Chapter 88

Renee’s POV

“Renee, I’m not that kind of doctor,” Jasper warns me, looking like he might be sick. I roll my eyes and let out a sigh.

“Yes; but you are well-informed on anatomy,” I point out. “Besides, I don’t trust anyone else,” I say honestly. Jasper brings his hands to his eyes and rubs. He looks exhausted, though it’s only 10:00 am but I suppose life as a doctor you never really rest.

“What did Eric say about this?” Jasper asks and I stiffen at the question. Jasper senses my hesitation. “Well, that’s it. I can’t do it then,” he says and throws his hands in the air like he’s giving up.

I hope down for the plastic examination recliner and food my hands together. “Please Jasper? Do it for the baby,” I beg. Jasper tosses his clipboard on his desk.

Perhaps I do ask too much of him, but the man keeps on giving. He healed my daughter, he kept my identity a secret from Eric when I asked him to, and now this.

“How would Emily feel?” Jasper asks and I half shrug.

“It’s just a medical exam,” I say innocently.

“That doesn’t answer the question,” Jasper argues. “No one at this hospital is affiliated with Mark or Mia,” Jasper says trying to comfort my worried. I slump my shoulders.

After our meeting with Andrew last week, I insisted we inform Emily and Jasper since it’s likely they could be in danger too.

Jasper insisted he wanted nothing to do with the family feud and begged Emily not to join. Out of respect for the man she’s now dating, she agreed. So much for girlcode. But, I really can’t blame her. Besides, both of them have done so much for me already I can’t expect them to fight in a battle they aren’t directly involved in.

At least they promised they would be careful and inform us if anyone from Marks pack approached them with information or an offer.

I just hope that’s all that happens to them. Mia and Mark would have no benefit in harming Jasper or Emily, at least not as far as I can tell, but Mia is crazy. That much is obvious. So, there’s no way of knowing what they may or may not do to friends out friends.

And Jasper is Marks other son, the preferred son of sounds like too so there really wouldn’t be any gain in Mark wanting to hurt Jasper, but he might give him an offer to join his pack that Jasper just can’t refuse and while I like to think better of Jasper then that, part of me still has trust issues.

Hence why I’m here asking Jasper for this one last décor, precisely because I especially don’t trust anyone else.

“You don’t know they for sure. Besides the less people who know I’m pregnant the better,” I say. Jasper eyes me up and I become self conscious.

“You’re only going to get bigger. It won’t be a secret for much longer,” Jasper says and I know he’s right. Still, I know Jasper will keep all my records completely confidential no matter what. Who’s to say these doctors wouldn’t sell my records if bribed or blackmailed.

“I’m asking for the safety of my baby,” I say weekly as one last final attempt to convince Jasper to be my obstetrician. Jasper ls entire body slumps as he grabs his white lancet off the hook of his door.

“Fine,” he says and goes to drawn the blonde. The harsh shadows disappearing as he pulls them shut.

“Thank you!” I say and drop my pants.

Leaving Jaspers office I try not to think about the fact that he just saw parts of me only Eric has. I especially try not to wonder what Eric would be saying if he knew right now. Speaking of Eric. I dig for my phone out of my purse.

I should text him that I’ll be a tad late for our second session of therapy today. I wonder if a therapist ever had a client where the husband and brother have seen the private parts of the wife but it was to ensure protection of a child because an ex-lover and the father is plotting a murderous attack. I figure probably not.

My hand grabs something stick which I assume is lipgloss, then my keys. A small bottle of hand cream, finally my phone.

I pull it out and before I can swipe open Eric’s context, a text from an unsaved number grabs my attention. I skim the message and instantly know I won’t like what the red tidbit says.

I stop walking and put my full attention in this message which basically is a client pulling their business from me.. I bring my phone closer to my face. Who is this from? I gasp when I see it’s from Natalie Bell. My biggest client from Blue Moon Group.

Eric will kill me if I loose her. She’s the reason Eric and I have been discussing getting a sauna for our house. It’s already hot outside and now I’m beginning to sweat.

I force a shaky breath out and start from the beginning and read each word carefully. She wants to meet to discuss how I intend to handle the publicity surrounding my design company. I’ve already issued several statements to my clients and personal apologies, I thought this was resolved.

I call the number and it goes straight to voicemail. A text comes in.

‘I’m in a meeting. Please meet me here so we can discuss where we go from here,” Natalie sends an address and I sigh. Okay. It sounds like I can still maybe fix this.

I look down at what I’m wearing and curse. I wasn’t expecting an impromptu business meeting. Maybe Natalie will think my blue jean shorts and acid washed black tee is chic.

Maybe I’ll go home and change first.

I type in the address and see it’s thirty minutes away. But I have to go now.

Adrenaline floods to thighs causing me to quicken pace.

As I pull out of my parking spot, I use voice text to tell Eric I have to cancel therapy today. Part of me feels guilty since going to a therapist was my idea and he’s probably already there or just about to be.

I also feel slightly guilty about texting and driving in a hospital parking lot, but supposed anything happened this would be the best spot.

I glance at my maps and try to envision the location she sent me. Do I know it? I’m assuming it’s a coffee shop or maybe a business park since Natalie said she’s currently in a meeting.

My phone pings and I see it’s from Eric.

‘Can you share your location with me?’ I wince. That stings. Normally, such a question would be considered normal and protective, I mean after all I am meeting with a high level clientele in an area I don’t know. Eric just wants to make sure I’m safe.

But I know sharing my location with him goes deeper than good intentions. He wants to make sure I’m not running away again.

Im about to send it when a blaring of a horn makes me drop my phone. I stop a scream from escaping from me.

I look up just in time to see a truck revving its engine and skirt around me. I put up a shaking hand in apology, but I doubt he sees. Or that it did any good anyway.

I grip both hands on the wheel and inch my seat forward.. I’ll just text Eric when I arrive at the location. The last thing we need is for him to find me dead.