49. LUKE
Chapter 49
LUKE
I watch her go in and decide, right then, to pick her up myself by the end of her shift. Fucking Dr. upset me. My goal was to surprise her when I went in, instead of calling her to come out, but to my shock, I watched him trying to take my wife on a date. I don’t trust him; he may have walked away, but I doubt he’s giving up that easily. He seemed shocked to find out Dele is married. He looked like a guy who was pretty sure of himself, only to find out she’s married. Much as he tried to hide it, I could read the look of shock and disappointment on his face. I need Bruce to get me everything on this guy. He daringly stared at me like I may have won, but he’s not done.
I’ve barely cleaned up the mess with Lily, which cost me millions, but the message did get through to McIntyre House. Lily has been calling me, and I’ve asked Kevin not to put her calls through.
I know pulling the rug from under them will set them back a couple of million, which is exactly what I wanted. Now this fucking doctor is attempting to poach on my territory. I noticed when he looked at her hand and didn’t see a ring there. He probably thought I was lying. I know she doesn’t like to wear her ring at work. This fucking doctor is going to make me enforce a simple gold band.
I pull into the parking space at my dad’s building and ride up alone. I chuckle, remembering how I kissed Dele in here. Letting myself into my dad’s unit, I can hear him still watching a soccer game.
My wife has created an obsessed soccer fan. I must admit, watching them together earlier was interesting. I know she visits him, but not once did I imagine how much fun they have together. Dad was happy to see her; I was surprised to see her give him a hug. My dad doesn’t hug anyone. I hid my shock at that action, but it also made me happy that they get along well. Now I must break it to Dad that I killed the deal with his friend, Nathan McIntyre.
“Dad, I need to talk to you,” I say.
He pauses the game and turns to me. “Make it quick, this is a good game,” he says, as if pausing the game is against the rules of watching soccer.
“I killed the Rock River land deal with Nathan McIntyre,” I say. His face can’t hide his shock.
“Why would you do such a thing?” His tone is incredulous.
“Lily was the reason Dele was upset yesterday.”
“What?” He shouts, perplexed. Dad sure knows how to use his deep vocals when not needed.
“Lily had the audacity to go to Dele’s job yesterday, faking a headache. She made sure Dele was her nurse, then lied to Dele, saying she and I were together privately on the day we worked late on the Rock River deal. She told Dele that I wasn’t at work. She went further to tell Dele that I married Dele as a fast track to my inheritance and I would dump her soon. That was why Dele was sad yesterday.” I need not mention she was at my brother’s place crying.
“A good thing you killed the deal. You don’t want idiots thinking your wife can be a pawn in their sick games, and you don’t want anyone ever thinking it’s okay to mess with your wife. Nathan called me a few times today, but I wasn’t in the mood to speak with him. Now I know why. You are in charge, and your decision is final,” he says with conviction.
“Thanks, Dad,” I say. I’d prepared myself for a battle with Dad, but to my surprise and relief, he agrees with me.
“Is Dele okay?” Dad asks, watching me. His concern is clear.
“She’s fine, Dad. You just saw her. You and I know coming to see you is something she does on her own.”
“Good, I enjoy her company. She makes me forget my illness and the fact that she could be pregnant soon keeps me alive and fighting.” He grins. My wife has charmed my dad. Who would’ve thought?
“I know, Dad.” I tap his shoulder and lean back. He turns the game back on. By the time the game is over, he’s fallen asleep. I help the nurse get him to bed and then head home. I pull into the parking space, call Martin, and inform him that we’ll be picking Dele up. He can drive her car back. If he was surprised, he didn’t show it.
Each time I arrive home, it always feels empty without Dele. I don’t like it, but knowing she’ll be home soon always puts me at ease. A few months ago, my place was just my hiding spot, which meant I got to keep my flings out. Now it feels like home. I head to the fridge after taking off my shoes. Dele’s pet peeve is wearing shoes around the house. She dislikes it with passion, saying shoes worn outdoors are petri dish for bacteria. I put on one of my in-house slippers—my wife makes sure I have a few around—and head to the room to change into cargo shorts and a T-shirt. I set my alarm for her pickup, then head to my office to work on a few items that need my attention. Though my mind keeps going to what Dad said about Dele getting pregnant soon, it gives me a warm feeling I didn’t know I wanted. Watching Declan with his kids always creates the urge for me to have my own family. Even the funny and interesting things he laughs about, plus he started learning French because Anne speaks French to their children, and he has no idea what they’re saying when they laugh. I’ve kept the desire for a family tightly under wraps because I didn’t see the possibility of it. But lately, with Dele, the possible fruition of my desire feels high, and I welcome it.
The alarm goes off right on time. I head out with Martin to pick Dele up. When I pull up, I send her a text.
Me: Your chariot awaits, my lady.
Dele: Are you here or just messing with me? I’m tired and hungry.
Me: I’m outside, waiting for you. Martin is here, he’ll drive your car home.
Dele: For real? ????
Me: Unless you want to leave your car here and he can drive you around tomorrow.
Dele: I like driving my car. Ten minutes, I’ll be right out with Kai.
I turn to Martin. “She’s on her way out; you can drive her car home.”
“Okay, boss.” He gets out of the car and heads toward Dele’s usual parking spot. He has a spare key, something I’ve told him to always keep close.
I sit back and wait for her. A few minutes later, I see her coming out, dragging that heavy backpack with her. She looks tired. Kai has his hands on her shoulder like he’s holding her up. He gets to the passenger side and opens the door. I push the button to roll the window down.
“Delivered in one piece,” Kai says, waving at me.
“Thanks, Kai,” I say to him. Dele buckles, and I drive off. She’s barely awake by the time we arrive home. What the heck happened in the last few hours?
When I pull into the parking garage, I wake her up.
“What did they do to you at the hospital?”
“I returned, and my patients were switched. I got all the ones that had me running around the hospital. I’m drained.”
“Isn’t the schedule set at the beginning of the shift?”
“Yes, a nurse had an emergency while I was out. When I returned, I got all the patients left.”
“Come on, let’s feed you and get you rested.” I carried her heavy backpack and held her up, just like Kai did.
There’s no way she would have driven home safely. As soon as we stepped into our unit, she took off her shoes and scrubs, balled them up, and, in her underwear, headed straight to the bathroom. I went to the fridge to get some food warmed up for her. She came out in my T-shirt and shorts, grabbed the plate, and devoured the food without a word to me. Yep, my girl is burnt out.
“Do you have class tomorrow?”
“Yes, at 1 pm. I get to sleep in a little.”
“No work tomorrow, right?”
“Jax was begging me to come in tomorrow. She doesn’t want to be alone with Lynda and a few nurses we don’t like. I told her I’ll think about it. Depends on how I feel tomorrow.”
“I think you should rest.” She smiled.
“I knew you would say that, but I’ll decide when I wake up.”
“I don’t like you working this many hours.”
“It’s good for me. I get firsthand knowledge. I need to be in the hospital if I’m going to be a nurse practitioner someday.” She got up, kissed my cheek, and headed to the bedroom. I let out a frustrated sigh. More school and more work is what she’s focusing on; I’m not sure how I’m going to handle her draining herself this much. I cleaned up the plate and followed her.
She was asleep when I looked in the bedroom. I turned off the light and got into bed with her. As soon as she stirred into me, my whole being relaxed.