Bedmates Soulmates

I'll Make Them Pay

"I know,' Hylda sald. 'I called the police and dropped Mr McCarthy's name. They know what to do."

She fluffed the pillow and helped Kayleigh lie down. I've leaked the word to the media. The news is out. TV, radio, newspaper, the Internet. I'm sure Mr McCarthy will come to see you as soon as he sees the news."

Kayleigh nodded. 'Good job."

I'll see myself out. You should get some rest."

Kayleigh didn't reply.

After they entered Stamford's city limits, Austyn asked Kai to drive straight to the hospital.

The Range Rover pulled up an hour and a half later.

An over-solicitous nurse led the way and held the door open for Austyn.

Kayleigh gave an order not to be disturbed, but the M Group's president was not just anyone.

The actress was lying on her side, displaying her wound to the visitors.

She didn't need to turn around to recognise the familiar footsteps and the man's scent..

'Ow,' she whimpered, as if the pain was disturbing her sleep.

Austyn drew up at the sight of the surgical sutures.

He circled the bed and walked quietly to the other side.

Kayleigh's eyes were closed.

Her brows were knitted.

Her face was pale, her lips bloodless.

Kai sent the nurse away and took up post at the door.

Austyn pulled a chair and sat down.

On cue, Kayleigh's eyes fluttered open.

She looked confused. 'Austyn? Is that really you?"

He nodded.

She gave him a weak smile. I thought I must be dreaming again... When did you come in?'

She struggled to get up, wincing in pain.

'Don't move.' Austyn lightly pressed a hand to her shoulder. 'You should rest."

Kayleigh complied obediently.

'How do you know I'm in the hospital?"

"I heard it over the radio."

She frowned. 'I knew it. The paparazzi must have gotten wind of it when I was admitted to the hospital. I

asked my agent to handle it. She'll request the media to unpublish the story."

Make Them Pay

2:4

'Don't worry. I'll take care of it."

A knock came on the door.

"Mr McCarthy. Kayleigh's attending physician bowed slightly.

'Let's talk outside,' Austyn said.

"Austyn. Kayleigh made a feeble attempt to grab his hand.

"I'll be just a minute."

Before coming, he'd asked Kai to get in touch with the hospital.

The doctor painted a grave picture of Kayleigh's injury.

Austyn changed his plans to go back to the office first and headed straight for the hospital.

In the hallway, the doctor brought him up to date.

*...a slight concussion. Luckily, there's no intracranial haemorrhage. The wound will heal; though she'll experience some headaches, nausea, and fatigue." Austyn nodded.

The doctor eyed his face, unsure if he was pleased or angry at the news.

Miss Woods was fortunate. If the brick had landed just a few centimetres south, she could have ended

up with a fractured neck, which may lead to spinal cord injury. Or paralysis. Or worse-death."

'I see. Thank you, Doctor. Please keep an eye on her and update me if anything changes."

"Sure thing, Mr McCarthy." Sure th

The doctor took his leave, pleased with his performance.

Once he returned to the office, he unlocked the drawer removed the cheque, and admired it again.

For his little speech in the hallway, he got a four-figure payment.

Not bad for five minutes' work.

He had been hesitant at first, but the patient talked him around.

'I'm not asking you to lie,' Kayleigh said coolly. 'I did have a concussion, didn't I? Just don't downplay the severity of my injury. Embellish a little. Present the worst case scenario." Austyn returned to the ward.

Kayleigh was sitting up in bed, facing the door with her eyes wide open.

'Why aren't you resting? Austyn asked.

"I was afraid you might not come back... she bowed her head, abashed.

Austyn, who'd come back to say goodbye, held his tongue.

He kept her company for another half an hour.

When he rose, Kayleigh tugged at the cuff of his dark blue Dormeuil sult.

"Austyn..." she said in a pitiful voice. 'Can you stay for a while longer?"

'The doctor said you need to rest. And I have work to do.' He detached his sleeve from her hold. I'll come and visit tomorrow."

Make Them Pay

Mak

"Okay." She knew better than to push.

He'd asked her how she was feeling, but didn't say a word about her attackers.

Kayleigh stared at his back as Austyn moved towards the door. 'Don't you want to know who did this to

me?

'Doesn't matter.' He didn't glance back. "Whoever they are, they're going to pay."

People in showbiz were not known for playing nice.

Kayleigh had her fair share of enemies.

Austyn assumed this was the work of another one of those.

'Are you being nice to me because of my brother?" she blurted.

She was touched by how protective he was, but deep down, she hoped the answer was no.

She wanted Austyn to do it out of love, not out of obligation to her brother.

Kayleigh's brother..

Austyn's mind flashed back to the last time he saw Finley Woods.

'Take care of Kayleigh. She's all I have. Take care of her, promise!"

Those were his last words.

Then he died in Austyn's arms.

Austyn didn't answer at the time, too overwhelmed for words.

But he honoured his promise to his fallen comrade.

Over the years, he gave Kayleigh the best of everything, even when she asked for the moon.

She had no formal training, nor any natural talent for acting, but Austyn used his money and influence to launch her into stardom.

Austyn left the ward without answering her question.

Kai drove him back to the villa.

The ground floor was empty and shrouded in silence.

He bounded up the stairs.

Kira was not in the bedroom.

The bed was made.

He checked the bathroom.

No one.

Scowling, he dialled Kira's number.

A mechanical female voice came on the line. 'Sorry, the number you have dialled is unavailable at the

moment. Please try again later."

He flung the phone onto the bed.

'Is she at the hospital again?

The last time she stayed out all night, she was by her father's bedside.

Make Them Pay

Did she think she could do whatever she wanted just because her husband was away?

Austyn checked his phone again.noveldrama

Nothing from Kira.

It had been three days.

She hadn't bothered to call or text.