Page 25 of Max

When they arrived on the cardiac floor, Shay hunted down the room while Max studied their surroundings, letting his military training kick in. It had been a while since he needed to use it, but it was like riding a bike. You never really forgot it.

The nurses’ station took up a large section of the floor, with rooms down several hallways. The one he followed Shay to was quiet and to the left of the nurses’ station. She tried to rush down the hall, but he stopped her.

“I’ll go first.”

Rolling her eyes, she let him step in front of her. “I don’t think my stalker is down there anywhere. It’s only people who’ve had heart attacks.”

“You’d be surprised at what people do.”

Instead of waiting for more snark, he walked in front of her and pushed open her father’s room, his eyes sweeping from left to right. It was your standard issue room with the window blinds pulled up, allowing as much light into the room as possible. He opened the bathroom door before allowing Shay to enter.

She ran into the room and straight to her father’s bedside. The man lying there looked frail in his hospital gown and with an IV stuck in his hand. Salt and pepper hair looked mussed, like he’d just woken up from a fitful nap. Shay’s blue eyes stared at him, from her father’s tired face.

“Shay.” Even his voice sounded weak.

“Daddy.” She wrapped him in a hug as best she could, and Max stepped outside the room, giving them some time.

He leaned against the wall and casually looked around. Two other rooms were on the opposite side, and only one of those was occupied with a little old woman who looked weaker than Shay’s father.

He checked his messages and saw that Jasper had sent him a text saying they were at the farm, and he’d be joining Max at the hospital while Cole stayed behind to help Mason.

They’d already informed hospital security of Shay’s situation and that they’d be there. Security promised any help they could give, which was a blessing. Sometimes private security guards could become defensive.

“Max.”

He heard Shay call for him, and he went back inside. Her father gave him a once-over, his gaze shrewd.

“Daddy, this is Max Sheridan. Max, this is my father, Angus Moore.”

Max shook the man’s hand. “Sir, it’s good to meet you.”

“Well, at least this one has some manners.” Angushumphedand settled back against his pillow.

“Dad never liked Duncan,” Shay explained and looked for a chair. Max beat her to it and picked one up, setting it beside the bed. “Thank you.”

He nodded and kept standing, his back to the window so he could see the door.

“I told you that one was no good the minute you brought him home.” Angus shifted uncomfortably. “He had no manners.”

“I know, Dad.”

“How long you been dating this one?”

Max’s gaze flew to Shay’s, whose begged him to play along. She’d said on the plane she didn’t want her father to know about her stalker, but she hadn’t figured out how to explain Max yet.

“A couple weeks.”

Fuck it all to hell and back. He was going to murder Shay and Desi both. He hated lying. Despised it, really. But it was a good cover.

Angus sighed. “Boy, you been taking care of my little girl?”

“Yes, sir, as best I can.” That much was the truth, at least.

“Why’d you come with her? Don’t you have to work?”

“I have the weekend off, and I didn’t want her coming by herself after her house got broken into. My dad would skin me alive if he thought I’d let a woman walk into any kind of danger without someone to watch over her.”

“You from down south?”

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