“She’s with her husband. It’s family only, sir. You can’t go in there now.”
“I’m also her husband,” I snap.
“What?”
“I’m her fucking husband, too. Where is she?”
The woman looks shocked to her core. “Um…room eight, sir, you’ll have to be quiet, she’s resting…sir!”
But I’m already running down the hall to her room.
I burst through the doors.
Maria is lying on a hospital bed, looking as pale as a ghost. Joe is standing next to her, holding her hand. They both look at me, and I run to her bedside and lean over her, taking her face in my hands and gently kissing her cheek.
“Baby bird, what happened?” I ask tightly.
“I’m okay,” she whispers, weak and tired.
“What happened?” I snarl at Joe.
Behind me, Kaz and Art burst into the room.
Artur shoves me aside, and Kaz watches with fear in his eyes.
Artur leans over her, pulling her into his arms.
“Don’t move her!” I snarl.
“It’s okay, I’m okay,” Maria reassures me as Art sits on the side of her bed and holds her close, burying his face in her hair.
“Baby bird,” he says softly. “Are you okay? I thought…I couldn’t handle it…I was so worried…”
He leans back and cups his hand beneath her jaw. “You’re okay? You’re going to be okay?” he asks.
“I’m okay,” she nods, smiling softly. He leans close and kisses her tenderly.
Artur gently places her back on the bed and pulls her blanket up around her again.
He spins toward Joseph.
“What the fuck is this I hear about you giving your father alliance assets?” he whispers in a harsh hiss.
“Art, now isn’t the time,” Joe snaps, gesturing toward Maria.
“Now is most fucking definitely the time. What kind of alliance do we have if you are allowed to give away portions of our control to your father?”
“His father?” I snap, shocked.
Artur spins toward me.
“And you!” he growls.
“Me?” I huff.
“You gave our wife permission to go out alone? You put her right in harm’s way? Why the fuck didn’t you go with her to protect her?” Artur is furious.
I put my hands up defensively. “I sent a guard with her, I made sure…”
