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Chapter Nineteen

Jolie

Case lies still on a bed in the clinic section of Olympia, tubes and wires coming from his body. I knew the second he was hit—I could feel it. Brennan rushed to see Jimmie, and he confirmed there was an explosion. That Kai had run back in to get Case.

We met them here so everyone could be checked, and Case still hasn’t woken up. “Why hasn’t he healed yet?”

“He hit his head hard, Princess. Two days in a coma isn’t unusual,” Kai says, squeezing my hand. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry? This isn’t your fault. I sent you all in without Brennan.”

“I didn’t know he was still inside. Shit started blowing up, and so we all ran. Once again, Ziyon was ten steps ahead of us.”

“I want all of this to end before the babies are born. They can’t come into a world with the risk that their own family is out to hurt them. If we are a target, then so are they.”

“As soon as I get my hands on him, I’m going to fucking kill him. He has sealed his own fate,” Chester growls from the doorway. I turn to look at him and nod my head. I can’t argue with him about this. If it is Ziyon or the safety of my children, then he has to go. He could have worked with us to make Olympia great. Instead, his ego got the better of him, just like Mr Z. Maybe in the end they were both too far gone.

I have started to read the journal of my great-grandfather and his dream for Olympia. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to see any of this in his lifetime. My grandfather started this pursuit later in his life, along with Mr Z and Ziyon. But somewhere along the way, lines blurred, and his sons strayed from the original plans. I aim to get us back on course, to see out a man’s dreams—how he had envisioned them.

“Are you okay?” Chester asks, when I don’t respond to him.

“I’m fine, just worried he won’t wake up.” I swipe at a few stray tears that have fallen.

“He will wake up,” Kai says. “He doesn’t trust us with you, so he will fight to bring himself back.”

“I have to go meet with this new scientist,” Chester says. “This is the closest we have been to someone understanding what is happening with the babies, especially now we have those extra files.”

“It’s not your fault you don’t understand it. You will one day,” I tell Chester in support while squeezing his hand.

“I should have listened to Mr Z every time he pushed me to learn more. He was trying to prepare us, and we were all too stupid to see the signs.”

“Not stupid, stubborn,” I correct him. They are all far from stupid; everything they do is so far advanced for how young they are. He really needs to give himself a break.

“Kai’s stupid.”

I gasp and turn around to see Case’s eyes slowly opening, but don’t miss the silly grin on his face.

“I’ll get the doc,” Chester says, racing out of the room.

“Smarter than your stupid ass,” Kai retorts.

Case slowly lifts his hand and flips Kai off.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” I tell him, shuffling as close as I can beside his bed. The doctor comes into the room, and I refuse to move—he can work around me.

The doctor checks over all his vitals, but I’m lost to all the medical talk. I just sit quietly beside the bed and wait. I hold Case’s and Kai’s hands while we listen to the doctor.

“Everything is looking good. I will come back and check on you shortly,” he says and leaves the room.

Tears spill from my eyes, and I rest my head on the side of the bed, unable to keep it together any longer. Case untangles our fingers and strokes my head. “Don’t cry, Wildflower. I’m okay, thanks to Kai coming back in for me.”

“No sweat. I couldn’t let my baby brother get blown into pieces.”

“I can’t help it. Everyone keeps getting hurt because of me,” I cry.

We are interrupted by Brennan walking into the room, his phone tucked against his ear. “Keep me updated.”

We all wait until he pockets his phone before questioning him. “That was Corey. Ziyon moved everyone an hour before you got there. They have been in a secret location and have not been allowed contact with anyone. He was taken home today, completely blindfolded, so no one knows where they are located. No phones are allowed while they are on duty.”

“So what the fuck are we supposed to do now?” Kai says in exasperation.

“We will be tracking Corey’s movements. Creed is going to give him one of our tracking devices.”

