Chapter 24 #2
“Given his legal situation,” Dr. Chen continued, “Mr. Branson will likely be transferred to a correctional facility with medical capabilities once he’s stable enough for transport.”
Mitch leaned toward the phone. “And what about his cancer?”
The doctor cleared her throat.
“Well, we’re a bit confused about his cancer diagnosis. We ran comprehensive scans and bloodwork as part of his trauma assessment. Mr. Branson has been told he has terminal cancer. Is that correct?”
We all blinked at each other. We only knew what Frank had written in his notes. “That’s what he told us,” I said. “He said he only had months to live.”
“Well, I’ve reviewed all his results personally.
There’s no evidence of cancer anywhere in his body.
No tumors, no abnormal cell growth, nothing.
Whoever gave him that diagnosis was incorrect.
He doesn’t have cancer, but he does have severe pancreatitis and kidney stones that have caused recurring infections.
Together, they’ve been the cause of his extreme pain, digestive problems, and weight loss.
He’s been suffering for no reason. But you can rest assured with the right treatment, he’ll be on the mend in no time. ”
It took everything I had not to burst out laughing. I gripped Sapphire’s hand. “Are you absolutely sure?”
“Absolutely. Frank Branson doesn’t have cancer. He will live for many more years, I’m sure.”
Cassidy slapped her hand over her mouth, clearly trying not to laugh.
“Thank you for calling, Dr. Chen,” Declan said, leaning toward the phone.
“Of course. If you or your family have any questions ...”
Declan ended the call. “Holy shit. That stupid bastard googled his symptoms.”
Cassidy giggled. Bella did, too.
Then we all laughed.
“He’ll probably live for years in prison,” I said.
“In a wheelchair,” Mitch added. “We couldn’t have asked for a better punishment if we’d tried.”
“He deserves to rot in hell, and I think he’s going to get exactly that,” Cassidy said. Xavier wrapped his arm over her shoulder, and she leaned against him.
“So, he wrote his confessions for nothing,” Sapphire said.
“Not for nothing.” I shook my head. “You’re going to use them to take down Bob and solve a heap of crimes.”
She shook her head. “Not me. Aria took the notes, remember?”
I curled my arm around her waist and pulled her to my side.
“Aria will get him, Sapphire. I’m sure of it,” Mitch said. “And thanks to you, Frank’s locked up. His paralysis is his punishment. Now, we can focus on moving forward as a family and making things right again.”
Rose entered the room and began clearing empty bowls, but something about her felt off.
Cassidy yawned. Followed by Declan.
“Seems to me that you lot need some rest,” Rose said.
Mitch pushed back from the table. “You’re absolutely right.” He clutched Charlie’s hand. “See you all tomorrow.”
We all stood, said goodnight, and left the table. Mitch and Charlie headed to the old homestead. Declan and Bella went to his cabin. Cassidy and Xavier went to her room at the end of the homestead.
I reached for Sapphire’s hand. “Will you stay with me tonight?”
She frowned. “Will I get much sleep? ‘Cause I’m really tired.”
“Absolutely. Cross my heart.” I did the cross sign on my chest.
“I don’t know if I believe you.”
I gasped in mock hurt. “I told you. One hundred percent honesty from now on.”
She giggled. I bloody loved the sound of her laugh.
We said goodnight to Rose and headed back out into the darkness. The stars were even more brilliant across the sky. As we walked to the loft, Sapphire and I swung our arms like a couple of giddy teenagers.
“Now, you do remember I usually sleep in the nude, right?” I said.
“Ahhh, you didn’t last night.”
“Well, last night was kinda extraordinary.”
We took turns in the bathroom, and by the time I climbed up the ladder, Sapphire was already in bed with the sheet pulled up to her chin.
Was she naked under there?
She watched me walk to the bed. I stripped out of my clothes.
“Really?” she said.
“What?” I said. “I told you the truth.”
I pulled back the sheet. She was wearing one of my T-shirts. Just my T-shirt. The hem rode up high on her thigh.
“Hey. That’s my shirt.”
“Yep.” She tugged the hem down half an inch, it didn’t help much.
“Looks better on you.”
“Thanks.” She watched me, all serious. “It still smells like you.”
That nearly killed me. I climbed into bed beside her, very aware that we were grinning at each other like a couple of randy teenagers.
Sapphire curled against my side, her head on my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her.
Somehow, this was just as incredible as having sex.
Outside, a dingo howled in the distance. One of the horses whinnied below us from the stables. All around us was Koolaroo, the land that held so many secrets. Some old. Some new. Just like Sapphire and me.
Tomorrow, we’d start picking up the pieces together.
Tonight, I just wanted to hold onto her. Damn, it felt good.
Sapphire wriggled against me.
“If you keep doing that, we’re not going to get to sleep.”
She giggled. Her hand ran over my bare chest.
“And that.”
She kissed my chest, just next to my left nipple.
“Fire, you’re going to be the death of me.”
She made that noise in her throat that had my dick doing things that it should not be doing.
“Hey,” she said. “Do you think we have a shot at being together again?”
I stilled. My heart thundered in my chest. “Absolutely.” I pressed a kiss to her hair. “That’s the truth. The whole truth. And nothing but the truth. So help me ...”
She threw her leg over my hips and straddled me.
“Well, now, I’m definitely not going to get any sleep.”
“Will you just ...” She pressed her finger to my lips. “Shut up and kiss me.”
“As you wish.” I cupped her cheeks and pulled her down to my lips.