Page 26 of Her Remarkable Protector
As the taillights disappear, I head back into the maternity ward.
At the front desk, I speak quickly but with controlled urgency. “I need to talk to a manager. It’s about Ms. Deveraux.”
The receptionist raises an eyebrow but nods, leading me to a nurse.
“Nurse Carrington,” I say, reading her name tag. Charge Nurse – Maternity Ward. Exactly who I need.
“Yes?” she says, her voice tinged with suspicion.
“My name is Chase Samson, from Red Mark Rescue & Protect,” I say, flashing my badge. “I’m Ms. Deveraux’s bodyguard.”
Her brow furrows. “How can I help you, Mr. Samson?”
“If the President’s daughter were giving birth, what would you do?”
She blinks, momentarily thrown. “I’m sorry, what?”
“That man who claims to be her husband? He’s not. Ms. Deveraux is in danger,” I press.
Disbelief etches plainly on her face, as if she’s questioning my sanity.
“Please, nurse,” I lower my voice. “This is critical.”
She straightens. “I’ll notify Bozeman PD.”
There goes my plan to avoid the police. But I nod, conceding the point. “That’s fine. But in the meantime, I need Ms. Deveraux and her baby moved to a private room.”
“That’s not an issue. We have suites specifically for mothers and newborns.”
Well, this is easier than I thought. I had this notion that babies in maternity wards were still stashed in those glass-box nurseries like they’re part of some adorable assembly line. Guess that’s my ignorance—or obliviousness to maternity stuff. The last newborn I visited was Comet’s son, and the kid just appeared, all cozy with mom and dad. Where he came from or where they stashed him after? Total mystery. Babies might as well come with magician assistants for all I know.
“Can we make it a room near a nurse’s station?” I add. “Somewhere with constant staff presence. They need to be safe.”
“They will be, Mr. Samson,” she says, though her tone leaves me unconvinced.
“And I need to guard them at all times.”
She hesitates, then gives a brisk nod. “I’ll arrange it after I confirm with the authorities. And once Ms. Deveraux is awake, we’ll verify everything you’ve told me. If she doesn’t want you here, you’ll be removed.”
I nod my head. She might not hesitate to remove me, but I won’t hesitate to fight for what’s necessary.
While waiting for the nurse, I ask passing staff, trying to find out if Honor is safe and how the baby is doing, but no one gives me a straight answer. Instead, I catch sight of two Bozeman PD officers heading my way.
“You’re Mr. Chase Samson?” one of them asks.
“That’s right.”
“I’m Sergeant Moran,” he announces, gesturing to his partner. “This is Officer Delaney. We need to ask you a few questions about Ms. Deveraux. You’re her, um, bodyguard, you said?”
“I need to speak to Captain Freeman,” I reply, keeping my tone firm.
“You’re talking to us, Mr. Samson,” Moran counters, unimpressed.
“I’m with Red Mark Rescue & Protect,” I say, pulling out my ID. “When there’s an incident involving us, we liaise directly with Captain Freeman. If you don’t mind.” I don’t wait for a response and call Freeman. “Captain. Chase Samson here.”
Moran and Delaney exchange a look, their postures stiffening slightly. They know I’m not bluffing.
“Samson,” Freeman says over the line. “What’s going on?”
