Master of his heart (Max and Brielle) novel Chapter 816

Brielle was pacing restlessly around her apartment, nerves on edge. Despite the gnawing worry, she didn't know any of Dustin's friends well enough to call and check on him. All she could do was fret.

In the dead of night, a nightmare jolted her awake, leaving her chest tight and heavy. She shuffled to the kitchen, poured herself a glass of warm water, hoping it would soothe the unease gnawing at her heart. But just as she took a sip, her phone rang.

Thinking it might be Dustin, she quickly answered.

But it wasn't Dustin. It was Kenzo Barnes, who had been MIA for days.

"Hey, Brielle? *cough* *cough*"

Kenzo's voice was raspy, punctuated by a bout of harsh coughing.

"Kenzo, where are you?"

"Home."

"Are you sick?"

But all she got in response was more coughing and then the unmistakable sound of a phone hitting the floor.

Brielle's heart sank. "Kenzo?" she called out, but there was no reply.

Grabbing her keys, she dashed to her car, determined to check on Kenzo. Being a celebrity, his address wasn't exactly a secret.

What she didn't expect was to find Kenzo staggering along the roadside before she even reached his place.

"Kenzo?"

She pulled over and saw him clutching his shoulder, looking pale as a ghost. A few men were chasing him, and without thinking twice, she flung the car door open.

Kenzo collapsed inside, his eyes shut, his voice hoarse. "What are you doing here?"

Brielle didn't waste any time. She pulled out her phone to call Max, but Kenzo's bloodstained hand stopped her.

"Don't tell anyone."

In the dim car light, Brielle could see blood spreading across his clothes. "Should we go to a hospital?"

"No hospitals."

After all, Max did it for her sake. Feeling a tinge of guilt, she helped Kenzo cut off his shirt with scissors.

The room was brightly lit, and once he was bare, she saw the wound on his abdomen. It looked like a gunshot, but it wasn't too deep, as if something had slowed the bullet.

Sweat beaded on Kenzo's forehead, and his lips were pale. "Turn around, don't look," he said, voice rough with pain.

Brielle turned away as he disinfected a dagger and plunged it into the wound. She felt a sympathetic jolt of pain and quickly averted her gaze.

Kenzo expertly removed the bullet with a grunt and, instead of bandaging the wound right away, he watched Brielle's back. She stood rigid, her neck exposed in the bright light.

Kenzo looked down at his bleeding abdomen and began wrapping the wound with gauze.

"Kenzo, are you okay?" Brielle asked, her mind swirling with questions.

Kenzo finished bandaging but remained silent, just staring at her back. Brielle's figure was indeed striking. No wonder Max had been captivated by her.

Kenzo reached out a hand but paused when he saw the blood on his fingertips, frowning.

As Brielle turned around, she caught sight of his bloodied finger hanging in the air.