Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
“Not yet, but I will be arriving this afternoon. I’ll need a ride to the hospital immediately—”
“Hospital? Is everything all right?”
“Miss Renee’s father is at Seattle Memorial. He had a serious fall from what I can gather. I don’t know his first name, but he has two daughters. That’s where I need you. If you don’t find anyone under ’Renee,’ then call HR and find out who her emergency contacts are. Tell them I authorized it. I need to know everything about his condition and a list of the best doctors for dealing with it.”
“Just in Seattle?”
“The best, Fyo,” I clip. “I don’t give a shit if you need to call Mayo and Johns Hopkins. Make sure they know I need them soon. Spare no expense.”
“On it. This may take time.”
“Get it done ASAP. I get the sense he’s not in the best shape, and Miss Renee will be devastated if he degrades more.”
“Yes, sir.”
I cut the call.
Then I walk to the nearest closet and find an empty garment bag. When I open the door, she’s still on the floor, but her gown is strewn over her luggage and she’s wearing a yellow sundress.
“Can you stand?” I ask, offering a hand.
She takes it and scrambles to her feet. “Maisy isn’t answering.”
“Maybe she’s busy visiting your father,” I suggest. Anything to ease her nerves. “I’ll have you home soon. Let me pack the rest of my crap and we’ll leave.”
“You’re coming?” Her eyes swell with surprise.
“I won’t have you flying home alone while you’re upset,” I growl.
“That’s a nice gesture, but... I don’t want to be a burden. And I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Good, because I’d make a shitty one.”
That gets an amused snort out of her.
Five minutes later, I’m collecting our bags and rolling them to the elevator.
“Let’s go,” I say.
She looks dazed as she gets up from the chair where she’s been sitting. “I can carry my stuff. There’s no reason for you to handle everything.”
“I’ve got it. You just worry about keeping up,” I say.
We head down the elevator and out the private entrance to the waiting limo.
The driver jumps out immediately and starts helping me load the bags before I slide into the car beside her.
“The ride to the airport isn’t long. We’ll be boarding the plane soon,” I promise.
She nods woodenly.
It’s a half-hour drive to the airport through dense Chicago traffic. We ride in silence.
The tension rolling off her makes the air so thick it’s hard to breathe.
Once we’re on the plane, I pull out my laptop and open my email as an easy distraction.
There’s plenty to do, even with a crisis hanging over my head.
Still, I don’t get much done.
Every time I glance over at Piper, she’s slouched down in the seat across from me, looking every bit like a downtrodden kitten dragged in from a storm.
Fucking miserable.
I can’t stand it.
So I walk to the back of the plane and fetch a pillow and blanket from the closet next to the flight attendant.
“Please freshen up Miss Renee’s coffee,” I tell her. I have no idea if it will help, but it’s what my grandparents always did. Grandma thought helping digestion was good for the heart.
I return with the stuff and sit down next to Piper. “Are you cold?”
She shakes her head.
“Neck pillow?” I offer, holding it up.
“I’m fine, Brock.”
My eyes sweep over her. “You don’t look fine.”
She glances away from me.
“I’ll live. This isn’t the first time he’s been through this. It’s just too soon, especially after the last time...” She trails off and shrugs. “His muscles are deteriorating. I have to believe that’s what caused the fall. But it seems like every time is worse—”
She talks like she doesn’t think he’ll be alive when she gets off the plane.
Goddamn, I hope Fyo has the best help money can buy on a plane to Seattle before we touch down.
“I wasn’t there,” she continues. “Not only was I gone, I missed seven calls from Maisy. Seven.”
The implication is clear.
Her sister is out of her element and scared shitless.
Looks like I’m a jackass after all. I shouldn’t have pushed her so hard to come with after she kept hinting at family problems.
“I’m sorry, Piper,” I say numbly.
“I feel horrible.”
I shake my head. “You shouldn’t.”
“Why?”
“You told me you needed to be home. I’m the guy who insisted you get on the plane.” I pinch my jaw, adding you selfish prick in my own mind.
“Do your other employees skip business trips because they have family issues?”
I nod. “Caring for a chronically ill parent is a valid excuse.”
She shakes her head. “It’s still my fault.”
“Why?”
“Because. I didn’t tell you. I went out of my way to keep it secret.”
Before I can respond, the flight attendant comes by with a carafe. “Here’s your coffee.”
“Coffee?” Piper asks. “I didn’t order more—”
“Drink it. You’ll feel better,” I say.