“Ivy got sick, so we flew back early,” he shrugs, suggesting I get in. “Nice to see you again, Miss Kennedy.”
“Maya, please,” she says, hopping in. “It’s good to see you despite the circumstances.”
“Shouldn’t you be at home, Logan? I don’t fancy having Erin kick my delectable arse because you left Ivy for me.”
He laughs. “She’s asleep right now and better than she’s been in days. They’re fine without me. It’s your mother they’re concerned about.”
A few days? “When did you come back?”
“The day you flew out. I nearly keeled over myself when Anderson said you’d gone.”
“Christ. I wish I’d known. I would’ve sorted the best care for Ivy.”
Logan smiles with warmth. “I know, but we had all she needed. There wouldn’t have been anything else you could do.”
Ding. Ding. Isn’t that my problem now? I’m not a medic. I don’t have access to scribe prescriptions. I’m just a man with a lot of money and influence. There’s nothing that will make a man more helpless than knowing no matter what he does nothing can change the outcome. It’s down to time. And fate. If you believe in that crap.
“Did you have a good time, Logan?” Maya asks, and I wonder if she’s trying to keep me distracted now that I’m quiet.
He nods enthusiastically. “Ivy’s looking forward to telling Uncle Grayson all about it. I hope you have a lot of hours to spare.” He winks in the rear view mirror.
“I should have foreseen this as my punishment from you.” I laugh.
“I hope you plan on giving her a castle or something next year. A trip to Disney is going to be tough to beat.”
I smile. “Ivy can have whatever she wants next year. Maybe I’ll send you to Australia, make you take her diving along the Great Barrier Reef.”
“If she sees Nemo you’ll be the one to hear her go on and on about it.”
“Whatever makes her happy,” I say, staring out at the quiet night. It’s way past midnight, and for once the streets of London are somewhat empty. “Have you seen mother?”
He shakes his head. “Anderson took a team up there whilst I dealt with everything else. Police have taken her statement, but she won’t tell any of us. Anderson doesn’t want to push her.”
I nod solemnly. “I’ll find out.” I have my suspicions I already know what happened anyway, she’ll just be confirming it. That’s what happens when you have hours to pontificate several scenarios. You sit and stew until it drives you insane.
I’ve been dreading this day for years. I’ve known it’s been coming.
We pull up to Oak General, the hospital where the cougar gave birth to me. And I almost close the door on Maya. Fucking hell. WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME?!
Half a day ago she was the epicentre of my world, and now that mother needs my attention again I’m neglecting her. I know I am, I can see it this time. I can feel it. I’ve detached myself already. At this moment, I am not a man worthy of Maya, but I’m selfish enough to not let her know that.
She’s already warned me that she’ll leave. I imagine it won’t take much more for her to actually do just that. Christ, is our relationship already holding on by a thread? Or am I blowing things out of proportion?
Shit. When did I get so fucking melodramatic?
I kiss her hand as we enter the hospital, the stench of antiseptic hits my nostrils. “Thank you for staying with me.”
Her smile tugs at my heart. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Grayson.” She steps into the waiting elevator, pressing the button that leads to the intensive care unit.
I turn to her. “Sunshine, even with all this mess, there’s something you should know, something I forgot to mention earlier.”
My heart is beating wildly. Fuck, why didn’t I remember to say this earlier? Hell, at least if my ticker decides to skip into cardiac arrest I’ll be in the right place for it. Bollocks. No one ever explains the symptoms a man goes through in the run up to such important messages. I am not prepared for this.
“Jesus, Grayson, you’re making me nervous here. What’s wrong?”
I smile to ease her frown, but I must be grimacing because she doesn’t look any better. “Nothing’s wrong, sunshine. I’m just trying to tell you I love you.”
Holy shit! I did it. Without stuttering. Without cringing. And apparently, not without an audience either. When the fuck did those doors open? Sneaky little bastards.
And of course, it couldn’t have just been a member of staff, or an innocent bystander. No. It has to be my sister.
