The Billionaire Playboy's Regret (Lark and Max)

Early the next morning Lark picked up the phone to answer her father's video call. His bright blue eyes were shiny as if he'd been crying.

"Hey Dad, what's up?"

"You were right to suggest I send someone to verify if the staffer actually was out of state like she said. She did take the flight, but she returned home the same day on a different airline. She then flew back two days later, after she stole all the prototype details before flying back on her original return air fare ticket. Santiago's team got me the video evidence proving she bought a ticket under her maiden name to fly to California. We have her at the counter." He immediately dove into the file he'd sent her as if needing a distraction from where he was. He was sitting in the hospital room at Gracie's bedside from the view behind him.

"Santiago's team huh? Do you mean Heriberto hacked it for you? Was it an apology gift?" Lark snickered. "Very funny. Why didn't you tell me? You're on my s**t list."

"Not my business. Max and I made a pledge to one another to not let anyone interfere in our relationship and to also respect other people's relationships."

"She's only nineteen and he's old."

"She's an old soul trapped in a young body. A young body Heriberto really likes. She was telling me how he -"

"Lark!" her father cut her off with a warning growl which made her laugh even harder.

"Dad, I was only going to say he likes her in overalls when she's mucking out the pig stall."

"Yeah, right you were." He shook his head. "He does seem to really care for her, but it's only been a few weeks. I feel they're rushing it."

"He has it bad." Lark scoffed. "He keeps texting me asking me all her favorite things. What does she love to eat most? When she has period cramps what brand of pain killer does she use?" she rolled her eyes. "Mom said he's worse than you were when you poked holes in your condoms to baby trap her with me."

"I did no such thing." He denied but his lips twitched. "Nobody can prove anything."

"If you were wondering, I much prefer thinking I was planned and plotted than an accident."

"Some of the best things in life are happy little accidents," Grady grinned at her, "but either way, you were wanted.'

"I bet." She was glad she got him smiling again.

"Gracie moved her toes this morning," Grady changed the subject.

"Mom told me."

"I've been sitting here staring her down."

"I know you have."

"They removed the tubing from down her throat yesterday. She moved her fingers right after, but I don't know if its normal. The doctor wants to do another brain scan to compare to the ones they did when she was first admitted."

"You sound hesitant."

"I'm worried they'll come back and tell me there is no improvement or a worsening and the reason she's twitching is simply some kind of neurological thing which means nothing." He turned his camera so Lark could see her sister in the bed, "I wish she'd open her eyes."

"Uh Dad," Lark was staring as her father finally noticed what she was noticing.

"Holy s**t, Gracie!" he screamed, before dropping his phone onto the bed, and racing out of the room.

She leapt from her chair and yelled, "Max! Max, she's awake. Gracie is awake."

Max came out of the kitchen holding his phone to his ear, "what? I'm talking to Johan."

"Where is he? Why isn't he there?"

"He's in the cafeteria at the hospital."

"Dad turned the camera around when we were chatting so I could see Gracie and her eyes were open. She was looking right at him. His phone is still on the bed," she was giggling as she looked at the white ceiling and realized she and Gracie were probably looking at the same thing. She heard Max frantically telling Johan Gracie's eyes were opened while his arms wrapped tight around her hugging her close. Tears streamed down Lark's cheeks as her father grabbed his phone again and gave a laugh, "sorry honey. I ran to get the nurse and your mom." The sound of people frantically rushing into the room to check Gracie's vitals as Grady was shoved to the back of the room made Lark curious to know what is going on.

"Dad," Gracie's voice was weak.

Lark sniffed as Grady pushed through, still keeping his phone on. Oh goodness, she was even speaking. Gracie was speaking.

"Hey kiddo."

"Where's my dad? He was shot." Her voice reminded Lark of a woman who smoked two packs a day. "You were both shot, sweetie," Grady rubbed her forehead softly.

"I want my dad," she whimpered as fat tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Mr. Hoffman," one of the nurses tried to edge him backwards, "can you give us a bit of space? This isn't the time." When Grady started to step back, Gracie screamed for him, fighting against the nurses with a strength nobody who'd been in a coma for weeks should have. She grabbed for Grady, and he settled back beside her.

"My dad is gone you're not taking my other one," she wailed as the nurses tried to extricate Grady from her hands.

Lark stifled a sob as she clung to Max. She couldn't see anything more with the way the phone was positioned but she could hear it all as if she were there and it was excruciating.

"Shh, Gracie, Dad's here, I'm not going anywhere. Shh. Let the nurses do what they need to do, and I'll stay right here." "Daddy." Gracie sobbed.

