“You’re blackmailing me to go to Miami with you. Why? Your instinct was to send me back to New York. You don’t want me with your family.” The squeak in her voice gave her pain away.
“We can’t argue about this now,” he said through gritted teeth.
“We’re not arguing at all, counselor. You’re leaving. I’m staying.” She spun around and left his room so quickly the draperies fluttered when she brushed past them.
He stood motionless for a few moments, lost in what to do. And pissed the fuck off he had no one to call to ask for advice.
He needed to get his ass in gear and be there for his mother.
His phone rang and he saw it was Dexter. “Hi. When can you get me out of here?”
“One hour. I pulled some strings that won’t be there later.”
“I’ll be there.” He hung up, feeling so alone, caught in this thing with Lexi, trying to do the right thing for everyone. Make everyone the fuck happy.
Except himself.
Lexi
LEXI LEANED AGAINST her suite’s bedroom door staring at the bed she never made it back to last night. And since she’d stayed with Luke all night, apparently his immediate reaction was to go to Miami without her. Send her back to New York, a used woman. The pain in her chest consumed her.
When she opened her eyes a couple of hours earlier, a wonderful feeling captured her right in the heart, until she turned over. Luke had been curled in a ball facing away from her, again. She’d dozed off in his arms, wiped out from the climax. At one point he must have rolled over and fallen asleep only wanting to hold himself. Fearing he’d blame her for what happened, she left his bed and needed to clear her head with some crisp windy city air along Chicago River Walk.
“Lexi, I’m leaving.” Luke’s voice sounded harsh and clipped on the other side of the door. He hadn’t even jiggled the handle. Had no intention of coming in. “I have my bag. I may have left stuff in my room. Please, please check for me. If you want to stay, stay. I’ll tell the front desk to keep the suite on my card, okay?”
She stayed silent, knowing she was being childish.
“Fine. Goodbye. Have a good weekend. I... I don’t know when I’ll see you again. If my mother...” His voice trailed off.
Her heart broke for him, having to decide between his mother and their screwed-up situation. She hadn’t thought making love the night before made all their issues go away. She’d needed him and he needed her, it was as simple as that.
Breaking, she opened the door and caught a glimpse of him turning the corner down the hallway that opened up to the suite’s living room. He’d thrown one of his suit jackets over a plaid dress shirt she hadn’t seen before. He could be in a pink jacket, a yellow shirt, and purple pants and she’d still want to do him.
His scent lingered in the hallway. Even in a time of crisis, he smelled of warm spice and the zing of a clean shirt. Lexi needed to grow up and be what Luke needed now. It was about pulling together in an emergency. And putting all other bullshit aside. Sick mothers beat the shit out of any sexual squabbling.
Then his shadow in the main room disappeared. Digging into the plush carpet, she ran for the living room. “Luke, wait.”
She just wanted to tell him they were good. She opened the suite’s main door, ready to call out to him in the hall, beg him to wait one second while she gathered her key to head down to the lobby with him. They were fucking adults. Jeez.
Only the hallway was empty.
Luke was...gone.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Luke
The jet felt so empty without Lexi, not including the enormous amount of guilt his aura dragged on the damn thing.
Luke spoke to Tristan most of the three-hour flight and then a few times in the limo Jessie had to rent for him since he forgot to mention it to Lexi. He didn’t have the balls to send her a text after he’d high-tailed it down the hotel’s stairwell, not wanting to face her in the corridor.
When he’d asked about Gray, his younger brother wouldn’t even get on the phone. Tristan’s unemotional updates about tests they were doing on their mom rattled the hell out of him. But the last call he received lifted his spirits. The doctors didn’t consider his mother critical.
In the hospital’s family lounge right past the elevators, Luke found Tristan’s fiancé sitting alone. “Hey, Laney.”
“Oh, Luke, finally. I’m so glad you’re here.” She hugged him.
“How’s Tristan?” he asked, wanting a full briefing on everyone’s state of mind.
