The Promise Pact (Promise to Love Book 1) (14 page)

Eric and his team had already roped off the emergency area, with the help of local authorities.

No identification, no entrance,
end of subject
. They weren’t leaving anything to chance. Donald Stevens sat in a cold jail cell, he was going to be locked away for a long time but the authorities knew copycat predators lived for moments like these, so the extra precaution was necessary.

“What the hell happened? I need some answers now!” Max demanded slamming his fist on the counter in front of the older head nurse. His face was a ghastly pale complexion, dark circles were now taking up residency underneath his dark midnight eyes; he looked like someone had ripped the life out of him.

The hospital waiting room was crowded and noisy. Folks from all walks of life were holding their loved ones tightly, waiting on answers. So was Max! He stood there desperately trying to remain in control but he was losing his patience very quickly.

“What the hell happened?!” He demanded again looking at the woman sharply.

“Sir, you must calm down if you would like my help. Who are you here for?” She stated calmly sensing he was under duress.

“I’m sorry, Kaya Hanson. She was brought in earlier this afternoon. She was attacked.” He breathed deeply.

“Are you family? Are you a brother or her husband?” No he wasn’t any of those things but what did that matter? He needed to see her!
Frustration boiled over, then despair. Finally reality stepped in, Kaya was truly in the world alone. His frustration turned to sympathy and finally regret.

“No, but she means the …” He words trailed off in the back of his throat.

Eric and a member of the local precinct swiftly assisted. Flashing his badge, the New York Police Department officer spoke, “Miss, we need to see the doctor or doctors in charge of Kaya Hanson immediately. We are on official police business.” She quickly leaped out of her chair and scurried behind the emergency doors.

The steady stream of people in and out of the emergency room doors kept them all on pins and needles. Kyle Parker arrived moments later, introducing himself to Max and the local officers. He had recently acquired the hospital in a lucrative business merger. The high profile incident report from his staff had seemed like normal protocol until he saw Kaya’s name registered on the report. Pure panic swept through him, and he immediately headed down to the hospital. He told Max that he had alerted the hospital administrator to have their best physicians attend to her.

Kyle wanted to help. His past demons had destroyed so much of him. Seeing Kaya and Angela just a month ago had him questioning every decision he had ever made. Of course he loved his brothers but he also needed to open his heart to those who cared about him, his friends. Things were going to change. Especially after this.

***

Max paced back and forth until finally the doctor assigned to Kaya came walking out with his is clear clipboard and stern face.

His heart dropped.

“Mr. King? Mr. Max King?” He stated anxiously looking around for the man he had been notified as the one in charge. Max pressed both of hands together, in a comforting gesture, then moved towards the doctor. His heart was pounding loudly, he swore everyone in the room heard it.

“Y-Yes, I’m Mr. King!” He stammered over his words.

“
Kaya!” A hysterical sudden scream from the front entrance caused them all to spin around. It was Angela and she looked horrified.

“What do you mean I’m not family?” she shouted tossing her Gucci bag on the desk and flipping through her wallet to show several snapshots of she and Kaya together.

She was in utter shock.

Between sobs she pleaded, “She’s my only family. Please let me in.”

Kyle instructed the doctor to continue with Max while he rectified the front door situation.

“I’ll handle this Max. Please Doctor Weinstein continue.” He moved towards the front door.

Max looked at the doctor intently.

“I’m Doctor Phillip Weinstein, you have a very tough cookie back there. Incidents like these normally end badly but she was a fighter. She has several cuts and lacerations to her arms and face but nothing that won’t heal in time. She suffered several minor blows to her face and lower abdomen, she’s in a lot pain, but the good news is that she doesn’t have broken ribs or bones. We will need to monitor her for the next couple of days to ensure there is no internal bleeding but at this point she’s in the clear. She’ll need to rest here for a day or so and then for a few days at home.”

“She will rest. I can promise you that.” Max stated firmly.

