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)
“Ma’am, can I help you?” He was giving her a skeptical look, like he couldn’t understand why she’d be here.
She peered down at herself. Oh, crap. She was dressed in her brother’s sweatshirt, a pair of worn denim shorts, which you couldn’t really see under the long top, and flip-flops.
Yeah, she didn’t look like she should be here. What was more, she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to ask for Victor or not. When Maxim had told her what hospital to come to, she’d just hung up and raced out of there.
“I . . . I . . . I’m looking for . . .”
“Gracen?”
She glanced over, recognizing Maxim from the images she’d seen online. Although he wasn’t looking as polished right now. His hair was sticking up on end, and there were dark bags under his eyes.
“Maxim!” She rushed forward. “Where is he? Is he all right?”
“She’s with me, Jack,” he said to the guard.
She turned to see the other man nod respectfully. “Sorry, ma’am.”
“It . . . it’s okay. I don’t . . . I don’t really look like I belong here.”
“Nobody cares what you’re wearing. Come with me.” Maxim led her through a maze of corridors. Her heart raced so hard she felt ill. Another man followed behind them, but Maxim didn’t introduce them.
She looked back at him once, but he never looked her way and Maxim urged her forward.
Another guy in a suit stood in front of a door. Were they all here to guard Victor? Why?
When they approached, the man moved with a respectful nod. They walked into a waiting room.
“Wait. I thought you were taking me to Victor.” She whirled toward Maxim.
Maxim grimaced. “I’m sorry, Gracen. I can’t take you to him yet.”
“Why not? Is he not allowed visitors?”
“I’ve tightened security. Only Jardin and I are allowed in to see either of my brothers.”
“I . . . I can’t see him?” But she had to see him. Her breath came in short bursts and the room started spinning.
“Please, sit.” He offered her a chair. She sat, shocked to find it was comfortable. Not her experience with hospitals.
Maxim sat across from her. “Victor is a secretive guy, and he’s never, uh, well . . . mentioned you.”
“Oh. Right.” She twisted her fingers together. “So, you don’t want to let me see him?”
Maxim blew out a breath. “I probably shouldn’t. But I also know that if I had a girl that was special, I’d likely want to keep her to myself too. About a week or so ago, Victor took a woman out to dinner at my friend Matteo’s restaurant. I’m thinking that was you.”
“Yes. I ordered the filet mignon well-done, and the chef got upset.”
“That would be Roger. Yeah, he’s an ass.”
“He sure is.”
“Never known Victor to take a girl on a date.”
“Really?”
“Like I said, he’s secretive. But damn it, he should have told us about you. What if something happened to him and you . . . well, something did happen.”
“Will you . . . is he going to be okay . . .”
Please let him be okay.
What would she do if he wasn’t?
“I hope so. He’s got a concussion. The MRI showed some brain swelling. So far, he hasn’t woken up.”
“Oh God. Was anyone else hurt?”
“Yeah, their driver suffered a ruptured spleen, he’s in the operating room. My oldest brother, Regent, was in the back with Victor. He’s also in surgery. Jardin left two days ago to take his family on vacation, so that leaves me. I’m not supposed to be left in charge, Gracen.” He shook his head. “Don’t know what the right fucking thing to do is.”
“It . . . it’s all right. I can . . . I can wait here until he’s awake. I don’t want to put you under more stress.” It was obvious he was just trying to look after his brothers.
“You’re a sweetheart, aren’t you?” He studied her. “Where’d he find you?”
“At Make It Sweet bakery. I own it.”
“Do you? Do you know how to make mocha brownies?”
“Of course. That’s your favorite? I can make that for you.”
“Thank you, doll. How about this? Why don’t we go in and see him together? I don’t think Victor would want you to be alone right now.”
And he could keep an eye on her. Not that she cared if he wanted to watch her. She wanted Victor taken care of and protected.
“Was it . . . was it an accident?” she asked as Maxim stood.
His face shut down, growing impassive. “Well, that’s the big question, isn’t it?”
She pondered those words as he led her through to another room. This one had a guard on the outside and the inside. But as soon as she stepped in, she forgot about the man who left the room when they entered. Her whole attention was on the big man lying in the hospital bed.