Ruthless Heir (Ruthless Billionaires #5)

Chapter 33

Chapter Thirty-Three

Harper

The sterile scent of disinfectant fills the air, sharp and overwhelming.

It’s the standard clinical smell most hospitals have.

I’ve been sitting in the waiting room for so long the scent feels like it’s become a part of me.

Five hours.

The clock on the wall confirms I’ve been waiting here for five agonizing hours, and still there’s no news.

Asher has been in surgery all that time. I’ve been out here going crazy with worry and terror, waiting for the doctors to tell us something. Anything.

Anything besides bad news .

I want to scream and tear the walls down. But all I can do is sit here, helpless, waiting for someone to tell me whether I’ll ever hold him again.

Josh is sitting next to me. Across from us is Asher’s family.

His mother hasn’t stopped crying. She has her head on his father’s shoulder while he has his arm around her. Hunter and Luc are next to them; both wear the same solemn expressions of grief.

I was the one who called them to tell them what happened. Josh wanted to do it but I felt they should hear it from me.

After all, I’m the reason Asher is here. He got shot saving me.

He threw himself on top of me and now he’s fighting for his life while I can’t do anything but wait.

Telling his family that Nolan kidnapped me and shot Asher while he was trying to save me felt like I was trying to take the blame off myself.

I know the truth is the truth and Nolan is fully to blame but deep down I feel like none of this would have happened if I wasn’t around.

There would have been no Vito, and Nolan wouldn’t have thought to use me in such a way. Heck, Nolan and his father would have gotten away with their scheme if I hadn’t meddled. If I hadn’t, Asher wouldn’t be here.

He’d be fine. He’d be his usual amazing self, living his life. God, maybe he would have chosen Alexis. Regardless, he just wouldn’t be hurt. No one can tell me that wouldn’t be better.

Now he’s undergoing lifesaving surgery.

Asher was shot in the back. Not near his spine, but close to his heart. That’s the problem.

When the paramedics got to him he wasn’t breathing and his pulse was extremely weak. I thought I’d lost him.

When they brought him back I promised I would do anything to keep him alive.

We thought Nolan was dead because Josh shot him in the chest but the paramedics brought him back, too. I hear he’s awake and under police supervision.

What a cruel act of fate that he —the fucking villain—woke up, whereas Asher is still fighting for his life.

I try to breathe through the constriction in my chest but each breath is shallow and hollow. My chest is so tight it feels like it’s caving in on itself.

The buzzing of the fluorescent lights and the distant hum of hospital machines taunt me as badly as that smell.

I glance at the door for the millionth time, waiting, hoping, praying for it to open and the surgeon to come back and tell us Asher is fine. That the bullet didn’t take him from me.

I should be the one in there. Not him.

I wrap my arms around myself, trying to hold in the pieces of me that are breaking.

If I cry again I’ll fall apart completely, and I can’t. Not here when he’s in there.

Josh holds me closer and I look up at him. I know he feels bad, too, especially after he and Asher argued and fought so badly yesterday.

I don’t know what happened between them earlier but they must have figured out a way to work together to save me.

The door opens and I snap my gaze up.

It’s the surgeon.

No one is quicker than me to get up. I was already told that Asher’s family would be getting details first but I don’t care. He is my family.

“Please tell me he’s going to be okay,” I blurt, the tears I’ve been holding back streamline down my cheeks.

The doctor gives me a sympathetic stare, then he looks at everyone else as they gather around him.

“The good news is we were able to extract the bullet,” the doctor explains, keeping his tone measured. “But there is some damage to Asher’s internal organs. We’ve done everything we can for the moment. Now we just have to wait and see.”

His words grip me to my core and the ground feels like it’s being ripped away from beneath my feet.

Wait and see?

No.

That’s not good at all.

The last time I heard those words was with Dad. He never came back.

“What can we do?” Hunter steps forward. “There must be something I can do. He’s my brother.”

“I’m sorry. There’s nothing right now. Asher is still in a coma. The next forty-eight hours will be crucial.”

Asher’s mom breaks down and Preston holds her up. Luc moves to her other side and tries to comfort her.

“He’s going to pull through, Auntie. I know he is.” Luc’s voice is barely audible.

“Can we see him?” Preston asks.

