Dr. Brandt picks up his chart and elaborates on Kalin’s treatment and condition. “The chest tube is removing any excess fluid so the damaged lung can properly expand and heal. He suffered no infections or clotting, which is extremely good news. We just need to monitor him for the next several weeks as he heals, but his vital signs are good and his prognosis is excellent. He will be good as new, with the exception of a new scar under his arm.” He gives us an encouraging smile.
I hold Kalin’s hand and he smiles up at me. “Sorry for the crash landing. Are you okay?” he says in a barely audible voice.
“Yes. Just a bruise on my face and arm.” I shrug.
“You’re still beautiful.”
Peter and Lauren smile at each other. They approach the bed and Peter brushes Kalin’s legs. “Hey, champ. Still conquering the world and pissing people off in high places, I see.”
“Hey, Dad. Thanks for coming,” he mutters.
“We flew here on your private jet. Let’s hope next time it’s a vacation to the Bahamas.”
“It will be. I promise,” Kalin says with a weak smile.
“We just want you to get better, son. Do you really think trying to save the company is worth it? I mean, this obviously wasn’t an accident.”
“I don’t have much to lose, but everything to gain.” He smiles at me and squeezes my hand.
“Nothing to lose? That’s a laugh.” Peter glances at Lauren and back to Kalin. “We just want you to be safe, son. You about gave us a heart attack.”
“I’m sorry, Dad. Did they find the driver?”
“No. They have an attempted murder in Southampton and they’re running around like they don’t know what’s going on,” Peter grumbles.
Lauren sighs. “It’s not fair. Those guys should be in jail already.”
“Five long weeks.” Kalin smiles up at me. “What in the world am I going to do here for five weeks?”
“Heal, that’s what.” My eyes sweep over his face and back to the warmth of his eyes. “Oh, and I’m going to be here every day. Bringing you lunch—healthy, organic food. No hospital food.” I crinkle my noise at him. “Can he eat a regular diet, doctor?”
“Yes. In fact, he needs lots of protein to heal. Lean meats, chicken, fish. And of course fruits and vegetables.”
“Thank God. From the looks of all these tubes, I thought I was going to have to eat through a straw,” Kalin sniffs.
“Not at all.” Dr. Brandt scans Kalin’s chart. “In fact, within four to six weeks you should be back to normal. If you exercised quite a bit, which I am assuming you did from your excellent physical condition, you will be able to continue exercising as you normally would. Just ease into it slowly. But you should be able to do everything you did before. Your vitals are strong. You’ll be as good as new. No marathons just yet, though.”
Kalin glances at me and I blush.
“Sweetheart, some people from your office want to see you,” Lauren says.
“Please, no board members,” Kalin huffs.
“No board members.” She smiles in agreement. “These are people who actually like you.”
We all laugh, which soothes the tension from the grave reality that Kalin has some very real enemies hell bent on getting him out of the way.
“Kalin, you have some real pieces of work on that board now. We all know what’s going on. What are you going to do? We can’t depend on the police to arrest anyone before they try something else,” Peter grumbles.
With a slight turn of his head, Kalin’s eyes meet mine. “I just want to rest and recover. I don’t want to think about these degenerates right now.” I press my hand to his and smile.
“You better think about them, son. They’re sure as shit thinking about you,” Peter snarls.
“I know, Dad.”
“I’m sorry, son. I’m just worried about you.”
“It matters very little to them who happens to be in their way to maintain the life they have come to enjoy. In this case it happens to be me.” A weak smile passes over his mouth. “Don’t worry. I have my own plan. But I have to recover first.”
“We love you, Kalin. We just want the best for you.” Lauren presses her hand over his on the other side of the bed.
“I know, Mom. I love you too.” A soft smile lines Kalin’s lips. “My two favorite ladies in the world are right here. What more could I want?”
Peter smiles, his eyes still glowing with gratitude.
Satisfaction wells up inside of me and spreads tingles over my body, giving me goose bumps. I gaze down and back up at him, clasping his forearm. “Get some rest,” I whisper.