Three days.
Dwayne reeked of regret as he sat in the armchair next to McKenzie's bed. Besides the dim lamp that sat on one of the nightstands, the only other light that seeped into the room came from the full moon through the half-closed blinds.
He should've helped her escape, she begged him but he told her she was safe, then left her in the hospital…alone.
How could he have been such a fucking idiot?
He massaged his temples frustratedly. Luckily for him, Olivia, who had been a doctor for over ten years, pulled through for him…them.
With Olivia's help, McKenzie's fever had been broken and she was getting medication through the IV that Olivia had instilled into her hand.
Olivia.
His estranged sister who was fourteen years older than he was.
Olivia.
His estranged older sister who told him he was an idiot for leaving when he did.
Olivia.
His estranged older sister who dropped what she was doing to come and help him…them…McKenzie and Jasmine.
There was a soft knock on the door before it inched open and Olivia entered.
"Dwayne, dinner's ready."
"I'm not hungry," he mumbled.
Olivia walked towards him and sat on the foot stool in front of him.
"Sitting here isn't going to make her wake up any faster," she said softly.
Dwayne squeezed his eyes shut and inhaled deeply. Ever since they brought Jasmine and McKenzie to the ranch his anxiety and anger spiked. His thoughts were caught between protecting them no matter the cost and going out there and searching for the bastard himself.
According to Richard, there was still no word on Alejandro's whereabouts and the guard that was injured had succumbed to his injuries.
As promised Richard did gather a few good men who protected the perimeter of the ranch.
"I have to be here when she wakes up," he stated firmly.
"So you're going to starve yourself until she does? Dwayne, as Mama used to say 'You can't help someone if your oxygen mask isn't on first'."
"How's Jazzy?" he sighed.
"Are you seriously trying to change the topic?" Olivia's brow rose.
"Yes." His expression was blank.
"She was fed and is asleep in my room."
"Good."
Olivia placed her hand on his and gently tilted his chin so he could look into her eyes. "At some point in life you'll have to force McKenzie to get the help she needs, if you truly care about her."
The first day after they had settled, he told Olivia what was happening but didn't go into details about what Yellows and Alejandro were into. The last thing he needed was for his sister to call the police.
He tugged his chin away from her hand and her hand fell to her lap. "Liv, she isn't a crackhead. She's a woman down on her luck."
"She's running from a punk ass bitch who chose the streets instead of a stable job. She chose this man to have a child with. What does that say about her?" Olivia's voice hardened.
"And do you have a prescription for that, doc? Everyone has a few skeletons in their closet, I'm sure, including you. Be careful yours don't fall out while you're judging her," he snapped.
"You're doing all of this because you have a guilty conscience. I get it. You feel horrible about walking out on her when she told you she was pregnant! Why else would you be mixed up in this mess?"
Dwayne's voice rose. "Because I love her! Is that so hard to believe?"
Olivia sighed and her voice softened, "Maybe, once upon a time McKenzie was the perfect girl for you, but now she'll make you lose everything you've worked hard for."
With that Olivia exited the room leaving him with his thoughts.
Despite what Olivia thought about McKenzie he knew that he loved her and Jasmine. She had always been the girl who captured his heart, his first love, the one he let get away…but not this time.
He closed his eyes and lay his head against the back of his chair as he tried to calm his nerves. His sister always knew which buttons to push to get under his skin.
He must've fallen asleep because the next thing he heard was McKenzie crying and whimpering in her sleep.
"Alejandro! No!"
Dwayne shot up from the armchair and sat next to her, careful not to touch her until she was fully awake so as not to scare her any further.
"Zee! It's just a dream!" Dwayne tried to reassure her.
But when her cries became louder and she began to fight against the sheets he held her arms over her head and straddled her.
"McKenzie, listen to me. You're safe," he stated firmly, his voice raised slightly.
Through her ragged breathing and sweat dripping from her forehead, McKenzie's eyes slowly opened. Her green eyes looked glazed over as she looked around the room, before they focused on him.
"That's it, Zee, you're ok," he soothed her.
Slowly, he released her arms and sat next to her before he helped her into a sitting position.
"Where am I? And where's Jazzy?" McKenzie spoke slowly.
"Antelope Valley, on the family ranch. Jazzy is well and safe with Olivia and we have security on the lookout," Dwayne said softly.
"We aren't safe, we have to leave." McKenzie's voice shook as she spoke.
McKenzie ripped the IV out of her hand, a few drops of blood spilled onto the sheets. She swung her legs off the side of the bed.
"Zee, you've been out for three days, you're not ready to be up and about."
God! Why was she so stubborn!
"Who are you to tell me what I'm ready for and what I'm not?" she asked, irritated, as she slipped on her sneakers.
When she stood Dwayne did as well. If it wasn't for him she would've fallen face first on the floor.
"Zee, you're weak. You haven't eaten for days. You shouldn't leave."
He knew that if he really wanted to he could subdue her and make her stay. But he wanted her to trust him not fear him.
She shrugged Dwayne's arms from around her.
"Where's Jazzy sleeping?"
"Down the hall with Olivia," he said reluctantly.
Dwayne tried to hold her hand but she pulled away. He knew that if he let her get away from him this time he'd regret it for the rest of his life.
"Zee, where are you going to go? You don't have money or passports."
He still had McKenzie's purse tucked away in the glove compartment of his truck, but he wasn't about to tell her that.
"Let me help you put Alejandro away," he said firmly.
"The feds have been trying to put him away for a long time and failed every time. You think that little lawyer job you have can do the trick?" McKenzie smirked, her eyes cold. "Cute."
"You don't have to run. You can stay and we can fight this…together."
"Really? Then what? I'd find a nice job? A nice apartment? Oh, and don't forget a nice man to settle down with?" She laughed cynically. "Those things will never be a part of my life. I've already accepted my fate."
"Zee…"
"Dwayne!" McKenzie raised her voice, her green eyes ablaze, "Stop it! Just take me to my daughter. We have to leave!"
As much as Dwayne wanted her to stay, he didn't have the right to keep her here against her will. Or, the right to keep her away from her daughter.
Without another word, he led McKenzie down the hall to Olivia's room.