“Miss Spencer?Coco?Are you okay?It’s really nothing to be too distressed about.It’s just a precaution.”Her concerned expression leads me to paste on my best fake smile.
“Okay,” I reassure.My next step is to figure out how to get out of here without anyone stopping me.Every minute is another dollar billed, and I can’t afford that.God, this is so messed up.
The nurse leaves, Lucca is still watching me critically, and when he sits on the bed, scooting closer, I can tell he’s trying to decipher my thoughts.
“Tell me,” he demands.
“Tell you what?”I try brushing him off, but I realize it won’t work.
“Whatever has you looking like death warmed over.Something is plaguing your mind, and I want to know what it is so I can fix it.”
“There’s nothing to fix.I’m just tired and sore.I think I’d like to go to sleep now.”
I pull up the blanket and turn to my side, facing away from him.Trying to escape his observant, penetrating stare.
Lucca doesn’t object, and when he stands, I think he’s about to leave, but color me shocked when I feel the warmth of his body lying behind me.He slides an arm under my pillow and places his hand on my hip, caressing me lightly.From mid-thigh to breast, he soothes me, burning a trail of heated desire with every pass.
His chin resting on top of my head just amplifies our size difference.He’s so tall—well over a foot taller than me—and yet, I feel so safe with him.
I find myself biting back the sob in my throat because I’ve never felt so loved in my entire life.My eyes finally give up the fight to stay open, and exhaustion takes over.
CHAPTER6
Lucca
“What do you mean she’s gone?”I’ve lowered my tone, violence lacing every syllable as I stare at the nurse.Coco was supposed to get a scan this morning; she shouldn’t be gone yet.
“She was discharged before the shift change,” she responds, fidgeting with the papers on the desk, then paling as I growl in frustration.
“What the fuck happened to the CT scan?”I had to leave Coco late last night to deal with some shit that needed my touch, and it took all night.It’s barely after nine now, so she should have been here.
Another nurse joins us, a little hesitant but braver.“Miss Spencer refused the scan before going down to billing to make arrangements for her bill.From there, she would have been helped into a cab to go home.”
“Point me in the way of billing.”
After providing directions, they appear relieved to see me leave, and right now, I don’t blame them one bit.I’m not the nicest when I’m pissed the fuck off.And at this point, I’m fucking livid.
The financial office must have received a heads-up because three people are waiting to greet me.“Sir, we can’t tell you where a patient has gone,” the lone man says, standing tall but failing to measure up to me.
“I can find out where she went on my own.I want to pay her medical bill.”Fools.Can’t see beyond dollar signs because they all seem to salivate at the prospect.
“Miss Spencer has already made arrangements.It’s quite the substantial bill,” he mutters, but the woman behind the desk is already typing away.
Eyeing this guy up and down, he squirms as I assess his worth.“Do I look like I give a fuck about the cost of anything?”My Cartier watch is likely worth his yearly salary.
They name the amount, which is shockingly high for a public hospital that is meant to make life easier for the poor.Handing over a black Amex card, they take one look and seem to find delight in it.One swipe, a signature, and a printed receipt later, and I’m on my way out of the building.
Preston waits on me, opening my door before I approach.I slide in, already texting my physician about recommendations for whatever type of rehab Coco will need.
“Stop at Love & Lattes before the meeting.”
“You’re going to be late,” he stresses, earning my ire once again.
“Preston, if you don’t shut the fuck up about being late to everything, we’re going to have problems.Every single one of these meetings is under my control.People can fucking wait for me.”
He grunts affirmatively, but he’s still annoyed.
We park in front of the coffee shop, and I order Pres to stay put.I don’t intend to be long.
