Page 98 of Faith

“We aren’t engaged. I haven’t had time to ask her. So, mum’s the word. She knows you are on the island and will be thrilled to see you.”

His brother snorted. Jensen shot him a nasty look over his shoulder.

When he knocked on the door, then opened it, his heart almost tumbled out of his chest. She was still in the same position, but it was obvious they’d had her up out of the bed. Her hair had been combed and she had changed gowns.

“Look who I found in the hallway,” he said, smiling.

“Mrs. Wulf. Jakob,” Nicola said, trying to smile back, then wincing. Her bruised cheek and split lip didn’t make it easy for her. “I’m so glad to see you.”

“Oh, Nicola,” his mother said, releasing his arm and running to her side. His mother leaned down for a hug. She straightened and tsked. “I never liked that Alfie.”

“This is the first I’m hearing that,” he said.

“Jakob, bring me that chair,” his mother ordered.

“Of course,” his brother said as he picked up a chair from the other side of the room and brought it over to Nicola’s bedside.

His mother sat down in the chair as though she were sitting in attendance with the queen, which she had a few times. Still, after the long trip over, any other person would slouch, like his brother was doing in the chair he had settled in. But Lillian Wulf did not slouch.

“When Jensen called us, I can’t tell you how terrified we all were. Julienne wanted to come, but she had a meeting in France. I told her she could come if Jensen lied about how bad your injuries were.”

“Oh, no worries there,” Nicola said. “I really didn’t expect you to fly all the way over here.”

“Of course we came. You are part of our family,” his mother said, her voice wavering a little. She reached out and patted Nicola’s hand. “I will take care of you until your mother can get here. I owe her that much.”

Nicola looked at him, confusion filled her gaze. Then she turned back to his mother. “Thank you. I know she would appreciate it.”

His mother gave her one last pat, then she sat back and looked over at him. “You need a shower and a change of clothes. Do that, and we will stay here with Nicola until you return.”

He frowned. “I can stay.”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t, but you smell, and well, you look horrible. Go get freshened up.”

And that was that. When Lillian Wulf threw out an order, as one of her children, he was helpless but to do as she wished.

“Of course.”

He wanted to kiss Nicola goodbye, and he didn’t give a damn who saw them, but he knew Nicola wouldn’t be happy.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can. Rome Carino might come by to talk to you.”

She nodded. “I think I’m going to nap. I’m exhausted from earlier.”

He nodded and almost walked out of the room, but he just couldn’t do it. Not yet. He walked to the opposite side of the bed and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I’ll be back as fast as I can. Rest, please.”

She nodded. Jensen straightened and headed out of the room to the elevator. As he was still waiting, Jakob came jogging down the hallway toward him.

“Mom wanted me to give you this, big brother,” he said, handing Jensen the small ring case he recognized. “She thought it would be better at the house than around here. And truthfully, she’s been a little out of it since we got the call. She was really upset.”

“I know. Still bloody furious about Alfie myself. Not sure I’ll ever get over it.”

Jakob smiled. “Nicola is safe now, that’s all that matters. Just make sure she says yes, because Mother might disown you and adopt Nicola if you don’t.”

He nodded. “I’ll try my best. Get back in there and make sure Mother doesn’t make a mess of it.”

“Will do,” he said, walking back to the room.

The door to the lift opened. Jensen stepped onto it and pushed the button to the ground floor. He just had to wait a day or two and he could set everything in motion. He also needed to make sure his mother didn’t blow his proposal.

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