Duncan (The Protectors #3)(56)

Slade took the baby into the bathroom and quickly returned with the little one bundled up, placing him into Pam’s arms. “So what’s his name?”

Pam looked down, running her finger along her child’s soft cheek. “Daniel Duncan Roark.”

Chapter 22

Pam stared down at her baby, smiling when his little lips puckered. Duncan sat on the hospital bed watching them both.

Slade stood writing notes. “How you feeling, Pam?”

“Great,” she replied without looking up.

“Any pain?” He scribbled more notes.

“Nope.” Pam grinned when Daniel yawned. “Never felt better.”

“Doctor Buchanan?” An older nurse walked in with a smile at Pam and the baby. “We need to take little Daniel down for prints and pictures.”

“Can I go with him?” Pam asked, looking worried.

“You need to get some rest.” The nurse came next to the bed looking down at Daniel. “Boy, he sure is a cutie.”

“I’m fine. I want to be with him.” She felt uneasy and didn’t want to be away from him.

“I can go.” Duncan stood. “You really need to rest.” He kissed her forehead.

“I’m sorry, sir, but only the father is permitted.” The nurse frowned. “I assure you he will be safe. Ms. Braxton, you and the baby have matching wristbands for safety reasons. This little guy will be absolutely fine, plus all the nurses want to hold him.”

“He is the father,” Pam replied after the nurse finished.

The nurse immediately looked flustered and nervous.

Duncan picked up Daniel smiling down at him. “Let’s go flirt with some nurses, buddy.”

“Hey.” Pam frowned. “No flirting until he’s…twenty-one.”

“Can I speak with you, Dr. Buchanan?” The nurse was staring at Duncan then at Slade.

“What is it?” Slade looked up from his paperwork.

“This isn’t the man who’s saying he’s the father,” the nurse whispered, not realizing that Duncan and Pam could hear her perfectly.

“What?” Pam paled. “Who’s saying they’re the father.”

“It’s all over the news,” the nurse replied, embarrassed that she had been heard. She pointed to the television up near the ceiling. “He’s been talking to all the reporters saying he’s the father of the half-breed’s baby.”

Pam scrambled to grab the remote. Aiming it at the television, she clicked it on, changing the channels quickly.

Duncan and Slade glanced at each other, which Pam saw. “What’s going on, Duncan?” Pam frowned still clicking through to find the news channels.

A voice from her past filled the room chilling her to the bone.

“Well, of course I’m excited.” Kenny told the news reporter holding the microphone. “I’ve been away on business and just got the news. Didn’t even have a chance to get cigars or flowers for the beautiful Momma.” Kenny stared into the camera, his smile portraying a happy new father, but his eyes said much more and only Pam could read the message they sent.

Pam clicked off the television, throwing the remote as if it was cursed. “Is he here?” Pam asked, staring at the television. “Is he here?” she yelled, panicked, her eyes searching.

“That was the front of the hospital where media are allowed to report from,” the nurse replied, looking surprised and a little shocked at Pam’s reaction.

“Jesus.” Pam started to scramble out of the bed ripping off monitor prongs. “Where’s my clothes. Where’s my f*cking clothes? Give me Daniel. We have got to get out of here.”

Duncan handed Daniel to the nurse. “Don’t move from that spot,” he warned her, then turned to Pam. “You need to calm down.”

“Are you crazy?” Pam smacked at his hands. “He’s here for the baby. He’s not touching him.”

“Pam, I will not let him near you or the baby.” Duncan invaded her space, forcing her to stop and see him. “Do you hear me? I will not let anything happen to you.”

“Did you know he was out?” Pam shook. “Why isn’t he arrested and in jail? He killed that Sheriff.”

“I’ll explain later.” Duncan kept glancing at the door. “Right now we have…”

“You knew?” Pam’s whole body slumped. “And didn’t tell me?”

The look of betrayal on her face was more than he could take. “Do not leave this room,” he ordered her, but before he could move, the door opened.

“Pam, honey. I got here as fast as I could.” Kenny Lawrence walked in like he belonged, two uniformed officers behind him. His eyes landed on Pam and then on the baby in the nurse’s arms.

Duncan was in front of Kenny, blocking him from Pam before anyone could stop him. Slade had one hand on Duncan’s arm. “I suggest you get the f*ck out of this room.” Duncan stared down at him, his eyes blacker than midnight.

“Is that so?” Kenny smirked. “I have more right than you to be here. As a matter of fact, I’ve got a restraining order against you, so I suggest you get the f*ck out of this room before I have you arrested.”

“Try it,” Duncan hissed. “Give me one reason not to kill you on the spot. If they even try to arrest me, I will kill you before they take a step. You know it, and I know it. You may have gotten away with killing Sheriff Bowman, for now, but you will not lay one hand on Pam or the baby.”