Page 46 of Breathtaking

Lennon... and our baby.

MADDOX

Most of the time, growing up in a small town is a gigantic pain in the ass. But today as I rush through the hospital, I’m grateful for it. No one stops me as I push through the doors in a blind panic. And the familiar face at the check-in doesn’t blink twice when I stop. “I need Lennon Windsor’s room. Where is it?” I bark at her, not caring how I sound.

Her fingers fly across her keyboard before she looks nervously up at me. “She’s in room 504, Mr. Beneventi. Take the elevators to the second floor, cross the skybridge, then take the next elevator to the fifth floor.”

“Thanks.” I walk away without a badge or a fucking care.

I know Rome’s behind me, silent.

I can feel him, but he’s smart to give me space because the quick ride here felt like a goddamn lifetime.

I haven’t even had twenty-four hours to process the bomb Lennon dropped, but fucking hell, whatever’s between us doesn’t matter. That’s my woman and my baby in that room.

Even if they’re not. Even if they can’t be.

We don’t bother with the first elevator, just taking the steps to the skybridge, then hop in the second elevator. Thankfully alone.

“Breathe, brother. You don’t know that anything is wrong with her.”

“She’s in the hospital,” I say so fucking tightly my jaw hurts. “And she’s fucking pregnant with my kid.”

Rome’s whistle bounces off the metal box we’re riding in. “Shit. When did you find that out?”

“Yesterday,” I groan and drag my hands down my face. “Fuck,” I give in and yell as the chaos raging in my head drags me down.

“Get it together, Madman. You’re no good to her if you’re a fucking mess,” he warns, and he’s right.

He’s being the voice of reason.

He’s being me.

Shit.

The doors open, and Rome grabs my shoulder. “Slow it down, man.”

I shrug him off but take a breath before we move down the hall, looking for 504. It’s not hard to find—because it’s the only room with Maria standing guard outside the door.

She sees me coming and hardens her stance.

“Who’s that?” Rome growls.

“Her bodyguard,” I snap back as I see Maria’s hand go to her right side, where I’m sure her holster sits on her hip under her suit coat.

“Is she in there?” I ask once we’re stopped in front of the woman who’s guarded Lennon for as long as I’ve known her.

Maria looks behind me at Rome. “Who’s this?”

“My brother,” I growl and grab the door, moving around the woman standing in my way.

“If I hear a single raised voice, you’re gone. Do you understand?” she threatens. “I’ll have her on a flight so fast, she won’t have time to be furious with me.” Her hard shell cracks, and I see it. See that she’s concerned for Lennon. And if I’m right, upset with herself.

What the hell happened?

“Understood.” I don’t wait for a response, just look at Rome. “Go. I’ll get a ride home.”

“Not a chance, brother. I’ll be right here.” He looks at Maria and grins. “Right next to Robo-Barbie.”

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