“Holding it together. He and Gray are with Mom right now. He doesn’t want me in the room because she might be contagious.” She took a breath, easing into a wing chair. “Oh, when we get to the house, I’ll make a shopping list.” Laney tapped her knees with nervous fingers. “Mom lives alone. I’m sure she’s not stocked up for three gigantic men.”
“Got it. Okay, I’ll see you in a bit. And I agree with Tristan, don’t put yourself at risk.” He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.
Walking down the hall, he considered the sleeping arrangements at his mom’s house. He and his brothers were raw with emotion. And now, Luke’s edginess would be on display. He was going to have an episode, wasn’t he?
The smell of the hospital and the buzz of the nurses and aides around him made him think of his father, whose death had come as a shock. His dad had some pains in his chest for a few days that he, of course, ignored and then wham, heart attack. Luke got there in time to say goodbye. Just him. And not once did his dad ask where anyone else was. Either he hadn’t wanted his other sons there, or didn’t think they cared enough to come. Luke had stayed silent on the matter. His father died three hours later. It was quick. Painless, in a way. Lucky prick.
Turning into his mother’s hospital room, Luke cringed in horror at how pale she looked. “Mom.”
Her cheeks had hollowed out and her bloodshot eyes were glassy and encased in dark circles. The silver hair, a soft bob he remembered looking so shiny at Christmas, was matted down and plastered against the sides of her face. His mother’s body raged with a fever, and when Luke kissed her hello, she felt scorching hot even though a layer of sweat covered her skin. And that cough.
Good God, her hacking sounded even worse in person. And seemed excruciating. Eating was difficult for her, so Gray took on the responsibility to feed her hot beef broth. His brother was remarkably patient with his mom since the coughing caused the soup to go all over the place.
His mother was a strong elegant woman. This damn pneumonia had taken her down. Hard.
Tristan signaled him into the corner. He stood against a mauve colored wall with cream metal blinds that Luke was glad Laney couldn’t see because the blandness would drive her bonkers. “I guess we’ll stay at the house. We each have a room,” his brother said.
Luke nodded tightly, holding it together. “Right.” His head fell back against the same ugly wall.
“What?” Tristan asked when he grumbled under his breath.
“I just...left Lexi in Chicago and I feel pretty shitty about it.”
His brother laid a scrutinizing glare on him.
“What the heck is up with you and her? I don’t remember you giving a shit what any other assistant thought of your comings and goings.” Tristan, clearly on edge, set amber eyes back on him. “Lexi’s a reasonable woman who understands the nature of a family emergency.” He hadn’t bothered to ask how the trip went.
Luke would have to give his updates later. Only, shit, Lexi had all the notes on her laptop. He prayed his brother’s assessment of her mature character was correct. Except human nature sometimes made humans do stupid things when emotions got in the way.
He nodded, and said for his own sanity, “I’ll check in on her later to make sure she got back all right.”
As if that went right over Tristan’s head, he said, “We also need to figure out who’s gonna stay down here. The doctor said she’ll be in the hospital for at least two weeks.”
> “Right.” He didn’t like his brother’s ‘while you weren’t here’ tone.
“I’ll stay,” Gray said over his shoulder, which meant everything they’d just said, including the Lexi drama, had been heard over the hacking.
Luke also hated Gray staying in Florida, but it made the most sense since his schedule was the most flexible.
Tristan clapped him on the shoulder. “I need a break. I need Laney. I’ll be back in a little while.” They’d been there for two hours before him.
“No problem.” Luke appreciated the Lexi conversation didn’t spin out of control. When Tristan left after kissing his mother on the forehead, Luke pushed off the wall and said, “Grayson, let me feed her.”
“I got it.” It was like they were kids all over again, fighting for their mother’s attention.
When his father had left, she was all they had. She’d done an amazing job dealing with them, three brats who beat the crap out of each other for fun.
“I want to do it, Gray.” He skipped the childish foot stomp.
His brother exhaled and stood. “God, you’re a pain in the ass.”
