Chapter 6 Lucca
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 I won’t break it.”
Nodding, I accept her loyalty and move around the counter. She’s too stunned at first before running after me as I enter the office.
“Wait a minute, you can’t be back here!”
Turning, I spear her with a look. “You’re a smart woman, Janet; you know exactly who I am. Do not cross me.” With that threat, she pales, and I know Coco will hear about this exchange and likely resist me; however, that won’t deter my pursuit of the young woman.
“She doesn’t have a lot,” Janet says. My fingers halt on the locked filing cabinet. “Coco was raised in the foster system; she doesn’t believe she deserves much.”
“She deserves the world on a gold platter,” I argue.
“Are you going to give it to her?” Her chin lifts in challenge.
“I’d like the chance to explore the possibility. I made that clear to her last night.” Didn’t I?
“Why’d you leave her?” The gall of this woman.
“Business.”
She snorts. “And that will always come first.” A sharp tug on the cabinet drawer breaks the lock, giving me access. “Stop,” Janet murmurs, and I raise an eyebrow. “She won’t trust you if you steal it, and that won’t bode well for either of you. How about a compromise?”
“I’m listening.”
“Her phone number. She’s going to have a lot of time on her hands until she’s able to return to work. She will have plenty of time to talk with you.”
I think about it, then nod, countering with my own stipulation.
“I’ll accept that. However, I need for you to keep the intensity of our interaction to yourself.
” She hesitantly agrees. “And I need you to offer to continue to pay her while she’s off.
Maybe rationalize it because she was on her way to work; I don’t care.
The money will come from me, but I suspect she won’t accept it from anyone but you. ”
Her eyes widen in shock. “I’m not sure she’d take it from me. Not without working. She’d never believe it to be true.”
“Ask her to make some of those stockings she enjoys so much as payback when she’s feeling better. Make it a seasonal thing, to decorate the shop.”
My suggestion gets her to waver a bit.
“Deal.” She reaches out a hand for us to shake. A minute later, I’m writing the check for Coco, annoyed at how little it is. Then, as an apology, I fill out another to the shop, buying into the business.
“My lawyer will be in touch soon with a contract and details. Think of me as a silent partner who excels at marketing. If, in six months, your profits haven’t doubled, granting you the ability to not only give everyone a raise but hire more staff, then our contract will be absolved, and you owe me nothing but a signature stating the business is yours once again. ”
“My lawyer will need to look it over first,” she whispers, staring at the number of zeroes.
“Of course.”
Taking my leave after securing Coco’s number, I put off calling her because she’s likely sleeping. Preston waits for me with a pinched expression on his face, and I wonder if he sucks on lemons for fun.
“Take the stick out of your ass, friend. We have plenty of time for our meeting, and I’ve just acquired a new business.”
He stares in shock. “You bought the coffee shop?”
“More like a silent partner. My woman works here; it deserves our business and protection, don’t you agree?”
The only correct answer is yes, and he’s smart to give it to me.
Arriving minutes before our meeting begins, I spent the drive over emailing my attorney with the details, and he’s happy to start the paperwork.