

She blinked at him. “The baby?”

He sobbed as he watched Dr. Singh lift the tiny, red-slicked baby up above Silver’s thighs. The nurse quickly put a clamp on the umbilical cord, then cut it. Something he’d wanted to do—it was okay though, let them handle it if that’s what was best. But as he caught the tight expression on Dean’s face, and felt Becky’s grip on his arm tighten, he knew something was wrong. He choked in air, blocking out everything else so he could hear his baby cry.

Silence wrenched all the strength from his body. He shook his head. “Dr. Singh?”

The doctor turned away from them. The nurse stood beside him, speaking low. Landon’s legs almost gave out, but he forced himself away from the calling darkness. Silver needed him to hold it together if the baby—

“There’s we go!” Dr. Singh turned as the baby let out raspy cry. “That was a lot of work, wasn’t it, little one?” He grinned at Landon, seeming to move toward him in slow motion. “Silver, gentlemen, you have a beautiful baby girl.”

“A girl.” Landon’s bottom lip quivered as Dr. Singh lowered his daughter into Silver’s arms. Tears were flowing freely now, but he didn’t bother wiping them away. He sobbed again as Silver stared up at him, her own eyes brimming with tears. “Silver?.?.?.” Dean was right behind him, his grip on Landon’s arm helping to take some weight of his leg. He leaned back, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Dean had heard. “Dean, we have a little girl!”

“She’s beautiful,” Dean whispered, smiling at him. “Strong.”

“I know!” Silver kissed their daughter’s head, laughing and sobbing at the same time. “She scared me, but?.?.?.oh God, she’d perfect, isn’t she?”

“She is.” Landon’s whole body shook as he stared at them both. Both breathing. Both so alive. He was afraid to blink. Afraid this couldn’t possibly be real. “She’s so little.”

“Her color is good even though her score is a little low.” Dr. Singh slapped Landon’s shoulder. “We’ll check her again in a few minutes. She may need some help breathing, but I’m not overly concerned. She’s small, but Dean is right. She’s strong. Her heart rate is excellent.”

With every word, Landon felt the ground become a little more solid beneath his feet. He kissed Silver, laid a solid, smacking kiss on Dean’s cheek, then gazed down at his daughter, who’d stopped crying, but squirmed and made small, fussy noises in Silver’s arms.

“Are you ready to hold her?” Silver whispered.

Landon took a deep breath, then nodded. More tears spilled as the nurse helped Silver place the baby in his arms. She weighed almost nothing, but holding her was a heavy feeling, the sensation of all his love for Silver, of everything they shared, contained in this tiny being. Her head fit in his hand, her unfocused eyes somehow finding his face. Nothing he’d ever experienced compared to this moment. Dean put an arm over his shoulder, lightly tracing his finger down the baby’s cheek, speaking soft words that Landon couldn’t quite make out.

Then Becky was there, nudging him. “Landon, the doctor needs to check her again. You have to let her go.”

Never. But he clamped down on the possessiveness, grinning ruefully as the doctor laughed.

“Not for long, Landon.” Dr. Singh winked. “After that, she’s all yours. Silver will need a lot of rest.” He eyed the heart monitor even as he handed the baby off to the nurse. His brow creased slightly. “Silver, how are you feeling, sweetie?”

“A little dizzy. And tired.” Silver licked her bottom lip. “Why?”

“Does anything hurt?”

Silver let out a strained laugh. “She might be tiny, but she didn’t feel like it coming out. I’m sore.”

Dr. Singh frowned. “You know that’s not what I mean.”

What’s going on? Landon forced himself to look away from where the nurse was examining his daughter and speaking quietly to Becky. Dean still hadn’t left Silver’s side. And the lines around his eyes had deepened, adding years to his features.

“My chest hurts a little.” Silver pressed her eyes shut. Moisture gathered on her lashes. “It’s my heart, isn’t it?”

Her heart? But, hadn’t the problem been just because from the strain of carrying the baby?

“I believe so. I would recommend you staying for a few days, at least until you see the specialist.” Dr. Singh’s lips thinned as the lines on the heart monitor spiked. “For now, I’m going to give you something to regulate your pulse. It might be nothing, but I’d rather not take any chances.”

“What about our baby? Can she go home?” Silver held up her hand before Landon could protest. “I don’t want her here longer than necessary. My screwups aren’t changing anything for her.”

The nurse carried the baby back to them, nodding to the doctor. “She went up two points. Well within the normal range.”

