Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

K eir stood by Cat’s bedside, his eyes never leaving her sleeping form as Beck entered the hospital room. The security chief moved quietly, respecting the somber atmosphere.

“Any news?” Keir asked in a low voice, not wanting to disturb Cat’s rest.

Beck shook his head, frustration evident in his stance. “Nothing from the footage around Cat’s building. But we’ve got better prospects with the conference center cameras. There’s one just down the hall to the ladies’ room where the attack happened.”

Keir nodded, a glimmer of hope sparking in his eyes. “Good. I want every second of that footage analyzed. Find me that woman, Beck.”

“We’re on it,” Beck assured him. “The team’s working round the clock. We’ll find her, Keir.”

As Beck turned to leave, Keir’s phone buzzed. Cat’s mother. His stomach clenched as he answered, keeping his voice low.

“Mrs. Reeves,” he greeted softly. “I was just about to call you. Cat’s condition is stable. The doctors are monitoring her closely.”

Suzette Reeves’s voice crackled through the speaker, tight with worry. “We’re on our way to the clinic now. How could this happen, Mr. Sharpe? Who would want to hurt our daughter?”

Keir’s jaw clenched, his free hand gently taking Cat’s. “I assure you, Mrs. Reeves, we’re doing everything in our power to find out. Cat’s safety is my top priority. I’ll be here when you arrive, and we can discuss this further.”

After ending the call, Keir turned back to Beck, who had waited silently. “Keep me updated on any developments. And Beck? We need to tighten security here at the clinic. I don’t want any unauthorized personnel getting anywhere near this room.”

Beck nodded, his expression grave. “Consider it done. And Keir? We’ll get them. Whoever did this, we’ll make them pay.”

As Beck left to implement the increased security measures, Keir settled back into the chair by Cat’s bed, his mind racing but his body refusing to leave her side. He’d be here when she woke, when her parents arrived, and for every moment after. Nothing would tear him away from protecting his mate.

Keir remained vigilant at Cat’s bedside, his posture alert despite the hours that had passed. A soft knock at the door drew his attention, and he turned to see Cat’s parents entering the room, escorted by a nurse.

Suzette Reeves rushed to the bed, her eyes wide with worry. “Oh, Cat,” she whispered, reaching out to gently stroke her daughter’s hair.

Jonathan Reeves approached more slowly, his face a mask of concern and barely contained anger. “Mr. Sharpe,” he acknowledged, his voice low and tense.

Keir stood, careful not to disturb Cat. “Mr. and Mrs. Reeves,” he greeted them quietly. “Thank you for coming. Perhaps we could step just outside the door to talk? I don’t want to wake her.”

With a last glance at their sleeping daughter, the Reeves followed Keir into the hallway, positioning themselves so they could still see Cat through the door’s window.

“What happened?” Jonathan demanded, his lawyer’s instincts kicking in. “How could someone attack our daughter at your company event?”

Keir met his gaze steadily. “We’re still piecing together the details, but I assure you, we’re doing everything to find the person responsible. Cat’s safety is my absolute highest priority.”

Suzette touched her husband’s arm, her voice trembling slightly. “How badly is she hurt?”

“The doctors say she has a broken rib and a sprained ankle,” Keir explained gently. “Given the force of the attack, it could have been much worse. But I promise you, she’s receiving the best care possible.”

As they continued to discuss Cat’s condition and the ongoing investigation, Keir made sure to keep his voice low and his body angled so he could always see into Cat’s room. He wouldn’t leave her unguarded for a moment, not even to speak with her parents.

Jonathan Reeves leaned forward. “And what of her attacker? Do you have any leads?”

Keir met his gaze steadily. “We’re pursuing every avenue. I’ve got my best people on it, and we’re working closely with local law enforcement. I promise you, we will find whoever did this.”

“But why Cat?” Suzette interjected, her voice cracking slightly. “She’s never hurt anyone in her life.”

Keir’s heart clenched at the pain in her voice. He reached out, gently clasping Suzette’s hand. “I don’t know yet,” he admitted. “But I swear to you both, I will do everything to keep Cat safe.”

The admission hung in the air for a moment, heavy with implication. Jonathan and Suzette exchanged a look, something unspoken passing between them.

“Mr. Sharpe,” Jonathan began, his tone measured, “I appreciate your candor. But I have to ask - is our daughter in danger because of her association with you or your company?”

