Max paced the hospital, again. This time, Meghan, Brian, his father, and Detective Ortiz joined him. A ball of tension settled in his stomach and wouldn’t budge. Fuck. He wanted to kill his father’s bitch of a wife. When Kara had passed out in his arms, his heart had stopped beating. Memories of her pale face and blood-soaked top made his anger rise until he growled.

After speaking to Brian and Meghan, the detective walked up to Max. “Mr. Richards, it looks like we’ll be apprehending Paul Thomas. I’ve sent patrols to arrest him. Mrs. Richards and the younger Mr. Thomas will be arrested once they get medical care.”

He had to clench his teeth at the urge to argue for them to be arrested exactly as they were. They deserved every bit of pain after what they’d done to Kara. But after he saw his father’s shoulders slump, he held his tongue.

“Is there anything else you need from us?”

The detective shook his head. “No. I think we’re good. If we have any other questions, we’ll contact your assistant and set up a meeting. I hope Ms. Masters gets well.” He offered his hand. After they shook the detective departed, leaving Max with his father off to the side and away from the others.

“I’m sorry, son.” The older man sighed. For the first time in years, he looked old and tired.

“You couldn’t have known she’d be psycho.”

His father gave a sad shake of his head. “No, but I should’ve taken the time to get to know her better before marrying her. Don’t worry, Max. I’m done. No more impromptu weddings. No more new brides or adding women on the board that don’t belong. I’m taking a break.”

Now that he knew what love was, it was impossible to fault his father for looking for it again. Max clasped a hand over his father’s shoulder. “It’ll be fine, Dad. Just take it one day at a time.”

“Hey, maybe you and I can go camping and fishing one of these days?” Seeing his old man’s eyes light up again at the mention of camping together made Max smile.

Max nodded. “Sure, Dad. I’d like that.”

Meghan and Brian walked up, and soon the four were in deep conversation over what had occurred at the warehouse. It was a few hours before the same female doctor came out of the operating room.

The doctor frowned at Max. “Didn’t I tell you to stop that woman from doing any more crazy stunts?” She shook her head and smiled. “She’s fine but heavily sedated, again. She’ll come around in a few hours. Luckily, the bullet lodged in a muscle but didn’t break any bones. No major arteries were severed, and she should be healed in no time. She’ll probably heal faster than the last time.”

Max was finally able to breathe without feeling the tight sensation in his chest. “Thank you.” He sighed.

The doctor gave him a sly grin. “If she shows up here with any other injuries, I’m holding you personally responsible.”

“Never again,” Max promised. “She’s mine, and I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”

 

 

Kara opened her eyes to a dimly lit room. She turned her face to the left and once again, there was Max. This time, he held her hand and looked right at her.

“Hey, baby.” His voice was low and rough. There was concern in his eyes.

Warmth spread through her. “We have to stop meeting like this.” She grinned. With the press of a button, she was sitting up in the bed.

“I swear, Kara, I have aged thirty years in the past month,” he grumbled.

Laughter bubbled up inside her. “I’m sorry, Max. It’s not like I actively look to get hurt.” And if it were up to her, she’d never even break a nail for the rest of her life.

He stood from the chair he’d been sitting on, moved to the edge of the bed, and sat beside her on the mattress. “I know. I just can’t imagine life without you.”

The amount of emotion in his words made her breath hitch. “I love you, Max.”

He cupped her face in his hands and leaned forward until they were nose to nose. His gray eyes reminded her of two moonstones. Beautiful. Mysterious. Hers. “I love you, too, Kara. I know you have this entire weird thing about not depending on someone and our relationship’s moving along too fast, so I’m willing to wait until you’re not so freaked out about marriage before I ask you.”

He loved her! She lifted a hand, trailed her fingers down his jaw, and encouraged him with a smile. “Ask me now, Max.”

He frowned. “Are you sure?”

“Ask me now, Max. Or I might have to dump you,” she warned.

“Will you marry me, baby?” He asked the question so fast, it came out sounding like one long word.

She rolled her eyes and blew a raspberry. “You know I will.”

“I’ll take good care of you, Kara. I swear you can count on me.” His solemn promise made her eyes water.

“I know.” She melted the moment he crushed his lips to hers. When their mouths melded in a hungry joining of their tongues and souls, she was sure her heart would burst with happiness.