He grasped the doorknob on a closed door and hesitated. A grave expression spread across his face. “I don’t want you to be alarmed, but what you’re going to see will shock you.” He sucked in a deep breath and pushed it out quickly. “Roman’s had a massive heart attack. He’s very weak. But he’s a fighter and is looking forward to seeing you and his son.” He glanced at the powered-off security camera in the corner of the ceiling near the exit. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
Grace nodded and swallowed hard. “He needs to meet his son.”
“I understand.” Dr. Peter’s eyes misted and he pushed open the door.
She peeked inside the small, dimly lit room. Near the door, a nightlight glowed. To the left of the doorway, against the wall, Roman rested on a narrow hospital bed. He appeared thin and gaunt—much worse than she imagined. Her knees buckled.
Gripping her elbow firmly, he held her upright. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”
“Thank you, Dr. Peters.” She regained her footing and stepped across the threshold. Keeping her focus on Roman, she inched toward him.
“Everyone calls me Doc.”
A whirring sound distracted her. Her gaze swung to a rotating table fan resting on a desk under the window. The blinds were drawn. A vanilla scented room deodorizer sat next to the fan. Vanilla had always been one of Roman’s favorite scents. The simple detail added for his comfort, caused her breath to hitch.
With little time to spare, she removed the quilt that cocooned her baby and draped it over a high-back chair. Carrying their infant son, she stepped to the narrow hospital-style bed and leaned against the bed rail.
“Roman, it’s me, Grace.”
His eyelids fluttered open. “Grace.” The corners of his mouth twitched upward.
“Your son would like to meet you.” Her own voice sounded thick and hoarse. Tears filled her eyes. She held Christian close to Roman, making it easier for him to see his son’s face.
Doc turned on the small table lamp next to the bed.
Alarm surged through her and she bit back a gasp. She misspoke when she assured Doc that she was prepared to see Roman in his deteriorated condition. He appeared more fragile than their newborn, and she barely recognized the strong man she’d fallen in love with. His skin had a grayish hue. His dark eyes had lost their sparkle, and his hair had lost its sheen. She fought to still her trembling hands.
“I want to see my son,” Roman whispered. “Help me sit up.”
Doc rushed to his bedside and adjusted the position of the bed, raising Roman to a partially sitting-up position. He propped a pillow behind Roman’s head.
Squinting at the infant, Roman whispered, “He’s beautiful.”
“I know,” she answered, forcing her words past the lump in her throat. The room started spinning. She grew faint. Her world was crashing in around her. The man she loved was dying and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do to stop it. Losing him would be unbearable.
He reached up and touched her face. “I didn’t want you to see me like this.”
She opened her mouth to speak, and realizing her quaking voice would betray her, said nothing. Grief and dismay had launched a spear through her heart. She needed a word of comfort and searched the small room for Doc. As tears slid down her cheeks, her gaze found his.
Doc cleared his throat. “He’s a good looking kid, Roman, even if he does resemble you.” His voice shook as he spoke. “I’m sorry I forgot to ask. What’s the young man’s name?”
“Christian Alexander,” she answered, barely above a whisper. She touched Roman’s face. He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it. He’ll never watch his child grow to be a man. It wasn’t fair.
“Let me touch him.” Roman set her hand down and reached for his son.
She held Christian in front of him.
Tenderly, he grazed his fingertips over his son’s tiny face. “Thank you for giving me such a beautiful child.”
Doc touched Grace’s shoulder. “You need to hurry. I’m afraid it won’t be long before someone notices the lights in the parking lot and a few surveillance cameras are turned off.” He placed his hand under her arm and gently moved her from Roman’s bedside.
“But I just got here.”
“Please, Doc,” Roman said. “Give us a little more time.”
Doc grimaced. “All right, but only a few more minutes.”
“Thank you.” She tried harnessing her emotions, but failed. Agony over Roman’s fate took the form of tears streaming down her cheeks. “I can’t stand being away from you. I love you.”
