Page 46 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
I wonder how many men will be killed to make it happen, but I don’t say that. Why be snarky at such a sweet moment?
Niko looks at me. “You’re going as well?”
I nod.
His jaw tightens. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
My anger rises. Elena’s expression falters. “I need someone there with me.”
“Cara mia, it’s dangerous.” Niko runs his fingers through his hair.
I glance at all the men. “What’s going on? What are all your men here for?”
“They’re for Elena.”
Elana gapes. “What? I don’t need an army?—”
“You’ll have an army.” His tone indicates there’s no getting around it.
“Then it should be safe for me to go with her, right?”
His jaw ticks again.
“I need her, Niko.” Elena’s voice has its own force to it. I’m proud of her. “We need to go now or we’ll be late.” She eyes all the men. “It will take two rides in the elevator to get us all down.”
“And four cars,” I add.
“There’s nothing more important than your safety.” Niko nods to his men, who move toward the elevator. “Take care of them.”
Soon, Elena and I are making our way down to the garage. The number of men looking out for her seems over the top. I wonder how many are there because of me. Not to protect me, but because I add additional danger to Elena. If that’s the case, perhaps I should stay behind. But wouldn’t Niko say something if there were anything going on in regard to me?
My stomach churns. I hate this. But there's a small relief that Donovan isn't here. He’s too dangerous in a way that has nothing to do with bullets or blood.
At the clinic, Elena, Marie, and I make our way to the exam room. It’s clear that Niko has called ahead to arrange that Elena isn’t left out in the open and that the section of the clinic is mostly empty. Fortunately, we’re able to convince the three men still around us to wait outside.
“I doubt Don Leone wants his men to see something so intimate about his wife.”
They blanch and nod, taking up station outside the door.
The sterile scent of antiseptic fills the air as the doctor enters the room after a nurse has taken vitals and information from Elena.
"All right, let’s take a look at your little ones," she says as she spreads gel over Elena’s swollen belly. I stand beside her, holding her hand. I’m probably not as excited as her, but it’s close. I can’t believe I’m about to see my nieces or nephews growing in my little sister’s belly.
"Ah, there they are. Here we have Baby A" —the doctor points at the screen— "and right next door, Baby B." Her voice is calm, which tells me that everything must be all right with what she's seeing, because what I’m seeing is a whole lot of gray blobs.
Elena's breath catches. “Oh… look at them, Luce. Isn’t it amazing?”
I squeeze her hand. “It is.”
"Both heartbeats are strong," the doctor continues, pointing to an area showing a fast fluttering on the screen. "And they're measuring right on track."
Tears brim in Elena's eyes. She turns her head, looking at me with a radiance that fills me with emotion. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anyone so purely, joyfully happy.
"Would you like some pictures?" the doctor asks.
"Please," Elena whispers, still caught up in the emotion.
The doctor finishes her exam. "Everything looks great. You should be aware that twins increase the risk of complications. They also tend to arrive earlier than single births, so we want to keep a close watch. I’d like to have you back here next month."