“Oh, thank God. You made it!” She comes barrelling in, hugging the breath out of me. Apparently, we’re all ignoring the nugget of gold I just dished out. Maya hasn’t said a word, but then Layla’s sobbing so I suppose it would be pretty heartless if we ignored her.
Sucky timing, Grayson.
“How is she?” I ask as Maya relentlessly pushes the ‘open door’ button on the elevator’s panel.
“Asleep for now. I was going to find a vending machine. Cam and I haven’t eaten yet.”
I look at Maya, and it’s almost like we’re communicating to one another the way seasoned couples do. You know, where one look tells the guy he really shouldn’t be on Xbox because the dishes need doing? Or so I hear from Logan anyway. A woman can vocalise an entire sentence with one glance. It’s scary for us men, by the way. We don’t like it. Why? Because our ‘I’m horny, place your gums around my plums’ look doesn’t pay off with the same vivacity. We get a pillow to the face for that one.
Oh, the bells of double standards are ringing.
“Come on, Layla. Let’s get everyone some food.”
She nods at Maya. I hand her a wad of cash, but she shakes her head, tapping her pocket.
“Layla,” I say, holding her face. “Mother might seem fragile to us at times, but we both know where our stubborn genes come from. She’ll make it through this.” I try to remain positive for my baby sister, but I can’t help but think our mother’s rehab will come at a price for both of us. When dad died, it was her ability to care for her children. And this time? What more can we lose?
When my women have gone, I follow the signs, but it doesn’t take much direction once I spot the army of suits outlining the corridors. The nurses don’t seem too pleased but I don’t care. If it stops the bastards from coming back and finishing the job to shut her up, I’ll employ a hundred more men to stand guard.
“Grayson.” Cam stands, offering a pat on the back.
“She’s in there?” I ask, pointing to the room with the blinds pulled close. He nods, without another word he sits back down and leaves me to see the damage for myself.
Can you tell I’m procrastinating? Hours of worrying and impatience, and I’m finally here. But I know, once I see her, that’s it. There’s no telling what’ll happen next.
I acknowledge Anderson, he responds by opening the door. And then she’s there, and I can’t help but move forward. My feet are taking me regardless.
She’s still, her face is swollen and bruised. One arm is in a cast, the other is speckled with bruises and cuts. As for the rest, I can’t tell. The bed sheet is covering her up, but if her face is anything to go by, I know it’s bad. Her forehead is stitched, as is her lip and I can’t control the anger inside me. I’m fucking livid! Shaking with rage.
Who fucking dares leave a mark on my mother?
I’m clenching my fist to keep from lashing out. I don’t want to disturb her. No wonder Layla’s in such a mess. Though I’d bet she’d like to get her hands on the scumbags as much as I do. What is wrong with this fucking world?
I sit at her bedside, holding her free hand in mine, careful not to hurt her even more. The longer I stare at her, my anger fades. It’s replaced by grief, sadness.
Have you ever seen a grown man break down and cry before? Well, hold on to your hats because a tidal wave is coming.
“I’m here for you now, mother.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Waking up hunched over a hospital chair is a sure way to mangle your spine for good. I know I’m not that old, but today my body will tell you otherwise. I am a walking cripple. But you know what? It’s not all that bad when your girl has nestled her way in, clutching on to your shirt as she kips.
Layla’s smirking at me from across the hall. “What?” I ask, rubbing the sleep from my eyes with my free hand.
“You love her, huh?”
My smile covers my entire face. “I might do.”
“That didn’t take you long.”
I shrug. I can feel the waves of sisterly advice coming my way. “Are you surprised?”
She shakes her head, her purple hair flowing around her shoulders. “Not in the slightest. The moment you opened your heart to the possibility of something more with Maya I knew you’d fall in deep. It’s who you are. When you care for someone, there isn’t much you won’t do to see that they’re happy. I know that’s why you never got personal with the last eight years of conquests.”