Christian started fussing. To quiet him, she kissed his cheek and held him closer. Once he settled down, she pulled the baby bottle from her pocket and set it on the nightstand.
“He’s always hungry when he wakes up.”
“Perhaps you’d be more comfortable sitting down when you feed him.” Doc moved the chair next to Roman and motioned for her to sit.
She eased herself onto the chair, uncapped the nipple on the bottle, and swiped it across Christian’s lips. He panted and moved his head back and forth across the nipple before latching onto it and drinking vigorously.
As the baby continued to feed, Roman touched his head. “My sweet, beautiful, precious angel.”
Doc cleared his throat. “Grace, I need to remind you…the surveillance cameras.”
She set the bottle on the nightstand. “Doc, can you hold him for me?”
“I’d be happy to.”
Grace handed him the infant. With both arms free, she went to Roman and held his face in her hands. Her lips brushed his.
“Say goodbye to Christian for me. Promise you’ll tell him that his father loved him more than anything.” His weak voice trembled.
“I promise.” She wept quietly.
“Please don’t. I always hated when you cried.”
A tear dripped on Roman’s cheek and she wiped it away. “I can’t help it. My heart is breaking.” How could she survive without the man she loved at her side?
He stroked her hair. “So is mine, sweetheart. So is mine.”
Knowing the answer, she asked anyway, hoping for a different response, “Can I visit you again?”
“I don’t have much time left.” His fingers grazed her cheek and he touched her hair. His dark eyes pierced her soul.
At that moment she knew, without a doubt, Roman would always be her one true love. She wanted to tell him, but her throat seized, strangling her words.
He stared into her eyes and mouthed, “I love you.”
Pressing his hand to her lips, she kissed his palm.
“Before you go, will you do something for me?” he whispered.
“Anything.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen to me when I die. I’ve been in hell for so long. Then I met you and found hope. Will you pray for my soul?”
Even though her father was a minister, she had never done anything like this before and feared she’d make a mistake. “I don’t think I know how.”
“Yes, you do.”
Resting her head on his chest, she closed her eyes and pleaded with the Almighty to accept him. She grasped his hand and held it.
He stroked her hair. “You did fine, Grace. He heard your heart. Look at me.” His smile had become peaceful as he stared into her eyes, her soul. “You’re so beautiful.” He touched her sweater and smiled. “You remembered.” He breathed in and out slowly. “Thank you…for being you,” he whispered and closed his eyes.
“It’s time to leave,” Doc said.
Tears streamed down her face as she backed away from Roman’s bed and reached for her baby. “Thank you for everything, Doc,” she whispered and received her infant.
The baby wailed. Holding her son to her chest, Grace snatched the quilt from the chair and followed Doc.
He rushed her out of Roman’s room, down the short hallway, and through the exit leading to the parking lot. As promised, Deanna’s car was parked near the door, engine running,
waiting for her, ready to speed off.
The exit door slammed shut. Grace leaned against it and called Roman’s name. She pushed off and struggled to place one foot in front of the other. Her knees quaked and she began to fall. Before hitting the pavement, a steady arm caught and lifted her.
Had she been apprehended by Crawford? Had coming here put Christian in danger? Roman? Feeling as helpless as the baby she held, she tried crying out, but her voice remained silent. With a baby in her arms, she couldn’t fight back.
“Hurry. Crawford heard the baby’s cry,” a strong, male voice said.
Her breath caught. “Who? Wha…?” She turned to see who hurried Christian and her along.
“Gabriel?” Seeing the face of the man who’d saved her from Father Darius, her fear disappeared.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.” He opened the car door and helped her and her child inside.
“Roman’s dying.”
“I know. Now get out of here before Crawford sees you.”
“What’s going on?” Deanna shouted from the front seat.
“Grace will explain. Now move,” he shouted.
“But I didn’t say goodbye…didn’t even get a chance…” Grace quickly secured Christian in his car seat while her heart shattered into a million pieces.
