Page 38 of Conail

"I need to see her." He repeated in an inflexible tone.

"She's in room ten. Let me--"

"I'll find it." With a curt nod to both of them, he strode from the room.

"He's pretty scary, isn't he?" Charlene observed wryly.

"He's worried."

The doctor glanced at her curiously. "I thought this was an arrangement."

"Somehow it has become much more than that."

*****

Removing his overcoat, he carefully folded it and laid it on the single chair in the room. He had had some harsh words with her brother in the waiting room and was still steaming about it. The son of a bitch had accused him of ruining his sister.

He had countered by reminding the man that his sister was going through all of this because they needed the help. He had seen the way the mother winced, and the father turned away and regretted it. But dammit, the man had gotten to him, and he was already feeling like crap.

Shoving the sleeves of his sweater past his forearm, he toed off his shoes and went to sit on the edge of the bed.

She looked so still and restful. The tubes were running through her mouth and machines were quietly beeping. He did not particularly love hospitals. His father had stayed in a private room for two weeks before succumbing to his illness. Missing him was still an issue for him.

Reaching out a hand, he indulged the need to touch her and found himself trailing a finger down her cheek to feel the softness. He had a hard time forgetting the night he had spent with her and how he felt right after. It had been innocent, on her part of course.

On his part, he had been so aroused, it had plagued him throughout the night.

Her breathing was even indicating that she was having a restful slumber.

Moving down to her arm, he took her hand in his and studied the surprisingly long and elegant fingers. She had the hand of an artist, he mused.

Lifting his head, he stared at her face. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry as hell. I keep thinking that no one should go through this, and I want to take back the decision. But I am powerless to do so." He stared off at the plain white wall.

"There's a possibility that the pregnancy can be terminated and we should think about it." He was unconsciously rubbing his thumb over her fingers. "You did not want to listen to reason before, but I would like to assure you that the money is not important." He wanted to add that she would still be paid, but under the circumstances, it would have sounded callous.

And dammit to hell, he was hurting. He wanted the baby she was carrying. And he wanted her.

Letting go of her hand, he sprang off the bed and strode to the window. Shoving his hands into the pockets of his navy dress pants, he rocked back on his heels, his jaw clamped tightly. Where the hell did that come from? Any of it?

He could not 'want' her. He had seen what this kind of emotions and feelings do to people. He was living proof of it. He had given his heart and body, and it had not been enough.

He had been bamboozled and played for a fool. He would be damned if he was going through that again.

No way in hell.

Pacing back to the bed, he stood there staring at her before going over to sit on the chaise. He would spend the night here so that he could convince her of the decision. His decision.

After all, he had paid her an exorbitant amount of money. She was damn well going to listen to him. With that resolved, he settled back and closed his eyes.

*****

"Have I made a mistake?" Maeve asked quietly. "In my quest to run my daughter's life, have I sent her to her death?"

They had finally been convinced to come home. Eleanor had promised that she would give them updates as soon as she had any information.

It was almost midnight, and they were still unable to sleep. The anger on Conail McLaughlin's face had frightened her. And it made her wonder if this was a man she wanted for her baby girl. He looked ruthless and formidable.

"You would never do anything to harm our children." Her husband came up behind her. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her cheek. "You have been such a tower of strength to this family, me in particular." His voice had roughened. "We have all benefited from Yasmine's suffering."

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