Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“Gracen—”
“I can’t. Please.”
He let out a loud sigh. Then he ran a hand over his face. He looked as exhausted as she felt.
“Damn, doll. Victor is going to kill me.”
“I can’t leave. I’ll just worry about him.”
“All right. Here’s the deal. You can stay until he wakes up, but you have to sleep on a cot I’ll have brought in. Understand? And you need to try and eat.”
“I’ll try, but my stomach is tied in knots.”
“I get it. I really do. And I’ll try to get you some things to make it more comfortable.”
“Thanks, Maxim. I really appreciate it.”
14
She watched the doctor like a hawk, aware that Maxim was doing the same thing from beside her.
Victor had woken a few times yesterday but hadn’t been very coherent. This morning, though, he’d managed to open his eyes, say her name, and he’d asked her for some water. Then he’d frowned at her, telling her to get some more rest before falling back asleep.
She’d actually wept in relief.
They’d just taken him for another MRI and she was praying for some good news. She dropped her hand, slipping it around Maxim’s. Over the last few days, they’d become close.
Jardin had arrived yesterday. He had been surprised by her presence but accepting once Maxim explained everything. He was currently sitting with Regent, who was apparently driving everyone nuts from his bed.
“The swelling has gone down considerably,” the doctor finally said.
She let out a deep breath. The room spun slightly, and she tightened her hold on Maxim. She had barely slept these past few days. Or eaten. All of her energy had been focused on Victor.
“I would expect him to become more and more coherent.”
She nodded, then regretted it as nausea washed through her. Turning, she buried her face in Maxim’s arm.
“Hey, he’s going to be all right. Gracen?”
“I’m just relieved.”
“I know, me too. Soon, he’ll be awake and bossing us all around. Come on, I have to tell Regent and Jardin the good news.”
She nodded. “All right.” She turned back to Victor, running her hand down his arm.
“No, doll. I want you to come with me.”
“With you?” She gave him an alarmed look. “To see Regent?”
Maxim grinned at her. “He’s not that scary.”
She just stared at him.
“All right, he is. But he’ll be nice to you. I promise. Well, maybe not nice, but he’s not going to hurt you.”
“Wow, that really makes me want to go see him. I can’t wait.”
“Come on.”
“I can’t leave Victor.” What if he woke up?
“Gracen, you haven’t left this room since you arrived. Just ten minutes. Aero will watch him closely.”
She looked over at Aero who nodded solemnly.
“Five minutes,” she told him.
He took her hand and led her out of the room. She’d decided to close the bakery while she was here. Frankly, she didn’t care if the thing went under. Not when Victor needed her. Maybe Anita was right, it was time to give up. She wasn’t making any money, and now she had the Ventura gang wanting her to pay for their protection?
Yeah, it was all too much. Especially at the moment.
So, she’d told Anita to put a sign in the window and stayed at the hospital with Victor, which is where she belonged.
She followed Maxim down the hall to another door. “I didn’t realize they were so close.”
“We actually have this whole floor,” Maxim told her. “Only certain people have clearance to be on this floor.”
They did seem to be really paranoid about security. But she guessed they had good reason to be.
He led her into a room. She saw Jardin sitting across the room next to the bed, which held a handsome, commanding-looking man. None of the other brothers were as big as Victor, but Regent was definitely more intimidating. There was just something about him that made her stomach drop and her heart race.
She stilled and tightened her hold on Maxim’s hand. Regent’s eyes narrowed at the move.
“Hey, how’s Vic?” Jardin asked.
“Better. The swelling is down, they expect him to get more and more coherent,” Maxim replied.
“You know, I still want to hear how you two met,” Jardin said. “Victor has been keeping you a secret. I’m surprised he didn’t lock you up in his room and keep you there.”
“I’m sure he was tempted,” Maxim said.
“Victor wouldn’t do that,” she protested.
All three men gave her skeptical looks.
“I’m shocked you’ve left his side,” Jardin said as he stretched.
“She didn’t want to,” Maxim replied.
“She needs to go home,” Regent said.
She stiffened, and Maxim let out a sigh.
“Regent . . .”
“She looks terrible. He’ll be pissed when he wakes up and sees the state she’s in.”
Jardin stood and winked at her. “I’ll go sit with him.”
She glanced down at herself. She’d taken a quick shower this morning. And Maxim had gotten her some clean clothes. She didn’t think she looked that bad. All of the bruising had faded from her face. They should have seen her a week ago.