Gabriel's Promise (Gabriel's Inferno 4)

“Really?” She touched her forehead. “I feel like I just woke up.”

“I’m calling the hospital.”

“No, no hospital.” She lifted the sheet, her arm shaking. “I’m getting the bed wet.”

“Fuck the bed.” Gabriel’s blue eyes blazed.

She gazed at him and her fuzziness dissi

pated. “I had a dizzy spell in the shower a few days ago.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Gabriel’s tone was sharp.

“I told the nurse. It’s the stitches. I have to check the incision but it makes me sick to look at it.”

He leaned over her. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“It didn’t occur to me. I’m fine.”

Gabriel huffed. “You are not fine. What are we supposed to be checking for with respect to the incision?”

She grimaced. “Signs of infection or the wound reopening. The area around the incision is numb. It feels weird.”

“We should have the numbness checked.” His grip on her hand tightened. “I saw blood in the shower, before you fainted.”

“Blood?” Julia’s eyes widened and she began shaking.

Gabriel wrapped his arms around her. “Stay with me.”

After a moment, she blinked rapidly. “I feel like my blood sugar dropped. Maybe that’s why I fainted.”

Still holding her, Gabriel opened the drawer to her nightstand. He rummaged around and retrieved a bar of chocolate.

“How did you know about my secret chocolate?” She eyed him suspiciously.

“I pay attention.” He opened the chocolate bar, broke off a piece, and handed it to her.

She hummed as the sweetness spread over her tongue. “I’ve been bleeding since the surgery. The doctor said it’s normal.”

“Again, Julianne, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I did. Remember last night? I told you there was—” She stopped, confused.

“We need to call the hospital.”

Julia screwed her eyes shut. “Fine. Call the hospital. But I don’t want to go back.”

While she continued to eat her chocolate bar, Gabriel called Mount Auburn Hospital and was transferred quickly to the labor and delivery unit. He wouldn’t leave Julia’s side but spoke in low, calm tones so as not to upset her. It was clear from his body language that he was not happy with what he heard.

When he ended the call, he tossed his phone aside. “I think we should take you to the emergency room.”

“Is that what they said?”

“No.” He scowled. “They’re telling me bleeding is normal but to monitor the output. And to check you for fever, which I already have. They say numbness around the incision is normal and will go away. Obviously, they don’t know what they’re talking about.”

“Okay, but I don’t think two first-time parents know more than labor and delivery.” She lifted her hand and Gabriel took it once again. “I remember being in the shower and I remember seeing blood. That’s why I fainted.”

Gabriel scratched his half-shaven chin. “When was the last time you fainted? I remember you feeling woozy in my study carrel back in Toronto. There wasn’t any blood.”