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I can’t say anything else because of the pain, but I tap one of my fingers on the bed and hope that Lars will understand that I want more information from him.
He takes a seat in a chair next to my bed. “After the shooting, we were all over the place about what to do. Emotions were running high, especially once we learned that DiAngelo turned out to be Fabre’s gun for hire.”
Fucking Fabre.
Yes, some of that night is coming back to me.
“It was Megan who reeled us all in.”
My eyes widen in surprise. My Megan?
“If I ever doubted her ability to fit into our world, or rather your world, my opinion has now changed. She told us that we’d have to wait on revenge because you’d probably have a plan for DiAngelo of your own. Then she explained that the mission is to keep the business running as if it hasn’t missed a step, nothing more. She was adamant about that.”
I close my eyes in despair, saddened that Megan’s been put in a position where she not only has to worry about me but also about the future of my entire business. This isn’t the life I wanted for her. I wanted to give her a soft life. She’s already come from hard.
When I get out of this hospital bed, I’m going to kick everybody’s ass. Why would they allow my very pregnant fiancee to take on this role?
Lars continues, “Vaughn and Christian are handling meetings. Gage is managing the staff. Megan and I alternate our time between the hospital and the club. And before you get pissed, that’s how Megan wants it. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
I slowly shake my head in protest.
How could they let this happen?
“We all recognize and accept that she is a permanent part of your life, Hunter. She is your partner. The soon-to-be mother of your child. It was either walk all over the woman you love orallow her to make decisions for you that she thought were best. Which would have rather happened?”
Sometimes, I hate it when Lars makes complete sense. I offer him a slight nod of understanding and smile to myself. I think my little kitten has grown into a lioness. I can see her bossing everyone around right now. Hand on her hip. Pouty mouth. I’m just sorry I missed it.
“I’m glad you understand because you may be in this bed for a while, and I don’t want you to worry. I’m not going to let her fail, boss. I promise you.”
If I were the emotional type, I’d give Lars a hug. Beyond Christian and Vaughn, this is the one man who I know can’t be bought or sold. He is a true friend. Like the older brother I never had. And I’m so fortunate that he’s looking out for me and the woman I adore.
Lars takes a glance at his phone and snickers. “Your woman must have superpowers. I’m not sure how she’s only ten minutes away in thirty minutes worth of LA traffic.”
Yeah, my lioness can fly.
Chapter 23
Stop Talking
MEGAN
Ididn’t think my body could still tremble like this.
Not after everything.
Not after watching Hunter’s chest rise and fall so slowly, so helplessly, through the haze of medical machines. But here I am, staring at my phone screen, fingers shaking, barely able to keep my thoughts straight as Lars’ recorded words echo in my head.
Hunter's awake.
The moment I heard those words, it felt like the world around me shifted. The hospital room, the muted beeps, and the sterile smells all faded into the background, leaving just one undeniable fact: Hunter is alive. Awake. And somewhere beyond these walls, he is waiting for me.
I press my palm against my belly, feeling the light flutter of the baby moving inside me, reminding me that despite everything, I’m not alone. But the thought of facing Hunter again... I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel.
He’s alive—that should be enough, right?
But what if it’s not the same? No matter how strong he may be, will a man who wakes up from a traumatic brain injury be the same? What if…?
"Stop it," I whisper, my voice trembling. "You have to be strong, Megan."