Love That Defies Us (The Devil's Dust #2.2)(17)

“Dani, we need to get to the hospital now,” Shadow instructs, his tone stern but laced with fear.

“I feel completely fine. Shouldn’t I be having contractions or something?” I question, taking my eyes from the water to Shadow’s stunned face, his eyes raised to his hair line as he looks me over.

“Hell if I know!” Shadow replies.

I take what’s left of my top off and head to the bathroom to get my things. I run my hands along my stomach, curious why I am not feeling any tightening or contractions.

“Let me help, babe,” Shadow insists, grabbing some clothes from my bag. He’s wearing some low-cut gray sweats and a plain white t-shirt. Dressed already.

“I feel fine, honey. I can do this myself,” I remark, grabbing my bra off the floor. As I put it on, I feel cloth rub up and down my legs. I widen my knees and look between them, finding Shadow cleaning the fluid sticking to my legs and thighs with a towel.

“Here.” Shadow unfolds a pair of panties, waiting for me to lift my leg so he can dress me.

“You aren’t going to let me get dressed by myself, are you?” I question with a raised brow.

“No, I’m not, so now that we have accomplished that, let’s get you dressed so we can get you to the hospital,” Shadow snaps. I roll my eyes and lift my leg so he can slide my panties on.

After getting dressed with Shadow’s help, we head to the car. Just as I am about to climb in the car, a sharp pain stabs across my stomach, making me grab my midsection and yell.

“Dani!” Shadow runs to my side of the car and grabs my waist.

The feeling lasts a few seconds before finally releasing.

“I think the pain is here,” I mumble as Shadow opens the car door for me.

I slide into my seat and grasp the dash with my fingers, waiting for the next toe-curling contraction to rip through me.

Everything echoes, and my heartbeat suddenly thuds hard against my chest.

“Dani!” I look over and notice I am falling into Shadow’s lap. I push off the seat and lean against the window.

“Drive to the hospital quickly, Shadow,” I whimper. “Something’s wrong.”

***





SHADOW


I have been afraid many times in my life, mostly being after I met Dani and usually involving Dani in some way. But my body just went stone-cold, my breathing shallow as my heart stops. I have heard of pregnant women dying while giving birth, having complications. I shake my head to clear it then lean over and buckle Dani in gently.

I throw the car in reverse and fly out of the driveway, the tires screeching against the pavement as I fishtail it onto the road. My foot slams down on the accelerator as I head toward the highway.

I hear Dani moan loudly, grabbing the door and dashboard as another one of those contraction things hits her.

“Try and breathe, baby,” I add, reaching over to rub her back. She slowly turns her head, her eyes the angriest green I have ever seen.

“I am breathing. Just drive the f*cking car!” she yells.

I glare at her then look back at the road.

After fifteen minutes of driving the back roads, I reach the freeway, not caring to stop for red lights or stop signs.

“We’re almost there, Dani,” I inform her, passing the hospital sign.

I look over when she doesn’t answer and see her face paling, her body shaking with a cold sweat. She looks bad, and not in the ‘I’m having a baby’ way.

I pull onto the off ramp and see red and blue lights flare in my rearview mirror. I look behind me and see a cop car tailing us.

“Shit,” I mumble.

“What?” Dani cries out, her voice shaky.

“Nothing,” I reply, not wanting to worry her. Sirens sound behind us, making Dani’s head snap toward me.

“Don’t worry about it; I’m not stopping,” I add quickly. I grab my gear shifter and slam it into third as I pull off the highway, taking all the speed my Mustang can give, the cop right on my tail with sirens blaring loudly.

I take a left, the hospital in sight as we race toward it. I look in the rearview mirror and see another cop pull in behind us from a side road, its overhead lights on.

“Shit, shit,” I mumble.

“Shadow, I don’t feel so…” Dani suddenly stops talking, a loud thump sounding from the passenger side. I look over in panic and see her head leaning against the window, her eyes closed.

“Dani!” I yell in fear, reaching over to shake her.

I turn left into the hospital’s parking lot, run over the sidewalk, and park right in front of the emergency doors.

I open my door and race around the other side, the cop cars pulling up right behind me.

I open Dani’s door and she falls into my arms.

“Stop it right there or I’ll shoot,” an officer yells, stepping out of his cruiser.

“I need help!” I scream, my voice trembling.

The cop looks over at the other officer aiming a weapon at me, hiding behind his door. Fuck this; they’ll have to shoot me.

I grab Dani under her thighs and behind her neck, lifting her from the seat. I run toward the hospital’s double doors, not looking back at the cops.

“Someone help!” I yell, running into the lobby.

Doc turns around from standing at the desk, and her face pales as she runs toward me. Thank God she is working tonight. She snaps her hands at a young girl wearing scrubs and the girl runs off, grabbing a bed sitting along the wall.