Chapter 23
Ingrid
Hours. That’s how long it’s been since they took him back to surgery. Not a single update. To them, I’m no one. Just another stranger in the waiting room.
Except they’re wrong. He’s my world. The center of my gravity. I won’t survive without him.
Why now? Everything is finally going right for me. It’s like the universe noticed and decided to correct a mistake.
Sorry, Ingrid. Just kidding. You’re playing the life is shit game and happiness isn’t in the cards for you.
Restless, I stand and pace, each step failing to calm the thunder in my chest. My heart is pounding so hard it echoes in my ears, blood rushing like a drum I can’t silence.
He has to be okay. He has to be.
The waiting room doors hiss open. I glance up in time to see my best friend barrel inside, with Esteban on her heels.
A pang of guilt pierces me. Their secret’s blown. All the stolen moments they’ve fought for—gone. They’ll have to come clean. Maybe it’s for the best. Better to live in the open than hide in the dark. But that’s a lesson they have to learn on their own.
I’m in her arms seconds later. Her embrace is warm, solid, exactly the comfort I’ve been craving. Tears stream down my cheeks and stain her shirt.
My lungs burn as I force the words out, heavy and desperate. “I love him, Winifred. I love him, and I may never get the chance to tell him that. If he survives this, I’m not letting a second pass before I share that with him. I can’t lose him. I can’t.”
She rubs slow circles on my back, her whisper soft. “Shhh.”
I drag in another breath, wipe at my eyes, and manage a shaky smile. “So, you were with...?”
Looks like her and Esteban were spending her break together.
Good for her. He makes her happy. Her family is worse than mine if one can believe that.
It’s nice to know she has someone who is looking out for her.
Although it kills me to think we may have just outed them.
It was bound to happen sooner than later.
“Yes.” She steadies me with a hand on my back, guiding me to a chair. “So, you and Darius? Ingrid, I’m so sorry this happened.”
Tears fill my eyes again, hot and heavy, and I don’t bother stopping them. “I didn’t plan on it, you know. I did my best to encourage him to give it up and forget about me.”
Winifred lets out a soft laugh, her hand covering mine. “A man like Darius Falcon doesn’t give up without a fight. I believe he loves you as well.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, the weight of my sadness unbearable, a crushing pressure in my chest. “I hope I get the chance to find out.”
Footsteps echo down the hall, growing louder until they shift to muffled thuds on the carpet of the waiting room. My eyes snap open, hoping it’s someone who can give me the answers I desperately need.
It’s a man in dark blue scrubs. He looks exhausted. His eyes find mine and he walks toward me. “One of you ladies must be Ingrid Lennox. Am I correct?”
Before I can reply, a couple walks in right behind him. One look at the man, and I know who he is. He’s an older version of the one who stole my heart.
“I am.” My legs shake underneath me, warning me that if he speaks the wrong words, they’ll fail me and send me crashing to the floor.
“The Duke of Falcon wanted me to assure you that he’ll be fine.
” A fond smile touches his lips, his eyes softening as he looks at me.
“He made me promise to deliver that message to you. Wanted it done before surgery, but time was of the essence. We compromised. You were to be the first person I spoke with after I patched him up. His exact words were that you’re the light keeping him from letting the darkness win. ”
My legs fail me, and I stumble. Thankfully, Esteban is there to make sure I don’t land flat on my face.
“He said that?”
“Yes, miss. His tone was firm, his words absolute.” The doctor takes a seat in an empty chair and addresses the couple standing rigid in the doorway. “You must be the duke’s parents.”
“We are.” The woman’s voice, sharp and clear, cut over the man’s quiet murmur beside her. “I am the Duchess Geneva Falcon Blomquist. This is my husband, Earl Horton Blomquist, Darius’ stepfather. I’m sure his father—”
“Is right here.” Another man struts in. He looks at the other man standing next to Geneva and nods. “Brother.”
Looking at the surgeon, he introduces himself. “Marquis Julius Falcon. Please tell us how our son is doing.”
Darius told me stories about his family.
Wild ones. At the time they sounded farfetched, like some soap opera storyline.
But after watching Julius lean in and kiss Geneva’s cheek while the earl just stands there—yeah, no exaggeration.
Both men flank each side of the Duchess, like she belongs to them. Like it’s normal.
Interesting. To each their own. Who the hell am I to judge? My family isn’t exactly perfect.
I flick my gaze over at Winifred. The look on her face tells me she’s doing the math, and it’s not making sense.
“Don’t try to figure it out,” I whisper. “It’s way more complicated than one can fathom. The shame Darius feels over his family’s traditions runs so deep, he’s severed himself from the family business entirely.”
She nods her understanding, and before she can ask more; the doctor begins.
