Page 112 of Waiting For A Girl Like You
“Two.”
“And can we have a guard stationed at each entry point?”
The nurse hesitated, but Liam added a "please," which finally did the trick. “Outside the doors,” Holly agreed. “And they have to stay out of the way.”
“Your staff has had background checks?”
Holly’s eyes narrowed. “My people would never associate with that insanity.”
“I bet the ultrasound tech’s office thought the same thing about her, so please forgive my lack of trust. We just finished navigating a threat less than an hour ago, and we’re all on edge,” Liam replied smoothly, careful to keep his smile in place. “One guard at each entry point, Samuel in the OR, and us in the hall.”
Holly pointed to the glass-encased room at the end of the corridor. “I’ll accept the guards and the husband, but the rest of you can wait in the OR waiting room.”
“Feds and cops in the hall,” Liam countered. “The family will stay in the waiting room.”
“Fine, but get those visitors out of the birthing suite so we can transport her.” Holly walked off in a huff. “You have less than two minutes.”
“Holden, you’re at one door, and Izzy, you’re at the other. Follow Holly and find out where you need to go. Text me if there’s an issue,” Liam ordered. “Samuel, get everyone out of there so you can focus on Evie. And where the hell are my parents?”
“They’re coordinating with the men Klausen and Anderson sent,” Ben replied. “Will wants to know exactly where everyone is going to be positioned.”
Holden and Izzy ran after Holly while Samuel went into Evie’s hospital room. Seconds later, everyone—including Simone—exited.
“Rude!” Jamison huffed, marching out into the hall. “Those nurses need to give Samuel a sedative or something.”
“Ben, can you take Theo?” Perched on Liam’s hip, Theo held her hands out so her grandfather could grab her. “Rowan, keep Jamison close while I see if I can do a quick sweep of that OR.”
The new guy, Carter, glanced between the group and those coming and going down the hall, maintaining a firm grip on Harper. “You need me with you or them?”
“Them.” Liam snatched Jamison and gave her a quick kiss. “Behave.”
Jamison pretended to be offended. “I always behave.”
Liam jogged away, and Rowan took Annabeth’s hand as she exited Evie’s room. “Okay, everyone. Let’s try to be good boys and girls and go to the waiting room.”
“I don’t see why we can’t wait outside the OR with Izzy and Holden,” Josie mumbled, her arm hooked into the crook of Simone’s arm. “We wouldn’t be in the way.”
“She needs us. Samuel needs us. This is serious.” Simone turned to Ben. “Can’t you do something?”
“Yeah, I can corral you two into the damn waiting room,” Ben replied dryly, which made Theo giggle. “So, let’s go.”
“Swear jar, Papa.” Theo laid her head on his shoulder. “I tired.”
“We’re all tired, Theo.” Abe rolled his wheelchair down to the waiting room and pointed inside. “Hey, at least it’ll be just us in here.”
They all started to turn and leave when Evie’s bed emerged from her room, pushed by two nurses, with Samuel right beside her.
“Wait!” Simone and Josie nearly fell all over themselves to get to her. “Evie!”
Annabeth and Jamison ran off, too, as did Ben with Theo. Harper tugged on Carter’s hand until he scooped her up. “Come on,” he muttered. “But don’t touch my gun.”
Rowan hung back with Abe, giving space while the women hugged Evie, and Ben spoke quietly to Samuel.
“Sammy is barely holding it together,” Abe said. They were far enough away that no one could hear him. “Everyone always thinks he’s the strong one between him and Evie, but they’re wrong.”
Samuel did look ready to pass out, and Rowan imagined he'd feel the same in that situation. “I get it.”
And he truly did. If Annabeth didn’t want to marry him, it would suck, and it would hurt, but in the end, it didn’t matter. He needed her. If something horrible happened between them or to one of them, she would be the strong one who could continue on with life. But him? Nota chance. His life would be nothing if she weren’t in it, and if that made him weak, so be it.
