Keeping Wicked (The Mitchell Brothers Book 3)

by Kathryn L. James

  “Come with us.”

  He followed with both fists balled before releasing his palms to hang by his sides. When the nurse swiped her badge over a black sensor mounted on the wall, the door opened allowing us inside a small room with an oval conference table. Jericho pulled out a chair for both me and Anita and then sat down on the opposite side.

  “I’m Dr. Giles. Your father had multiple blockages, clogged arteries in his heart which caused the heart attack. We were able to correct the blood flow with a triple bypass. He’s critical but stable at this time.”

  “Is he going to be all right?”

  “He has a long recovery ahead of him. Thankfully, his collapse was witnessed. If not, this could have gone down a lot differently. The survival rate significantly lowers the longer it takes to receive medical attention.”

  “When can I see him?”

  “In a few more minutes. We have him heavily sedated to keep him comfortable and most likely will be kept on the ventilator for a couple of days before we try and wean him off.”

  “He’ll bounce back in no time, Leah. He’s not about to let us get this close to play-offs and not be there.” Jericho tried to lighten the situation with a small token of playfulness.

  The cardiologist shifted his gaze to each one of us. “He won’t be back this season. We’re all banking on the Lonestar’s going to the World Series, but he’ll see it from the box or better yet, at home.”

  “When Dad gets that memo, he’s going to be pissed off. No one will be able to keep him off the field…if he makes it through this.”

  “He’ll make it, Leah. He’s too stubborn not to.” Anita’s hand circled my wrist.

  I swallowed hard. “He is stubborn.”

  “He’s going to be one mad man all right, but I can handle him. I always have,” Anita firmly stated.

  “He’ll never agree. As soon as he can walk, he’ll be on the field,” I said.

  “Mr. Mitchell left for Denver this morning but has already temporarily named Bivens as head coach until Harry’s back full swing. With Mitchell, you won’t have to handle your dad’s hard head. There won’t be any room for an argument. He’ll tell him how it’s going to be and that will be the end of story.”

  Last night was supposed to be the last time I had to be subjected to Chad Mitchell—the last time I had to be anywhere near him.

  Even under the daunting circumstances, thinking about Chad made my heart thud, and my blood hum. It was going to be impossible not to cross paths, but I had to be smart about this and steer clear. It would be useless to even try and deny the crazy chemistry between us. I didn’t want to feel the tingles in my spine or the butterflies in my stomach thinking about the way he made me feel. Especially under the mercy of his hands and mouth.

  Chapter 10

  A little more than an hour later, one of the nurses let us know Dad had been moved into the cardiac intensive care. He was critical but in stable condition which helped me cling to hope. It was a few minutes before two AM when I finally talked everyone in to going home. At first Anita refused to leave, but when I’d reminded her about Dad’s feeble old schnauzer, Truman needed to be checked on, she reluctantly complied.

  “Come on Anita, Truman has diabetes and needs food.”

  “I’m going to call that doggie hotel first thing in the morning and have him boarded until we get Harry back on his feet.”

  “Yeah and you’ll have hell to pay. Dad would have a shit fit.”

  For the first time we both laughed because we knew it was true. He might be on the road a lot, but he loved the dog.

  Last year he’d spent over ten thousand dollars for the tooth implants at some high-end canine dentist.

  After everyone left, I stretched out in the chair and tried to rest. Too worried to fall into a deep sleep, I settled for the catnaps that came in small increments. Sometime during the early morning hours, a small petite nurse patted my arm.

  “I can let you go back for a few minutes.”

  He looked pale and swollen—and lifeless. At least five different medications hung on IV poles feeding into his veins and a multitude of beeping tones echoed in the room. Worried I silently questioned all the sounds and the nurse nodded assurance with a warm smile.

  “It’s scarier than it seems. All the machines and sounds are intimidating, I’m sure. But I promise everything is good.”

