Chapter 16 Dove
DOVE
Winston walking toward me while carrying our son in the sling has my heart skipping a beat. I think I’m in love with this man.
A man I barely know, yet it’s as if I’ve known him forever. I do have a few concerns and I’m horrible at hiding them, but I’m going to have to for now.
How does he want me? We are clearly at different levels in our lives. He’s a successful doctor, and I’m his enemy’s personal assistant. I don’t even know what I’d like to do with the rest of my life.
When I graduated and got the job with Landon, it was a job with a good salary.
That’s all I cared about. And here I am, four years later, and all I know is that I don’t want to be anyone’s personal assistant.
All I know is I want to be with Winston and grow this little family we accidentally created.
That brings me more happiness then working for Landon ever could.
When Winston gets close enough, I reach out a hand and he takes it without hesitation. Squatting, he brings my hand to his mouth, kissing my knuckles.
“You did so amazing out there,” I compliment. “I don’t think I could speak in front of a thousand people. You do it so well.”
He lifts baby Winston from the sling, carefully placing him in my arms. He’s fussy and needs to be fed.
Never taking his eyes off our son, he says, “I’m so used to it.
I was trained for this since I was little.
I’d watch my father do this exact conference and when I was old enough, he’d bring me on stage with him and he’d incorporate me slowly into the conversation.
Nothing too serious, of course. Then, eventually, he handed it all over to me. ”
“Well, I think he picked the right man to take over the empire,” I reply, covering myself with a baby blanket while baby Winston feeds.
“You’re biased,” he teases.
“Maybe a little, but can you blame me? I have one of the best men I’ve ever met by my side. Forgive me if I think he’s the best.”
If I’m not mistaken, my well-accomplished doctor blushes, even going as far as glancing away and nibbling on his bottom lip.
I love that I have that effect on him. No other man has ever reacted to me the way Winston has.
I know we’re moving at warp speed when it comes to our relationship, but my mom always said, ‘Dove, once you meet someone that awakens that spark in your soul, that’s the flame you’ve been waiting for so your life can be full of fireworks.
’ I never understood what she meant until Winston.
“I’m going to get you the biggest damn ring anyone has ever seen so any man who glances at you sees the size of your diamond first, knowing not to even dare coming close to you.”
The threat in his eyes, the promise of violence and destruction, has my entire body heat. My face grows hot and a sudden emptiness begins to tingle my ring finger, wishing I had the ring he was speaking of.
“You don’t even know what I like,” I say playfully.
“I have a feeling I know everything you’d like, but since you’re so doubtful of me, what’s your dream ring? I’ll make it happen.”
I stare at him, stunned, my brain short-circuiting. “I—I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it before.”
“Start thinking about it now, Dove. Because I’m serious. When you’re healed, I’m going to marry you as soon as possible, while giving you the wedding of your dreams.”
“We can’t plan a wedding like that in such a short amount of time,” I scoff, knowing a dress alone could take months to find, especially on a budget.
“Dove, when will you understand that anything can happen for you now? I have money. Money talks. Money buys whatever we want. If you wanted to get married tomorrow, I could give you an Italian countryside wedding and a dress custom made to fit every perfect curve of your body. The world is yours now.”
“I wouldn’t feel right doing that,” I admit in a whisper, blinking away tears when I think of my parents struggle.
“Why?” Winston brushes a piece of my hair from my face.
“My parents. They would want to help in some way, and they can’t compete with the money you have, Winston. My dad is a good man, but a proud one, and they have a mortgage and—”
Winston stands, caging me in by gripping the arms of the chair.
“Do you really think I’d let my fiancée’s parents struggle?
As of this morning, they own their home and their debts have been wiped clean.
They haven’t noticed yet, but they will.
They’ve worked hard their entire lives. I’ve looked into them and everything your parents have done for their community.
Good people deserve good things. They’re finally free, Dove. ”
My head spins from the news. This can’t be true. He wouldn’t have done that without talking to me about it, right?
“You did that for me?” I blow out a breath, doing my best not to become emotional since we are in public.
“I’d do anything for you. Don’t you get that, Love Dove? If it were possible, I’d give you the world.”
“You have already.” I peer down at our son, lifting the blanket to watch him.
I still can’t believe he’s real. It’s like I’m experiencing a fever dream.
“That’s sweet.” Landon’s cruel voice ruins our moment.
Winston grips the wheelchair even harder. His knuckles turn white as he tries to compose himself.
“It’s my turn. Your scholarship idea is cute, Warrick, but you’ll never be as good as me.”
“You’re right,” I sneer at my ex-boss. “He’s better.”
Landon takes a step toward me, a fist clenched at his side, and Winston stands between us so his enemy can’t take another step.
Winston tilts his head and growls through clenched teeth. “Take one more fucking step toward her and I will kill you.”
“Tsk. Tsk. Is that a threat?” The light catches the sheen of gel slicking back Landon’s hair. “I could have you arrested for that.”