Isn’t this a lovely conversation to be having in the middle of a hospital corridor, my employed bodyguards surrounding us, and hopefully an asleep Maya on my arm?
“Emotions come with responsibility. I didn’t want that after Sabrina. Better to be an arsehole than brood all day because of one.”
Hey, now. Don’t look at me with your judgemental eyes. My logic is sound. It’s kept my heart in one tattered piece, hasn’t it?
“Did it ever occur to you that if you stopped taking care of everyone else, you might have found room to look after yourself?”
“I don’t follow. . .”
“Grayson, you’ve been my brother and father for most of my life. I don’t even have memories of dad besides the ones you tell me, I was barely one years old when he passed. You took care of me because she wouldn’t.” She points at the room the cougar is resting in. “You took care of her because she wouldn’t. You’ve given us food, clothes, a home. Everything we’ve ever needed since you were ten years old. And you took a backseat regardless of the times you were bullied, and the struggles you faced with school just so you could make sure I didn’t go without anything. I will never be able to give you anything in return to express just how thankful I am that you’re my brother. . .”
“Layla,” I try to interject but she’s on a roll, holding a finger up to stop me.
“Even now with the Foundation and little Ivy you’re doing whatever you can to put smiles on their faces.”
“Because I don’t want people to feel disappointed the way I did, to be let down. But I haven’t regretted any of it, Layla. Seeing other people happy makes me smile because I did that. I changed their world around. And I’m so proud of you.”
Who knew I could be as gushy as a loose vagina? Oh, wait, there’s more coming. I’m not done yet.
“Grayson. . .”
“No, listen,” I say, giving her the same treatment she gave me a few moments ago. “I’d do everything the same way all over again if I needed to. I don’t regret losing my childhood to give you yours, look at all you’ve achieved already. As far as I’m concerned, I haven’t lost out on anything because everything I’ve done has given me so much more in return.”
She comes to sit beside me, hugging my free side. “I’m just saying, it’s about time you let someone take care of you.” She kisses me on the cheek, and the pair of us remain silent, staring at the closed door of our mother’s room.
You see, this is what love does to you. It claws at your skin, burns you with feelings, buries you alive while you’re gasping for that last breath of air.
Love is a sacrifice of your soul.
Without it, my sister and I wouldn’t be here. Our mother most likely would’ve perished years ago. Brutal, I know, but it’s the truth. God knows she would’ve eventually turned to drugs.
But despite how cruel my childhood may seem, I still love her. She’s my mother. She brought me into this world, and for that my loyalty won’t change. It’s a bond I can’t explain with words. It just is.
Cam walks in with trays of coffee stacked on top of one another, his hair and legs is all that can be seen until he lowers the mound on a nearby table. “How long did you queue for that lot?” I ask, a smirk on my face.
“Long enough to get the barista’s phone number,” he winks.
“Then I’d say the trip was worth it.”
The funny thing about coffee is that the scent alone has the power to awaken the dead. By which I mean, Maya’s stirring beside me the minute Cam hands me my cup. She’s literally frothing at the mouth with the promise of caffeine. It’s adorable really, nothing like the rabid squirrel I’ve just described for you.
“Good morning, sunshine.” I kiss her forehead before she stands, stretching out her achy limbs. Trust me, I know the feeling.
“Maya?” She turns at the male voice calling her name, and I can’t help but crane my neck to see who it is she recognises.
It’s terrible that the jealousy beast is raising within me because some other man called her name, isn’t it? But now she’s hugging him and I’m really not sure what to think. I know I’m not sitting here like a mug though.
“You’re working here now, Colton?”
I’m sure that name rings a bell, but I can’t seem to remember why. My dick is too busy rearing up and inserting itself in Maya’s life. Remember me, the boyfriend?
I stride towards Maya, taking in the white coat draped over a crinkled suit. He’s clearly been here a while. “Grayson Rush,” I say, shoving my hand out and interrupting their conversation.