  They let me stay for ten minutes which felt more like two. Back in the lobby I felt numb and I murmured prayer after prayer until I nodded off into sleep.

  “Code Blue, room 2133. Code Blue, room 2133.” The announcement from the overhead speakers in the ceiling called.

  My heart jolted and panic rushed through me. I bolted upright in the chair and forgot to breathe.

  “It’s not him, Leah. Harry’s in room 2130.”

  I whipped my head up in complete panic mode. Across from me, Chad sat with his legs stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. His jacket lay puddled on the floor and it dawned on me when I bolted out of the chair it had been draped over my body.

  He finally moved over to the chair next to me, drawing his arm around my trembling body.

  “What are you doing here? What time is it?”

  “Three-fifty.” He glanced up from his watched, eyes glued to mine. “Have you seen him?”

  I slowly nodded my head sinking into the comfort of his strong embrace. How am I ever going to be able to be normal and not drink him in every time we cross paths?

  I had to remind myself he was here because my father was his employee—nothing more.

  “He’s critical but stable. They have him in a deep sedation to help him rest. If all goes as planned, they’ll start weaning the medicine down and take him off the respirator starting tomorrow or the next.”

  He nodded keeping his eyes glued to mine. “How are you?”

  “I’m… okay.”

  “My brother owns the hotel that connects to the hospital. Why don’t you let me walk you over and get you a room?”

  “No. I’m not ready to leave him.”

  “You look like you could use a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. You’d be right here, only in a bed and not a damned chair. If something changes it wouldn’t take but a few minutes to come back.”

  “I’m not leaving.”

  “It’s more like being around the corner,” he pressed.

  Despite the circumstances, I couldn’t help but wonder, if Harry didn’t work for him, would he have kissed me again. My lips tingled at the thought of how he’d tasted and the way he moved against my mouth—and body.

  It was impossible not to be this close and not be affected. I looked away from his whiskey eyes, the ones that burned me all the way to my center core.

  He was too much to consume.

  “I’m okay.”

  My gaze landed on his arms where his sleeves were pushed up half-way up his forearms and unable to stop, they trailed to the black tie hanging loosely around his thick neck.

  Mercy sakes.

  He walked over to the empty reception area in the center of the waiting room and picked up the phone sitting on the desk.

  “This is Chad Mitchell. Leah Wright is going to the hotel next door and would like to check on her father, Harry Wright. Also, we want to make sure you have her name and phone number on the record.”

  I shot up and started to interject but the smile teasing lips stopped me in my tracks.

  “I see. She’ll be happy to hear that. Please make a note in the chart, she’ll be across the street at The Brookes if you need to reach her…Yes. Thank you.”

  As soon as he placed the phone onto the receiver, I took a few flustered steps. “What did they say?”

  “Harry opened his eyes and they had to up the medicine to keep him comfortable. They want him to rest and he’s too stubborn. She said this is normal for patients who are improving and want the breathing tube out of their throat. If there’s one thing
I know about Harry, he’s a fighter, and he’s fighting to get better.”

  My shoulders sagged in relief. “I know he’s a fighter… I need him to keep fighting.”

  “Tomorrow you’ll be able to talk with him.” He placed his hand on the small of my back guiding me toward the elevator. “I’ll show you the way to the hotel.”

  “I’m torn between leaving and staying.”

  “If you were mine, I’d want you to be in a nice warm bed instead of a cold waiting room curled up in a chair.”

  If you were mine, I’d want to you to be… what? Underneath you? On top of you? You inside me? Me devouring you? You devouring me?

  All the fucking above.

  Reluctantly, I let him lead me through the glassed-in crosswalk over the busy street below. I hadn’t noticed we bypassed the registration desk until we approached an alcove with elevators.

  “Wait… I didn’t check-in.”

  He swiped a key card inside the elevator granting access to the thirty-fourth floor. “The hotel belongs to my brother, Garrett. We all have access to the penthouse if it’s not reserved.”