“I’m so lucky to have my boys fighting over me,” his mother said, coughing through most of it.
“Mom, don’t try to speak.” He took the soup and spoon from Gray. “Call Lexi when you get a chance. I’m sure she’s worried about you.”
“Worried about me?” Gray asked, a wrinkle forming above his nose.
“Who’s Lexi?” his mother asked in a perfect coughless sentence.
Here we go.
“Go take a break,” he said to Gray. “I got this.”
“Right. You’re the oldest. You’re in charge.” He grabbed his zip-up jacket from the other guest chair.
“Boys.”
“I’ll be back in a little while, Mom.” Grayson bent down and kissed her pasty cheek.
She held his face. “You’re so handsome.”
“A lot of good it does me,” he grumbled as he sailed out the door.
“What, I’m not handsome?” Luke asked his mother and swung his legs to sit in the chair.
“You,” his mom said through another stifled cough. “I always knew you’d be trouble.” His mother had no idea what Tristan used to do before he met Laney.
“Is this any good?” he said, swirling his spoon around the tawny liquid.
“No. But it’s hot and feels good in my throat.” She settled with ease against her pillow.
“I’ll make sure you have some tea as well.” He lifted the spoon to her lips.
“I won’t lie.” She sipped and swallowed. “I feel better that you’re all here.”
“Hey, whatever works.” He smiled and fed her another spoonful.
“Who’s Lexi?” she asked again with the soup sitting below her lips.
He was waiting for her to take another shot at that one, surprised it took that long. “She’s my assistant.”
“I thought her name was Lucy.”
“That was two assistants ago.” He didn’t bother asking how she’d been keeping track.
“Oh my. Are you that bossy?”
With a smile, he said, “I’m...difficult.”
“Your father was difficult.” She cleared her throat.
“Is that why you like Tristan and Gray better?”
“I love all of you the same.” She must have seen his downturned gaze through all the coughing.
“But you like them better, that’s okay.” He shrugged, bringing the spoon back to her mouth. “Gray needs the attention.”
“And you don’t?” She slurped a sip.
“Nope.” He suddenly wanted to get the hell out of there.
“Are we done talking about your assistant?”
Even more so now. Diversion. Diversion. “We were in Chicago when Tristan called. I felt bad about leaving her there.”
“I see.” His mom took what looked like a painful swallow. “What’s in Chicago?”
“Did dad ever mention a hotel called The Dynasty?”
“The Dynasty?” She perked up. “Your father and I stayed there before he bought The Sterling. The owner had tipped him off that it was coming up for sale.”
“You’re kidding? Dad never mentioned that place.” He fed her more soup, thinking everyone in this damn family was hiding something, weren’t they? “It’s owned by a woman now.”
“That’s exciting.” His mom fidgeted, looking uncomfortable. “So, you and Lexi were there?”
“Yeah.” He helped adjust her pillow. “We’re trying to get that luxury partnership. The Dynasty is a member. It was helpful to go there.”
“And did you sleep with your assistant?”
Luke spilled the soup on her tan blanket, leaving a lovely brown splotch in the center. “Son of a bitch. I’m sorry.” He put the cup down on the bedside table and patted the spill with a napkin.
“It’s fine. I’m warm and don’t need the blanket.” She sat up. “Considering your face turned red whenever her name was mentioned, I take it that’s a yes.”
“You realize I don’t want to talk about this with you.” As if he had some rational explanation for anyone else.
“Since when?”
He exhaled. Not having his dad around growing up, the poor woman got her share of ‘boy’ problems. “Why are you asking me this?”
“The Dynasty was where I’m sure your father and I conceived Grayson. That place lit your father on fire. I’m just wondering if I’ll be having two grandbabies soon.” That damn smug grin on her face killed him. The woman who could barely breathe turned joyful over grandkids.
Whatever works.