“We are just about done stitching her up. We’ll give her a dose of antibiotics then you can see her in about 30 minutes.” Max shook Dr. Weinstein’s hand and then slumped down in a nearby chair. He hadn’t cried in years but he could feel the tears welling up. He needed a moment to himself to think and regroup. He trailed off down the hall, alone.

***

Angela’s eyes shot up and met Kyle Parker’s stare! She’d recognize his face in any crowd. How could she ever forget the man who made her emotions sore and crushed her soul at the same time? Her heart sank. She didn’t have the strength to deal with him at the moment. She had to keep her mind focused on Kaya.

“She’s with me! “Kyle stated.

Angela looked at him with pensive eyes. Why was he here? Why were the officers listening to his directives? Why did he always get his way?

He pulled her into an office near the entrance door and closed the door behind them. Everything in her body was screaming, get away, run, hide, slap him, yell at him, but she was too tired, too distraught.

“What are you doing here? Where’s Kaya?” She said still sobbing.

“She’s going to be fine Angela. The doctor just came out a few minutes ago. I didn’t hear everything but I am assuming you can see her shortly.”

“She’s going to be okay? Are you sure?” She said fiddling with her expensive bag. She was a wreck.

“I promise Angie. I promise.”
He promised. Somehow his words seemed believable and sincere.
Then an array of emotions soared through her. Every muscle in her body felt weak. She needed comfort. His comfort. And without thought, she fell into his arms.

Sobbing frenziedly. Kyle wrapped his arms around her tightly, then tighter, as she nestled her face into his strong lean chest. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Their first kiss.
She nestled in closer, needing his strength, wanting his protection. Angela cried more. She cried for Kaya and her lonely heart.

***

Max stared out of the window, near the cafeteria, located on the opposite side of the emergency room. He needed to be strong for Kaya when he walked in to see her. She would need his strength and support for the next few days. He grabbed his phone to see how many minutes had passed, he couldn’t be late. Then he remembered the missed voice message from Kaya.

He listened.

“Hey Max, its Kaya. I’m leaving work now and should be at the station in about 20 minutes.

She paused.

“I missed you today. I missed you so much. I know that our time is coming to an end but…”

She paused again.

“But I’m hoping that we can extend our arrangement. I thank God every day for you. I am glad Ms. Roy brought us back together. It was the best promise I’ve ever made.”

She giggled. He could hear her take a deep breath, as though she was scared and nervous to say her next words. Then she spoke.

“Max, I-I love you!”

The phone went dead.

She loved him. He was a fool. She’d spoken the words first to him, words he should have uttered to her. What if her life had been taken that night and he never had a chance to express his real feelings? He wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice.

“
I will make this finally right,” he mumbled underneath his breath as he headed back to the emergency room area.

***

Kyle had Kaya moved to the best private room in the hospital. Two officers posted guard outside of the suite, and they would remain there until Max felt comfortable enough to release them. Kaya’s hospital room was dark, only two small lights flickered in the room, causing a shadow to lurk in the dark. Dr. Weinstein wanted the lights to remain low due to the blow near her eyes. The mere thought caused Max to cringe with anger.

Her massive suite was filled with an array of flower bouquets and “Get Well Soon” balloons, all in an effort to lift her spirts. Max had them delivered before she was even transported into her private room. He stood still, nearly motionless, near the door while Angela walked in. He wanted to give her an opportunity to be with her best friend. Their journey together had been unbreakable so it was only fitting that she speak to her first. Max listened and watched anxiously from afar, he couldn’t see her face but he heard her weak voice.

“Angie?” Her voice trembled.

Max’s heart dropped.

“Yes Kaya, I’m here.” She fell to her bed and wept the moment she saw her battered face.

Kaya was barely recognizable. Large black and blue rings were spotted around the circumference of her eyes. She smiled but she was in excruciating pain. Small scrapes and red rigid scratches could be spotted near her chin, obviously where he had dragged her savagely across the New York concrete. Her upper chest had black and blue bumps and bruises, they looked sore to the touch. And her once rosy red lips, were swollen and enflamed causing them to hang a little.

