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My mind feels foggy as a haze of fury washes over me. “You want to touch her stomach? You do realize that’s my wife, right?” I point to Hallie’s startled face on the hospital bed.

“Sir, we need to examine her.” The ponce in the white jacket tries to reason with me, but I scoff as I glare at the little prick. He just wants a reason to touch what doesn’t belong to him.

When Rafael gave me the best obstetrician in the area’s phone number, it definitely said Mrs. in front of it. “I asked for the best, not some jumped-up little punk wanting to cop a feel.”

“!” Hallie snaps, but I ignore her.

“Sir, as I previously explained, Mrs. Hartley is sick today with the flu. I’m her stand-in, and my credentials are just as impressive.” He lifts his chin as if proud of himself. Well, woo hoo for him. Not a fucking chance.

“So you fucking say,” I grit out.

“Can you just let him do his job?” Hallie’s gaze darts from mine to his, and I want to demand her to only look at me, but I thrust my hand in my pocket in an attempt to not pull the knife my fingers itch to use.

“We need to check the baby, sir. With Mrs. Marino unsure how far along she is, it’s vital we check her thoroughly.”

A strangled choke lodges in my throat. “Thoroughly?”

“Sir, I will place the transducer on her stomach, and it will generate the echo to the monitor.” He points toward the screen. “I just need to lube her up first.”

My temper skyrockets. “Lube. Her. Fucking. Up?” Each word sounds deadlier than the last. Just who the hell does this chump think he is?

He holds his hands up. “Sir. Mrs. Marino may have been taking medication during the gestation of her pregnancy, and I want to ensure nothing has hindered the development of the baby.”

My spine straightens and a slice of pain lances through my chest, making it difficult for me to breathe. The thought that I might have caused harm to my unborn child is crippling.

“Sleeping tablets. She’s taken sleeping pills.” I trip over my words, desperate to get them out.

“, I haven’t.” She shakes her head.

“She’s had sleeping pills,” I say, more firmly as Hallie’s eyes bore into me.

“Okay, well, I don’t think that would be an issue, but we need to look at her to be sure.” The tension in my body falls at his words.

I cross my arms over my chest and widen my stance. “I’ll lube her up. You can wait outside while I do.”

His mouth opens to speak, and I glare at him, then he clears his fat throat and nods. “Very well, sir. Let me know when you’re ready.”