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)
“Regent, for fucks sake, no wonder you’re single.” Maxim glared at him. “Don’t listen to him, doll. You’re beautiful as always.”
“She’s pale with dark bags under her eyes. Has she been eating? Sleeping? If she ends up in the hospital from dehydration and exhaustion, he’s going to lose his mind. Then he’ll come after us.”
“Um, I don’t . . . I don’t think Victor will blame you if I’m, uh, tired.”
Both men stared at her in disbelief.
“Actually, yeah, he will, Gracen,” Maxim told her. “He’ll kick my butt in particular since I’m in charge while he and Regent are out of action.”
“I’m not out. I am temporarily stuck in this fucking bed. But I’m leaving as soon as Victor can.”
He was?
“The doctor said you can leave?” she asked.
Regent just stared at her. “No. I said that. And the doctors and nurses here do as I say since I pay their wages.”
“You’ve got weeks of rehab for your leg,” Maxim told him.
“I’ll be fine.”
Maxim muttered something. She thought she caught the words stubborn and goat.
She couldn’t help the giggle that crossed her lips.
“You think that’s funny, Gracen?” Regent asked coolly. “That he refers to me as a stubborn goat?”
“Oh, I, uh . . . no?”
“Regent,” Maxim snapped.
Regent sighed. “I apologize. I’m like a lion with a sore paw. Irritable and looking to take my irritation out on others. Which is unacceptable. And I sincerely apologize yet again.”
“It’s all right,” she said quietly. She knew how hard it could be to apologize. “I get what it’s like to feel trapped. I’m sure you’re not used to lying around and doing nothing. Plus, you’re probably in pain.”
“Well, yes.” He looked a bit surprised. “I’m sorry we had to meet under these circumstances. Victor was keeping you to himself, not that we blame him.”
“Nope,” Maxim said. “I’d likely do the same.”
“We haven’t known each other long. Well, not really. He’s been coming in for my sticky buns for a few months now.”
“Your sticky buns?” Regent asked.
“Oh, I own a bakery.”
“Yes, I know,” Regent said smoothly. “I had you investigated.”
“You did?” she whispered.
“Regent, damn it. Did you need to tell her that?”
“Of course I did. She deserves the truth if she’s going to be part of this family. Are you?”
Was she?
She’d made up her mind, hadn’t she?
And there was no way she wanted to be separated from Victor. No. Nope. Not happening.
But still . . .
“Why did you have me investigated?”
“Because I protect my family. No matter what, they come first. And everything I do is for them.”
She took in a deep breath. “Then yes, I’m going to become family, provided Victor still wants me.”
Regent smiled at her. “Somehow, I don’t think that will be a problem.”
Victor forced his eyes open. He felt foggy, disorientated.
His mouth was dry, and he had no idea where he was.
Panic started to flow through him. What the fuck had happened?
He turned his head. Shit. That hurt. Then his gaze landed on white-blond hair. That belonged to a body he knew well.
Relief flooded him.
Gracen. She was here. She was all right.
Suddenly, she raised her head from the bed. Why did she look so terrible? Like she hadn’t been sleeping?
“Gracen? What’s wrong, baby?”
“Victor,” she breathed out with relief. “You’re awake. Do you know where you are?”
He glanced around in confusion.
“It doesn’t matter. Don’t worry. I’ll get a nurse. Wait there. Oh, you can’t go anywhere. Aero, he’s awake.”
“I’ll call someone.”
He tried to raise his hand to her face but fell short. And then darkness flooded over him once more.
Gracen . . . come back to me.
Gracen could feel her eyelids growing heavier.
Victor had been far more lucid that last time and she wanted to stay awake, to be there in case he woke up. He might need her.
Her head drooped, and she forced it back.
“Gracen, you’re falling asleep,” Maxim said in a scolding tone as he entered the room. He was carrying two cups of coffee.
“Ooh, coffee. Gimme.” She held up her hand.
“No way. This isn’t for you. You’re going to sleep.”
“I don’t need to sleep.”
“You definitely need to sleep. Don’t think I didn’t catch you nearly nodding off just now. The last thing you need is caffeine.”
“Maxim, don’t be mean to me. Give me the coffee.” She gave him her best puppy dog eyes.
“Nope.”
“Maxim.”
“Maxim, give her what she wants.”
They both turned to stare at Victor. He was frowning up at them. “And why’re you in my bedroom, brother?”
“Hey there, brother,” Maxim said. He sat the coffee down on the nightstand and moved up next to her. She’d stood and was leaning over Victor, her hand on his.
“Victor? How are you feeling? Are you in pain? Shall I get the nurse?”
“Why the fuck would I want a nurse?” He stared up at her, then his frown deepened. “Are you ill? Are we in the hospital? Baby?”