"Holy f**k this is awful," Lark whimpered against Max's chest. Gracie was in the throes of panicking grief, and they were struggling to control her. Lark heard the words sedation and her father yelling at the nurses to leave her alone.

"It's okay, chère," Max stroked her back. "Hang up the phone and we'll get Johan to give us updates after. Your dad is busy right now."

"How the hell is so feisty waking up from a coma?"

"She has Prue Hoffman blood running through her veins," Max laughed as he took Lark's phone from her and hung up the call from the chaotic scene. He led her to the sofa and pulled her down with him. "They'll call back soon. I'm sure."

She lay with her head on his chest wishing she was there to see everything unfolding.

"We should arrange your flight to Houston," Max said rubbing her back.

"No. Not yet." She denied it despite the anxious feeling in her chest.

"Lark, you need to see your sister. I'm fine here with Margot. At least go for a few days. Come on, let me get it arranged for you. Please?"

"But you," she protested tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Will be absolutely fine." He took her hand and held it to his chest, "incision is all closed up. Two more weeks and I see the cardiologist again. I've gone to every rehab class and I'm doing incredibly well. I'm not going to have a setback while you're gone. I am motivated."

"You'll stay on track?" she whimpered begging him.

"I promise, I will stay on track." He cupped her cheeks, "I'm not going to risk anything to get my prize. I need the all-clear so I can marry my girl and have my wedding night.'

"Is that so?" she sniffed curling her cheek into his palm.

"It is so," he smirked, "I was quite tempted to ask the cardiac rehab nurse if hand jobs were allowed but then I was worried she'd think I was asking her to do it so I didn't, but I feel my heart could take it." She couldn't help the giggle, "awful." Her phone rang in her hand.

Max winked at her, "I'll have Peaches arrange your flight. Talk to your folks."

She realized how lucky she was to have Max at her side as she took the call, "hey Mom."

"Hey baby. We all got thrown out of the room. They sedated Gracie. They're running a battery of tests." "Max is arranging my flight to Houston."

"Oh, thank god," Everly gave a loud sigh. "I was really dreading dealing with your dad on my own. He's pacing the halls like a bull in a China shop, and it's been minute. I can't imagine days of this with him. Gracie called him Daddy and he was raging.'

"s**t, where's Fallon?"

"She had her period yesterday so Heriberto feels she should have to stay in bed with her feet up and a hot water bottle with no stress."

Lark laughed, "she told me she was going to sneak out. I take it she wasn't successful?"

"Nope. He has her on lockdown. I know your father isn't keen on him and I know Bobbie doesn't care much for the Laredo brothers but truthfully," Everly smirked, "I kind of like knowing my baby girl has a man who isn't afraid to murder someone for her. Nobody but nobody will f**k with Fallon again, including the triplets."

She laughed, "Mori called me this morning whining about how much she misses Fallon, and she won't

take her calls and is only talking to her via text. I told her to give her time. She was really upset to find out Fallon was married without her there.

"I'm happy she eloped," Everly

shrugged surprising Lark. "This

sa

family needs a bit of happiness. I'm

glad Fallon took hers for herself. I think Fallon began seeing things with Mort from a different

u

perspective lately and she's realizing the level of toxicity of their refationships. Speaking of toxic, Ollie was here yesterday trying to get under Johan's skin. Whenever something doesn't go right in her world, she needs to nettle someone else. I told her to take her ass home to Santiago."

"Ugh, she's mad because we're pretty sure Santiago knows she and Johan hooked up." Everly grimaced with disgust, "when did they do that?"

"Before Santiago was back with her and before Johan met Gracie. It's in the past and it was a one-time thing but since Gracie was worried about whether Johan and I slept together, he feels he needs to tell Gracie the truth. This is pissing Ollie off, and Santiago made a comment about not trusting her because she's keeping secrets."

"Oh s**t, well hopefully Johan doesn't upset Gracie too much. I think your dad is going to be difficult enough if they keep her sedated like this. He said she just woke up and doesn't like they knocked her out again."

"I agree but it makes sense. They can't have her agitated." She studied the screen Max held up to her and then nodded, " Max found me a flight leaving in four hours. I need to pack. I'll see you tonight, Mom." "Love you, honey."

"Love you too, Mom."

"Are you sure?" she asked Max.

"I have never been surer. Go be with your sister. The minute I get clearance to fly though, we're going to

Vegas. You, me, Ollie, and Santiago. Deal?"

"Deal." She kissed his lips.

Hers was the best partner in the world.