Keir didn’t flinch from the question. “It’s possible,” he acknowledged. “My company deals with cutting-edge technology, and there are always those who would seek to steal or sabotage our work. But I want you to know that Cat’s safety is my absolute highest priority. I will protect her with everything I have.”

Suzette’s eyes softened slightly. “You care for her, don’t you? More than just as her employer.”

Keir nodded, allowing a hint of vulnerability to show. “I do. More than I thought possible. And I promise you both, I will take good care of her. No harm will come to her again, not while I draw breath.”

The intensity of his words seemed to reassure them, and Keir felt some of the tension in the air dissipate. They spent the next hour discussing Cat’s care and recovery plan, Keir answering their questions with patience and honesty.

As visiting hours drew to a close, Keir walked Cat’s parents to their car. “I’ll keep you updated on her condition,” he promised. “And please, don’t hesitate to call me if you have any concerns or questions.”

Jonathan clasped his hand firmly. “Thank you, Mr. Sharpe. We’re trusting you with our daughter. Don’t let us down.”

“I won’t,” Keir vowed, the weight of the promise settling on his shoulders like a mantle.

The next few days passed in a whirlwind of medical consultations, security briefings, and quiet moments by Cat’s bedside. Keir divided his time between the office and the clinic, determined not to let either his company or Cat’s care suffer.

Finally, the day arrived for Cat’s discharge. Keir arrived early, a bouquet of her favorite flowers in hand.

“Ready to go home?” he asked softly, drinking in the sight of her. Despite the lingering bruises and the careful way she held herself, her eyes sparkled with life.

“More than ready,” Cat affirmed, attempting to swing her legs off the bed and wincing at the movement.

“Easy,” Keir cautioned, moving to her side. “Let me help you.”

With infinite care, he helped Cat into a wheelchair, his touch gentle but sure. As they made their way through the clinic corridors, Keir couldn’t help but notice the curious glances from staff and patients alike.

But Keir couldn’t bring himself to care about appearances or gossip. His entire focus was on Cat, ensuring her comfort and safety.

The ride home was quiet, Cat dozing lightly in the passenger seat. Keir found himself glancing at her frequently, marveling at how quickly and completely she had become the center of his world.

At his penthouse, Keir insisted on carrying her inside despite her protests. “You heard the doctor,” he reminded her. “No unnecessary strain on that ankle.”

Once inside, he settled her on the couch, arranging pillows to support her injured rib. “Comfortable?” he asked, hovering nearby.

Cat nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “You’re quite the nurse, Mr. Sharpe.”

Keir chuckled, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. “I contain multitudes,” he quipped. “Now, how about some dinner and a movie? Doctor’s orders - rest and relaxation.”

As they settled in for a quiet evening, Keir found himself more content than he could remember being in centuries. The simple act of sharing a meal, laughing over a lighthearted comedy - it filled a void he hadn’t even realized existed.

Later, as Cat dozed against his shoulder, Keir allowed his thoughts to wander. The attack had shaken him more than he cared to admit. The idea of losing Cat, of failing to protect her, sent a chill through his very soul.

His dragon, usually so focused on conquest and power, now demanded nothing less than her absolute safety and happiness. It was a startling shift, but one Keir embraced wholeheartedly.

Gently, so as not to wake her, Keir pressed a kiss to Cat’s temple. “I’ve got you,” he murmured, as much a promise to himself as to her. “And I’m never letting go.”

As the credits rolled on their second movie of the night, Keir realized with a start that his priorities had shifted irrevocably. The drive for success, for technological dominance - it all paled in comparison to the woman sleeping peacefully in his arms.

For the first time in his long life, Keir Sharpe, dragon shifter and tech mogul, understood what it meant to be truly, completely in love. And he knew with bone-deep certainty that he would move heaven and earth to keep Cat safe and by his side.

With careful movements, he gathered Cat into his arms and carried her to bed. As he tucked her in, mindful of her injuries, Keir allowed himself a moment of vulnerability.

“I love you,” he whispered, the words both terrifying and exhilarating. “And I swear, I’ll spend every day proving it to you.”

Settling into the armchair beside the bed, Keir prepared for a long night of watchful vigilance. His dragon, for once, was perfectly content to stand guard over their sleeping mate.