“Yes, but two at a time and just for a few minutes. I understand you’re all worried but it’s important that Asher has the time he needs to rest and recover without worrying about anyone else. I would advise you all to go home and get some rest after you see him. You can come back first thing in the morning.”

I’m not leaving. I can’t.

The doctor shows us to Asher’s room and I wait my turn to see him.

His parents go in first, then Hunter and Luc. It feels like eons pass when realistically it’s only ten or so minutes.

The moment I see Asher my heart shatters. I gaze at him in the bed attached to so many tubes and machines. He already looks like he’s far away from us. His skin is so pale and there’s no life in him.

God, this shouldn’t have happened to him. It shouldn’t. I can’t believe that just hours ago he was walking around, healthy and able. Now he has forty-eight hours to pull through.

The thought breaks me and I fall apart.

Josh takes me back outside where everyone else is waiting. I’m surprised

they waited for us.

“Sweet girl, you need to go home,” Preston says.

I shake my head. “I can’t leave.”

“You must. You’ve been through a lot, too.”

“It’s my fault. The least I can do is stay.”

“Don’t you dare say that. If anyone is to blame, it’s me. I failed to see Nolan Fairchild for the monster he is.” Sadness swells in his eyes and a tear runs down his cheek. “Please go home and get some rest. If Asher was able to talk he would say the same thing.”

I want to answer him but my voice is stuck in my throat. More tears come. I can’t hold them back.

“Take her home Josh.” Hunter steps up. “We can all come back first thing in the morning.”

Josh nods and ushers me away.

I’m glad we don’t go back to that horrible hotel but head to Asher’s place instead—home.

While Josh fills Olga and the other members of staff in on what’s happening, I go to Asher’s room.

Since we’ve been together I’ve hardly slept in my room. Now I lie in his bed seeking comfort in the scent of his sheets. They smell like him. The whole room does, so it feels like he’s here.

I close my eyes and imagine that he is. It’s the only thing that soothes me.

When I open my eyes the sun is spilling through the window and I realize I fell asleep.

Josh has his hand on my shoulder. He woke me up.

“Hey.” There’s a rasp in his voice.

“Is there any news?”

“No. It’s seven. I was thinking if we leave in half in hour we could beat traffic.”

“I’ll be ready.” I sit up and run my hand through my hair.

“How are you feeling?”

“Just awful.”

“I’m sorry. I guess we never got to have that talk you wanted.”

“Josh, so help me God, if you say anything?—”

“I was wrong,” he says quickly. “I was so, so wrong. I met with Asher before we knew Nolan and Vito took you and we talked about you and him. I accepted your decision to be together, but of course I was still worried. Then I saw him push you out of the way to save you, and I knew he would do anything for you.” He pauses for a moment and brings his hand to his head. “It shouldn’t have taken a bullet for me to believe that. I should have done it just on his word. So, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken you away. I only made it easier for Nolan to get to you.”

I feel reassured at hearing his words, and I’m glad he accepts us. But all of that only matters if Asher pulls through.

“I understand why you did what you did.”

“But I overreacted and was such a jerk to my best friend. I’d be damn proud to see you with him, Harper. He has to pull through because there is no one better for you.”

He pulls me into his arms and holds me. There I try to find hope.

It’s night again. Everyone has come and gone throughout the day. The doctor has allowed us to spend more time with Asher now.

I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, but I’ll take what I can get.

I’ve been sitting by his bedside for close to an hour. There are two more hours to go until visiting time is over.

His family are still around. They’ve been here all day too. Josh is sorting some stuff out, then he’ll be back.

I stare at Asher’s still form and attempt a smile just for show. I’ve been talking to him about everything and anything, hoping he’ll answer.

“I remember how mad you got when Jack first brought me home that day. I thought you were an asshole but deep down I loved how protective you were over me.” My breath hitches and I swallow hard. “I loved that you took such great care of me even though it seemed like I was annoyed. During those times you felt like mine. I wished you were.”

As I remember it all the memories become too much and my eyes fill with tears. I lay my head on the bed next to Asher’s hand and cover his hand with mine.

“Come back to me,” I whisper. “Come back to me, please. Please come back to me.”

I keep repeating those words as if they’re a magical spell, but nothing happens.

I lie there for almost another hour until I feel a soft grasp of my hand on the bed. It’s more like a tap than a squeeze. Like a heartbeat.

It takes me a moment to realize it’s Asher.