“Colton Kennedy,” he replies, shaking my hand with a firm grip.
Oh, Grayson. You colossal fuck up. You’ve done it again. Can’t I ever get things right? “Maya’s brother?” I ask.
“The one and only.” Once he confirms my suspicions I see the resemblance in their green eyes. Christ, not exactly how I pictured our introduction to one another.
“Maya, how do you know Mr. Rush?”
“He’s my boyfriend,” she says proudly, intertwining her fingers with mine.
He momentarily frowns, and I understand why. My reputation hasn’t exactly been the best. Plus, wouldn’t I be just as scrutinising if it were my baby sister? I can respect a man that looks out for his family.
“Okay, then. How’s your mother doing?”
I look at him puzzled.
“I saw to her injuries last night before they moved her up to the ward.”
Oh, that’s right. Didn’t Maya say he was an Accident & Emergency consultant?
“She’s been asleep since we arrived last night. Can you tell me the extent of her injuries?”
“Of course.” He looks at Maya. “Do you want my nosy sister to listen?”
She swats his arm. “Hey!”
I smile. “It’s fine. I have no secrets from Maya.”
He looks relieved. “I have to make sure, wouldn’t want a patient confidentiality lawsuit under my name.”
Don’t I know all about that? Lawsuits are the devil’s children of this current generation. Everyone fancies a go at suing someone for something, all in the name of easy money.
“Besides all the obvious contusions and abrasions to her face and arms, she also suffered three cracked ribs and a hairline fracture to her right arm. Most likely that’s from defending her face from any more blows to the head.”
I nod. “Was she. . .” Shit, I can’t even get the word out.
“No, rape kit came back negative.”
I sigh with relief as does Maya. At least that’s something to be grateful for.
“Grayson? She’s awake,” Layla calls.
“Thank you for taking care of her last night,” I shake his hand again.
“I’m just doing my job. Maya, can I talk with you for a moment?”
She nods, and I leave her to her family to check on mine. “Let me find out what happened first, okay?” I say to Layla, not wanting her to hear the trauma
our mother endured.
“Okay,” she sighs dejectedly, sitting back down with her drink in hand.
Isn’t there a sense of déjà vu about this? I’m filled with anticipation again as I enter her room.
“Gray. . .son,” she chokes, her voice rough and crackled.
I force a smile on my face, but it’s hard when a bruise with lips is talking at me. “Who did this?” My voice is betraying my rage.
Tears slide down her cheeks. “I don’t know.”
Seriously? “Don’t bullshit me, mother. What did you tell the cops?”
Her hand fidgets with the bedsheet. “It was dark, Grayson. I didn’t see.”
I hold on to the railings of the bed, gripping the metal until my knuckles turn white. “Are you telling me you were randomly jumped on a street?”
She nods stupidly. Christ, it’s like talking to a fucking toddler at times. “Then why were you dressed up all fancy? Stop protecting the arsehole that put you in here and tell me the fucking truth.”
Do you think I’m mean for raising my voice? It’s fucking exhausting. “It’s bad enough when the douchebags think they deserve a slice of my money, but now they’re putting you in the hospital. Don’t tell me this isn’t another date gone bad.”
Did you hear that intake of breath then? Guess I solved the puzzle quickly. I told you I’ve already worked out the why. “Now tell me, which unlucky schmuck did this?”
She avoids looking at me, opting instead for the window. Is she really going to give me the silent treatment right now?
“Either you tell me, or I get Logan involved.” My threat is validated. Logan has plenty of contacts in government organisations after his career as a marine.
“Okay,” she sulks, but her gaze remains pointed outside. “It was Bennetts. The guy from your charity gala.”
That cocky smug git? Their date was weeks ago. “Help me out here, mother. Why is he still sniffing around?”
What? She’s usually kicked them to the curb by now.
“Because I thought he was actually decent until I caught him shagging some whore in the bathroom at last night’s event.”
Wicked Sunshine Page 15