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Wiping the sweat from his brow, I move my lips to his ear. “I love you and I’ll never leave you. We are forever.”
I’m barely conscious of the medical professionals working on him around me. All I’m aware of is him, squeezing my hand, and his gentle whisper.
“I love you. We are forever.”
My eyes fly open, and I blink, my heart slowly thumping inside my chest, disbelief lighting up my face.
As I lay on the bed in the room where I’ve been held a prisoner for days, a smile lights up my face. The blood in my veins flows faster, and I feel stronger. Alive.
I felt him. I heard him.
Max is alive!
Chapter eighteen
Max
October13,2018,2:00p.m.
I’ve been in this hospital for too fucking long and I’m irritated as hell. Darin has been doing everything he can to calm me down, but even he can’t reach me.
Ever since I had that dream, I’ve been anxious as hell. My chest is constantly tight and I’m restless, my legs shifting beneath the blanket, tugging the damn hospital gown from around my neck. It feels like my insides are quivering as I release a loud sigh, my hands clenched into fists.
Darin walks into the room, carrying two cups of coffee. “Hey, asshole. Here’s a coffee for you.” He hands it to me, then pulls a bottle of water from the pants he’s wearing. He sets it on the table, then pulls the chair up beside my bed.
“When the fuck am I getting out of here?” I grit out, my teeth gnashing together as I impatiently wait for him to answer.
“Soon, Max. They just need to be sure the infection is gone.”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass about a damned infection,” I roar, my voice loud in the quiet room. Darin hurries over and closes the door.
Turning around, his eyebrows draw together. “Keep it down, jackass, or they’ll keep you longer.” He walks over to my bed, his stare intent. “You need to calm the fuck down.”
I inhale deeply, then count to ten, slowly releasing it. I do this a few times, my head turned toward the window, staring at the bright blue skies lighting up my room. “Sorry, Darin. I’m just…” I run a hand through my hair, meeting his piercing green eyes.
“You are just impatient as fuck and ready to go find Irelynn. I get it, man.” He grabs the chair, slides it closer, and sits down beside my bed. “I talked to Vanessa. She is staying at a hotel and regularly meeting with her friend. That girl seems paranoid as hell, as though everyone is out to get her.” He shakes his head. “I hope like hell she’s as good as Vanessa claims and can help.”
Shrugging my shoulders, I wince as I feel the tightness around my wound. “What choice do we have?”
He lifts his coffee. “True.” He takes a long sip. “Have Jack and Rosalyn been here to see you yet?”
I shake my head. “Not since yesterday. Jack is calling one of Gregory’s business contacts, trying to convince him to talk to Gregory and get him to help.” My grip on the coffee cup tightens. “It probably won’t do any good. Gregory seems like a selfish bastard. No wonder William acts the way he does.”
Darin nods. “Especially with his mom being shot in front of him. Do you remember when Jack said he wondered if her murder was ultimately set up by Gregory? When I walked out with Jack and Rosalyn yesterday, they told me that when they stood outside with William, they overheard a couple of servants whispering. Apparently, Gregory was getting tired of Isabella bitching at him for cheating on her and though she wasn’t happy he had fathered another child, she didn’t think he was treating that child or William right.” He pauses, looking at me. “They didn’t know Damian was Gregory’s son at that time. It was all kept quiet. But Isabella was tired of him beating William for the slightest little thing, and she threatened him by saying if he did it again, she would leave him.” Darin shrugs.
Shaking my head, I exhale a breath. “I fucking hate William. But there is a part of me that feels slightly sorry for him, too.” Meeting Darin’s eyes, I continue. “You know my parents were self-absorbed and didn’t show Matthew or me the attention they should have. But they would have cooperated if I fucking kidnapped someone.” My fingers clench around my blanket. “At least I had my grandparents. It sounds like William didn’t have anyone except his mom.”
Darin shakes his head, his shoulders drooping. “I asked Jack and Rosalyn about that. They said Gregory’s parents had died in a car accident when Gregory was a teenager. Isabella’s parents were alive, but Gregory wouldn’t let them have custody of William.” He takes a sip of his coffee, his voice flat. “Apparently, Isabella took William to see his grandparents a couple of times before Gregory found out about it. Sounds like he blew up on her for it.”
“Jesus. That man sounds like a goddamn nightmare.” My heart gives a momentary pang for William before I shake it off.
There’s a knock on the door and the nurse comes in. “It’s time for Max to get a bath. The doctor wants you to walk around the floors a few times when we are finished.”
Darin hops to his feet as I drain the remainder of my coffee. “Well, that’s my cue. I’m going to check in with Vanessa.” He gives me a pointed look. “Behave yourself, Max.”
I grunt in response and when the nurse has her back turned, I give him the middle finger. He chuckles and heads to the door. “Later, Max.”
“Later.”