“Haul ass. Now!” Gabriel slammed the car door shut.
Deanna stomped on the gas pedal, and with tires squealing, raced for the exit…as the lights in the parking lot came to life.
39
Doc
Doc stayed at Roman’s bedside to comfort him after he’d whisked his small family away. As his dying patient groaned in agony, Doc held his hand, wishing he could take away his pain.
The door opened and Crawford burst in. “I heard a baby cry.” His gaze darted around the room. Catching sight of the baby bottle on the nightstand, his jaw clenched. He bolted from the room. The back door to the parking lot opened and closed.
While Doc waited for Crawford to return, he prayed that Grace and the baby were safely off the property. Considering what might happen to Roman’s young family if Crawford caught sight of them, he shuddered.
A few seconds later, Crawford stormed back into the room. “You know I want that baby. Where is it?”
Doc let out a ragged sigh of relief—Grace made it to the car safely. He hurried to stand in front of Roman’s bed, shielding him from another interrogation concerning Grace’s whereabouts. “I was granting the wish of a dying man to see his child. Were circumstances different, you would have done the same.”
“I doubt it. Bring me that child.”
“I can’t do that. I gave Roman my word.” Whatever demands or accusations Crawford hurled at him, he refused to back down. He folded his arms across his chest and shook his head.
Crawford stepped toward Roman.
Doc blocked him.
Narrowing his eyes into slits, Crawford clenched his jaw. “I want to speak with Roman. Step aside.”
“Not a chance.” His friend lay dying and needed a champion. Doc willingly accepted the challenge.
“I won’t tolerate such insubordination.” Crawford jabbed his index finger into Doc’s shoulder. “You’re fired.”
A smile curled Doc’s lips. “Yes, sir.”
Crawford’s face reddened. “I want you out of here tonight!”
Freedom. “It would be my pleasure.” Standing up to his tyrannical boss made his spirit soar. He should have done this a long time ago. Knowing he’d done the right thing for Roman gave him the confidence to press further. “I’ll leave, but I’m taking Roman with me.”
Crawford snorted. “You’re joking! What the hell do you want with a dying vampire?”
Doc stood straighter and squared his shoulders. “I promised I’d be with him until the end and I plan to honor his wish.”
“He’s not going anywhere. But you are. Clear out your office.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “I want you off the premises before sunrise.” He made a hasty exit, slamming the door behind him.
Clicking his heels together, Doc offered an exaggerated salute as Crawford’s heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway, growing dimmer before fading into silence.
The exit door clicked open. Another set of footsteps sounded, this time coming closer. Had Grace returned? Curious, Doc eased the door far enough open to peek into the hallway.
Gabriel shoved the door open and stepped inside.
Doc checked both directions in the hallway to verify Crawford had moved on. “What are you doing here?” he asked Gabriel, easing the door closed.
“I was here earlier. Crawford told me about Alex.” Gabriel scanned the room, and his gaze settled on the bed. “When I found out about Roman, I had to see him.”
Doc couldn’t allow any possible confrontation between Gabriel and the gravely ill Roman. “If I recall correctly, the last time the two of you saw each other, the meeting ended badly. I can’t let you upset him. You need to leave.”
Lacking his usual cockiness, Gabriel’s shoulders slumped. “I’m not going anywhere until I talk to Roman. I need his forgiveness.” His voice broke as he uttered the word ‘forgiveness’.
“I’m not sure he’ll even recognize you,” Doc whispered, warning Gabriel about the gravity of Roman’s condition. He was losing his friend. His eyes misted. “He’s fading quickly.”
Gabriel rushed to Roman’s bedside. He gripped onto the bed rail and leaned over him. “Roman. It’s me. Gabe. Please hear me out.” His voice quaked. “I’m sorry for everything I ever did to you. Everything.” He gripped Roman’s hand. “I saw your son outside and he needs to be protected. I swear on everything that’s holy, I’ll guard him with my life. I’m the only one who knows how to keep him away from Crawford and the Church. I’m begging you. Please let me do this for you. Let me protect your child. I owe you. It’s my penance for everything that’s ever happened between us. Please let me help you.”
