Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Shane shook his head. "Dude, you're not cleared to leave the hospital yet."

"I mean, you literally just had surgery a few days ago. If you've got a death wish, fine, but don't drag my name through the mud. If word gets out you died right after leaving Nelson Hospital, everyone's going to blame me. Might as well hang a 'closed' sign on the door."

Ludwik snorted, not bothering to hide his contempt for Shane's risk-averse attitude. “What exactly are your discharge criteria?"

Shane, who owned the place but had never studied medicine a day in his life, just glared and hesitated.

Ludwik's voice was flat. "Can't answer, huh? All your doctors already signed off. You're not a doctor-why are you hassling me? Trying to squeeze more cash out of your favorite client?"

Shane's eyes narrowed and a muscle jumped in his jaw as he stared at this stubborn lunatic. "You took a bullet to the gut, Ludwik. What, you think you're some kind of golden goose for us? My family's got the whole Nelson Group-we don't need your charity."

He rolled his eyes. "Besides, those doctors just don't want to piss you off. I'm not scared. You think I don't have to answer if something happens to you?"

Ludwik scowled. "I'm not going to die, so quit jinxing me."

"Yeah, well, once you're out of here, who knows?"

"Whitney will sign the release forms. Honestly, which of your doctors can hold a candle to her? She already saved my daughter's life." Ludwik's pride was obvious.

"Yeah, sure. It's always your girlfriend's miracle work. Who was it again that snuck his preemie kid in here, begging me to keep it quiet? If I hadn't risked Whitney

shot and show up at my door again. I get you patched up, and do I get so much as a thank you? Nope. Just you chomping at the bit to check out early and threatening me for good

the more ridiculous it sounded. What

moment, his dark brows furrowing slightly. Maybe Shane

haughty way. "Fine. I'll invest

care about is money." Shane shot him

he sneered,

"I told you, I've got a full medical setup at home, round- the-clock care for my daughter. Shane,

leaves with me, Sandy won't be coming here for check-ups either. Nothing I can do about that. I mean let's be honest if you can't even

it hurt. He spun around, eyes

been, what, almost a year? And you still haven't landed Whitney? I'm you man.

embarrassed is laughing

Whole Brew Hill

behind your back."

jaw, not dignifying that

his chin and marched out, only to nearly crash

her