  I gulped. “You come here a lot?”

  “I don’t bring women here to fuck if that’s what you’re asking.” He flashed a devilish smile.

  “That wasn’t what I was asking.” I felt heat rising to my cheeks, even though deep down that’s exactly what I was asking.

  As soon as we entered the room, I was blown away by the elegance and exquisite surroundings of not only the pristine décor but the three hundred sixty view of the skyline through the walls made of windows. A massive chandelier graced the high ceiling and white marble covered the floors. To the left a full-sized kitchen and a table for a seating of six guests. It was beyond the most breathtaking room I’d ever laid eyes on—like I’d stepped into one of the luxury magazine tours in person.

  “Come on. The master suite is this way,” he said, leading me to the right of a grand piano sitting next to one of the walls of window.

  “I um… could stay in one of the standard rooms.”

  Cocking his head to the side, he cracked a devilish smile. “I’ll call Garrett in the morning and let him know it’s in use for as long as you need to stay here. Room service will be at your disposal and I’ll have clothes sent over for you.”

  “That’s not necessary. I’ll take a long nap and hopefully go home tomorrow night.”

  The bedroom was as impressive if not more so. A king-sized bed with a plush white comforter and a shear canopy draped from all four posts. In the corner, a modern white couch and two chairs made up a cozy living area.

  “This place is amazing.”

  He tossed the decorative champagne pillows onto the sofa and with a jerk turned down the covers. “Climb in.”

  “Thank you, Chad. I think I’ll be asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.”

  “Good. You need the rest. I’ll be in the next bedroom if you need anything.” He reached over, turned on the lamp beside the bed and sauntered toward the door.

  “You don’t have to stay… unless you’re too tired to drive home.”

  He leaned against the door frame with his hands shoved deep inside his pockets. “It’s been a long day.”

  “Oh, that’s right. Jericho said you flew to Denver this morning for a meeting. I figured you would be spending at least one night.”

  “I’d planned to stay a couple. When Pauline called, I changed my plans.”

  “Wow. Thank you for being there for my dad.”

  He nodded without saying a word before turning off the overhead light and closed the door behind him. But not before I caught the pensive look in his eye that said he wanted to say something else. My exhausted brain was mush and I shook my head wondering if I imagined the way he lingered for a second with his musings—with his dark, hooded, caramel colored eyes.

  I didn’t want to be affected by him.

  I didn’t want to crave his touch, but I did.

  Stepping inside the bathroom, I admired the large round tub perched inside a window overlooking the city.

  “Good grief, what I wouldn’t do to relax in that thing,” I whispered.

  Settling for a quick warmed shower, I kept my hair in the ponytail from earlier. Thankfully a new packaged toothbrush along with a small tube of travel sized minty toothpaste had been stocked for guests. Glimpsing at my reflection, I shrugged not caring if I looked as exhausted as I felt.

  Once I turned off all the lights and climbed between the sheets it was impossible to shut off my brain. I searched for the hospital main number and pressed call. It hadn’t been quite an hour since we arrived at the penthouse, but I had to check in on him one last time.

  “This is Caitlin, the charge nurse for CV-ICU. How may I help you?”

  “Hi, this is Leah Wright. I wanted to check on my dad, Harry Wright one last time before I try and get a few hours of sleep,” I whispered.

  “Do you have the pass code from registration?”

  “321987”

  “He’s doing great with stable vital signs. Earlier we had to increase the sedation medications to keep him calm, but he’s sleeping like a baby right now. You get some rest, honey. We will call you if there are any changes.”

  After we hung up, I rolled to my side and squeezed my tired eyes closed softly calling out, “Thank God.”

  Everything crashed down on me like an avalanche burying me beneath the powerful weight of ice. The thought of losing him without having a second chance to make things right between us…to have to live with not swallowing my pride and live with regret.

