CHAPTER 71 - Code X

I’m confused and scared, wondering what kind of plan they’ve got in store to use to evade the police. If the police find out what really happened, Bryant could end up in jail—and the thought of that terrifies me.

The officers stop once they reach us, and one of them flashes his badge. "Police. Who is Bryant Langley’s legal guardian?"

"I am," Chase and Michael answer at the same time.

The officer looks between them, his brow creasing. "Which one of you?"

"You can speak to us both," Chase says evenly.

"Alright, then." The officer pulls out a notebook and starts his questions. "Was either of you with him when he was shot? And if so, by whom?"

“We were just hanging out at the park late at night. I suddenly needed to use the restroom, so…” Michael says, pointing to Chase. “He came with me. Bryant said he’d stay and wait, said he was tired.”

The officer nods. "And then?"

Chase picks up where Michael left off. “I don’t know what happened while we were away, but on our way back, we saw him being attacked by some bikers. About four of them. Before we could react, they—they…” He sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes glistening with tears. This man was born to act.

“Take your time,” the officer says gently.

Chase nods, and after a few seconds, he continues. "They shot him multiple times and sped off with his bag and his gadgets."

"How many of them actually shot him?" the officer asks.

“I don’t know.” Chase shakes his head. “It all happened so fast, but I’m sure it was more than one shooter.”

“Is the patient part of any gang?” the officer asks.

Chase feigns surprise and shakes his head.

The officer turns to Michael, repeating the question. “Do you know if he’s involved in any gang activity?”

Michael shakes his head. “No, he isn’t. He can never do such. He’s very soft and easy going.”

"So, this is a case of street armed robbery, then?" the officer concludes.

"Maybe. Probably," Michael sighs.

"We’ll launch an investigation and follow up with the victim when he wakes up. Until then, two of our officers will stand guard at his door," the officer states.

Two of the policemen take their positions outside Bryant’s room.

Chase nods. "Please, do whatever it takes to catch those bastards."

"We’ll do our best. Thank you for cooperating." The lead officer shakes Chase's hand, then Michael’s, before heading off with the other officer.

I glance at the two officers stationed by the door, questions brimming inside me that I can't ask with them nearby. So, I grab Chase and Michael by their arms and murmur, "I need to talk to you."

I walk down the hall, and they follow. When I’m sure we’re far enough from the police officers’ hearing, I stop.

"What was that?!" I exclaim. "What if Bryant wakes up and tells a different story? What will you do then? You’ll just be putting him in more trouble."

“Don’t worry. What you’re afraid of won’t happen,” Michael assures me.

I’m about to ask him how he can be so sure when I see Luca walking toward us, and my question dies in my throat. My bodyguards must have informed him.

“Who are these people?” he demands, coming to a stop in front of us. He slips his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him possessively.

“They aren’t a threat, Luca,” I assure him.

“That’s exactly what you said right before Bryant drugged you,” he hisses.

“Luca!” I snap, warning him.

He pauses, then blows out a sharp breath. “I’m sorry.” He looks me over, his expression shifting to concern. “Look at you, Ivory. You look exhausted.” His hand moves to my cheek, gently caressing it. “You’re weak. Have you eaten?”

Food is the last thing on my mind. “I’m not hungry.”

“No. Let’s get you something to eat.” He insists as he tries to pull me along, but Chase suddenly grabs his arm and yanks it away from me.

“You’re not going anywhere with her!” Chase growls.

“Chase, what’s wrong with you?” Michael scolds, stepping between them.

“He’s the lawyer. Roberto Ferrari’s son,” Chase declares, his jaw clenched.

Michael quickly pulls me away from Luca. "Stay away from him."

“What is going on?” I demand, looking between Chase and Michael.

Chase glares at Luca as he answers me, "I don’t know if you’re strong enough to handle this information."

“Tell me,” I insist.

“Remember the attempted attack on you at the beach house?” Michael chimes in.

I nod. I remember the bloody bodies that traumatized me too well.

“The man Bryant interrogated confessed that Roberto Ferrari sent them to kill you,” Chase says, nodding toward Luca. “And Roberto is his father.”

I snap my gaze to Luca, who looks just as shocked as I am.

“What?!” Luca exclaims, his expression darkening as he stares between Chase and Michael. "Are you sure?"

“Why don’t you ask your father?” Chase seethes.

“Who knows if they’re even working together?” Michael mutters.

“Damn it!” Luca growls, the rage radiating through him palpable. Without another word, he turns around and storms away from us.

“I’m going to kill him!” I hear him mutter as he disappears down the hallway.

I stand there, too overwhelmed to react or process the new information. That is not even what is on my mind right now. The only thing I can think of is Bryant. I just want him to wake up.

Just then, the doctor and the team of nurses that went in earlier emerge from Bryant’s room, and we hurry toward them, desperate for any news.

“Doctor, any improvement?” Chase asks quickly.

The doctor glances at the policemen before focusing on Chase. “As I said before, his vitals are stable. We administered medication that should help him wake up sooner. Let’s hope it works.”

“Can we see him now?” I ask impatiently.

“Of course.” The doctor steps aside, allowing us to enter.

I push the door open and rush to Bryant’s bedside, taking a seat next to him. Chase and Michael follow quietly.

Gripping Bryant’s hand, fresh tears spill down my cheeks. “Please, Bryant. Please, wake up. Don’t leave me. Please,” I sob.

Seeing him like this, knowing he ended up here trying to protect me, makes the pain unbearable. If he dies, I’ll always know he died because of me, and that thought will haunt me forever. The ache in my chest grows at the thought of him dying, and I squeeze my eyes shut.

“Please don’t die,” I whisper.

“I won’t, beautiful,” a weak voice murmurs.

I snap my eyes open to see Bryant looking at me with a faint smile. His eyes are open, and he’s awake. I blink, almost unable to believe it.

“Oh, thank goodness.” I hear Michael sigh in the background.

“Finally!” Chase follows, relief evident in his voice.

“Bryant!” I cry, relief flooding me as I hug him carefully, not wanting to hurt him. Pulling back, I study his face again to confirm he’s really awake.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” I am overjoyed as I plaster kisses all over his face— his forehead, cheeks, and hands.

“The police are here,” Chase quickly tells Bryant.

“Code X,” Michael adds. “I’ll get the doctor now.”

I wonder if the code links to the story they told the police.

“Okay,” Bryant replies faintly.

As Michael steps out, the officers enter, taking positions in front of Bryant’s bed.

One of the officers starts. “Sir, I’d like to ask you a few questions, and I need your cooperation—”

“Come on!” I cut him off, glaring at the officer. “Don’t you have any empathy? He’s just woken up from a coma and hasn’t even been seen by a doctor yet, and you’re already trying to interrogate him. What if you cause him more harm that sends him back into a coma?”

Before the officers can respond, the doctor comes in.

“I need everyone out now, please,” the doctor says firmly.

I lean down, pressing a kiss to Bryant’s cheek. “Take care. I’ll be right back,” I murmur before stepping out to let the doctor do his work.

As I wait in the hallway, relief and happiness fill me now that Bryant is awake. I can’t wait to be with him again.

Then Luca crosses my mind, and I finally start processing what Chase and Michael said about his father. That bastard!

I pull out my phone, dialing Luca’s number.