Cree nodded. “Yes. We’re here in Chicago for a medical conference, and we were also visiting a potential client of mine who has an office in that building. We were about to walk into the garage when the explosion hit.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. The benefits of having an overprotective doctor for a husband means I’m here all night getting checked out. Mommy and baby are good.” Cree patted her stomach. “This little girl won’t be coming to meet us for another couple of months.”
Alex made eye contact with Cameron and moved to shake his hand. “I can’t thank you enough for what you did for Braylee. If there is ever anything you or your wife might need while you’re visiting Chicago, please let me know.”
Cameron and Cree looked lovingly at each other. “Just knowing she is going to be fine is all we wanted.”
Alex smiled at Cree. “If my wife were pregnant she just might have to stay overnight.”
She laughed nervously. “Oh goodness. We better leave since I spent half the night already convincing him that wasn’t necessary. However, it was nice to meet all of you, and I’m glad Ms. Hinsdale is going to be fine.”
After another moment or two, Cameron and Cree Jacobs left the room.
Stephanie went back over to her seat and started digging into her purse for her cell phone. “I better call someone to take me home since I left my car over…hell. I don’t even know. It’s somewhere over by Braylee’s building.”
Fabi had been mostly quiet but chose that moment to speak. “I need to get Cecily home; it would be no problem to drop you off. I’m sure we can have someone locate your car.”
“Really? That would be fantastic.” Grateful didn’t even begin to describe how Stephanie was feeling. “Okay, let me use the ladies room first and then I’ll be ready to go.” Stephanie grabbed her purse and walked out of the room.
Fabi hadn’t managed to take his eyes off of her the entire time.
Alex interrupted his thoughts. “Earth to Fabi.”
He’d been caught ogling Stephanie. “What?”
“You do realize that’s Braylee’s sister right?”
“Correction. That’s Braylee’s gorgeous sister.”
With a hint of warning in his voice, Alex spoke. “Fabi she’s off limits.”
Fabi grinned exposing an incredible set of pearly white teeth. “I’m just taking her home. I promise to be a perfect gentleman and more charming than she’ll even know what to do with.”
Alex rubbed his eyebrow. “Yeah. That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Chapter 9
Braylee woke up the next morning in her hospital room alone. She wondered where Alex had gone. He’d been with her most of the night holding her close as she mourned her friend. Whether true or not, he made her feel as if she was the most important person in his life. That was more than anyone else ever had.
As she looked out of the window, Braylee couldn’t help but wonder how was it possible for the sun to be streaming through so intensely after such an incredibly tragic event. Her mind was numb. Too bad her body wasn’t. It was in pain. Yet, somewhere in the recesses of her mind, Braylee heard a door open and then close.
The sound of a deep, rich baritone voice cut through her thoughts. “I figured you could probably use these.”
No! That voice couldn’t possibly be him. He wouldn’t be here. Her mind had to be playing tricks on her. Slowly, Braylee turned her head only to stare directly into piercing gray eyes as he held one of the most beautiful floral arrangements she’d ever seen.
Braylee froze. The shock couldn’t even begin to explain all the different emotions warring within her. Malcolm Xavier in the flesh was standing in her hospital suite. Even though Malcolm was a good twenty years older than Braylee, age hadn’t done anything to diminish the power of his presence. Father time had been good to him. All six-foot-four inches radiated nothing but power as he stood at the foot of her bed, tanned, freshly shaven and wearing her favorite cologne. If anything, the salt and pepper hair now more salt than pepper, those refined cheekbones, and square jawline only made him sexier.
“I heard you’d gotten over your disdain for flowers.”
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. Braylee couldn’t speak.
Even though it had been years since she’d seen him in person, Braylee still recognized that all too familiar lop-sided grin.
“I can clearly see you’re surprised to see me. What? You didn’t think I would come to see for myself how you were doing?” He looked around her room then placed a crystal vase with the two-dozen red and pink roses on the table next to her bed.
Braylee, finally able to get over her surprise whispered, “Malcolm, what are you doing here?”
“I needed to see you.”
“You could have called like we usually do.”
“You’re too good at hiding what’s really going on. That damn mask you wear has become almost second nature. So, talking to you over the phone wouldn’t give me the reassurances I needed. That’s why I got on a plane to find out for myself.” His voice dropped a little lower. “How are you…Really?”
Other than Nate, no one knew her better than Malcolm. She hated that he’d always been able to see clear through to her soul. Braylee looked him in the eye and answered as honestly as she knew how. “I don’ know. I’m numb.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why? You have no reason to be sorry.”
Malcolm rubbed his chin. “I’m still sorry about what happened to you…and Nate. I know how much he meant to you.” Malcolm sighed. “I’ve spent years trying to protect you only for this