Opening his eyes slightly, Roman studied Gabriel’s face, and nodded. He lips formed the word “Yes,” and his eyelids fluttered shut.
Someone knocked on the door.
Doc and Gabriel locked wide-eyed glances. Had Crawford returned?
Darting behind the door, Gabriel flattened himself against the wall, and out of sight from whoever stood in the hallway.
Expecting to come face to face with Crawford, Doc opened the door slowly. Stunned to find no one, he checked the hallway. It was empty. He stepped outside the room, closed the door behind him, and waited. When the knocking resumed, he moved to the exit and cracked the outside door open wide enough to see the caller.
Grace stared at him through red, puffy eyes. Streaks of black mascara ran down her cheeks. “I’m here to see Gabriel.”
There was no point in denying Gabriel’s presence. She’d obviously seen him enter the building. He opened the door completely, pressed his index finger against his lips, and motioned for her to follow.
As soon as he opened the door to Roman’s room, she rushed inside. “Where’s Gabriel,” she asked, scanning the room. “I know he’s here.”
Gabriel stepped out from the shadows. “What are you doing here? I told you to leave. Your baby’s not safe.”
“What I have to say won’t take long.” Tears welled as she grabbed the front of his jacket and stared into his eyes. “You’re the only one who can help Roman. You have to save him.” Her voice broke, filled with emotion.
Gabriel’s body stiffened and he narrowed his eyes to slits. “What are you asking me to do?”
“I’m not asking. I’m begging. I don’t care what he becomes. Please, Gabriel, please. Do whatever needs to be done to save him.” She hugged him around his waist. “For Christian. I’ll accept Roman no matter what. Turn him. Please don’t let him die.”
“But this is what he wants,” Doc interjected, glancing at Roman’s still body lying on the bed. “He told me he’d rather die than have his child suffer for the monster he was—like his family had
suffered over two hundred years ago.”
She backed away from Gabriel, but her gaze never left his. “What he wants isn’t as important as what his son needs. And a son needs his father. I love him, Gabriel. Please, please bring him back to me. Turn him,” she pleaded in a voice barely above a whisper.
“After you left, Crawford stopped by,” Doc said, trying to reason with her. “He knows you were here because he heard your son crying. He saw the baby bottle on the nightstand. It’s too dangerous for you to be here. And knowing him, he’ll be back to check on Roman, if nothing else. You need to leave immediately.” Doc’s words came out in rapid fire. He grabbed her arm.
Grace jerked her arm free.
Doc shot Gabriel a pleading glance. “Help me get her out of here.”
“I’m not going anywhere until Gabriel promises to turn Roman.” She stared into Gabriel’s eyes, imploring him to do the right thing. “You’re going to turn him, aren’t you?” It sounded like a demand, rather than the pleas of a grief-stricken woman who would soon lose her mate. She grabbed the front of Gabriel’s jacket and shook him. “Please, Gabriel. I’m begging you.”
Gabriel blew out a deep breath and nodded, in resignation. “I’ll do what you ask.”
“Thank you,” she whispered and embraced him.
“Now go,” Doc said, touching her shoulder.
Breaking her embrace, she backed away from Gabriel. “Roman,” she said, turning toward him.
Doc stepped between her and Roman’s bed. He rested his hands on her shoulders and squeezed gently. “There’s no time. Please, you need to leave.” He handed her the baby bottle.
“Good bye, Roman,” she whispered, craning her neck to see beyond Doc.
Nervous and impatient to get her off the premises, Doc pulled her away. Taking long strides, he reached the door and stopped to lean his ear against it, listening for sounds in the hallway. Hearing nothing, he opened the door slowly, and glanced both ways. The hallway was empty. With his arm around her waist, he hurried her down the hall. At the exit, he eased the door open, and she stepped outside. A car pulled up.
The Ortega Project Page 24