“You could say that,” I grumble, thrusting the shovel forward to scoop up more of the shit in the paddock where he typically teaches Dylan his riding lesson next to the barn. Usually, this is a job one of the other hands will do, but it’s one I’m doing—anything to keep my mind off what’s going through it right now.
Pregnant.
Delaney is pregnant and carrying twins. Fuck!
It’s like history is repeating itself all over again. Only this time, the woman isn’t telling me that she’s getting an abortion or any of that shit. She’s telling me because she figures I should know.
Gritting my teeth, I glare at the shit on the shovel. Why didn’t I just grab the pitchfork like I typically would? Right. Because my head’s a fucked up mess at the moment.
"You just gonna keep shoveling shit or you want to talk about it?"
"What’s there to talk about?” There’s no way I’m talking about this right now. Not when I’m trying to process how much I’ve screwed up once again.
"Right, well, good talk, man."
The sound of rocks crunching causes us both to turn our heads, and we see Della rushing toward her car.
"Where's the fire?"' Maddox calls out to her.
“Shadow called,” she shouts. “They’re at the ER. Mammon’s sister was attacked in her home just a bit ago. I’m going to check on her.”
Della’s words cause my blood to roar in my ears. My gut to twist into knots, and my vision to get hazy.
Delaney was attacked? Some son of a bitch hurt her?
My body moves before I can think better of it. I toss the shovel in the wheelbarrow and head for the fence, climbing over it to the other side. I can hear Maddox talking to me, but I don’t hear the words. My thoughts are getting to the ER and finding out for myself that Delaney is going to be okay.
I’m in my truck and flying down the lane before I realize what I’m doing. If I had just simply kept myself in check, talked this out like a reasonable adult, she wouldn’t have been attacked. She would still be here at the ranch instead of being at the hospital right now.Fuck me.
This is nothing more than a fucked up shitshow.
The drive to the hospital seemed to take forever, though I knew I made it there in record time. It’s good that none of the deputies were out running radar on the roads I took, or they’d be arresting me outside the ER doors. I wasn’t stopping for shit.
I find a parking spot, yank the gear control into park, and throw my door open. I don’t know what the hell I’m doingrushing here, but I can’t let Delaney be alone. Not even knowing her brother is with her. It’s my kids she’s got inside her.
What if she miscarries? The thought has my steps faltering.
I shove the idea of it away. I just need to see for myself.
Inside the waiting room, I spot Shadow and others sitting. I jerk my chin in their direction, but head for the nurses’ station.
“Can I help you?”
“Delaney Knox.” That’s all I say.
“Are you family?”
I’m not, but I don’t give a damn, and I intend on getting to the back. “She’s pregnant, and I’m the father,” I tell her quickly, not giving the first fuck that anyone can hear me. I was getting back there. I didn’t care how that had to happen.
The nurse gives me a visitor’s pass and opens the door for me without further questioning. She must have seen I would not take no for an answer in order to get to Delaney.
“She’s in a private cubicle, third on the left.”
“Thank you.” I nod curtly to the nurse and stalk through the open doors, following her directions.
I knock once while opening the door to Delaney’s room, and step through the partially closed curtain, hiding her from the small window on the door.
Upon first look, guilt slams inside me. Delaney took a hell of a beating. Her neck and face were black and blue. Her lip was busted, and she had a cut on her cheek that would leave a scar for sure.