Page 267 of Maddening Fixation

He released the brake and continued forward.

“You refused to release her from that bungalow for four months. And don’t insult me with excuses about our rules—that you couldn’t act without my direct command. What if I had died in Poland?”

My voice hardened.

“Would you have left my wife there to spend the rest of her life locked inside that bungalow simply because I wasn’t alive to give you an order?”

The word ‘wife’ felt heavier than it ever had before.

My chest tightened.

Keegan’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.

“Listen carefully. You were one of the men who helped me build this empire. I haven’t forgotten that.”

My gaze met his through the mirror.

“But that loyalty does not make you untouchable. Loyalty has value, Keegan. So does accountability.”

Juliet’s empty eyes flashed through my mind.

“Some mistakes cost more than others.” I held his gaze. “And yours may cost you everything.”

The rest of the drive passed in silence.

When we finally reached the hospital, the SUV rolled into the entrance driveway.

The sterile white lights reflected off the windshield.

We stepped out.

Keegan moved quickly beside me as we entered.

The hospital staff immediately noticed us.

Maybe it was the urgency. Maybe it was the way we moved.

Like men accustomed to getting answers.

Keegan approached the front desk.

“Which room is Juliet Sokolov?” His voice was sharp.

“She was admitted through emergency.”

Her fingers moved over the computer. “Second floor. Room 214.”

She pointed toward the elevators.

“They stabilized her upon arrival and are monitoring her condition.”

I was already moving before she finished speaking.

The elevator doors opened.

We stepped inside.

Neither of us spoke.