  Deflated, I clenched the pillow between my fingers and swallowed a sob as tears rolled onto the soft cotton. I thought I knew anguish from all the years of feeling rejected. I thought I knew heart break. Nothing compared to the thought of dad’s brush of death. My heart twisted in my chest until it felt as though it cracked wide-open.

  The mattress dipped beside me and I flinched in surprise. Although the darkened room made it hard to see Chad’s silhouette, I’d recognize his scent and presence anywhere. Laying still, I kept silent as another tear trailed over the bridge of my nose onto my hand tucked underneath my cheek.

  “Don’t cry baby. I’ve got you,” his lips whispered against my neck.

  His arm snaked around my middle, dragging me tight against his chest and his hand splayed flat against my abdomen. A sense of calm swept through me. This man affected me the way no one else ever had. His leg crossed over mine, securing me deeper into his cocoon.

  Emotionally drained, I sank into him letting every ounce of anguish pour from my soul.

  “Thank you for being here for me.”

  “I’ll be here for as long as you need,” he murmured.

  Out of everything wrong today, this felt so right.

  Chapter 11

  I woke to the sound of rain battering the wall of windows from across the room. It took a second to realize where I was and why I was there. Squinting, I pushed up on my elbows. My phone was attached to a charger that didn’t belong to me. Sitting on the edge of the mattress, I frantically dialed the hospital and focused on the large neon blue numbers on the clock.

  Nine-twenty-two.

  Waiting for the nurse to answer, the indention in the feather pillow caught my attention and drew a hint of a smile to my lips. Letting out a deep sigh, I shook my head trying to clear Chad from my thoughts, but it was useless. It was impossible to stop thinking about how his arms felt around me—let alone the way he made my toes curl. Annoying classical music played in my ear, and I wondered if he had left.

  When Chad stormed out of Anita’s room at the party, I knew that was the last time we would ever be anything more than a fling—it had to be that way. I wished my fucking hormones got the same memo, because there was no denying the sizzling sensations buzzing through my body. I was consumed with desire at any thought of Chad. He was a force of nature—in a sinful wicked way. I also knew
it was better not to keep up a rendezvous with him. Steering clear of sleeping with my dad’s boss was sensible. It wasn’t worth all the drama that would follow if the press began chasing a story. We were a two-time sex party. End of story—yet I cut my eyes to the pillow hanging on to the images of us.

  Finally a soft voice answered and I rushed, “Yes, this is Leah Wright. I’m calling to check on my father, Harry Wright.”

  “He continues to be stable and resting. The doctors are planning to take him off the breathing tubes after lunch.”

  “Oh my God, that’s good news. I’ll be there in a little while, but please call me if there are any changes.” Happy tears sprang into my eyes.

  After hanging up, I strode over and leaned against the cool window and peered beyond the glass over the city. Grateful beyond measure, I felt the huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Pressing my forehead to the window covered in droplets I closed my eyes and silently gave thanks.

  A chime alerting a text rang and looked down at the small table where I’d placed my phone.

  Anita: Where are you?

  Me: At the hotel adjoining the hospital compliments of Chad Mitchell. According to the nurse, dad is doing good. Can you drop by my apartment and grab me a change of clothes?”

  Anita: I’m with your dad now. He truly looks better than he did last night. I’ll gladly sit with Harry if you want to go climb in your own bed for a while.

  Me: Thanks. I can decide after I see him. Love you.

  Anita: Love you too, baby girl.

  I let myself relax and continued to stare at—nothing.

  “You’re awake,” his husky voice startled me.

  I whipped my head over my shoulder toward the doorway finding Chad leaning against the doorframe looking incredible in a pair of jeans and a navy polo clinging to his broad rippled chest. His dark hair glistened with gel lightly raked through the locks. The whole world seemed to tilt on its axis because he walked into the room. He held a dark charcoal and pearl striped garment bag embossed with a remarkably familiar gold logo. Delaney’s was a high-end department store in the posh market square. In the other hand, he held a pink leather weekender bag and a matching backpack.