Billionaire's Regret
Chapter 23:

Hanna Black and James; her friend climbed out of the taxi. The two very nervously enters the hospital in Cape Cove. Once they found Maude; it was easy to find Thom Black where he was critical.

"What happened to him?" Hanna stood looking at him uncertain as to what she must do.

"Thom was found beside the road. Someone shot him." Maude said softly looking over her shoulder. "You should go and talk with him before the police arrive. I am not sure how he knew that I could get in touch with you but he requested that you arrive before they police." Maude closed the curtain around the bed to conceal that the patient has a visitor.

Hanna step closer to the bed looking at the man that was once her husband. It was clear life in prison didn't do him any favors. She worriedly wonders if this shooting might be connected to their shared past. "Come closer," whispers Thom.

"Who did this?" she asked softly.

"Protect Annie. That doctor is crazy." He said before coughing.

"What do you mean? This wasn't the mafia?"

"No."

"What doctor Thom?"

"Yours," a shot of pain made him cringed.

Hanna just looked at him very confused. It took a moment before she slowly put the pieces together. "You mean Grace Stevens; she is the one to shoot you?"

"They want to know where Annie is. I told them nothing. That man with her shot me."

Hanna frowns as the information settles in her mind.

"Go now,"

"What are you going to do Thom?"

"I plan on sending them to the mafia." Thom cringed in pain again.

"This is dangerous." Hanna looked worried.

"I made a mistake. I must right it. Go now Hanna. I am sorry." He closed his eyes slipping into unconsciousness.

"Hanna, this way," Maude took them quickly through the exit. They barely managed to avoid the police. Once outside they walked right into the two waiting men. Any idiot looking at movies knows men in black suits are either police or the mafia.

"Don't make this difficult ma'am. The Boss wants to talk with you."

Hanna just shrugs her shoulders before she follows the men. They simply stop James when he wanted to follow.

"Close the door," the well dressed man said from inside. "Hanna .... It has been a while since we could take."

"What do you want Gregor Damian?"

"What I always wanted. Where is Annie?" he reached out to grab hold of her arm. The gently hold was tight, clearly conveying the message.

"Kidnapped," she said quickly trying to remove her arm.

"What do you mean Hanna?"

"Thom... he was shot."

"What does that fool have to do with anything? That man just keeps on causing problems for me."

"He just told me that Annie was kidnapped. I just couldn't understand who. He slipped into unconsciousness."

"You are not lying to me Hanna?"

"No, let go."

"I will get behind the truth."

"I need to talk with the police." Hanna rubs the arm trying to remove the finger imprint.

"You stay away from the police. I will deal with this. Did that idiotic husband give you a name?" Gregor looked intently at her. He in reality admires the core of this woman. Throughout the years he come to the conclusion if the mother has such a core how strong Annie's backbone was. She definitely was more mother than father.

"He mumbled something about my doctor. It doesn't make sense."

"Go home Hanna. I will deal with this." Gregor now look very dangerous. It was clear he was going to create trouble.

Aaron carefully placed the phone down on his desk. He looks at the woman who sits across from him. It has become her habit to either stay in his company or paying close attention to her son.

"I have some news I need to share with you."

"This sound serious."

"It is and this is about your father." Aaron watched her carefully. He instantly noticed the look of anger with a touch of concern.

"What did he do now?"

"I understand from my 'man' in Cape Cove that he was shot and left for dead beside the road. Someone found him and had taken him to the hospital."

Annie stood quickly before she starts circling the room. Her mind now occupied with memories about certain times in her life when she was hurt. At first he was the first to always reach her to learn how hurt she might have been. Later on he was the one to inflict pain. "Will he live?" she finally asked.

"The bullet was removed but it would seem there are certain men circling his hospital room. They seem powerful enough that the police give them permission to privately guard him." "We need to leave Aaron."

"Why," he watched the paleness on her face.

"Do you still want to marry me? I need the protection of your name." Annie starts to look shaken.

"The reason my father was in jail was because of me. He made a deal with the devil and I was the price for his debt."

Aaron noticed the continuous flashing of color on her face. He quickly realized no matter whatever was still unresolved between them; she trust him more than whoever was hunting her.

He already was living with regret. The more he remembers now the more he understood that just like her father he also has much to do to make the past right.

"Hello Thom," Gregor Damian slipped his fingers around the other man's neck. He slowly starts to squeeze his throat. "I am not going to waste time. I want the name of the person who kidnapped Annie." He lifts his hands away waiting. "Grace Stevens," he says hoarsely.

"Why on earth would the doctor do such a thing? She saved Hanna's life."

"I don't know. There is a man with her."

"I have noticed the weasel. Isn't Doctor Jeff Kinney a colleague?'

"That's not the name."

"What do you mean Thom?"

"She called him Zac."

"Curious," Gregor Damian turned to leave. "I will find you Annie. You will belong to me." The look on his face hard and cruel.