Page 78 of Bitter Heat

“She’s going to have the baby now. Get here,” he barked and hung up.

She didn’t grab her purse or shopping bags. She ran to the elevator and smacked her hand on the button before she realized it wasn’t working.

“Roth!” she roared.

“What’s going on?” he asked so close behind her that she jumped.

“Colette’s having the baby. I need to be there now! Call the damn elevator.”

He keyed some numbers into the keypad as he spoke into his phone, “Bring the car around.”

She boarded the elevator and then texted Ariana as they traveled down. Ariana was also on her way and had left the kids with a nanny. Rami was still out of the country. This time, when she walked through the lobby, she didn’t care who saw her. All she cared about was getting there in time. God, it was still too soon…

Mo sat behind the wheel of an SUV this time. She rushed toward the open passenger window and gave the address before she climbed into the back seat. When Roth got in, she stared at him.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m coming.”

“No, the fuck you’re not.”

He leaned forward and tapped the tinted glass partition dividing the front from the back. Mo pulled away from the curb.

“We lay the groundwork now,” Roth said as he typed on his phone. “The paparazzi shots will help our story.”

“I didn’t agree!”

“You will. You’ll do anything for your family.”

She couldn’t believe his self-assuredness. “The only reason I’m even thinking of your stupid deal is because of Colette. She went into premature labor yesterday because of stress, because ofyou! She’s so damn worried about Hennessy & Co that she’s putting her and the baby’s life in danger. If it wasn’t for that, I’d tell you to fuck yourself.”

His eyes narrowed. “That stress comes from being a CEO, not just from me.”

“But you initiated the takeover and then refused to speak to her. What did you think would happen?”

“It’s not my job to worry about the opposition. Everyone knows your sister hasn’t been putting her best foot forward lately. She’s been losing steadily enough that word’s gone around.”

She slashed her hand through the air. “You can’t barge in at a time like this. This is real life. This is my family.”

He grabbed her hand. “We present a united front, Jasmine.”

She stared at him. “How can you be so heartless?”

“Practice.”

She pulled away. “I can’t deal with you now. I just want to make sure my sister’s okay and Polara’s healthy.”

“Polara?”

“My niece.”

“Interesting name.”

When they reached the hospital, she dashed out of the car. Roth kept up with her as they entered the maternity ward. As she got directions to Colette’s room, Roth fell back, for which she was grateful. She didn’t need him interfering at a time like this. As she approached the room, a medical team filed out, and she paused on the threshold. Lyle and Ariana stood on either side of Colette who was sitting up in bed with a small bundle in her arms. Colette raised her head. Her face glistened with sweat, but it was the expression on her face of dazed wonder that made Jasmine rush forward.

“She’s here?” she whispered and pressed against Ariana’s side so she could see.

The bundle in the crook of Colette’s arm had her eyes open and was looking around through squinted eyes. Polara had a tiny rosebud mouth and not one strand of hair on her perfect head. Jasmine tucked her fists under her chin to stop herself from snatching her and smothering her new niece with kisses.

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