Defiant Heir (The Heirs #3) - Michelle Heard Page 0,7

says he’ll be fine.”

Leigh… Dr. West is a genius in her field. If she thinks Kao will be okay, then I’m hopeful he’ll recover fully.

Noah comes into the room, and my gaze darts to him. “Is your mom sure he’ll be fine?” I ask, needing to hear it from him.

Noah nods as he stops at the foot of the bed. His eyes drift over his best friend. “My mom assisted during the surgery. She said they repaired all the internal injuries. He has a hairline skull fracture, but the CT scan showed no damage to his brain. He’s just out of it because his body needs to heal.”

My gaze returns to Kao, and I take in every inch of his face. Seeing him so still is scary as hell, but I feel better after what Noah just said.

“Kao,” I murmur, hoping he’ll hear me. “It’s Fallon. You need to wake up soon so I can see your eyes again.”

I use the bed to pull myself back up, and leaning over Kao, I press a kiss to the corner of his mouth, then whisper, “Get better. Please.”

I feel a hand on my back. “You need to get back to bed,” Hana says.

I stare at Kao for a moment longer, wishing I didn’t have to leave at all. “Please let me know if there’s any change,” I say as I straighten up. I glance from Mr. Reed to Noah. “Please.”

“I will,” Noah answers.

Jase helps me back into the wheelchair, and as he pushes me out of the room, it feels like a shadow falls around my shoulders. It’s heavy and gloomy.

Kao’s silent strength has always been there to keep me standing during hard times. Seeing him in such a fragile state… kills me.

KAO

Coming to, a pounding headache greets me. It’s sharp, then dull, then intense again, like a heartbeat.

I’m nauseous, and there’s a concentrated smell of sanitizer hanging around me like a thick cloud.

My body feels like it’s been shredded to pieces, but through all the pain, one thought screams for attention. For some unknown reason, I need to make sure Fallon’s okay.

I pry my eyes open, but I can’t see anything.

My lips part and I suck in an agonizing breath before I’m able to murmur, “Fallon.”

Is it night? What happened? I can’t remember shit.

I move my right arm, trying to feel where I am, but I only find empty air and then a bed. Beeping from a machine close to me grabs my attention.

Am I in the hospital?

“You’re awake,” I hear Noah say, relief coating his words. “Finally. You had me worried.”

“Noah?” Confused, I mutter, “Turn on a light.”

He doesn’t answer me, and I try to move into a sitting position. Pain sears through my stomach and chest, and it increases the pounding in my head.

“No, stay still.” I feel his hands on my shoulders.

“What?” There’s a flutter of panic in my chest. “Where am I? Why’s it dark?” As I ask the questions, my mind fights the worry back, refusing to even think it.

“Shit,” I hear Noah mutter. “Just stay still. I’m going to call the doctor.”

Doctor?

I hear movement, then Noah says, “He just woke up.” He continues to whisper something I can’t make out.

I feel strong fingers wrap around mine. “Hey, my boy,” Dad’s voice quivers.

I shut my eyes tightly as the realization becomes impossible to ignore.

God. Please.

Was I in an accident?

My lashes lift slowly, anxiety building unbearably when I still can’t see anything.

“Dad, what happened?” I whisper, my voice filled with apprehension. “I can’t see anything.”

I feel him move, guessing he’s sitting on the bed next to me. His fingers skim the right side of my head. “Don’t panic. You and Fallon were in a car accident. You took a blow to the head, and it’s probably only temporary. Fallon’s okay.”

Temporary?

Fallon?

What the fuck happened?

I suck in a painful breath of air as everything spins into chaos inside me. Shutting my eyes, I try to focus on the headache, on the dull throb in my stomach and side.

I try to focus on anything but the stark reality that I can’t see.

Dad presses a kiss to my temple, and I feel his lips quiver against my skin.

Fuck. No.

Please.

No.

The beeping begins to increase as my heartbeat speeds up.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” Dad murmurs. “I promise.”

Slowly, I shake my head, and it feels like I’m losing grip with reality as the words fall over my lips, “I can’t see.”

I hear someone come into the room, and Dad pulls away from me.

“I