Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers 3)

She smiles sweetly. “You are funny.”

“Don’t turn on me. I need someone on my side when I can walk again and kick ass.”

“I’m your girl.”

“Have a pleasant flight home. By the time you land, Evin will have an update and you can relax.”

She surprises me by kissing my cheek and whispering, “I love you.”

My nose stings and all I can say is, “Same.”

The moment is broken when another perky nurse, this time a man, comes in with a wheelchair. “Someone call for an Uber?”

His eyes hit mine and he grins wider. Evin growls and the room erupts again.

“The price of being two beautiful people,” Dante sings.

The nurse’s eyes go to Dante, and it’s impossible to miss the flare in them.

“Jesus, another Dante,” Evin mutters, and I burst back into giggles.

He lifts me, placing me into the wheelchair and grasping my hand. “I’m going with her as far as I can go.”

“Okay, big guy. We’re headed to Rodeo Drive, otherwise known as the Surgical Wing.”

Annie comes to squat in front of me, taking my free hand. “We’re staying, Poppy. I’ll be waiting when you wake up, and I’ll have something besides these hideous hospital gowns.”

I squeeze her palm. “I’d appreciate that.”

Edward bends in to kiss me, and the nurse backs me out of the room while I wave.

Dante and Ryanne follow us to the elevator and both look edgy.

Oddly, I’m not nervous and there’s only one reason.

“Guys, I’m going to be okay. Take care of my husband.” They nod solemnly and Evin’s grip tightens.

We go into the elevator, and I flash my best friends a huge smile, blowing them a kiss as the doors close.

I peer up at Evin and he’s grinning down at me. Yeah, I’ll be fine.

Chapter 25

Evin

I welcome the burn of the whiskey down my throat, staring at the small purple pack on the table. My conversation with Darby replays in my head, and rage sears through my veins.

The lock beeps right before Dad, Dante, and Ryanne come in. My eyes stay on the table.

“What’s up? What’s so important that we aren’t at the hospital with Pips?”

Dante’s irritation is good. I need him ready to fucking rip heads apart.

“We have to talk.”

“We couldn’t talk at the hospital while Poppy sleeps?”

“Not about this. The doctor said she’ll be out for a while. Mom’s staying with her until I get back. She thinks I’m preparing to move hotels closer to the hospital.”

“Evin, no offense, but you look deadly right now and the vibes are seriously strong. Maybe you should tell us what’s wrong,” Ryanne states.

“I look deadly because the thought of killing someone is on my mind.”

“Oh, fuck,” Dad murmurs. “What the hell happened since you left the hospital?”

“And why are birth control pills on the table?” Ryanne points to the pack.

“Poppy was pregnant.”

All the air is sucked out of the room as shock crosses their faces, followed by sorrow.

“Was?” Ryanne’s voice cracks.

“Was.” I shoot back another gulp. “The initial blood tests when she arrived at the hospital showed elevated HCG levels, which indicated it was extremely early. Poppy wouldn’t have even suspected yet. The test that came later changed.”

“Could test one have been erroneous?”

“It could have been, yes, especially since they were originally looking for drugs or alcohol in her system. But I don’t think it was.”

“Son, the probability of her being pregnant is slim with your situation. You should assume the test was wrong because you’ll never know.”

“When the doctor told me yesterday, I felt the same way, Dad. With all the other things happening, I forced myself to sideline the subject. But it kept plaguing me. When she woke up and the doctor announced the surgery a success, that nagging took priority.”

“So, what’s with her birth control pills?” Ryanne asks.

“She was right on track up through Friday.”

“Pills aren’t always one-hundred percent effective,” Dad throws in.

“I know that, Dad, but they proved to work for us so far. That’s why I called Darby. She knew immediately the window of this opportunity. The day after the wedding when Poppy got sick.”

His face falls and eyes fill with sadness. He gets where I’m coming from.

“Fuck.” Dante goes to the bar and pours a drink.

Ryanne sinks in the chair, looking crushed.

“Poppy isn’t aware of this.”

“You haven’t told her?”

I shake my head. “I’d appreciate it if none of you did, either.”

“My lips are sealed.” Dante is quick to agree.

“Dante, we can’t keep this from her,” Ryanne argues.

“I’m with Ryanne. Not a good idea to keep something this big from her,” Dad puts in his vote.

My eyes go between him and Ryanne, passing over Dante. As suspected, he’s in protector mode while Ryanne is filled with heartache.

“You all may feel differently after I tell you the rest.”

My gaze holds Dante’s. “Natasha Bindel did this. When her attempts to seduce me failed and Isaac laid her out, she was beaten. She took one last shot. By tripping her, Tasha went after Poppy’s vulnerability, her legs. Ultimately, she’s responsible for ending Poppy’s career in a gruesome way that stole our baby.”