I arrived at the block of apartments before Gabe and Kai. Nothing looked out of place, but that didn’t mean shit. I surveyed the perimeter and discovered all the units had a back door that led to a footpath. I went back around to the front and took up position by the entry to the lot.
From my location, I had the perfect view into the unit through a half-opened curtain. I could see Mia sitting on a couch. She didn’t look hurt, and I took comfort in that. It made the waiting easier—I hated waiting. I was an action man. I couldn’t handle standing around doing nothing, but I didn’t have to wait long. Gabe and Kai pulled in next to my car just a few minutes later.
I told them what I knew, and we split up. Gabe went around the back and covered the back door. Kai wanted to go right in the front door, but I convinced him it would be better to let me make the approach since this dude didn’t know who I was and wouldn’t immediately go for Mia when he saw me.
Kai agreed, but he was only two steps behind me, waiting just out of view. I strode up to the front door and knocked. Muffled voices could be heard from inside, and then a man opened the door. I looked him up and down then frowned. “You’re not Shelly.” I said. He looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
I put my hand on his shoulder and shoved him back a step, poking my head inside at the same time. “Shelly? You in here?” I called. “Shelly?”
The guy shoved me back. “Who the fuck are you?”
I let him think he’d moved me, but really, there was no way he could have if I didn’t want him to. “My bad.” I held my hand out between us. “I’m Axel. Shelly told me to pick her up here.” I glanced at my watch. “Shit, is she pissed because I’m late? I’m only twenty minutes late, for fuck’s sake.” I pushed myself all the way into the unit. “Shelly baby, I’m sorry,” I called out. At the same time, I shot Mia a sly wink.
Her ex grabbed hold of my shoulder and tried to swing me back around, but I held firm and kept up my act. “Jesus, Shell, I’m not that late. Come on out.”
The ex was getting pissed. I could feel his frustration building as he tugged harder on my shoulder. “Get the fuck out of my house,” he yelled.
I’d provided enough of a distraction for him to move his focus away from the front door so Kai could slip in unnoticed. I caught sight of Mia and watched her stiff body relax when she realised I hadn’t come alone. I turned my attention back to the ex. “Look, mate, I’m just here to pick up my girl,” I said with my hands raised, palms out in front of me.
The dude relaxed a little. “There’s no Shelly here. Now get the fuck out,” he said in an even tone.
I cocked my head to the side. “Are you sure? This is the address she gave me.”
“I’m really fucking sure. As you can see, it’s just me and my woman here. Now fuck off.” His anger was rising again.
Smiling, I turned back to Mia and cocked my head. “Your boyfriend’s got a stick up his arse,” I joked. She didn’t smile back... she didn’t move at all. I took a second to really look at her. “Hey, are you alright?” She clenched her teeth as a grimace covered her pretty face, and her hands shot to her huge stomach. Fuck, I knew what that meant.
I spun on my heels and came face to face with the fuckwad who took her and sent her into premature labour. I launched my fist into his face he didn’t see it coming and stumbled back a few steps, crashing right into a waiting Kai. Gabe heard the commotion and busted in through the back door.
I knew they had him covered, so I ran to Mia’s side. “Mia, how long have they been coming?” I asked. It was clear they were hard-core contractions. I reached out and took one of her hands in mine, and she squeezed so tight I swear she broke a few bones in my hand. I didn’t care though. Now was not the time to bitch out.
“Breathe through it, Mia. Come on, honey, breathe with me,” I urged. She listened to me and slowed her breathing as the contraction began to subside.
“They started when he shoved me into his car,” she whispered. “I don’t know how long ago that was,” she said as a single tear slid down her cheek.
I caught the tear with the pad of my thumb, and when I did, I noticed the beginnings of a bruise on her cheek. He’d hit her—d a pregnant chick. I was going to kill him, but for now, I schooled my expression because Mia didn’t need to see my reaction to this right now. “I’m going to get Kai, and he’s going to take you to the hospital, okay?” She squeezed my hand again and nodded.
Turning around, I saw Gabe had fuckwad held against the wall with his hands behind his back. He also had his phone pressed between his shoulder and ear with the cops— would be my guess— on the receiving end. Kai walked over to us and I put my hand on his shoulder as he neared. “You need to get her to the hospital right fucking now. She’s in labour.” I paused briefly. “He hit her, man, and her cheek is starting to bruise.”
Kai’s face turned to stone. He turned around to go do some damage, but I grabbed him before he could. “Hospital now, mate.” He froze. I watched as his fists clenched by his sides, once and then twice, before he pulled himself together enough to face Mia. When he looked back at her, all that was in his eyes was his love for her. He took the two steps needed to reach her, scooped her up in his arms, and carried her out the door.