MINE TO CLAIM

CHAPTER 2: THE HOSPITAL VISIT

Ava couldn’t sleep.

At 3 AM, she gave up trying and went to the hospital. If she was going to be awake anyway, she might as well make herself useful. The night shift was always understaffed.

She told herself it had nothing to do with feeling safer surrounded by people and security cameras.

“Ava?” Nurse Jackie looked up from the station in surprise.

“Girl, aren’t you getting married in two days? What are you doing here?”

“Couldn’t sleep.” She grabbed a tablet, pulling up the patient board. “Figured I’d—”

“Check on your mystery man?”

Ava’s head snapped up. “What?”

Jackie’s knowing smile made her want to sink through the floor. “The GSW from three weeks ago. Dario Santos. You’ve checked on him every shift since he left ICU, even though he’s not your patient anymore.”

“I check on all my critical saves.” But the protest sounded weak even to her ears.

“Uh-huh. Well, you’re in luck—or maybe not. He’s being discharged today. Refused the hospital’s recommendation for another week of observation.” Jackie’s expression turned serious. “Ava, you know who he is, right?”

“A patient.”

“A very dangerous patient. Dario Santos owns half the real estate in Northshore City, and everyone knows Santos Parallax Corp is just a front for—”

“I don’t want to know.” Ava cut her off. She’d looked him up after the first message. What she’d found had kept her awake for two nights straight. “He was dying. I saved him. That’s all.”

“Is it?” Jackie touched her arm gently. “Because that man has been asking about you. Personal questions. The kind that made security uncomfortable.”

Cold dread settled in Ava’s stomach. “What kind of questions?”

“Your schedule. Your address. Whether you were seeing anyone.” Jackie’s eyes were sympathetic. “Look, I know he’s gorgeous, and there’s something about saving someone’s life that creates a connection, but—”

“There’s no connection.” Another lie. “I’m marrying Leandro in two days. Dario Santos is just a patient who’s grateful to be alive.”

“If you say so. But Ava? Maybe don’t do any more wellness checks. Something about the way he looks at you…” Jackie shivered. “Like you’re the only person in the room. In the world.”

Ava forced herself to laugh it off, but Jackie’s words echoed in her mind as she made her rounds. She told herself she wouldn’t go to his room. There was no reason to. He was being discharged. She’d never see him again.

She went to his room.

The door was open. Inside, Dario Santos stood by the window, backlit by the rising sun. He’d traded the hospital gown for an expensive black suit that hugged his lean frame perfectly. No one would guess he’d been dying three weeks ago.

He turned as she entered, and those pale blue eyes pinned her in place.

“Ava.” Her name on his lips sounded like a prayer and a claim all at once. “I was hoping you’d come.”

“I shouldn’t be here.” But she didn’t leave.

“No.” He moved toward her with careful grace—still healing, but deadly nonetheless. “You should run. Fast and far. Because I’m going to ruin your life, little bird, and you’re going to let me.”

“I’m getting married in two days.”

“I know.” He stopped just out of reach, but she could feel the pull of him like gravity. “To a detective who thinks he can protect you from the world. From me.”

“Leandro loves me.”

“Leandro loves the idea of you.” Dario’s voice was soft, almost gentle. “Safe, sweet Ava who saves lives and makes him feel like a hero. But I’ve seen the real you. The fierce woman who wouldn’t let death win. The fire you keep buried under all that professionalism.”

“You don’t know me.”

“Don’t I?” He reached into his jacket and pulled out a folder—thick, detailed, terrifying in its thoroughness. “Ava Marie Morales. Twenty-eight. Born in Northshore General to Miguel and Rosa Morales. Graduated top of your nursing class. Works double shifts every Thursday at the free clinic. Takes your coffee black.”

Each word hit like a bullet. “You’ve been stalking me.”

“I’ve been learning about you.” He set the folder aside. “There’s a difference.”

“No, there isn’t!” She should leave. Should run like he’d said. Instead, she stepped closer, anger giving her courage. “You sent me threatening messages. You’ve been watching me. This isn’t gratitude, it’s obsession!”

“Yes.” The simple admission stole her breath. “I’m obsessed with you, Ava. From the moment you pressed your hands against my chest and refused to let me die, you’ve been the only thing I can think about. The only thing I want.”

“You can’t just want someone and take them!”

“Can’t I?” His hand came up slowly, giving her time to pull away. She didn’t. His fingers brushed her cheek with devastating gentleness. “I’ve built an empire on taking what I need to survive. And you, little bird, I need more than air.”

“This is insane.” But her voice came out breathy, uncertain.

“Probably.” His thumb traced her lower lip, and she shivered. “But tell me you haven’t thought about me. Tell me you haven’t wondered what it would be like to stop being so careful, so controlled. Tell me the thought of marrying Leandro doesn’t feel like settling.”

“I love him.”

“Do you?” His eyes searched hers, seeing too much. “Or do you love the safety he represents? The normal life where you don’t have to want things that scare you?”

“What I want doesn’t matter!” The words burst out before she could stop them. “I made a choice. I said yes. I’m not going to—”

“Ava.” He stepped back, breaking the spell. “I’m not here to force you. I’m here to give you a choice.”

“What choice?”

“Don’t marry him.” His voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “Walk away from that wedding, from that safe life, and choose me instead. Choose the fire. Choose the man who will worship you like you deserve.”

“And if I don’t?”

Something dangerous flickered in his eyes. “Then I’ll respect your decision. But know this, little bird—you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering what if. Wondering what it would have felt like to be claimed by someone who wants you with every breath. Wondering if you chose wrong.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Nothing about this is fair.” He moved to the door, then paused. “Two days, Ava. That’s how long you have to decide whether you want safe or whether you want real. Choose wisely.”

As he walked away, Ava’s legs finally gave out. She sank into the visitor’s chair, heart hammering, mind reeling.

The worst part?

She was actually considering it.