Every step Maya took felt heavy as she approached Dalton’s hospital room. When she reached the door, she turned to Aiden and River. "You are his brothers; shouldn’t you be the first to see him?"
River bequeathed Maya a smile. "Nah, I’m sure he will be delighted if you are the first person he sees when he wakes up."
"Okay," Maya slowly opened the door, her heart racing.
When her eyes fell on Dalton lying upright on the bed, she took a sharp breath. "Oh, Dalton," Maya cried out, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Hey, Maya."
Maya stiffened, getting startled. "Oliver, I didn’t realize you were here." He was sitting on the visitor’s couch, his gaze darting back and forth between the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall and Maya.
Oliver rolled his neck, looking exhausted from the long surgery he had just finished performing. "I ca in not long ago," he said.
Maya simply nodded, feeling nervous. She didn’t know what to say to Oliver—whether to apologize or to tell him the sa story for the fourth ti.
"I t my brothers in my office. You don’t need to apologize. Dalton is the one at fault for getting you tangled up in his dark, twisted world." Oliver looked more angry than devastated about his brother’s condition.
Maya was befuddled; she hadn’t expected that from Oliver.
She has beco accustod to how dangerous and twisted Dalton’s world can be, especially after he killed Mr. Wilson. She has a feeling that this is just the beginning and the worst is yet to co. However, she will be brave and overco whatever challenges are thrown their way.
Silence crept in, and she didn’t know how to respond to what Oliver said, so her attention shifted to Dalton.
Dalton’s face looked so peaceful as if he were sleeping handso; if not for the bandage wrapped around his chest and the cardiac monitor with the IV inserted into him, you could hardly tell he had just survived a life-threatening gunshot wound.
Maya combed back the strands of his black hair that were draping over his forehead. "How long will it take for him to fully recover?"
"Initial recovery will take weeks. A full recovery will take months," Oliver answered.
Maya’s brows furrowed in concern. "This will be torture for Dalton. He is going to be in the hospital for weeks. Can we transfer him back ho so he can continue receiving treatnt at the makeshift hospital room in the west wing of the mansion?"
"After Aiden sorts out the security system issue, I will transfer Dalton back ho and take charge of his treatnt," Oliver assured
"Alright,"
Maya asked impatiently. "When is he going to wake up?" She wouldn’t feel completely alright until Dalton opens his eyes.
"He was given a sedative. It will be a couple of hours before he wakes up."
"I will watch over him until he wakes," Maya said as she slipped into the chair beside the bed.
"I have to go; I need to attend to a patient. You should also rest. You can lie on the sofa bed when you get sleepy," Oliver pointed at it.
"I will," Maya nodded.
As soon as Oliver left, fatigue took over Maya, and she fell asleep with her head resting on the bed and her hand clasped over Dalton’s.
***
Dalton’s eyelids shot open. He squinted his eyes, trying to get a clear view of his surroundings.
He felt a heaviness in his right hand and looked down. He imdiately recognized the hair spilling over the bed and the hand entwined with his. Then, the mories of what transpired before he lost consciousness ca back to him like a movie reel. "Maya," he groaned, calling out her na. He tried to move, but his muscles strained, making him grunt.
A yawn billows from Maya as she raises her head. When their eyes t, her face broke into a joyful smile that was reflected in her eyes.
"Oh, you’re awake! How are you feeling? Should I call the doctor or the nurse?" Maya frets over him.
Dalton brought Maya’s hand to his lips. That little movent made his chest throb, but he didn’t pay attention to the pain as he kissed her knuckles. "Do you know how scared I was when you pressed that gun to your head? I felt like my world was crumbling down. Don’t do that to again."
Maya let out a sob. "I’m so sorry I shot you." She ranted to him, recounting how she ended up nearly blowing her own head off.
Dalton’s jaw tightened. Vico was the man behind this. He had been trying to end Dalton’s life since he was ten years old. If he hadn’t found a way to escape, Aiden and he wouldn’t have lived to see adulthood.
Vico is back to continue what he started 20 years ago. But Dalton vowed to strike back. He is no longer the frightened little boy who is scared of Vico. He is Dalton Black, the most powerful man in the country. He will demonstrate to Vico why people fear him.
His hoarse voice softened as he spoke to Maya. "I’m glad I took that bullet instead of you."
Maya looked at him, awed. "You sound crazy saying that."
Dalton’s lips curved up "I’m crazy for you. You should know that."
Maya chuckled, blushing. "Aiden said so."
Dalton caressed her knuckles. "All that matters is that you are alive. Now go ho, get so rest, and refresh up. You look tired."
Maya grumbled in protest. "I don’t want to leave your side."
"No, you need so rest. You can co back later," Dalton said in a firm, hoarse voice.
Maya pouted. "Fine," she conceded.
"I will be back at your side before you know it." She kissed him softly on the cheek and departed.
A nurse ca in shortly to give him breakfast and administer his dication.
The nurse left, and Dalton was once again all alone. He decided to watch the movie playing on the TV to pass the ti before he was given a sedative to help him fall back to sleep.
Suddenly, the door burst open, revealing soone he never wanted to see.
His expression darkened. "Charlotte, what are you doing here?"
Charlotte began to wail shalessly. "Look at what she did to you, Dalton!"
"I hate that woman!"
"You need to press charges against her for attempted murder."
"Get out," Dalton gritted, ignoring her words.
"Maya is Vico’s daughter. She is the daughter of the man who murdered your father and kidnapped you and your brother, putting you both through torture and hell," Charlotte revealed.
"I already know, she is Vico’s daughter," Dalton said nonchalantly.
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