Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“If you’d answer your phone or tell your assistant to unblock my number and everyone else’s, I wouldn’t be here while you fuck your way through Vegas. But unfortunately, your grandmother is in the hospital, and no one’s been able to get in touch with you.”
“Fuck.” I scrub my hands down my face. “What happened?”
“She had a stroke.” He attempts to step into the room, but I wrap my hand around the edge of the door. His eyes narrow, and I almost laugh. Jimmy has worked for my dad for years, and because of their long relationship, he thinks he’s earned respect that he hasn’t.
“What hospital?”
“Lenox.”
“What airport did you fly into?” I ask, knowing my father probably allowed him to use my grandmother’s jet since Jimmy likely would have thrown a fit about flying commercial to run an errand, even for him.
“LAS.”
“Give me a little time to get Elora and myself sorted. We’ll meet you at the airport.” I start to shut the door, but he blocks it with the toe of his shiny loafer.
“No. Get rid of the girl and pack your shit. The plane is waiting. Ricardo wants you back in New York.”
I grin, letting the door go, and I take a step toward him when he backs up from my no doubt terrifying expression.
“First, Elora goes where I go. Second—” I reach out, adjusting his tie. “Remember your fucking place, Jimmy.” I plant my hand against his chest and shove him back before I slam the door in his face.
“Roman?” Elora calls as I walk across the room toward my phone.
“Give me a second, baby,” I mutter, grabbing my cell. Since I have the number for Lenox Hospital programmed in from when Val was there, I dial the number and ask to be transferred to the chief of staff for the emergency department. While I wait for the call to be picked up, I look at Elora, who watches me closely. “Start packing. When we get on the plane, I’ll sort out someone to come get your van and store it until we make it back.”
“Are you okay?” she asks softly, her eyes wandering over my face.
“I’m good.”
“Promise?”
So, fucking sweet.
“Promise.” I walk toward her and drop a kiss on her forehead. “Pack.”
“Okay.” She hurries to the closet while I talk to the chief of staff.
It takes him a few minutes to get the information I request about my grandmother, but when he comes back on the phone, he’s able to let me know that due to her having a hemorrhage stroke, they have been discussing surgery options to take some of the pressure off her brain. None of that is reassuring, but he promises to keep me filled in until I can make it there. When I hang up, Elora is finishing up packing and helps me get my shit together before the two of us jump in the shower.
Thirty minutes later, with Elora sitting next to me in the back of a Town Car, we head to the airport, and for the first time in weeks, I dial my mom’s number.
“Please tell me you’re coming home,” she answers with stark pain in her voice, and I latch tighter onto Elora’s hand.
“I’m on my way to the airport now.”
“She’s been asking for you.”
“As soon as I know what time we’ll land, I’ll send you a text.”
“Okay.”
“By—”
“I’m sorry,” she cuts me off, and my eyes slide closed. “I’ve wanted to tell you that a million times since you left.”
“It’s okay, Mom,” I say quietly, and Elora’s hand squeezes mine.
“I’ll see you when you get here.”
“I’ll text.” I hang up and let my head fall back to the headrest behind me.
“You’ll be there soon,” Elora assures me softly, and I turn my head to look at her, wishing like fuck that we weren’t rushing to New York because of the possibility I might lose my grandmother. The woman who taught me everything I know about real estate and believed in me when no one else did.
19
ELORA
40.7128° N, 74.0060° W
Looking out the tinted window of the limo, I try to keep the wide-eyed look off my face as we drive through New York City, but it’s impossible. The buildings are so tall and wide that they make an imposing backdrop to the controlled chaos on the streets, which are filled with hundreds of people and just as many cars.
As many pictures and videos as I’ve seen of the city, none of them encompassed exactly how overwhelming it would be in person. Even from the car, the energy radiates through my body like a quiet hum.
When Roman’s hand on my thigh tightens, I glance at him and see the worry and stress etched into his handsome features. He’s had the same look since Jimmy showed up this morning at the hotel, and even though he’s tried to pretend he’s okay, I know he’s not. Then again, how could he be after finding out his grandmother is in the hospital and will likely need major surgery?