Page 203 of Wild Card

Rowan swings the door open in a panic. “Thank God!” She wrenches Chase into the room.

Jewls can be heard in the handicapped stall with soft, soothing words. Harley lets out a little moan and Chase raps on the door lightly.

“Tell me what’s happening.”

“Harley’s admitted to contracting for the last few hours. Pretty sure her water broke.” Jewls’ answer is strained.

My heart races, eyes locking with Rowan, whose fear is reflected back. She mouths ‘Get Ace’.

But I don’t make a move before the bathroom door slams forcefully, the handle lodging into the wall.

Ace stands there like a madman. The air in the room goes static as he stalks to the stall Jewls has already opened.

A second later, Harley is in his hold. He stops briefly by us, his dark eyes showing a fear I’ve never seen.

Chase interprets his unasked question. “I’ll follow you and make calls in the car. OB will be waiting.”

There’s a flicker of appreciation before Ace is gone.

Then all hell breaks loose.

29

TALON

“Never been that scared.”Ace’s admission cuts like a knife. He scrubs his hand over his jaw for the fifth time since we gathered in the empty hospital room next to Harley. “The baby was coming fast, she was hurting, and there wasn’t a fucking thing I could do. In the rare calm moment, she was worried about me.”

“She’s a fighter and a protector.” I feel his pain, knowing the last few hours have been hell.

“I’m supposed to be the protector.”

“When Jewls was in labor and refused to consider the alternative, I wanted to take that bullet to the chest over and over again if it would take away the pain,” Major confesses.

“Yeah,” Ace agrees.

“With that being said, you have to trust she knew her limits.”

They share a look that we all understand. Any of us would suffer to protect these women.

“What the fuck is taking them so long?”

Right then, a pert nurse appears in the doorway. “Daddy, we’re all?—"

Ace is at her side in a flash, taking the bundle from her arms. He clutches the baby to his chest and inhales deeply before turning back to us.

It’s a silent invitation we all accept, stepping up to see his newborn son swaddled tight.

There’s a collective quiet chuckle at the teensy USMC beanie covering his head.

“Achilles, Harley is ready.” Amanda, Harley’s mom, closes in on us, running her finger over the baby’s cheek. “Perfection.” Her low voice catches. “I’ll let the others know.”

Ace shoots her a grin of appreciation, and we head next door. Sandy, Ace’s mom, and Jewls are at the bedside. Harley’s sitting up, wearing what I know is not a hospital-approved gown, and staring in awe at her husband carrying her son. Tears slip down her cheeks when he sits on the side of the bed and places the baby between their arms.

The moment is huge.

Quiet footsteps shuffle in, and I sense her presence before she folds into my side.

Tom beats Shayla to the bedside, staring down at the baby before focusing on Jay. “You trying to give me a heart attack?”

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