Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 1032 : The Storm Begins

*Bianca*

When my eyes fluttered open I automatically reached for the other side of the bed, and Leo.

The sheets were cold.

My stomach twisted. Not just from worry, but from the deep ache that pitted in my abdomen.

I sat up and rubbed my belly.

It felt crampy. It was probably nothing. Just more late stage pregnancy sensations.

Honestly, I never knew what to expect my body to do anymore.

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, blinking away the last remnants of sleep and found a text from Leo.

*Emergency. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Stay inside. I love you.*

I sighed, brushing my fingers over the screen before setting the phone aside.

Leo never elaborated on emergencies, but I could read between the lines. Something was wrong. And knowing him, he was in the middle of it.

As much as I hated him still putting himself in danger, I also loved how willing he was to always step up.

Smiling, I touched my belly again.

Soon, he’d be stepping up for me and our baby, and the rest of that world would be left behind.

There was a part of me that didn’t want to get up at all. I was comfortable in bed with the covers around me. I didn’t have classes today and since Leo was out, what was stopping me from having a lazy morning in bed?

I checked my phone again and reread his message.

The pit of anxiety swirled in my stomach again.

How many more emergencies would Leo have to deal with? Hadn’t he done enough?

I sighed and set my phone down. This new development with Maria had been a surprise. Despite the drunken night, he was handling it rather well.

Well, I should be ready to help him out if he was thrown any more curveballs while dealing with the Maria problem. I guessed she had a few more aces up her sleeve and Leo was her target.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and pushed myself up, wincing as a dull cramp ran through my belly.

Three weeks left. Just three more weeks. I reminded myself of that as I moved toward the bathroom, pressing a hand against my stomach.

The baby had been more active than usual lately, kicking harder, shifting in ways that sent sharp aches through my ribs, pelvis, and cervix.

None of that was new.

But this morning, there was something different. A deep, rolling pain that didn’t fade as quickly as the others had before.

Braxton Hicks again. It had to be.

I’d taken the time to read all about false labor.

I turned on the shower, letting the steam rise around me as I stepped under the warm spray. The heat helped soothe the ache in my lower back, and for a moment, I allowed myself to relax.

Leo would come home. Everything would be fine.

I had to believe that.

By the time I got out, dressed in something comfortable, a soft, loose dress that gave my swollen belly some relief, the cramps had lessened, but there was still a nagging sense of unease curling in my chest.

Was it the baby or was I worried about Leo?

I bit my lower lip and thought a nice cup of herbal tea would be nice.

Peppermint. It also helped with the cramping and aching, and would soothe my worries.

Maybe I should call Leo and check in... no if he was in the middle of something, he wouldn’t answer. I didn’t want to distract him with my worries.

He had enough to deal with and it was better if he stayed focused.

Grabbing my phone, I dialed my mom’s number and carefully made my way down the stairs, leaning heavily on the banister. Every step sent my heart racing, my breath coming in shorter bursts.

She answered on the second ring. "Bianca, cara! How are you feeling?"

I hesitated, rubbing my belly. "I don’t know. Something feels... off."

That got her attention immediately. "What do you mean off? Are you in pain?"

"Not exactly. It’s just—" I cut off as another wave of discomfort rolled through me, forcing me to pause at the bottom of the stairs. “I don’t know. It’s probably nothing.”

“Sweetie, what’s going on?” Her voice was so soft and tender.

“Leo’s away this morning. I woke up alone and felt a little weird,” I explained. Tears sprang to my eyes. Of course, pregnancy hormones were at the core of all this!

“Where is that man? I swear, he better get his priorities straight over the next three weeks!”

“Mom. It’s not his fault. He has some loose ends to tie up. You know that.”

My mom grunted. “It’s okay to miss him when he’s not around. He is the father of your baby.”

I pressed a hand to the wall for support and took a steadying breath. Going down the stairs shouldn’t take all the wind out of me like that.

I sighed and looked around the empty house. "I’m just being clingy, I think. The baby’s coming soon, and Leo’s out dealing with whatever emergency just popped up. I just needed to hear your voice."

My mother’s tone softened. “Are you sure that’s all it is?”

“Yes, Mom. Hormones and all that.” I laughed, trying to make it sound light.

“Remember, Dear, nothing is as bad as your hormones are trying to convince you they are,” she chuckled. “Do you want me to swing by for a bit?”

“Um... yeah. That would be great.” I wiped a stray tear away.

