Chapter hundred and fifty one

Oliver

“She's fine, just unconscious. She'll come around soon enough. Don't worry yourself, Mr Kang.”

That was the doctor's words to me when I asked her why Dallas wasn't waking up. The doctor had sounded so certain that nothing was wrong with her, but she hadn't even twitched for the past twenty four hours.
I considered taking her away to another hospital, but decided against it. This was our family's doctor. So if he said nothing was wrong with her, he was probably right. But knowing that and accepting it were two different things.

Dallas had fallen out of consciousness while we were in the van. That was twenty four hours ago. She had looked so pale then that I couldn't help the fear that crawled to my chest.

Ethan drove straight to the hospital. By the time we got there, Jenna had passed out too, Xavier barely hanging on his consciousness. Tabitha was already in the hospital before we got there.

Ever since we arrived at the hospital, I'd only left Dallas's beside two times. The first was when Xavier regained his consciousness. He had been injured but not shot. And he was in better shape now.

The second time I left was when Jenna was brought out of the operation theatre. Her surgery had gone well. The bullet didn't hit any vital part of her leg. But she was still in bad shape and would have to use crutches for weeks when she wakes up.

No one from the Brothers had showed up. I didn't know whether to be relieved by it or not. Their silence was unnerving.

A big part of me wanted to believe they didn't know what Jenna had done, but then I remembered back in the woods how certain Jenna had seemed. I'd witnessed the dread on her face when we heard them approaching. I knew first-hand what it was like to be forced to do something you didn't want to do.

We had gotten away from there before anyone saw us with the body. It was possible that they didn't know.

I had managed to keep my mother's questions at minimum but I knew she was curious. Heather informed me that she showed up few hours ago but she didn't tell her what happened.

I didn't want her to know anything yet. I hadn't figured out how to tell her the truth about my father, or if I was even going to tell her at all.

I hadn't told Juliana about her husband's death and her daughter's hospitalization either. It would mean explaining everything that happened and I had no idea how to do that.

Also, I didn't think she would appreciate hearing that her husband died in her daughter's hands. No mother would want to hear that.

So I decided to put that aside until Jenna regained consciousness. She would have to decide what part of the truth to tell her mother about.

For now, all I have to do is wait. And god knows I was so fucking tired of it.

My hand went to the nape of my neck and I rubbed it. I rolled my shoulders to get rid of the stiffness in them. My eyes landed on the walk clock and I gasped. It was almost noon.

I hadn't realized how much time had passed since I sat there, waiting for Dallas to wake up. I hadn't slept a wink for fear that she might wake up and I would miss it.

The door opened slightly and Ethan poked his head in.

“Can I come in?” He asked.

“You're already in.” I groaned.

He chuckled slightly before pushing the door open wider, revealing Xavier.

“Seriously? You're with him? Aren't you supposed to be resting?” I asked, my eyebrows arched.

He rolled his eyes and walked into the ward.
“I've been resting for so long. I feel better now. You, on the other hand, look way worse.” He said.

“You need a shower and some food.” Ethan quipped.

I leveled a glare at him but he simply shrugged. How did they not understand that I can't leave her side?

“I'll do all that when she wakes up.” I said.

What I didn't say was that I couldn't leave her side. The last time I did, she was taken away from me. She had been brutally tortured and held at gunpoint. I don't wish to see that ever again.

They seem to have read the words on my face. From the corner of my eyes, I saw them exchange a look.

Xavier trudged closer to me and clasped a hand on my shoulder.

“She's going to be okay. No one is going to take her ever again.” he said softly.

It was so rare to see my friend like this. Xavier was never soft. He was like me in that aspect. I gave him a small nod and smile to show him I appreciated the gesture.

“You don't have to worry. I made sure the security in the hospital is extremely tight. Especially in this private wing. These rooms are heavily guarded. No one walks the corridor without my knowledge.” Ethan added.

I believed him. Ethan's security agency was the top in the country. Maybe even the whole continent. But believing him didn't mean my heart was at rest.

My house had been tightly secured too, yet she had gotten kidnapped. It didn't matter that he had managed to slip in as a friend and not a foe. The fact still remained, no where was safe.

They seem to sense the hesitation in my expression.

“Lisa landed an hour ago. She's coming over with Heather.” Ethan said.

“Come with us, Oliver.” Xavier persuaded.

After a few more persuasion, I would have coffee with them, but I would leave immediately she wakes up. They agreed to that.

I threw a quick glance at Dallas's sleeping face before stepping out of the ward.
.
.
.
“I think we should beat him to a pulp.” Ethan said as he sipped his latte.

“Why does everything have to result to violence with you?” Xavier chuckled and shook his head.

“Because violence get things done. And don't talk to me like that. You're not a saint either.” Ethan scoffed.

“I'm not saying I am. I'm just saying that we shouldn't forget he actually helped us. He might be an old douchebag but he has his own usefulness.” Xavier said.

I glanced between the both of them, my coffee sat untouched on the table. They were both arguing about what to do with Alberto and his son.

I didn't know who to listen to. Both of them were right. Well, Xavier mostly.

Alberto might have been an asshole and caused more headache than he's worth, but he has certainly being of help lately. And he was just as caught up in this as the rest of us.

Ron manipulated the situation so many times and framed Alberto for it. He was do scared of Ron that he gave up his properties just to hide from him. Making his life miserable didn't seem to be worth it.

“Argh! I swear, sometimes, it's just so difficult to reason with you.” Ethan groaned and turned to me. “What do you think, Oliver? Beat him to a pulp, right? I get Mason.”

“No, we're not beating anyone, Ethan. Xavier is right. Alberto did help us.” I said.

Ethan groaned, clearly displeased.
“You guys are like grannies. Always taking away the fun part.”

Xavier and I both rolled our eyes at him but we said nothing. Silence settled between us.

“Are you okay though? About…everything?” Ethan asked.

I could see Xavier monitoring me closely now. I knew that they weren't only referring to Dallas's capture. It was everything.

The truth about my father. I hadn't been able to fully think about it. I had one track mind ever since Ron told me about my father's history. That had been saving Dallas.

But now that she was with me, the thoughts came rushing back. It felt like I never knew my father. I doubt my mother did as well. I didn't know what to think of it so I decided not to think about it at all.

“I'm fine.” I said but it was clearly a lie.

I decided to stir the conversation to s different path.

“Thank you guys for everything.” I said and looked at both of them.

“You went headfirst into danger for me, I'm so grateful for that.”

I realized now that it was probably the first time I'd ever truly thanked them. And they didn't know what to do about it.

“Of course,” Xavier said. “We would always have each other's backs.”

Ethan nodded his agreement.
“What he said. By the way, when are you going to see your mother? She's been blasting my phone with texts all day.”

“I don't know. I guess I'll have to tell her the truth but not now.” I said.

“One problem at a time, Ethan.” Xavier added.

I chuckled hard. Ethan opened his mouth to fire a retort at Xavier when my phone rang. I immediately answered it when I saw Heather's name on the screen.

“She's awake.” She said from the other end.