“I can make an appointment with the specialist. Come back and be really careful until then,” Silver spoke in a rush, as though letting anyone interrupt would trap her here. “Like you said, it might be nothing.”

“All right, I’ll leave the three of you—” he inclined his head in Dean’s direction to include him “—to discuss this. The baby can go home with you tomorrow if that’s what you decide. I recommend putting her in the nursery overnight. Silver, you need to take it easy. I don’t want to see any more of those spikes. The cardiologist can tell us more. I’ll send him in as soon as he’s available.”

The doctor walked out, the nurse following as soon as she gave the baby to Dean. He cradled the baby, standing close to Landon as he sat on the edge of the bed. Landon studied Silver’s face as she slipped her finger into their daughter’s tiny hand. He’d expected her to look a little scared, but her eyes were hard with determination.

“There’s nothing to discuss. Becky, can you stay at Dean’s place a little longer? Help Landon and Dean with the baby in case?.?.?. ?” Silver laughed even as Becky nodded. “Okay, we have to stop calling her ‘the baby.’ I’ve been thinking about names.” Her eyes filled with mischief as she peered up at Landon. “How about something vintage and hip, like Rainbow?”

Landon stared at her, his own fear momentarily forgotten, not sure why Dean was chuckling. Rainbow? “Please tell me you’re joking?”

“You have to ask?” Silver giggled as Landon continued to stare. “We all agreed on Lucie—after my grandmother—as a middle name if it was a girl, but I was so sure she was a boy, all I’ve got as a first name is Adam, after your dad. You were right, so you get to pick.”

His ex hadn’t considered letting him have anything to do with naming their baby until they’d lost him. He took a deep breath, feeling ridiculous as tears stung his eyes yet again. Silver had already given him so much. He hadn’t thought he could love her more, but at that moment, his heart was bursting with all she was to him. More precious than his own life.

“Silver, I love you. I love you so much.” He kissed her, then smiled against her lips. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while and ran it by Dean not long ago?.?.?. what do you think of Amia?”

“Amia Lucie Bower.” Silver cocked her head, then struggled to sit up, pressing her lips to the baby’s forehead. “I love it. And I love you. Love you both?.?.?. my baby’s daddies.” She blinked fast, her voice breaking. “If I have to come back, promise me you’ll keep her away from here? Keep her home, sing her lullabies, rock her to sleep. You and Dean spoil her rotten. And have Jami spend time with her. Jami’s like her sister now.” Her eyes drifted shut, but she seemed to struggle to keep them open. The lines on the heart monitor rose and fell slower, but the rhythm seemed off. “I want her to be close to her family.”

The door cracked open. Ford cleared his throat. “I?.?.?. ah—”

“Hey, you,” Silver said, without opening her eyes. “I thought you took off when Zach left.”

“Naw, I stuck around.” Ford took a deep breath, swallowing hard. “I’ll leave if you—”

“Don’t,” Silver mumbled, close to drifting off again. “Say hello to your niece. And?.?.?. call Oriana? Amia needs to know our side of the family too.” She let out a soft sigh. “I’m glad you stayed.”

Ford inched closer to Dean. “Amia. Cute. She’s really pretty, Silver.”

Landon had never liked Ford, but after how he’d been with Silver the night before, he couldn’t deny that the man cared about his sister. That he’d earned the right to be involved in Amia’s life. But he wasn’t ready to let Ford hold her just yet. Apparently, neither was Dean. He looked at Landon, his eyes reflecting Landon’s thoughts as he let Ford give Amia a little pink stuffed kitten he’d probably picked up in the gift shop. Thankfully, things didn’t get awkward, because Ford didn’t look too keen on getting any closer to his niece. He looked a little afraid of her.

Knowing his daughter was being cared for gave him the time he needed to absorb the situation. He wouldn’t disturb her much-needed sleep, but as he lowered into the chair by her bed, he considered what she had asked of him.

“I can promise to do everything you asked, and more, mon amour,” he whispered, brushing his fingers over the soft, light golden stands of Silver’s hair, spilling over the pillow. “But I can’t keep her away. She needs you.”

Becky came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his chest. “She’ll be okay. Take this one step at a time. The three of you will take Amia home tomorrow. Once we know how Silver’s doing, we’ll talk to her about this. Make sure she knows it’s okay for Amia to come visit if she is admitted again.”

He nodded, but he wasn’t convinced. During the pregnancy, he’d seen how guilty Silver felt about the possible risks her past addiction could have on the baby. Amia being in the hospital when she didn’t have to be would just bring that all back.

His sister was right. One step at a time.

First step was bringing his family home.