"I’m at an appointment right now, but I’ll come over as soon as I can, okay?"

I exhaled slowly. "Okay."

I hung up, gripping the phone tightly as I tried to shake off the nerves. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe this was normal.

It wouldn’t be the first time my hormones got the better of me.

I took a step toward the couch, and a sharp, wet pop sounded deep inside me.

For a split second, I froze, my breath hitching. And then...

A sudden rush of warm liquid gushed down my legs, pooling onto the floor beneath me.

No. No, no, no.

My water just broke!

Panic slammed into me, making my breath hitch as I stumbled back, gripping the arm of the couch for support. My hands shook as I looked down at the growing puddle beneath me.

It’s too soon. Three more weeks. I’m not ready.

The baby is coming.

I fumbled for my phone, my fingers barely managing to unlock the screen as I dialed the first number that came to mind.

Leo.

It rang. And rang.

And rang.

Leo’s voicemail kicked on.

“Dammit, Leo! Answer the phone!”

I tried again, my hands trembling so hard I nearly dropped the phone.

Voicemail.

"No!” I gasped, feeling another deep cramp twist through my belly.

This was all wrong. I still had three weeks! Leo was supposed to be here with me! I couldn’t have the baby without him.

My mind reeled. What was I supposed to do?

I swallowed down the scream building in my throat and dialed Franky next. No answer.

Darion. No answer.

A sob ripped from me as I braced myself against the couch, my body trembling as another contraction hit. I needed someone. Anyone.

I dialed Taylor.

He picked up on the first ring. "Bianca?" His voice was frantic and rushed. Gunfire echoed in the background.

What the hell was going on over there?

My stomach dropped. "Taylor! I need help! My water just broke, and I—"

"Bianca, listen to me." His voice was sharp. "You need to get to the safe house. Now."

"What? Taylor, I—"

"Now, Bianca!" he shouted, and I heard the unmistakable sound of bullets hitting metal. "Lock yourself in. Do not wait. Do not open the door for anyone! There’s no time!"

My breath came in short, shallow gasps. "Taylor, I—I’m in labor! I can’t— I need to get to the hospital."

"Shit." The word was barely audible over the chaos on his end. "Stay where you are! I’ll—"

The call cut out.

I stared at the phone in my shaking hands, my pulse thundering in my ears.

Did the call drop or did Taylor get hurt?

What was happening? Where was Leo? I hadn’t had a chance to ask Taylor if the others were okay. It sounded like a war was raging on the other line.

Another contraction rippled through my body, reminding me there were more pressing issues I had to deal with.

I groaned and leaned all my weight on the couch.

I could call an ambulance. Get to a hospital. I’d be safe there with doctors and nurses while Leo and the others sorted the rest out, right? They could find me after.

Yeah, the hospital.

I tried to dial 9-1-1, but my phone gave me an error signal.

“What? What do you mean no service?” I shook the phone and tried again.

The same error message came up. It was like someone was jamming my signal to prevent me from calling for help. But that wasn’t possible, was it?

The power went out.

“Ack!” I started and clung to the couch as darkness swallowed the room, leaving me in a terrifying, suffocating silence.

First my phone, now the power. That couldn’t be a coincidence.

I looped an arm around my aching belly and forced myself to move, stumbling toward the window.

All I knew was that I was alone here, defenseless, in labor, and no one was coming for me. Not Leo, not Taylor, no one. I was on my own and I had to get out!

My breath came in short, desperate gasps as I pulled the curtain back.

My heart stopped.

Vehicles I didn’t recognize lined up along the street in front of the house. Dark figures stepped out, moving toward the driveway.

One of them looked up.

Our eyes locked.

My entire body went cold.

For a heartbeat, I couldn’t move.

Then, as if something inside me snapped, survival instincts kicked in.

I turned, adrenaline shoving aside the pain as I forced my body to move. I had to get out. I had to hide.

Another contraction ripped through me, forcing me to grab the wall for support, but I clenched my teeth, forcing myself forward. I wasn’t going to be taken. Not now. Not with my baby still inside me.

Leo. Where the hell was Leo?

I reached the stairs just as I heard the sound of tires rolling onto the driveway.

They were coming.

Who were these people? What did they want?

I pressed a hand against my belly, feeling my child move beneath my palm. "I’ll protect you," I whispered, the promise steadying my resolve. Whatever was happening, whoever was coming, they would not take my baby. I would not let them.

I had to disappear.