“He lost a lot of blood. A transfusion was necessary. Fortunately, he had a pint of his own blood readily available. In his line of work, he felt he might need it, so he made regular deposits.” He looks at the Duchess as if knowing she’s going to react badly to his next words.
“However, we had to give him more than one pint.”
“No.” His mother gasps, her hand flying to her mouth, eyes wide with shock, and she almost faints. “Mixing his blood with someone else’s… now he’s tainted.”
What the hell?
This must be about the bloodline bullshit his sister mentioned. How it’s forbidden to mix Falcon blood with those who don’t make the cut.
No wonder she keeps glaring at me. To her, I’m the evil one daring to touch her precious son.
Wait until she hears I love him. I bet she throws a gigantic tantrum, much like the ones my mother has thrown when she didn’t get her way.
Unsurprised by the duchess’s absurd statement, the doctor shakes his head.
“The bullet missed his heart. However, it nicked one of his major arteries. I repaired it with no issues and don’t expect it to slow him down much once he has fully recovered.
But that will take at least four weeks. He should refrain from any form of strenuous activity during that time. No stress. No exercise. No sex.”
He glances at me, humor tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I need you to make sure he follows my orders. He claims two out of the three are feasible, but the third…” his smile spreads, “will happen as soon as he’s well enough to leave the hospital.”
“I don’t know why he...” I shrink in my chair, blushing severely from embarrassment. If he were here, I’d strangle him for sharing those plans with the doctor. “I’ll remind him you said four weeks. Not a moment sooner. He’s waited this long, so four more should be a walk in the park.”
Reaching into his coat pocket, the doctor hands me a sealed envelope. “This is for you. You are not to open it, only keep it safe for him.”
With trembling hands, I accept the envelope, my fingers tracing the lump inside. Tears pool in my eyes blurring at the edges. “He’s really going to be okay?”
“He’s going to be okay.” The sincerity in his voice should make me feel better, but I won’t feel better until I can see him for myself. “A nurse will come when we get him settled in a private room.”
With that, the doctor shakes all our hands and then disappears down the hall.
I turn to my friend. “I’m going to step outside for a moment.”
“Want me to join you?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I need some air. I’ll be fine.”
She squeezes my hand in silent support and nods.
Once outside, I find a bench facing away from the entrance and sit.
Relief crashes over me like a storm. Tears flood my eyes and trail down my cheeks.
The image of him on the floor in a pool of his own blood will haunt me forever.
I thought I’d lost him. But I haven’t. Thank God.
I refuse to let this moment pass me by. As soon as he wakes, I’m telling him how I feel.
Make him explain what the hell’s in this envelope and what it means.
“You should leave.” Her sharp, venom-laced voice invades my space. “It doesn’t matter what my son wants. It matters what he can have. And that’s not you.”
“It’s his choice,” I fire back, not bothering to turn around. “Not yours.”
“Silly girl. How much will it take? You’re in quite a pickle financially, aren’t you?” The hatred she feels for me is loud and clear. “Say the word and I’ll make it happen. One million? Three?”
I whip around, locking eyes with her. She towers above me, glaring down at me like she’s so got me pegged.
“I don’t want your money.”
“So, that’s how we’re playing this? Fine.” She inspects her long polished nails and sighs like she’s growing bored. “I wonder what my son would do if he knew—”
“Darius and I have no secrets. He knows all about my father. About Wilson.” I cut her off, and when she smirks, it hits me what she thinks he doesn’t know.
“He even knows about my temporary employment with Kismet. Everything. Do you honestly think there’s anything you can use against me he hasn’t already dug up or heard?
Do you not know what he does for a living? ”
“He’s a fool, that boy of mine. And you’re a distraction I’ll erase—one way or another.
” Her venomous words strike a chord that makes me want to prove her wrong.
“Even if that means hurting someone you care about. Your friend inside—she’s playing a dangerous game.
When the truth comes out, her family will be ruined.
Are you willing to put her through that? She’s a helpless little lamb who—”
“Enough!” The command shakes the air like thunder.
We both turn. Prince Esteban stands there, fury etched into every line of his face. It’s the angriest I’ve ever seen him.
“I’ve said what needs to be said.” The duchess turns, cool as ice, then glances over her shoulder with one final blow. “I will stop at nothing to get my way. Walk away now. It’s your only option.”
That’s it. I snap.
I grab her arm, spin her hard, and watch shock flash across her perfect face.
“Listen carefully. This is the only time I’m saying this.
You don’t scare me. I’ve survived worse vipers than you.
I’m immune to your idle threats and lies.
I’m not going anywhere. Your son is mine, and I will protect him from the likes of you if it’s the last thing I do.
The only way I’ll leave him is if he asks me to, and we both know that’s never going to happen.
So back the fuck off and stay the hell out of my way. ”
Releasing her arm, I storm off with my head held high.
That felt good. I think I’ll stand up for myself like that more.