Page 64 of Avenging Devil: Part 2

It would be hard to see a woman growing round and blooming in her pregnancy, that was me only a short time back. I’ve still not gotten over the misery of the future I’ve lost, and don’t expect to ever do so. But especially so soon, being around someone pregnant would only serve to remind me.

I’m lost in my less-than-charitable thoughts when Bolt instructs Niran to phone Grumbler, and Niran makes the leap it’s something to do with his old lady. What’s happened? Is Mary worse? Has she, heaven forbid, lost the baby? I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

With my heart in my mouth, I watch Bolt hand Niran a phone, then, I watch him go.

“You want me to leave?”

Niran seems intent on making that phone call and ignores my question. Promising myself I’ll go if he starts discussing something I shouldn’t or don’t want to know, things that come under the heading of club business, I stay where I am.

“It’s Niran, I got a new phone. What’s up, Brother?... Yeah, not too bad. They’ve saved my foot for now though the road to recovery will be a rough one and the outcome undetermined. What’s going on with you?”

Niran’s face goes through all manner of expressions as I listen. His eyes widen, his brow furrows, his lips purse and his jaw clenches.

“What the fuck’s preeclampsia?”

He might not know, but I do. It’s when your blood pressure shoots up in pregnancy, a risk to both mother and baby. Poor Mary. Leaning forward a little, I strain to hear more, but still only get one side of the conversation.

“Yeah… Uh-huh… Brother… Yeah. That sucks. Keep me posted with updates… Grumbler, I’m so fuckin’ sorry… I’ll be back as soon as I can… Yeah.” I watch him frown and grimace. “Yeah, Pennywise would be great at that. Give my love to Mary and give her a hug from me…” He smiles slightly and pulls the phone away from his ear. “Yeah… That’s up in the air, Brother… Yeah, I’ll do what they tell me… And you too. Take fuckin’ care.”

He ends the call, lets out a long sigh, then turns toward me. When he reaches out his hand, I read that he needs comfort, and place mine in his, going so far as to squeeze it.

“Grumbler and Mary always knew there was a risk, being what their ages are.” His brows knit together and draw down.

“What’s happening?” I prompt as he falls silent. I hardly dare breathe as I wait for his answer.

Mary had had so much compassion for me, and she was such a sweet lady, I can’t bear to think of her going through what had happened to me.

Niran sighs heavily before replying. “Mary’s got something called preeclampsia. Apparently, she’s been suffering headaches and shit and didn’t let Grumbler know. But she got herself checked and was diagnosed.” His eyes meet mine. “She’s in the hospital, and likely to remain there for the rest of her pregnancy.”

“How long’s she got left?”

“Eight weeks he says.”

“Will they deliver the baby early?”

He shrugs. “They’re monitoring her carefully and want to keep it cooking a little longer. But Saffie, Grumbler’s been warned they might lose the baby.” When he looks at me, I see moisture in his eyes. “Fuck, Saffie. This is all foreign territory to me. I never knew there was so much that could go wrong in a pregnancy.”

I, and now Mary, have been an education to him. “She’s in the best place,” I tell him, knowing it’s no comfort.

“Grumbler waited nearly six decades to find his ol’ lady. It will destroy him if he loses her now.” Niran’s eyes crease in pain. “I just fuckin’ wish I could be there for him.” He pauses, then adds, “Pennywise, Salem and Dart have to go home. Grumbler’s stepping back as sergeant-at-arms, and his job should have fallen to me. He suggested Pennywise fill his shoes until his situation is sorted.” A flicker of pain crosses Niran’s face.

A sergeant-at-arms needs to watch out for the club, even I know that. Niran would have been perfect for the role. I can understand what’s got him upset.

“I should be there, Saffie. I should be there for my club.”

He’d offered to leave it for me. It’s clear what a crazy idea that would have been. “You’ll be there,” I respond firmly. “One way or another, you’ll get back to your club.” Once he’s back on his feet, he’ll take his place once again and will no longer need me.

He slams his fist down on the bed, hitting it repeatedly. “I should be there. I should be with my brother. I should be there, especially now.” After the final words, he clamps his mouth shut.

“Why now?” I ask, sharply. Is it because of Grumbler’s problems or something else?

He gives me a loaded glance but doesn’t say more.

Up to now, I’ve been focused on me. My escape from Duke, my pregnancy and the dreadful end to it, my kidnap and return to my husband. Me, me and me. My eyes have been opened. While it doesn’t lessen my pain, I start to understand that bad things don’t only happen to me. Niran might lose the use of his other leg, and Mary? Well, she and Grumbler might lose their dream. There’s another woman today, wondering as I had, about the fate of her baby.

A tear escapes from my eye. As I wipe it away, Niran notices. He grasps the hand he’s still holding more tightly. “I’m sorry, babe. I shouldn’t talk about Mary. It’s bringing everything back to you.” His eyes, so full of compassion, land on my face.

“I’m sad for Mary,” I tell him, truthfully. “And for you. If you hadn’t gotten caught up in my mess, you wouldn’t be here.”

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