Chapter 27 Chapter 27
Damien’s POV
Within ten minutes, I had assembled a team of my most skilled men, the ones I trusted with my life and the lives of people who mattered to me.
Kai was already in the driver’s seat of the lead car, his expression grim and focused. Three other vehicles followed behind us, each filled with armed men who knew exactly what was at stake. This wasn’t just another job, this was personal now.
The drive to St. Mary’s Hospital felt like it took hours even though it was barely fifteen minutes. Every red light, every slow driver, every second that ticked by felt like an eternity while Hailey was vulnerable and exposed.
When we finally pulled up to the emergency entrance, I was out of the car before it had fully stopped, my eyes scanning the area for threats. The parking lot was dimly lit, shadows pooling between the cars, and I noticed immediately that something was off.
A dark sedan was idling near the far end of the lot, its headlights off but the engine running. I could see the faint outline of figures inside, watching.
“Kai,” I said quietly, nodding toward the vehicle.
He followed my gaze and his hand moved to his weapon. “I see it.”
“Keep eyes on them,” I ordered. “If they make a move, handle it.”
The moment we started walking toward the hospital entrance, the sedan’s engine revved and it pulled away smoothly, disappearing into the darkness like a ghost retreating into shadows.
Inside the hospital, the fluorescent lights were harsh and clinical, making everything feel cold and sterile. I strode through the automatic doors with purpose, my men fanning out behind me, and immediately spotted Hailey and her friend sitting in the waiting area.
Hailey looked pale and exhausted, cradling her left arm against her chest. Her face was tight with pain, and there were tear tracks on her cheeks that she’d clearly tried to wipe away. When she saw me, relief flooded her features so completely that something in my chest twisted.
“Damien,” she breathed, starting to stand.
“Don’t move,” I said quickly, crossing to her in a few long strides. “How bad is it?”
“Broken,” she said, her voice shaky. “Clean break, they said. They gave me something for the pain but it’s not really working.”
Benita stood up beside her, looking equally shaken but trying to put on a brave face. “Thank you for coming. We didn’t know who else to call.”
“You called the right person,” I said, my tone leaving no room for doubt. “We’re leaving. Now.”
“What about the discharge papers?” Hailey asked, wincing as she tried to move her arm.
“Forget them,” I said. “My private doctor will take care of everything you need. Right now, we need to get you somewhere safe.”
I helped Hailey to her feet carefully, acutely aware of how fragile she seemed at this moment, and Benita gathered their belongings quickly. My men formed a protective circle around us as we moved through the hospital and back out to the vehicles.
The ride to my penthouse was tense and silent. Hailey sat pressed against me in the back seat, and I could feel her trembling slightly despite the pain medication. Benita sat on her other side, chewing her bottom lip nervously and glancing out the window every few seconds like she expected someone to attack us at any moment.
I kept my eyes on the mirrors, watching for any sign that we were being followed. The dark sedan from the hospital didn’t reappear, but that didn’t mean we were safe. It just meant they were being careful, biding their time.
When we finally pulled up to my building, I had my men sweep the area before allowing anyone out of the vehicles. Only when Kai gave the all-clear did I help Hailey inside, supporting her weight as we made our way to the private elevator.
The penthouse felt like a sanctuary compared to the exposed danger of the streets. The moment the doors closed behind us, some of the tension eased from my shoulders, though I remained alert.
“Sit,” I told Hailey, guiding her to the plush couch. “I’ve already called my doctor. He’ll be here within the hour.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, sinking into the cushions with visible relief.
Benita hovered nearby, clearly unsure what to do with herself in this unfamiliar and obviously expensive space. Her eyes kept darting around, taking in the floor-to-ceiling windows, the modern art on the walls, the sheer luxury of everything.
That’s when I noticed the way Marco was watching her. Not with the professional detachment of a guard, but with something softer, more personal. And the way Benita kept glancing at him, her expression shifting between relief and confusion and something almost accusatory.
“Marco,” I said, my voice cutting through the quiet tension. “Do you know her?”
Marco’s jaw tightened, and for a moment I thought he might lie. But he knew better than that.
“Yes, boss,” he admitted. “He’s my girlfriend.”
Benita’s head whipped toward him, her eyes blazing. “Oh, so now you’re admitting it? After disappearing because your ‘boss summoned you’ and sending us off with a stranger?”
“I sent someone I trust,” Marco said defensively.
“I needed you,” Benita shot back, her voice rising. “Hailey was hurt, someone tried to kill us, and you were off doing whatever mysterious thing your mysterious boss wanted!”
“That’s enough,” I said, my tone quiet but commanding enough to silence them both immediately. “Marco, take her somewhere private if you two need to talk. But keep it brief.”
“Actually,” Benita said, turning to look at Hailey with concern overriding her anger, “I need to stay with Hailey. She’s my best friend, and she’s hurt.”
“I’ll be fine,” Hailey said softly, though her voice was strained with pain. “Go talk to him. You clearly need to.”
“But….”
“I have a guest room if you’re planning to stay the night,” I interrupted, looking at Benita. “You’re both welcome to stay as long as you need. You’re safe here.”
Marco shifted uncomfortably. “Actually, boss, I should probably get back to my post. Unless you need me here?”
“Go,” I said. “But take her with you if she wants answers. Just make sure she’s back safely in the morning.”
Benita looked torn, her eyes moving between Hailey lying exhausted on the couch and Marco standing stiffly by the door. Finally, she made a decision.
“I’m going with him,” she said to Hailey. “He promised me answers about what’s really going on, and I’m going to get them. But I’ll be back first thing in the morning to check on you. I promise.”
“Be careful,” Hailey whispered.
Benita squeezed her friend’s hand gently, careful not to jostle the injured arm, then followed Marco out of the penthouse.
The moment they were gone, the space felt quieter, more intimate.
My private doctor arrived exactly when he said he would. He examined Hailey’s arm carefully, confirmed the hospital’s diagnosis, and set about creating a proper cast and prescribing stronger pain medication.
Through it all, Hailey remained quiet, her eyes half-closed with exhaustion and pain. She barely flinched when the doctor manipulated her arm, too tired to even react properly.
When he finally finished and left with instructions for her care, I helped her to one of the guest bedrooms, a spacious room with soft lighting and a comfortable bed that looked like heaven compared to a hospital cot.
“You should rest,” I said, helping her settle against the pillows.
“Thank you,” she murmured, her eyes already drifting closed. “For everything. For coming to get us. For keeping us safe.”
“Always,” I said quietly, though I wasn’t sure she heard me.
Within minutes, her breathing had evened out, deep and steady with sleep. The pain medication had finally kicked in properly, dragging her under into desperately needed rest.
I should have left. Should have gone to coordinate with Kai about our response to the Morellis, about tightening security, about all the hundred things that needed my attention.
But I didn’t.
Instead, I pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down, watching her sleep. Her face was peaceful now, the lines of pain and fear smoothed away by unconsciousness. In sleep, she looked younger, more vulnerable, and something fierce and protective surged through me.
The Morellis had made a grave mistake tonight.