“Oh my God, why did he do this to you?” She cried gently, grabbing her puffy hands and then placing a kiss on her injured face.

“Wow, do I look that bad?” She said with a slight chuckle.
How in the hell could she make a joke during a time like this?
There was nothing funny about this situation and Max wasn’t going to stand by and listen.

He stepped out and paced the hall. Lord knows he wanted to be strong but his heart was tearing out of his chest.
Damn that bastard, if Kaya didn’t need me right now he would have head down to the station and beat his ass.
He needed to get his short temper together quickly, for Kaya!

“Kaya, don’t worry it’s over now. They caught him and Max promised me, us, he will never be released again.” The words fell quickly from Angela’s mouth but she felt foolish, it was the same promise she had made before. How could one person deal with so much unconceivable harm?
The difference was that Max wouldn’t ever allow anyone to hurt her again.

Kaya remained still, not saying much. The events of earlier were still haunting her. She could see his face clearly in her thoughts. She shook with fear quickly squeezing Angela’s hand tightly as a tear ran down her face. Angela’s heart tore open and she broke down again. It was too much for her to deal with.

Minutes passed before either one of them spoke.

“I heard Kyle arranged this entire room for me!” She stated sweetly. Angela was out of her mind. How could Kaya play matchmaker when she was lying in bed riddled with pain?

Angela nodded. She had no idea what Kaya would say next.

“I need something from you Angie.” She emphatically stated while lifting her hand up to touch her tear drenched face.

“Anything, anything Kaya!”

“I need a special favor.” She said with love in her eyes.

Angela willingly agreed.

“What is it Kaya?” She said with curious wide eyes. Kaya shifted in bed adjusting her body. The pain was almost unbearable.

“Not today. I’ll let you know when I need it. Just remember you promised, okay?”

She nodded then stood when she saw Max at the door.

“I think someone else wants to see you.” Angela said, grabbing her bag and heading towards the door.

Max walked in slowly.

She spoke.

“Come to me Max.” He moved timidly across the room. His heart was beating quickly, his hands were sweaty and weak. The moment he could clearly see her Max broke down. The tall, rugged, unshakeable, controlling, millionaire cried. He moved quickly to her side, holding her hand tightly, and kissing her sweet face; they shared a moment that couldn’t be explained in words. Max and Kaya exchanged a deep, powerful connection, a connection that would bind them forever.

***

The next morning Max woke with a stiff neck but promising news. Dr. Weinstein had agreed to release her as long as she didn’t work and kept off her feet for the next couple of weeks. The scars weren’t severe, they just looked horrible. The throbbing pain she felt was only temporary. It would eventually go away. He prescribed a healthy dose of antibiotics and lots of rest. They both were ecstatic.

Kaya was ready to go home, to their home.

After she was discharged, Max was back to being his overbearing, overprotective and possessive self. Secretly she loved it, except when she insisted that she walk into the condo instead of using the wheelchair he had purchased. After they argued for a few minutes he finally backed down. Popping a dose of painkillers, she took small baby steps into the building. She was desperate to get back on her feet soon, she needed to finish the garden.

The night before the accident she dreamed about the garden. Maybe her dream had stemmed from the promise Angela had made or maybe it was something else.

***

Ah, how beautiful.

The entire condo had been filled with beautiful red roses. The sweet fragrance filled her nostrils the moment she stepped off the elevator.

“Max baby this is wonderful.” He smiled with pride, then continued to help her to their bed.

He fluffed two downed feather pillows and helped her sit down. She smiled and never complained. She was glad to be near him.

“Max you look horrible, maybe worse than me. Take a shower!” He hadn’t shaved or showered in an entire day. The stress of the entire situation was taking a toll on him and she needed him to take care of himself. There was no reason for both of them to be out of commission.

“Not now.” He barked.

She rubbed her hand across the stubbles on his face and shook her head in disappointment.

“Take a shower, now!” He laughed and headed to the stall.