Chapter 48
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
ORION
I hung up the phone with Dr. Karl Cederholm and waited for Elena to arrive. My chest ached from the news of my father’s dire situation and my missed date with Elena. The guilt tore at me, but I had to deal with an emergency.
I had to maintain composure and clarity to deal with it, otherwise I’d make a mistake.
My hands trembled as I wondered what had happened to my father. As far as I knew, he’d always been a healthy man. Earlier today, he had a horrible allergic reaction to seafood that collapsed his body into a coma. Everyone knew he was allergic to seafood. Like me, Rex Reimann had enemies as well. Probably more because he’d been in the business arena much longer than I had.
My chest tightened again. I didn’t realize how much I wanted him to be proud of me until this moment. What if there would never be an opportunity? What if he never woke up from his coma?
Had I been too stubborn to forgive him? To make amends like my mother had always wanted? The emotional instability overwhelmed me, and my mind wandered back to Elena for comfort.
I loved her more than she could ever know. A powerful storm had arrived, placing me in the middle of it. I was trying my best to deal with each issue carefully and cautiously.
In the unpredictable business arena, I was used to instability. The only difference now was that I had more at stake. I was in love. Before Elena, I didn’t need to worry about anyone. But now, my world and hers had blended. I’d never wanted the darkness from my world touching hers. But it appeared we were fated. I still needed to tell her about The Condor.
I heard Elena’s car pull up to the driveway. A sense of relief swept over me.
Elena entered the house, looking sad and tired. I hated the crease on her forehead, the tight lips and the sagging shoulders. She kicked off her shoes and met my gaze.
I probably didn’t look any better because her facial expression changed.
She dropped her purse on the side table and walked up to me. “What’s wrong?”
I wrapped my arms around her, inhaling her scent. The familiar floral scent comforted me.
I drew back. “My father’s in a coma. Ralph called me earlier. I’ve been on calls with the doctors, lawyers, and board members of the Reimann Corporation most of the day.”
“Oh my God.” She placed a gentle hand on my arm, soothing me. “What happened? Do you need to go see him?”
“Yes, I do,” I said, noticing the fatigue in her eyes being replaced with concern for me. “Sorry about our dinner date. I didn’t get a chance?—”
“Don’t worry about it.” She kissed me. “Do you need me to come with you?
“I would appreciate that.” More than she could ever know.
“I’ll go pack now.”
Hours later we arrived at Central Care Hospital in Sweden. I’d purchased this hospital years ago when it was about to close because of a lack of funding. The doctors and nurses here had treated me and Ralph many years ago when we’d gotten into a car accident. They were efficient, thorough, and not a single detail about a Reimann family member being at the hospital was leaked to the media. I appreciated that. The media liked to put their spin on things, and I preferred my privacy.
I’d made urgent arrangements to have my father transported to Central Care Hospital for his safety and the best care in the world. My father’s health situation made me question too many things. I needed time to investigate while the best doctors cared for him.
Elena interlaced her fingers with mine as we walked down the hallway, heading toward his room. Nurse Nancy exited the room with her clipboard and headed toward us. She was part of Dr. Karl Cederholm’s team. My parents were familiar with his team.
Two undercover guards stood nearby, while four other men wandered this floor. More were stationed throughout the hospital. This was a precaution for a suspicion that had percolated my mind since the news broke. I’d rather be wrong than sorry. Though my relationship with my father wasn’t the best, he was still my father. Whoever was responsible for this would answer to me.
“How is he? Any improvements?” I asked Nancy, who wore her blonde hair in a bun.
“He’s stable,” she said. “Don’t worry. We have a close eye on him. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thank you, Nancy. This is Elena, my girlfriend.”
“Nice to meet you, Nancy.” Elena smiled.
“Likewise,” she said. “You can visit him.”
I entered the room with warm-colored walls. My father lay on the bed looking peaceful. This was probably the most relaxed state he’d ever been in.
How fucking pathetic was that?
If you keep going at your pace, you might end up like him too.
My father was a workaholic, and so was I.
“He looks comfortable.” Elena rubbed circles on my back. “What caused the coma?”
“He’s allergic to seafood,” I said. “But there was shrimp paste in his dinner at a restaurant.”
“Do people know about his allergies?”
“Everyone knew. It wasn’t a secret.”
“You think someone did it on purpose?”
I loved how she could read me. “Yes, but everything is just speculation right now. The chef swore he didn’t know there was shrimp paste in the food. My father frequented the restaurant often, so this was a shock to the owner and the workers. I’m trying my best to view everything objectively.”
“But it’s hard when it’s your family.” She squeezed my hand tighter. “You’re too close to see clearly. You need a bird’s-eye view. That’s when The Roc emerges, right?” She offered me a smirk, trying to add a little humor to the dreadful situation.
I lifted her hand and kissed it gently. “Thanks for making me smile.”
My dad was the CEO of the Reimann Corporation, which oversaw several financial firms, including the Reimann Sienna Bank, which was tied to the life insurance scam Elena recently discovered. He told me he’d look into it. I knew he’d stumbled on something that triggered someone trying to kill him.
I’d called a board meeting to demand a thorough investigation. My father had appointed me the power of attorney, so I’d be overseeing his projects from now on.
Had he known something like this would happen? Though I was his only son, I’d assumed he would have someone else take over for him. Did he always trust me? But he’d made it obvious he was disappointed in me.
A headache bloomed, and I turned to Elena. “I have a meeting with the board members this week. I want you to stay on Quintile Island.”
“Okay. Let me know how I can help.” She embraced me.
Her presence was all I needed.
She drew back. “I need to use the restroom. I’ve been holding it in since we got off the plane. Drank too much coffee.”
“Bathroom is right there.” I smiled, pointing to the door at the other end of the room.
When Elena entered the bathroom, I stepped closer to my father’s bed, looking down at him.
“Who did this to you?” Anger thrummed inside me. If my mom were watching us now, she’d be devastated. She loved him so much.
“I know I’ve disappointed you by not following in your footsteps. You probably don’t know this, but I tried my best to make you proud. Eventually it was too much. The pressure to be good at everything broke me.” Inhaling a breath, I dropped into the chair beside the bed. “I resented you, and that’s created a wedge between us.” I looked at his hand, still wearing his wedding ring. “Get well. I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Things were happening too fast. I felt like I was missing something important.
“Maybe we could start over when you recover.” I didn’t know if that was possible, but I was trying my best to sound positive. Mom used to say kindness cost you nothing.
When Elena returned, I flew a small plane to Quintile Island.