“Well, with this, I’m ordering you to drop it. I don’t want them taking her back and sending in some prickly Nurse Ratched type bitch.”
Smiling, I decided to relent. For now. “Fine, but I’m keeping an eye on her.”
“Of course you are.”
And by that, I meant I would set up one of my men to follow her. No reason to divulge that bit of information to my father.
Because if I was right and there was something lurking under the surface, the pretty doctor would pay with her life.
“Daddy!”
We both turned at the sound of Vicki calling for Dad. Apparently, she was home from shopping.
“In here,” I answered. Not that he’d be anywhere else at this point.
She wafted into the room in the same manner as always, a spoiled mafia princess who expected to have the world dropped at her feet.
And got precisely that.
“Vittoria,” he said as she leaned down to hug him, enveloping both of us in a cloud of her spicy perfume.
“Why the full name, Daddy?” she asked, pushing out her lower lip in a pout. “Have I done something wrong?”
“It’s my fault for riling him up.”
Rounding on me, she smacked my arm. “Why would you do that?”
With a sour expression, I glanced down at my shoulder and back up at her. “The personal doctor made her first appearance today.”
“Her?” Leave it to Vicki to hone in on that piece of information first.
Dad groaned. “She’s overqualified. I like her; let’s drop it.”
“Sounds like you’ve rehashed this ad nauseam.” Vicki straightened the lapels of our father’s robe. “Noah being a pain in the ass?”
“I’m standing right here,” I protested.
“That you are.” With an indulgent smile, she kissed Dad’s cheek and straightened to study him. “Can I get you anything? A drink or a snack?”
And by that, she meant she would ring for a staff member to tend to his needs. Although I had to admit, she enjoyed spoiling him as much as he spoiled her.
“No, no, I just want you two to leave me be.”
“You’re tired,” she said, aiming accusatory eyes at me.
“I didn’t make him sick,” I protested.
“Sick of your face,” she countered. “We’ll let you rest.”
With another kiss to his cheek, she walked out of the room, dragging me with her. Once the door was closed, Vicki stood too close for comfort.
“Why are you against the doctor?” she demanded, hands on her hips.
“Do I need a specific reason?” Yes, I was evading her question. I couldn't pinpoint the reason, nor could I exactly explain myself.
“Is she unqualified? Will she make him worse?”
“You already know that I think he should be in the hospital under constant care, but he refuses. I’m having a hard time accepting his wishes, but the doctor is on his side.”