Could that ‘fire,’ that magic current he felt running through Lexi, could it have weakened her resolve? God, and he’d taken her without a condom. Dumped into a twenty-six-year-old woman. If something happened, he’d step up, of course, but a pregnancy would derail her finishing law school right away. And he’d hate himself for his carelessness and ruining everything for her.
Him? He was already ruined. Gone. In love with a woman who probably hated his guts at the moment.
Didn’t that suck?
Lexi
AFTER FINDING A FLIGHT to JFK, Lexi collected everything from the suite. Luke had left absolutely nothing behind. He’d efficiently swept through his bedroom and bathroom. The only thing left in his shower was a sliver of used hotel soap.
Despite wanting to stay in Chicago, she didn’t feel right vacationing on Luke’s dime. She didn’t take handouts. Period. And well the cost of the suite was astronomical.
God, she hoped letting Luke take her and finish inside her wouldn’t bite her in the ass. Although, she’d wanted him to actually bite her in the ass. Shaking that thought away, she handed in both hers and Luke’s key cards to the front desk clerk.
“Leaving so early?” Sara Singer came out of an office from behind the desk in a stunning white sleeveless dress.
“Luke’s mother is in the hospital. He left for Miami earlier. I’m checking us out now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. He should have said something before he left, he could have taken my jet,” Sara said proudly.
“We came here on his plane.” I wouldn’t mind a jet to go home...
The thought vanished watching the reservation clerks offer sidelong glances at each other. It made Lexi wonder if she and Luke ended up together, would she get those judgmental head shakes one day?
“What about you, sweetie?” Sara asked, slinking up to her.
Lexi lifted her bag, feeling self-conscious in jeans and an old Fordham tee-shirt. “I’m booked on a flight. Thanks.”
“Then take my limo to the airport. It’s right outside.” Sara pointed to the sunshine-filled sitting area near the door.
“That would be great.” Lexi shoved her wallet with the company credit card in her bag. “Sara, you’ve been really helpful. Luke wanted me to tell you, he’d like to come back here with his brothers. Meet again to discuss the cross-promotion ideas.”
“I would love that,” she purred.
Lexi caught a jab to the heart, imagining Luke visiting The Dynasty in a few months, without her. Schmoozing with a gorgeous woman who wiggled this amazing hotel from a husband in a divorce settlement.
“I’ll have Luke contact you when they’re ready.” Lexi said they because she was sure she’d be long gone by then.
“Wonderful and I hope Luke’s mom is okay.”
“Thank you, I’ll pass that on.” Lexi stuck out her hand toward Sara. Only the woman leaned in and...kissed Lexi on the mouth.
Maybe she wouldn’t have to worry when Luke came back...
The drive to the airport, even in a gorgeous stretch limo, the humiliation of the security line, wedging herself into the last middle seat on the first available flight to New York, the hourlong wait on the tarmac, all melted into a blur.
Lexi came alive when she watched lower Manhattan come into view from the plane. Absorbed by the grandeur of the Freedom Tower, her thoughts haunted her how her father was never found in the rubble. Not even a spec of DNA. It left her with the perpetual fantasy that he’d wandered out of Tower 2 with a head injury and simply forgot who he was. Maybe Theodore Markham Sr. shed his dusty gear, washed his face in a spray of fire hydrant water, and found a life somewhere else in the country.
Her mom hadn’t gotten over the loss of her dad. With all the emptiness in Lexi’s heart at the moment, she applauded her mother for keeping it together.
Now she couldn’t wait to get back to law school and lose herself in the grind of hard work and endless nights of studying. Anything was better than feeling empty and heartbroken.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Luke
At the grocery store near Luke’s mom’s house, he and Gray shopped for three grown men and one pregnant woman for a period of time no one had a clue about.
Gray worked the list and Luke grabbed from the shelves. He scooped up two of everything and picked the most expensive items. No coupons for Luke Hart. In the snack aisle, he helped himself to his favorite chips while Gray disappeared down the liquor aisle. Luke always loved the convenience in Miami of not having to make a separate trip to a liquor store. With Gray’s drinking becoming a problem, though, it pissed him off.
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