31. Laurene
CHAPTER 31
Laurene
“Hello, Laurene. Looking as beautiful as ever.” Dante stepped in my room holding a bouquet of flowers.
“Don’t lie to my face,” I muttered, switching off the TV, some reality dating show Gigi had insisted on putting on for me.
“Late to the party,” he remarked, glancing at the flowers all around the room. “You’ve got quite the collection, I see.”
“What brings you here, Dante?” I asked, not bothering with pleasantries.
“Just checking in, making sure everything’s alright. Did you like what I did?” He gave a small, inscrutable smile, and placed the bouquet on my bedside table as he took a seat next to the bed.
I blinked, thinking about the news with Harold.
“That was you?”
“We’re partners, remember, and you’ve been through a lot recently. Of course I kept my name out of it, but…”
“Partners don’t lie to me about their involvement. Especially when my father-in-law is involved.”
Dante’s eyes flickered with something. Amusement? Annoyance? Hard to tell, but he didn’t look caught off guard. “You know the game, Laurene. There’s always a bigger play. A bigger plan. I rather you found out on your own.”
“Cut the crap,” I pressed, sitting up straighter. “I don’t know if we can be partners anymore. I can’t trust you, truly. You may be worse than my own mama. Playing games.”
He remained cool, his gaze steady. “The Kings will always be Lush’s first family. Don’t worry about it.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re hiding something bigger. I don’t know what it is but I don’t wanna be involved.”
“I didn’t come to fight with you, Laurene,” he said finally. “Only to let you know the money you requested is officially yours.”
He uncrossed his legs slowly, crossing them the other way.
“I’m hoping that shows my loyalty and commitment to this partnership. I cut off something lucrative for me, because I knew it would hurt you.”
Before I could respond, a knock at the door interrupted us, cutting through the tension like a blade.
“Come in,” I called, irritation creeping into my voice.
Maybe Reese had been right about Dante.
The door opened, and Nina stepped inside. She froze when she saw Dante.
“I’m so sorry,” Nina stammered, her eyes bouncing between the two of us. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Dante’s gaze immediately narrowed on her.
“No, you’re not interrupting,” I said. “What is it, Nina?”
She seemed to straighten, forcing the surprise off her face as she gestured behind her.
“I just spoke with the doctor,” she said. “They’re discharging you, Laurene. Reese asked me to come and help you get home.”
“They did?” I sat up straighter.
Nina nodded. “Yes, everything’s been cleared. Unless you want me to call your family or Noelle?”
“No, you don’t have to,” I said. I felt guilty for the trouble I had already caused and how much time my family had spent by my bedside, so having Nina here was actually quite convenient. All I wanted was the soft sheets and the familiar scent of home and our bed.
“Let’s catch up later, Dante,” I told him.
Nina nodded as she reached for the door handle and stepped out. “I’ll just get the car ready for you.”
I dragged myself out of bed. “Thanks for the cash, Dante. You’ll get that back in your account soon.”
I kept my gaze locked on his as he stood, his eyes unreadable. Then he nodded and left the room, and I heard the door opening and closing. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and started changing. I didn’t notice the door open again until I heard the soft shuffle of footsteps behind me.
“Thanks again for this, Nina.”
I turned and I froze when I saw her gun pointed at me.