Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

I rested my head on Mason's shoulder as he gently stroked my hair, trying to ease my pain. But I had to stay strong. That's what Evangeline would want. I had to find who did this.

No, Sapphire-I already knew who did.

"Can you stay with her for a bit-"

"Where is she?"

I stopped mid-sentence as Haze arrived. He looked like he hadn't slept but had come immediately, asking for Evangeline.

I wondered if Mason had called him or if he'd learned the news himself since we were in his hospital.

"There," I replied, pointing toward the operating room.

Haze brushed his hair back and bit his lower lip, as though deep in thought.

"Damn it, what the hell are you two doing? Why is your life in danger now? Did you really think I wouldn't find out that your car exploded too?"

"What the fuck?" Mason's eyes bore into mine as he heard Haze's words. His brows furrowed, his disbelief written all over his face.novelbin

That was why I called Luna to clean up the mess quickly. But Haze, sharp as always, still managed to catch wind of it. I knew he'd been suspicious for a while now.

He's aware there's more to Senator Windwood's death than meets the eye.

He didn't look like the Haze I knew. His brows were furrowed, and one brow was arched skeptically at me. His usual lighthearted demeanor was replaced with a dark, melancholic aura.

His concern was obvious, especially as his gaze drifted toward the operating room.

"I just didn't think it was necessary," I replied, brushing back my hair. "What matters is that I survived-"

"How can you say that? Don't you realize that if Ash were here, he'd be worried sick about you?" Mason's voice rang in my ears.

My expression hardened at the mention of that name. Until I have concrete evidence proving he's not behind this, I won't trust his words-or even my own suspicions.

It enrages me that his face was the last thing I saw before the explosions.

"Shut up, Mason," I snapped, my tone sharp and commanding. "You don't know anything."

"Then tell me everything," he demanded, hurt lacing his voice. "Do you still not trust me, Sapphire? After everything, I've been the one supporting you for years. Just so you know, I'd never risk your safety." That's exactly what Ash told me once.

I wanted to throw that line back at Mason, but I bit my tongue. He stared at me, clearly waiting for an explanation, but I stayed silent.

With a heavy sigh, he seemed to accept my refusal to speak.

"I'll just take this call," Mason muttered, walking to a corner to answer his phone.

"Excuse me," Haze interrupted as a female doctor exited the operating room. He whispered something to her, and she nodded before walking off.

Moments later, I was shocked to see them moving Evangeline out of the operating room.

"What the fuck are you doing, Greensmith?" I grabbed Haze by the collar and shoved him against the wall.

It was a reflexive reaction, and I momentarily forgot who he was-a member of a powerful political family.

People turned to look, but Haze's bodyguards quickly moved to create a barrier, keeping them away. One of the guards started to approach us, but Haze raised a hand, stopping him. The guard hesitated and stayed on the sidelines. I kept my glare fixed on Haze, and he met my gaze without flinching.

"Seriously? You're transferring her without informing us?" I demanded. "We're literally right here! You didn't think to tell us where you're taking her-"

"Sapphire," Haze interrupted, his voice cold. "You can't even protect yourself. How do you expect to protect her?" he said icily. "She's a VVIP now."

A VVIP-the kind of patient given maximum protection, usually reserved for powerful politicians or influential figures. If Evangeline were placed in such a room, no one would be able to touch her. But compared to Haze, none of us had that kind of power.

"You may be physically tough, but emotionally, you're fragile," he continued. "Get your plans straight. Don't let this chaos dictate your actions." He tapped the spot over my heart for emphasis. "What about you?" I challenged, narrowing my eyes at him.

He simply raised a brow.

"Stop playing with my cousin-"

"Who said I'm playing with her?" His voice echoed through the room. "I'm an adult, Sapphire. I don't play games. Don't question my intentions, whether for her sake... or yours."

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and held my gaze with an intense stare. "I'll watch over her for now. Mason will help me, so you can focus on what you were supposed to do earlier." Right. I had almost forgotten. I was heading to the Parker Company before all this chaos erupted.

I ignored Haze and started walking toward the exit, but suddenly, someone grabbed me and pulled me into an empty storage room.

"Who the fuck-Ash?"

It was instinctual. Rare moments like this didn't require a second thought. I knew it was Ash standing before me, holding me in his arms.

His warmth, his scent, his presence-it was exactly as I remembered from five years ago.

Amidst the turmoil, his embrace brought unexpected comfort.

"I'm glad you're safe," he said softly. He glanced around the room, as if wary of onlookers. "I'm sorry to ask this, but bear with the pain for now. I promise you, everything will be under control." Those were his only words before he hurriedly left.

LITTLE DID I know, weeks had already passed since we brought Evangeline to the hospital.

Now, here I am, sitting at the edge of her bed, holding her hand as I keep a close watch over her in the VVIP room.

Aside from me, six bodyguards are stationed outside this room. Whoever wants to kill her surely won't succeed with the tight security here at Greensmith Medical Hospital.

"Wake up, bitch. How long are you planning to sleep?" I asked her in a tone that sounded irritated yet worried.

The doctors said she was stable, but she still hadn't woken up. They explained it might be due to trauma from the explosion, but they assured us she would wake up soon.

That assurance is the only thing I'm holding onto. I don't want to lose her too.

"I'll stay here for now. You should take a break."

I looked up at the door when someone walked in. It was Haze, wearing a three-piece suit and fixing his hair. He seemed to have come straight from a meeting but headed here immediately afterward. "Still unconscious?" he asked, looking at Evangeline.

I nodded. He let out a deep sigh, loosened his tie, and sat beside me.

"Are you really not going to tell me what's going on between you two?" he asked firmly, staring at me for a long time.

It seemed like he was trying to read my mind. I avoided his gaze and focused on holding Evangeline's hand.

"I can help. You know what I'm capable of, Sapphire," he added, turning his attention to Evangeline.

His expression darkened with every second he looked at her.

"I'll tell you once I'm sure about everything," I said before standing up. "I'm stepping out for a while. I'll be back soon."

"No need," he replied, making me glance at him. "I don't want to see you lying in a hospital bed again. We've been through that before, and I'm telling you, the three of us almost lost our minds worrying about you."