Chapter 3 - The Heartbeat in the Monitor
Roman stood up, but he didn't leave my side. He shifted to the head of the chaise, his large, warm hand anchoring mine, his fingers interlacing with mine with an unbreakable grip.
Dr. Lin warmed the acoustic gel against her wrist before spreading it over my swollen, eight-month belly.
She pressed the transducer against my lower abdomen.
The room fell into an agonizing, breathless vacuum. For five seconds, the only sound was the crackle of static from the portable machine’s speaker.
Then came the sound.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
Rapid, rhythmic, powerful as an unbroken gallop.
One hundred and forty-two beats per minute.
A ragged, shuddering gasp tore from Roman’s chest. He dropped his forehead against my knuckles, his broad shoulders shaking with silent, overwhelming relief as the sound of our daughter's heart echoed off the marble tiles.
"Fetal heart rate is strong and regular," Dr. Lin announced, a warm, reassuring smile touching her lips as she adjusted the contrast on the screen. "Amniotic fluid levels are normal. The placenta has not sustained any abruption or shearing trauma. She’s active, Bianca. Look."
On the small monitor, our baby turned, her tiny hand curling into a miniature fist, pressing outward against the uterine wall right beneath where Roman’s fingers rested.
"She’s a fighter, Roman," Dr. Lin said, wiping the gel away and pulling a warm fleece blanket over my lap. "She takes after her mother."
"Can she travel?" Roman asked, his voice returning to that low, decisive executive register.
Dr. Lin frowned slightly. "She shouldn't be moved across long distances, Roman. She’s thirty-four weeks. Severe maternal stress can trigger premature labor. She needs absolute rest, warm fluids, and twenty-four-hour monitoring."
"She won't be traveling far," Roman replied.
He stood to his full height, turning to Enzo, who had appeared quietly in the bathroom doorway.
"Prepare the private yacht, The Sovereign," Roman commanded. "Moored at Berth 4 on the Hudson. Bring Dr. Lin's mobile surgical team on board. We are moving Bianca to the water where my perimeter cannot be compromised by family treaties."
"And Julian?" Enzo asked, his hand resting on his weapon.
May you like
Roman’s slate-gray eyes flashed with a cold, merciless finality.
"Tell Julian that the plenary council meeting is moved to the executive boardroom at the Brooklyn Navy Yard at dawn," Roman said softly. "And tell Don Antonio Valenti that Roman Kane will be attending in person."