“Who would they believe? A respected doctor? Or a grifter like you?” Winston leans in and whispers, “Think a little smarter if you can.”
Landon sneers, looking Winston up and down before spinning on his heels and strutting onto the stage. The crowd claps, but it’s nowhere near the amount of enthusiasm that Winston was able to receive from them. Even the audience knows when they’re being tricked.
“Dr. Warrick, thank you so much for your kindness. We have similar idea when it comes to infants and mothers.”
Winston’s knuckles crack when his fists become tight at his side. There goes Landon, stealing another idea.
“I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself if you don’t know who I am.
I’m Landon Vainton of the Vain Corporation.
Unlike the amazing Dr. Warrick, I only focus on bringing the best medical inventions to medicine.
I’m a multi-billion-dollar company who’s known for the artificial heart that’s able to be transplanted into a patient who needs a new heart.
Our goal at the Vain Corporation is to make sure that everyone on the donor list, waiting to receive an organ, doesn’t have to wait for a match.
Our products are affordable and are often covered by insurance because they are deemed medically necessary. ”
“He’s a fucking liar.” Winston’s whisper is so harsh, so vile, that it causes goose bumps to rise on my arms. “I’ve been doing research, that artificial heart causes massive clots and has many patients go into cardiac arrest. Many have died, but not enough. I can’t prove anything.”
“Yet,” I add, snagging his wrist. “You haven’t yet. You will, Winston. Men like him never last. Their ugly truths will be revealed in time.”
Landon walks back and forth on the stage, the spotlight following him everywhere he goes. “It’s my pleasure to announce that the Vain Corporation is opening its very own maternity center. It’s open only for mothers, fathers, and newborns, focusing on life-saving treatment.”
It’s basically the same idea that Winston had. I understand what Winston means now when he says Landon is a thief. He likes to twist others’ ideas into his own.
“Families won’t get lost in the chaos of the hospital or forgotten with other patients.
Our facility has a team dedicated to each and every patient so they have care at all times, at every hour during the day.
” Landon turns his head toward us, a wicked smirk gracing his lying mouth, before turning back to the crowd.
“You’ll no longer have wait times or dealing with different people.
At the Vain Maternity Center, your family will be first.”
The crowd cheers, but the medical students that sit off to the side don’t. They stare at Landon like the lying asshole he is. They aren’t fooled.
“This is bad,” Winston says, rubbing a hand down his exhausted face. “This is so bad.”
I don’t understand why this center would be bad. I hate that Landon stole Winston’s idea, but there’s more than enough space in the world for more than one facility dedicated to women’s health.
Winston grabs the handles of the wheelchair and unlocks the breaks, rushing us out of the auditorium.
“Dr. Warrick, I’d love a few words with you. Can we set up a time to interview?” A reporter stops us in the middle of the aisle.
“Contact my personal assistant. Her name is Olivia.” Winston hands him a business card. “She can set something up.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much, Dr. Warrick. An interview with you might change my career.” The young man who can’t be more than twenty-two stares at the business card like it just saved his life. “Thank you.”
“Anytime. If you don’t mind, we’re on our way out to the invention room. Contact Olivia.”
“Yes, of course.” The reporter steps out of the way. “Congratulations on your son, Doctor.”
“Thank you,” Winston says as we pass, heading out the double doors.
Once we’re out of the auditorium, Winston lets out his frustration on a growl. He stops the wheelchair and paces in front of me, lacing his hands behind his head.
“This is bad. This is very bad. We can’t allow that center to be opened, Dove.
I’ve dedicated my entire life to saving lives.
Landon hasn’t. He only cares about the money.
If this happens, so many women and children will be at risk.
He doesn’t care about their lives. He only cares about how much money their lives will make him.
I don’t care what I have to do, I’ll bring him down and finally end his dangerous crusade. ”
Of course this wouldn’t be a good thing. This center is only competition for Winston, to take from him so Landon can make money. No amount of money is worth people losing their lives over. Landon’s madness has to come to a stop.
“And I’ll do whatever you need to me to do. I want to help, Winston.”
“I don’t want you in harm’s way, Dove. I’ll never forgive myself. This is my fight.”
“No, it isn’t. He made my life hell for the last four years. I want to help, Winston. Don’t leave me out of this. I want to take him down just like you do. I have an NDA, though. If I break it, he can—”
“He won’t be able to do anything when we have the proof we need.
We won’t worry about you infiltrating systems, yet.
I’ll see what I can do on my end first. You shouldn’t have to get your hands dirty.
The only thing I want you to focus on is your health.
” He squats down and wraps my hands in his. “Promise me.”
“I promise,” I say, not knowing if I can keep my word.
Landon is doing more than hurting women and children with his idea. His only goal is to kick Winston where it hurts.
Like Winston, I’m protective of what is mine.
And Winston Warrick, along with everything he believes, everything he feels, is mine.