Damon finally arrived shortly after one in the morning.
He came through the hospital doors still wearing his tuxedo.
The first thing he asked the receptionist was whether anyone from the press had been notified.
The second was which room contained his wife.
When he entered Claire’s room and saw Nathaniel beside the window, his concern turned instantly into fury.
“What the hell is he doing here?”
Claire looked at Damon.
He had not kissed her forehead.
He had not asked whether she was in pain.
He had not asked about the twins.
His first emotion was jealousy.
Nathaniel stood.
“I was leaving.”
Damon blocked him.
“You think this is funny? Using my wife’s medical emergency to get inside my family?”
Nathaniel’s expression changed.
“Your wife called you while she was bleeding.”
“This doesn’t concern you.”
“She nearly died.”
Damon stepped closer.
“Get out.”
Claire’s voice came from the bed.
“Where were you?”
Damon turned.
“I told you.
The investor dinner.”
“After the paramedic told you I could die?”
“I couldn’t abandon the room in the middle of negotiations.
Do you have any idea what was at stake?”
Claire looked at him for a long time.
“Yes.”
Her voice was quiet.
“I do now.”
Damon reached for her hand.
She moved it beneath the blanket.
His face tightened.
“Claire, don’t do this with him standing here.”
Nathaniel headed for the door.
Then Damon’s phone began ringing.
He ignored it.
It rang again.
Claire glanced at the screen lying faceup on the bedside table.
Damon moved quickly and turned it over.
Too quickly.
Claire had seen the caller.
His executive assistant.
“Why is she calling you at one in the morning?”
“Because she works for me.”
Nathaniel stopped near the doorway.
He remembered the private corridor.
The hand at Damon’s waist.
The whisper.
The way they had separated when another guest appeared.
Damon noticed him watching.
“Don’t.”
Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed.
