Page 56 of Unmasked

“Sorry about that.” Everleigh’s soft palm slid over Knox's shoulder, and he tipped his head up to meet her gaze.

“No problem, sweetheart.” He placed his hand over hers, and her eyes narrowed a bit in silent question. He gave an abbreviated shake of his head and squeezed her fingers, then released her so she could sit.

Across from him, Conrad blustered and coughed, but Knox didn't spare him a glance. The man had controlled Everleigh long enough. Knox noticed Beaumont hadn’t tossed back the rest of the whiskey. He was probably too infuriated to drink it, stewing over the bomb Knox had just dropped about wanting to marry Everleigh.

“Are you okay, dear?” Celia asked.

“Daddy?” It was the sharp concern in Everleigh’s voice that had Knox's head snapping up.

Beaumont was bright red, more so than before, his forehead beaded with sweat as he jerked in his chair.

Knox lunged out of his chair and caught Beaumont just as he pitched toward the floor. “Call 911!”

Cries rose around him as Knox guided Conrad to his back and began chest compressions. “Come on,” he commanded under his breath. “Don’t you dare die on me now.”

There were still too many questions left unanswered, too much at stake.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-SIX

Everleigh's knee jiggled nervously, and Knox’s arm tightened around her shoulders. Across from them, her mother was the picture of genteel Southern grace. Her hands were folded in her lap, legs crossed at the ankles as if she were awaiting tea instead of news of her husband's wellbeing.

They had been sitting there for almost two hours already, and each minute that passed became more tense than the last. They were ensconced in a private waiting room, and the sheer lack of activity set Everleigh on edge. There were no distractions, nothing but the constant tick tick tick of the clock as one minute rolled into the next.

Knox pulled her a little closer and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Do you need anything?”

Everleigh tipped her head up to his. “No, thanks.”

Concerned, dark eyes studied her. “Are you sure? I can go get you a coffee or something if you want.”

“I'm fine.” Just the thought of putting anything into her stomach made her sick. She wouldn’t be able to eat or drink anything until she knew whether her father was okay.

He seemed to sense exactly how she felt, because he nodded knowingly. “Everything will be fine.”

She appreciated the sentiment, but he couldn’t be sure. It still didn’t seem quite real. Just a few hours ago, he had sat across from her at the country club. The next thing she knew, he was sprawled on the floor, his face bright red, glistening with sweat. And his eyes… God. She didn’t think she’d ever forget that look in his eyes. It was the face of a man who knew in that moment he was going to die.

A shudder rolled through her, and she closed her eyes in an attempt to block out the memory. Knox pulled her even closer, his strong arms enveloping her, lending silent support. She tucked her head against his chest and breathed him in. She loved the smell of him, the feel of his chest beneath her cheek, the way he held her like he never wanted to let her go.

She knew he despised her father, and she was sure that he would rather be anywhere but there. But he’d never once complained, never left her side, and she appreciated it more than she could say. She shifted slightly, burrowing her nose into the crook of his neck. “Thank you.”

Her words came out barely more than a whisper, but the slight tightening of his arms told her he’d heard. Warm lips pressed to her forehead for a soft kiss before she felt his chin rest on the top of her head.

Suddenly, the heavy wood door swung inward, and a doctor dressed in a pair of dark blue scrubs stepped into the room. His expression was grim, and she knew before he even opened his mouth that the prognosis was bad. She jumped to her feet, followed a second later by Knox. Her mother rose much more slowly and gracefully, as if she had all the time in the world.

Everleigh trembled as the doctor approached, his lips twisted into a forced smile. Oh God. She knew that look. Knox must have sensed the same thing, because he settled a hand on her waist and pulled her into him.

The doctor turned to her mother, addressing her. “Mrs. Beaumont, I'm Doctor Branson.” He tipped his head. “Mr. Beaumont sustained a mild burn along his esophagus, which has led to some swelling. In addition to that, your husband experienced a cardiac event in the operating room. We resuscitated him, but we’ve had to place him on a ventilator to give him the necessary oxygen.”

A wary hopefulness spread through Everleigh’s body as his words sank in. Her mother’s lips were thin and pale, the only sign of distress in her pretty face. “What...” Her voice cracked, and she started over. “What does that mean?”

“He’s currently stable, but we’ll need to monitor him for the next several days. We’re still trying to determine the exact cause, but it appears that your husband may have had a reaction to something he ingested. We’ve ordered a toxicology report, so we should have more information soon.”

“O-okay.” Her mother’s hand fluttered toward her throat. “What now?”

“He’s heavily medicated, however”—he glanced between the three of them—“I can allow one of you in to see him briefly.”

Almost as one, Everleigh and her mother turned, wrapping their arms around each other. Her mother clung to her, and Everleigh could feel the fragility in her posture. “Go,” she whispered. “We’ll wait here for you.”