We all stare at Brennan as he continues his explanation. It’s a risky move, but if anyone can do it, it’s Creed. That fucker is so damn stealthy. It could also put Corey’s life at risk if Ziyon finds out.

“Are we sure we should risk the man’s life? Haven’t we learned anything after Case being hurt?” I question. Where do we draw the line?

“He will be perfectly safe. This is only a temporary tracker. He will swallow it, and we will get about four days of transmission before it passes. We just need to find out where Ziyon is hiding.”

I nod. It seems like it’s the safest way.

Case refused to stay in the hospital—or the Olympia equivalent. He said there was no way he would miss our first birthing classes. I argued we could all just skip the first lesson because, truth-be-told, I really didn’t want to go to it. Honestly, I don’t understand why they are so important. What goes up must come down after all, and no matter my feelings on the matter, these babies will come out one way or another. So what use are birthing classes? Brennan, however, managed to convince all the guys it’s a good idea—knowledge is power and all that—so off we go.

I have already received three messages today from Sinclair saying if anyone finds Blayne’s dead body, she brought it on herself. Five from Blayne complaining that since she didn’t ask for any of this, she shouldn’t have to miss her combat class. One from Colt asking if costumes are optional, whatever the hell that means. And one from Chester saying he may not make it, as they have had a possible breakthrough.

“Are you excited about your birthing class tonight?” Petra asks from the kitchen while she serves up dinner portions into containers for everyone to reheat when they’re hungry.

“Not really. I’m more of a turn up and hope for the best kind of girl. You know, YOLO.”

“I get it, but having a birthing plan is important and knowing your options is a good place to start. You know Brennan, he likes to be prepared.”

“I guess.”

“Since you’re going to Olympia, would you mind dropping these off to Chester and his new colleague?”

She slides two containers across the bench. “Are we feeding everyone now?” I ask with a laugh.

“Nah, just the pretty ones,” she throws back.

“Pretty... as in a she ?” I had forgotten the new scientist was a female.

“Yes, Scarlett. She is such a gem. So polite and friendly—they were here the other day.”

“Here?”

Petra still has her back to me, finishing up the food while I press for information without ripping her throat out. There was another woman in my house while I wasn’t here, and he didn’t even tell me?

“Yeah, they scared the life out of me. I had my headphones in and was vacuuming while everyone was out. When I opened his door, I almost jumped out of my skin.”

Biting my lip to refrain from yelling at Petra, I mentally remind myself I’m not being rational. And I keep telling myself this as I slide out of my seat and grab the containers.

“When Trace gets out of the shower, can you tell him I will meet him at Olympia?”

She nods even though she knows I shouldn’t leave the house by myself. But she also won’t tell me I can’t, though I’m sure she will text Brennan the second I leave the kitchen. I don’t bother changing; instead, I hightail it to the garage and snatch a set of keys from the hook. A black SUV that is barely ever used lights up as I press the unlock button. I pull myself into the driver’s seat, reverse out of the garage and press my foot on the accelerator, screeching out of the driveway.

The short drive to Olympia is even shorter, with my anger riding me as hard as it is. How dare he be all “You can’t have your best friend in your room because he is a guy” and yet he can be alone with some random woman and then bring her to my house?! I hate the rage burning inside me—I’m not usually like this and blame the pregnancy hormones.

I dial Chester’s number as I pull into the parking lot, and it goes straight to voicemail. I take the elevator up to the fourth floor, but with the recent renovations, the entire layout has changed. Once the doors open, the receptionist smiles at me. Sally is in her mid-forties and so nice.

“Jolie, I wasn’t expecting you today. What a nice surprise.”

“I have a birthing class here today and thought I would bring Chester his dinner.”

“Such a lucky man. He is in the lab.”

“Thanks, Sally. I even brought you a meal. Petra made extras.”

I hand her Scarlett’s container and she smiles at me. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. You can finish up early. None of the guys will be back in today, and it looks pretty empty here.”

“Thank you so much. Misty has a dance rehearsal tonight and wanted me to watch.”

