CHAPTER 3
Outside the $15 million mansion, a state-of-the-art mobile surgical unit stood idling in the driveway, its high-intensity lights illuminating the manicured Beverly Hills lawn.
Two elite private paramedics rushed forward with a warm leather gurney, taking Claire from Mateo's arms with clinical speed and gentle care.
"Her water broke six minutes ago, heart rate is elevated, and contractions are coming three minutes apart!" the lead paramedic announced, hooking Claire up to advanced fetal monitoring systems.
Mateo climbed into the back of the medical van beside her, taking her small, trembling hand in his warm, powerful grip as the heavy rear doors slammed shut.
"You're safe now, Claire," Mateo whispered, his rough thumb tracing the back of her cold knuckles as the vehicle accelerated smoothly onto Sunset Boulevard. "My private medical team at Cedars-Sinai is standing by on the top floor."
Claire squeezed his hand tightly, her eyes burning with tears as another wave of intense pain crested through her swollen abdomen.
"The... the money..." she choked out between ragged breaths, staring at the man who had just saved her life from the Whitmore family monsters. "The eight million... it cleared your syndicate ledger..."
"Forget the money," Mateo commanded softly, leaning down so his dark eyes were only inches from hers. "You delivered the master encrypted keys to every Whitmore shell company forty minutes ago. The debt is paid ten times over."
On the monitoring screen, the baby's heartbeat fluctuated rapidly, triggering a sharp warning tone that made the paramedics work with double their speed.
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"We need to perform an emergency procedure the second we hit the trauma bay!" the paramedic shouted over the siren's blare. "The umbilical cord is tightly wrapped!"
Mateo looked at the screen, his jaw locking tight as he pressed his hand firmer over Claire's. "You hold on, Claire. You survived those monsters; you are going to bring this child into the world."
