Time passes like molasses waiting for an update.
“He just needs time.”
Violet’s voice pulls me out of my slump. I lift my head out of my hands. “Excuse me?”
“Heath. He just needs time.”
“No, I think he knows damn well exactly how and where he’s going to bury me.”
She laughs. But I don’t find any of this humorous. “And if he did that, his daughter would hate him for sure. And that’s something he definitely can’t live with.” Now, she has my attention. I look at her, wondering where she’s going with this. “It’s just a messy situation all around. If he kills you, it’ll kill Hazel. Not sure anyone would win.”
“And let me guess, you’re just like Hazel, thinking everything has a happily ever after.”
She smiles, offering me a slight shrug. “Sounds about right. Sometimes we don’t get to choose who we love. Heath should know that more than anybody. Hazel loves you, and that’s what should matter the most. Can I ask you a question?” I nod. “Do you love her back?”
“Does it matter anymore?”
Before she has a chance to respond, a nurse comes out, calling for us. We both jump out of our seats and push through the door as she leads us to Hazel’s room. I start to slow when I see Heath standing outside her room, talking to a doctor.
“And the boy?”
“Superficial wounds. He should be discharged later today.” Heath shakes his hand. “Thanks, Doctor.” He turns, instantly scooping Violet into his arms. “You’re in so much trouble, naughty girl.” He nuzzles his face into her, kissing her.
“I couldn’t sit and do nothing.”
“I know. The cop said if you hadn’t gotten there when you did…” He hugs her tighter to him, reining in his emotions. “I love you,” he whispers against her lips. He pulls away, his eyes finding mine, his tenderness gone.
“I’m only letting you in there because she threatened me. Say what you have to say and then leave. You have five minutes,” Heath hisses as Violet goes for his nipple and pinches. “Jesus, woman. Gentle.”
“Take me to the cafeteria. I forgot how lovely the Jell-O is here.” Heath spanks her ass, and without another glance my way pulls her toward the opposite direction.
I, on the other hand, stand there, frozen in place. What the hell is wrong with me? I battle the scariest CEOs, world leaders, cold sons of bitches, but suddenly I’m nervous about walking into a room and going up against a petite little blonde with almond eyes and an attitude.
“Shit.” I swipe my hands through my hair. I probably look like a battered piece of shit—
“I know you’re out there.” Her voice seeps into my eardrums, and my feet move on their own accord. She’s sitting up in bed, too pale for my liking, her eyes swollen. She’s been crying.
“How are you feeling, Hazel?”
She looks back at me like a wounded bird. “So, I’m just Hazel now?”
I take the seat next to her bed. I want to grab her hand and kiss the inside of her wrist, but I refrain. “I don’t know what you are right now. I’m not sure you can be anything to me.” This time, I do reach for her hand, but she pulls away. “Don’t do this. You knew this was our fate. I’m not the one for you, little bird.”
“Says who?”
“Says the universe. All the odds stacked against us. This isn’t my doing, but it’s what I have to do. I need to be a better man and let you go.”
“Then why’d you come here? To hurt me more? You can tell yourself whatever you need to make yourself feel better, but you’re starting to sound like a broken record. You may have to work this hard to convince yourself, but don’t bother trying to feed me these lies. So, come on, say what you have to say and then leave me alone and let me mourn the loss of something at least I can admit I would have never stopped fighting for.”
I try again for her hand, but she rejects me a second time. “How about I start by telling you where you’re wrong. I’d fight this battle and destroy anyone who got in the way. I’d burn down the world to be with you. God, the things I would do…” I pause, wiping at my bruised face, then capture her gaze so she truly understands. “But I won’t destroy him. I value him too much, and if it means severing this bond, slicing my heart in two, and letting you go, then it’s what has to be done. You’re not the only one who fell in love, little bird. I, the beast, fell for the beauty. ”
I hate when she fucking cries. “Then stay. Let’s fight this together. My dad will understand. We won’t give him a choice.”
“And I won’t put him in the position to have to.” She rips her eyes away from mine. “Hazel, please look at me.” I’ve never begged a woman for anything, but I would sell my soul to the devil for her to just give me her attention.
“My dad said five minutes. Time’s up. Leave.” She aims her gaze at the window, refusing to look at me. Her tears fall down her beautiful face. I ache to capture each one, but I’ve done enough damage. Without another word, I do as she asks.
My shoes eat up the floor as I storm out of the hospital. I grab for my phone, calling my assistant. “Winston, set up all the meetings in London. Let the Stockton investment buyers know I’ll be moving my office there for the next six months. Have them prepare—”
“So, you’re just going to leave?”
I turn around, finding Heath right behind me.
“It’s what’s best,” I reply.
“For who?” He stares at me, waiting for an answer I don’t have. “Just tell me why you did it.”
“I already told you.”
“Tell me again, asshole.”
I disconnect my call without another word and shove both hands in my pockets. Sighing heavily, I give him the confession he demands. “Like a moth to a flame, she was this bright light that brought happiness into my life, and I just couldn’t stop. The more I resisted her beautiful glow, the more she got to me. I did what I did, knowing, in the end, I’d be the one to go up in flames. But I also did it knowing that for once in my life, I would finally get to know what being at peace felt like.” I think about her smile. The way her laughter could wipe my entire shit day clear of negativity. The way she ate her food like a little bird. How feisty she gets when she’s tired or hungry or horny. How breathtaking she is when she sleeps or stares off into the world as if no one’s watching. How she fills a part of my heart that I never knew existed. “I guess you could say the beast fell for the beauty.” With that, I turn around and start walking to my car, but his voice stops me.
“I’ll never forgive you for this.”
I turn back. “I don’t expect you to.”
“You ever fucking hurt her, they’ll be looking for pieces of your body in every state.”
“I told you I’ll stay—”
“So much as one fucking tear.”
“Heath—”
“I’m not fucking done, asshole! My daughter is resilient. With time, she would find a way to pick herself back up and move on from this. But I also know how strong-willed she is, and having her resent me for the rest of her life is not something I can live with.” He takes a moment, gathering his thoughts. “I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this for her.”