Chapter 327

Four days.

That's all it took for him to wake up.

After major brain surgery, most patients would remain unconscious for at least ten days.

But Thaddeus Chambers was no ordinary man.

A former elite operative, his body was built for endurance, for survival.

So when his heavy eyelids finally lifted on the fourth day, the first thing he saw was Gordon's haggard face—his beard unkempt, his cheeks hollowed from exhaustion.

"Mr. Chambers! You're awake!"

Gordon's voice was hoarse from days of waiting, but the relief in his tone was unmistakable.

Thaddeus groaned, his vision swimming as he adjusted to the harsh hospital lights.

His head throbbed. His ears rang.

And the first coherent thought that formed?

Evadne.

"Where is she?" His voice was rough, barely more than a growl.

Gordon blinked, momentarily stunned.

Even half-dead, Thaddeus' priority wasn't his own condition—it was her.

"Mrs. Abernathy is fine," Gordon assured him quickly. "You saved her. She's unharmed."

Thaddeus didn't relax.

His last memory was a blur of violence—a thug swinging a metal rod toward Evadne's head.

Had he reached her in time?

If he hadn't—

His pulse spiked, his breathing turning ragged.

Before Gordon could react, Thaddeus shoved himself upright, ignoring the sharp protest of his injuries.

"I need to see her. Now."

The medical team rushed in, alarmed by his sudden movement.

But Thaddeus wasn't listening.

His entire body burned with urgency, his mind consumed by one thought: Evadne. Evadne. Evadne.

Then—

"Thaddeus Chambers, if you don't get back in that bed this instant, I swear to God I'll sedate you myself."

The room fell silent.

Standing in the doorway, Evadne Abernathy crossed her arms, her expression icy.

But even in her irritation, she was breathtaking.

Thaddeus' breath hitched.

Gordon and the medical staff took that as their cue to leave.

The door clicked shut.

Evadne didn't move.

"You just had brain surgery," she snapped. "Act like it."

Thaddeus didn't care.

In three strides, he was in front of her, his hands gripping her waist as he pulled her flush against him.

Her scent—vanilla and something uniquely her—flooded his senses.

"Evadne," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.

She stiffened. "You're hurt—"

"I don't care."

His lips found hers before she could protest.

It wasn't gentle.

It was desperate.

A starving man finally given a taste of salvation.

Evadne's hands pressed against his chest, but the moment his tongue slid against hers, her resistance crumbled.

His body was hot, his grip unyielding.

And his heart—

God, his heart was pounding so hard she could feel it through his hospital gown.

When he finally pulled back, they were both breathless.

Evadne's cheeks burned.

Thaddeus, the bastard, looked smug.

"You—" She shoved at his chest. "Unbelievable."

His lips curved. "You liked it."

"I did not—"

He kissed her again.

And again.

By the time Evadne escaped, her lips were swollen, her pulse erratic.

She stormed into Dr. Larry's office, her composure in tatters.

The doctor took one look at her flushed face and wisely said nothing.

"The scans," Evadne demanded.

Dr. Larry handed them over.

Her stomach dropped.

The surgery had been a success—technically.

But the side effects...

She clenched her jaw.

"His emotional regulation is compromised," Dr. Larry confirmed quietly. "For now, sedation is our only option."

Evadne's grip tightened on the scans.

Failure.

The word burned in her chest.

And the worst part?

She knew exactly what had stabilized him earlier.

Her lips still tingled from the proof.

Midnight.

The Velvet Haven's most exclusive private room was bathed in dim light.

Avery Chambers lounged on the sofa, his sharp features cast in shadow.

Two women in slitted dresses hovered nearby—close enough to pour his drinks, but not close enough to touch.

Everyone knew better than to test Avery's patience.

One woman, too bold, spilled wine on his shoe.

Her face paled.

"Clean it," Avery said, his voice devoid of emotion.

She dropped to her knees.

Lick by lick, she obeyed.

When she finished, Avery dismissed her with a flick of his wrist.

The moment the door closed behind them, his secretary stepped in.

"Mr. Chambers," he murmured. "Miss Elsie is here."

Avery's lips curved.

The game was just beginning.