Heartless Savage (Angels Halo MC Next Gen 7)

Day after day, week after week, I went into the library once a day and pulled up the camera feed. Each time, I found Ryan. Either in the office or at home or in the back of the SUV on his way to wherever. No matter what he was doing, his face remained the same. Emotionless, as if he were dead inside.

And it only made me angrier.

Wasn’t he hurting or going crazy without me? I couldn’t tell. All I could see was that blankness, as if he’d turned everything off.

“Asshole,” I muttered and switched the computer off yet again. I didn’t have time to think about Ryan and his mental health. If he would just call any of those numbers he’d blocked from Colombia, he would know that I was still stupidly waiting for him to come get me. I’d even gotten a new phone of my own, but like every other number I’d called him from, Ryan had blocked it as well.

Leaving the library that had turned into my office over the last two months, I walked through the house and up to the second floor. The doctor was already in Cali’s room with Maria and Guzman. The head of security stood by the window, and Maria sat on one side of the bed, holding Cali’s hand while the doctor examined her.

Even in the dimly lit room, Cali looked small in her queen-sized bed, fragile. Since she’d started bleeding and had been put on bed rest, she didn’t get out of bed except to use the bathroom, and even then, either Maria or I were there to assist her. Sometimes, Guzman would carry her for us because she was so scared to move for fear of causing the bleeding to get worse. Since she was unable to run the business or the house, she’d asked me to do it for her. I’d been reluctant at first, still foolishly holding out hope that Ryan and Garret would show up. Then I could go home, and Garret could take over running the Ramirez business.

Then I saw how much added stress working from bed was causing Cali, and I’d given in. The next day, a lawyer had shown up, and Cali signed over half of everything to me, making us equal partners. Now, everyone answered to me, including Guzman and his men.

Dr. Ortega continued to run the portable ultrasound wand over Cali’s slightly distended belly. She was sixteen weeks now according to all the other ultrasounds she’d had, and the old doctor had said we might be able to see the sex of the baby today.

From that first appointment, he’d been coming at least once a week, doing regular ultrasounds to make sure the baby was still growing, still healthy. Cali’s bleeding had gone on, only just now slowing down to spotting, but it was something we’d all been concerned over. The ultrasounds showed that the baby was thriving. The amniotic fluid levels were on point, and the growth rate was even a little ahead of schedule.

Seeing me, Cali gave me a small smile and held out her hand, waving me over to sit beside Maria. I took my place and clasped her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze before turning my attention back to the ultrasound screen.

“Everything is measuring beautifully,” Dr. Ortega said as he continued to type on the machine and take random pictures. “Are you sure you want to know the sex?”

“I don’t like surprises,” Cali told him with a huff. “Yes, I want to know who has been kicking around in there.”

The many lines around his eyes crinkled up as he smiled. “It appears that you are having a daughter.”

“Really?” she squealed, her free hand covering her mouth as happy tears spilled out of her eyes.

“Really.” He motioned to the monitor. “She seems to want her momma to know who she is as much as you do.”

“And you’re sure she’s okay? I’m still spotting, and I’ve been cramping off and on.” When he didn’t readily answer, she turned to me. “Nova, he’s not lying, is he? She’s okay, right?”

“Doctor?” I gritted out, disliking his continued silence.

He stood and started putting his things away. “The continued bleeding has not endangered the baby from what I can tell. However…” His shoulders slumped, and he bowed his head. “I fear you will need a full hysterectomy after you deliver. If we can get you to thirty-four weeks, I recommend you have a C-section and hysterectomy at the same time.”

“Wh-why?” Cali asked.

“Between the

accident you told me about and then the beating over several days that followed, your womb is barely strong enough to grow the baby as is. It is my opinion that carrying this baby to term will put your life in danger. That is why I think delivering at thirty-four weeks will be better for both mother and child.”

“But why the hysterectomy?” I demanded, getting to my feet.

“I truly think there will be no other choice when it comes time. To be frank, with all the trauma that has struggled to heal, I fear she will need the hysterectomy or risk bleeding to death.” He folded his hands in front of him. “The closer she gets to the third trimester, the more danger she will be in as the baby grows and her uterus stretches more and more. It is still bruised even after all these weeks. Quite honestly, it’s a miracle she hasn’t miscarried. By six months’ gestation, she will need to be admitted into the hospital for round-the-clock care.”

“No way.” Cali was already adamantly shaking her head before he’d even finished speaking. “I’m not leaving my home again. I’ve told you, all of you, repeatedly. I won’t go.”

I pulled her into a hug. “Cali, I know you’re afraid of what’s outside of the property gates, but your life is at risk from this.”

“I don’t care!” She clutched at me, her entire body trembling. “You can take care of the baby. I trust you to raise her right. But I’m not leaving this house, no matter what he says.”

I didn’t want to upset her more than she already was, so I simply soothed her until she calmed down. It wasn’t exactly surprising that she’d developed agoraphobia, considering everything she’d been put through, but her fear of the outside world was going to put her and my niece in danger.

Once she was no longer shaking, I sat back and gave her a small smile. “I don’t want you to worry. We’ll figure everything out, okay?”

“I knew you wouldn’t let me down, Nova. I-I’d be lost without you.” She shot the doctor a cold glare. “No more talking about hospitals and leaving this house. If you can’t do what I need, I’ll find a different doctor.”

I gave her one more hug then turned to face the doctor. “I’ll walk you out, Dr. Ortega.”