“Go. Don’t ever miss your kids’ events, just give me a heads up. See you later,” I say over my shoulder as I head down the hallway. She will keep me talking if she gets half a chance. Usually it’s no bother, but Chester has some explaining to do.

I scan my way through the security doors until I can see them through the glass, sitting side by side at a lab bench in front of a computer. My heart beats erratically, whooshing in my ears as I lose my cool at the sight of them so close. Her arm inches closer to his until they are slightly touching. He doesn’t move his arm, so he either doesn’t care or doesn’t notice.

I clench my teeth together—stupid motherfucking slut! As if he hears me, he turns to face me and smirks. That asshole did hear my thoughts. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. I move forward and scan into the room. Chester doesn’t move—he just raises a brow at me—but his little girlfriend is at least smart enough to shift over.

“What are you doing here, Little Angel?”

“Don’t ‘what are you doing here’ me, you asshole! I own the fucking building until our child is of age.”

“But are you not supposed to be at birthing classes?”

“No, don’t try and change the subject with me, mister. What about you, huh? Let’s play a little memory game,” I sneer. He fully turns his chair around to face me, and damn, I want to punch the amused look off his face. “Rewind to the day Jimmie was beaten up. Do you remember what you told me?”

He nods. “No men in your room, and I stand by it.”

“So what makes you think the same doesn’t apply to you?”

“I can promise you that no men have been in my room.”

I slam his food down on the bench in front of him. “Don’t fuck with me, Chester! Why the fuck was she alone with you in your room, and just now her arm was pressing against yours?”

“I’m his—” Scarlett tries to talk.

I turn to her and point my damn finger right at her. “Friend?” I say with a raised brow. I turn back to Chester.

“So are you done?” he asks.

“Not even close, and you can bet your ass that you’re coming to those birthing classes.”

“How about now?” he counters.

I cross my arms over my chest and rest them against my stomach.

“Jolie, I would like you to meet my cousin.”

“Your... cousin?” I ask suspiciously, the word tasting foul on my tongue.

“Yep, the she-bitch has a sister who had a child, and this is her. Scarlett’s mum was a scientist here for years, until my mum had her fired. We tried to convince her to work for us, but she refuses to come back into this world. But lucky for us, Scarlett has been going over her mum’s research for years. Something I should have been doing from the start.”

“Um, I have to go. Your dinner is there, and I gave hers to the receptionist.”

I turn and speed-walk away, needing to get as far from this room as possible. Why didn’t he tell me his cousin was working for them, so I didn’t embarrass myself in front of her? No wonder he didn’t notice her slightly touch his arm—she is family. I repeatedly press the elevator button, like the more I press it, the quicker it will open.

After what feels like forever, the light on the door flashes.

“Little Angel,” Chester growls as the doors open. His hand wraps around the back of my neck, and he pushes me inside. “You’re so fucking beautiful when you’re mad.”

“Mad?!” I snap, pulling out of his hold and twisting around to face him. “I was livid. She is lucky she’s your cousin.”

He backs me into the corner of the elevator and leans over me. His hands come up on either side of me and press against the wall. “I want to fuck you right now.”

“What’s stopping you?” I whisper against his lips.

“The sad fuck that’s watching us,” he says, looking up at the camera. “I’m not a patient man, but I will be watching you tonight, and every time you lock eyes with me, just know I’m thinking about all the ways I can eat your pussy.”

I clench my legs together tight, and I hear the door ding and slide open. “Maybe you can keep dreaming all night,” I say, ducking under his arm and walking onto the maternity floor. Which also doubles for general doctor’s appointments for the other students at Olympia. Trace stands at the entrance, his arms crossed. Oh shit, I forgot I ditched him at home. I close the distance between us, nibbling my lip and putting on my best innocent face.

“I’m so sorry. Chester forgot to tell me he was working with his cousin.”

