Page 74 of Gray Area

“Dad, it’s just money. We are—”

“It’s five million dollars, Declan,” my father says, “plus 30% interest.”

I freeze, and my stomach flips.

“The fucker was taking my phone calls, but now he doesn’t. And I showed my hand. I got heated one night, told him I still have a copy of the contract. Probably why he sent some goons in here that night, hoping they’d either find it or I’d kill one, getting me convicted of something. I really didn’t realize until I sat down today that he is getting closer and closer to our family. And, well, he’s got the resources to make bad things happen to you boys. And I can’t have that.”

“What are you going to do, Dad?”

My father shakes his head, unable to answer my question, still so lost in what has transpired. “I was so fucking mad when I found out, you know. I was feeling shitty, and I wasn’t improving. Then I thought I had a plan to help me relax and not worry about the future for you guys, and that was all a lie. All these dreams I have for you, for my boys. I thought I was going to set up millions in trusts for each of you. You would’ve been all set, the four of you. But instead of keeping my wits about me, Iflew off the handle, acted with my emotions, and now I have set us up. God, I have never felt so stupid, so fucking desperate.”

“Dad, you need to let me take this over,” I tell him. I have no idea what I am going to do, but I have a clearer head about all of this than my father does. He’s right to say he is acting with his emotions, and I’m afraid it’s going to kill him.

“No, Declan, I made this problem. I need—” My dad stops short just as I was about to interrupt him, and he doesn’t look right.

“Dad?” I ask as the color drains from his face, and he slumps in his seat. “Dad!” I shout, but there is no response.

Chapter 41

VIVIAN

I’m just an hour into my shift when my cell phone starts vibrating in my pocket. I pick it up and look and see Declan’s name.

I smile as I answer it. “Miss me?” I ask sweetly, but the line is dead air. “Declan?” I ask, wondering if maybe he pocket-dialed me.

“Vivian,” he says back, but his voice is different. It sounds lifeless, missing the emotion I have come to expect in it when he speaks to me.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, feeling a sick pit open in my stomach.

“My dad, he, uh, he had a heart attack,” he says.

“Where are you?”

“We’re in the ER.”

“I’m coming to you,” I tell him. “Is he okay?”

“I don’t know.”

His voice is detached, and most people would say that it’s because of shock. But I know Declan, and I know how much he loves his family. He is dying inside.

“Okay, baby,” I say, trying to bring him comfort.

“The doctor just came out,” he says.

“Okay, go talk to them. I’ll be right there.”

I duck into the nearest stairwell and make my way into the back entry of the ER. I serpentine my way through the staff and visitors, my head on a swivel looking for him. Then I feel him. I literally feel his presence and turn my head to the right, down another hall of the ER, and see him, speaking to a woman in scrubs. His eyes snap to mine as soon as I start walking that way.

I get to Declan’s side just as whoever is speaking to him turns away.

“Declan?” I say and he crushes me into his arms. I feel the emotion in him, and I stroke his T-shirt-covered back.

When he breaks away from me, I look at his face, and he looks shattered. I don’t want to press him for information, but luckily I don’t have to.

“We were talking, and he just went out,” he says.

“Thank goodness you were there, Declan,” I tell him.

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