Page 88 of The Billionaire's Paradise

And so we did.

“One, two, three, four…” Rashida and I counted with her.

Watching as Leilani fought to save his life.

CHAPTER 30

The hospital waitingroom was lit like a crime scene—too white, too stark, humming with fluorescent unease. The vinyl seats squeaked beneath us every time we moved uneasily in our chairs, and the air stank of disinfectant, the smell that something was wrong, someone was hurt, and hearts were breaking.

Nobody spoke.

Angus was bunched in a ball in a chair in the corner, knees up, fists pressed to his eyes, rocking slightly as he sobbed. Rashida sat beside him, one hand on his back, silent and still. Her strength wasn’t loud. It just…was. Tilly sat cross-legged on the floor near the vending machine, absently spinning a half-empty water bottle between her palms like she could reverse time if she spun it fast enough.

Mrs. Mulroney was motionless in the chair near Tilly, hands folded in her lap, eyes fixed on nothing. Her face was pale, her mouth set in a line too stunned for words. No muttering, no wisecracks—just a woman caught between shock and fear and the heart-shattering realization that Mr. Banks may have had his last adventure.

Cal and I held hands. Neither of us had spoken since theemergency team wheeled Mr. Banks hurriedly away and the doors closed behind him.

And Leilani…

She sat across from me, back straight, hands neatly clasped in her lap, her eyes fixed on a smudge on the floor.

“You were incredible today,” I said quietly, leaning forward.

She looked up, startled.

“I mean it. You didn’t hesitate. You were calm. Youknewwhat to do.”

Her lip trembled. “I—I don’t know if I did enough.”

“You did all you could.” I glanced toward the doors. “Whatever happens… you did your best. You gave him a chance.”

She blinked fast. “His lips were blue. I kept thinking—don’t you dare—and then his eyes rolled back and—”

I reached across and took her hand.

“You were brave. And strong. And if I ever have to die, I hope to hell you’re the one yelling at me to come back.”

That got the faintest ghost of a smile from her.

The door burst open.

We all jumped.

Kimo raced in, looked around, and found Angus. He crossed the room in three long strides and dropped to his knees in front of him. Without a word, he wrapped those big, sun-browned arms around him. Angus collapsed into him with a guttural sob that sounded like it came from the bottom of the sea.

A moment later, Tutu hurried into the room, helped by Nakoa who kept her steady. She was somehow both trembling and composed. Nakoa eased her into the seat next to Leilani who gave her a strong, tight hug.

“Is he…” was all Tutu could manage.

Leilani brushed away a tear. “We don’t know anything yet. We’re still waiting.”

With a slightly quivering hand, Tutu cupped the back ofLeilani’s head and gently rested their foreheads together, a prayer passing between them in silence.

Nakoa sank into the seat on the other side of Tutu.

Across the waiting room, Angus sobbed into Kimo’s shoulder. “It’s my fault. It’s all my fault. We were having a fight and I… I killed him. I killed my best friend.”

Kimo didn’t flinch. He leaned in and kissed the top of Angus’s head, then held him even tighter, anchoring him with steady, unshakable warmth.