“So, you put yourself at risk because you were jealous. Could you have been any more stupid if you tried?”

“Back off,” Chester warns, stepping up beside me.

“No! How many times do we have to lose her before she never comes back?” Trace yells, just as Brennan comes out of a set of doors to our right.

“They are about to start. Can you save your argument until we are done?” he warns us.

Both guys stalk off towards where he just came from.

“Thank you,” I tell him.

“Don’t thank me, Jolie. What you did was reckless, and not only did you put your own safety in jeopardy, but you also risked the babies.”

I open my mouth to respond, but what can I say to that? He is right, and I know it. What I did was stupid; I never act like this. We both walk into the room where everyone is waiting and take a seat.

An older lady stands at the front of the class. “Welcome, ladies, gents, and pirate.”

Pirate? I turn and look behind me, and bloody Colt is dressed as a damn pirate. He leans forward and whispers, “What do you call a pirate with two eyes, two arms, and two legs?”

I shrug. I was never one for jokes.

“A beginner,” he says with a laugh, quickly turning with an oomph as Sinclair elbows him in the stomach. He sits back with a smirk, and I turn back to face the front of the class. Brennan is seated to my right, and Chester to my left, who places his hand on my thigh.

Apparently today we will watch a birth video, then we can ask questions. Each session she will go over different things, like our birth plan and pain relief. Not that I will be able to use it.

She says the video is just portions of the birth, and we should expect it to be a lot longer. That active labour will generally last a minimum of four to eight hours.

The video starts, and the lady is breathing through her contractions while she bounces on a ball. As the video progresses to the end, her legs are being held up by stirrups. Good lord, the noises she makes cannot be natural. I glance at Chester, and he looks petrified as the baby starts to come out. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so pale.

“Hold up!” he shouts, causing the midwife to pause the video. “So you’re telling me that a doctor is going to be all up in my girl’s business?”

“I’m not sure how else you expect the doctor to be able to deliver the baby,” the midwife replies. Chester turns to me. “No... They can cut them out,” he demands.

“Chester, sit down,” I tell him and pull his arm. “We can talk about this later.”

He huffs and slumps back into his chair with a scowl.

“Dude,” Colt says, leaning forward. “Sinclair had her first internal the other day, and I wanted to murder the doctor.”

Chester turns to me, and his eyes are wild. “I’ll kill him,” he warns.

“You won’t touch him,” Brennan interjects sternly. “We want the babies here safely.”

The midwife continues after Chester’s little outburst, going over different types of pain relief. I tune it out since there isn’t an option of that for me. I’m unsure if Chester has anything I can take, or if he is at least in the middle of making something for me.

Once the class finishes, the midwife asks if anyone has any questions.

“The pirate,” she says, pointing over my shoulder.

“Is the pain medication just for the women?”

“Yes, next question.”

“Will my um... kitty go back to its normal size?” Summer asks, a slight blush on her cheeks.

“Yes, it will be fine.”

“That huge needle they stick in your back—how soon can I get one?” Blayne asks. “I don’t want to feel shit.”

“When you’re around four centimetres dilated.”

“Well, that fucking sucks. This boy better just fall out,” she snaps.

“I’ll help you stretch it out,” Colt replies.

The midwife stops the ridiculous questions and hands out a small booklet as homework. Homework from a damn birthing class.

“I want you all to read over it. You can fill it out if you like, or if you’re undecided on what you want, you can wait until we cover all topics,” the midwife finishes, then excuses us from her class.

“I thought the classes would be longer,” I whisper to Brennan, walking hand in hand with him towards the car.

“Colt and a few others have the attention span of a goldfish. Towards the end, the classes will get longer.”

I really need to do something to get them all to pay attention better while we are taking these classes. Granted, I don’t particularly want to be at them myself, but I can’t deny that it’s useful information. I wonder if the midwife will look down on me if I duct tape them all to their chairs and put a piece over their mouths, so we don’t have to hear any more ridiculous questions.