Free Italian Billionaire's Black Love (BWWM Interracial Romance) by Mya Black, Nicki J. Page B

“Carla,” she whispered, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to hear over the music playing in the kitchen. Finally, after nearly an hour had passed, Carla banged on the door.
    “Eve, are you still alive in there?”
    She shook her head even though the door divided them. She was too weak to open the door so she gave it a weak smack twice. “Carla,” she rasped out.
    “Eve! You okay?” She banged on the door. “Eve, open up!” She jiggled the handle and the door opened. “Oh my goodness, Eve!” She gathered her chilled body in her arms, feeling her forehead, her pulse, anywhere to make sure she was okay.
    “Carla,” she rasped again. “Please.”
    “Sweetie, you’re freezing. We need to get you into a hot shower and then to the doctor.”
    They tried the shower, but the retching and dry heaving made it impossible. So Carla wiped her down with a hot towel, helped her get dressed, and took her to the hospital per the doctor’s orders. She was admitted right away and in the middle of questions from the nurse, she passed out.
    ***
    Alessandro rushed through the hospital doors for the second time in the past month. And for the second time, he had to argue with the nurse behind the desk to tell him what the hell was going on. “I’m not family yet, but we’re having a baby. Together.” Exasperation dripped from every syllable.
    She gave him a condescending smile and said, “Be that as it may, sir , the only way you can gain access to her is if she gives you permission, which” she cut him off before he could interrupt, “she cannot do as she is unconscious.”
    Unconscious? Christ! “Can you tell me what happened, please? I’m going out of my mind here.”
    The nurse released a frustrated breath, but there was sympathy in her eyes. “She came in with excessive vomiting, low temperature, and severe dehydration. That’s all I know. She passed out shortly after, so there are no updates, sir. She was brought in by someone. She’s in the waiting room on the third floor.”
    He flashed her a smile so big and bright, even the overworked nurse took a moment to stare and blush at his good looks. “You’re a saint. Thanks so much,” he called as he ran to catch the elevator.
    On the third floor, he immediately spotted Carla getting crappy vending machine coffee. “Carla! How is she?”
    She was tired and pretty sure she looked it as Alessandro approached. “I’m not really sure yet. All they’ve told me is that she’s severely dehydrated and she passed out.”
    “Dammit. How has she been?” He was eager for any morsel of information about Eve. Two weeks had gone by since he’d seen her, spoken to her, and touched her. He was suffering from withdrawal. He needed to see her and know she was okay.
    They sat in two uncomfortable chairs side by side. “She’s tired as hell, always sleeping. Her morning sickness lasts all day. She’s sad as hell, always crying when she thinks no one is around.”
    That answer gutted him. He wanted her to want to be with him, not utterly miserable without him. “That sucks.”
    “You don’t have to watch it.”
    “You’re right and I’m sorry for that, but I’d rather us be together than her hiding out at your place.”
    “Are you family of Eve Chambers?”
    Carla nudged Alessandro out of the way with a piercing look. “Yes, I’m her emergency contact, Carla Macklin. What’s wrong with her?”
    “For starters, she is extremely dehydrated. It doesn’t appear as if she’s been taking care of herself.”
    “She has a new business opening soon and she’s been working crazy hours so, probably not.” Carla had warned her that running herself ragged just to forget Alessandro would come back to bite her in the ass.
    “We’re likely going to keep her for a few days to see if her hyperemesis gravidarum improves at all. Her OB/GYN will check her out fully, and then-”
    “What the hell is that,” Alessandro interrupted gruffly.
    The doctor frowned at his tone and