The sudden thought makes me lift my head. I look at him just as his eyes flutter open. He stares back at me and I wonder if my mind is messing with me.

Maybe I want him to wake up so badly that I’m seeing things.

“ Har…per .” Asher’s voice is so weak there’s a quiver in it. But he’s talking. He’s back. He came back to me.

“Oh God, you’re awake,” I shriek, unable to contain my excitement and relief. Both overwhelm me to the point where I feel faint.

“Harper. You’re here.” His voice is a little clearer and his focus sharper.

“I’m here.”

“I heard… you.”

“Asher, I’m going to get the doctor.” Dr. Shape said that it was crucial to notify the medical staff the moment Asher woke up.

“Wait, don’t go.” He holds my hand tighter and my heart leaps. “You’re my wife.”

Wife.

That’s the dream. Hearing him call me that sends a surge of joyous energy swelling within me. I smile down at him, feeling happiness rise inside my soul like a rolling tidal wave. “We didn’t get married.”

He gives my hand another squeeze and a weary smile floats across his handsome face. “We… should do something about that.”

His words send a thrill of excitement rippling through me, awakening my desire to be with him. “Yes, we should.”

I laugh and love him even more.

Asher was released from the hospital three weeks later, but it was another three weeks before he seemed more like himself.

It was a mission to make sure he got the rest he needed because he was eager to get back to his usual daily activities from the first day he came home.

The last few days were the first that things seemed more normal. He went back to work on Monday, doing a few hours before lunch, but today was his first full day.

Tomorrow is Saturday and I’m looking forward to spending the weekend with him.

The time has flown by so quickly. Next week is the first week of November.

So many things have happened in our lives and to those around us. Hunter and Luna had a beautiful baby boy they named Noah, Layla got engaged to her boyfriend, Josh got a temporary apartment where he and Lisa will stay while they’re in New York, and Beth actually found a boyfriend. An ice hockey player on Luc’s team. Beth has been with him for an entire month—a long , long time for her.

The only unpleasant thing we had to deal with was attending court for Nolan’s sentencing. Now that asshole is behind bars where he belongs.

As for me, I took a few weeks off college while Asher was recovering but now I’m back on track. Thanks to my music professors I also got a place with the New York Theatre’s orchestra for their Christmas and New Year shows. Me and two other students were selected to join them this year.

Things are definitely changing in all the wonderful ways I wanted.

I walk into the house with a smile on my face because I know Asher is home. I’ve just come back from a long day of classes and all I want is my man.

I find him out on the terrace sorting through some paperwork in the waning sunlight.

Asher smiles when he sees me and my spirits lift. Every day since he woke from his coma has felt like a miracle to me because I know I almost didn’t have this.

“There she is.” He stands and meets me halfway, pulling me into a warm embrace so he can give me a tender kiss. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

He steps back and stares at me. “I have something for you.”

I chuckle. “What?”

“Something I’ve been carrying around for a while.”

His smile brightens as he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a little pink ring box.

My eyes snap wide and I look from him to the box. He pops open the lid, revealing the most beautiful engagement ring I’ve ever seen in my life and my heart stops.

“Asher…”

He lowers to one knee and takes my hand, staring at me as if I’m the most important thing in his world.

When he first woke from the coma and called me his wife I was so excited. But I was happier that he was going to be okay.

Of course I’ve thought nonstop about us getting married as the weeks have gone by. I just trusted that he would take the next step when he felt ready.

That time is now and I’m just as swept off my feet as if I were none the wiser.

“I wanted to take you away and propose, then I thought there was no better place than here.” A proud smile brightens his face, filling his eyes with the radiance of hope and anticipation. “This is where we shared our first real kiss. And it was here that I first decided to fight for you.”

A joyous tear rolls down my cheek. “I drove you crazy here.”

He laughs. “You’ve always driven me crazy. And I don’t want you to ever stop. Will you marry me, Harper? Marry me and drive me crazy in love with you forever.”

“Yes. Absolutely yes,” I squeal.

He slips the ring on my finger and stands to kiss me.

“Thank you,” he whispers over my lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

He holds me and I relish the moment, allowing everything to sink in.

I always thought I would never get what I wanted, but that’s not true. I just had to wait.

Asher Le Blanche is my something good and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

Finally, the future looks alive, filled with all the dreams I now know I can have.

Because I have him.