Page 98 of Cocky Prince
“I don’t know.” He stares out the window and swallows heavily. “That was the family lawyer. He called to tell me my father is in the hospital.” He gives me a quick smile that barely moves his lips. “I’m sure he’s fine.”
But the entire way to the hospital, Adam stares out the window, an extremely serious look on his face. He doesn’t believe his own words.
I slip on my shoes as we pull up to the emergency entrance, and tug off my wig, shaking out my hair. I wouldn’t call my look respectable, because there’s a hell of a lot of boob and leg in the house, but at least I’m sporting my natural color and not the giant black wig Mira put on me.
We step out of the car and I begin to shiver. It’s the middle of the night and the temperature has dropped. Adam drapes his coat over my shoulders and I slip my arms through the sleeves, soaking up the warmth he left behind. He grabs my hand and we head in through the automatic sliding doors.
Adam checks in with a receptionist and she directs us to a private room. Partway down the hall, his footsteps falter. His brothers are standing outside the room.
Levi is staring at the ceiling, his fingers pressed to his forehead, and Hunter is leaning against the wall, looking stricken. The other two have their backs to us, speaking to someone.
This isn’t good. Not good at all. I squeeze Adam’s hand and he moves forward, his stride steady.
Levi turns and sees us. He breathes in deeply and glances away as if to compose himself. Adam stops in front of him.
“He was sick,” Levi says.
Adam glances at the hospital room door. “Father was fine the last time we saw him.”
Levi shakes his head. “He wasn’t.”
Wes and Bran move closer. “I don’t understand,” Adam says.
Levi squeezes the back of his neck. “He—he had pancreatic cancer. Never told us.”
Adam’s hand inside mine begins to shake. “Had. You saidhad.”
Levi nods and presses his lips together. “He passed away about thirty minutes ago.”
Adam drops my hand and grabs his older brother by the front of his shirt. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me!”
“I didn’t know! I got the call just like you,” Levi says angrily. “And what about you? You’re the one who keeps in touch with him.”
Adam releases his brother and paces. “No. Not lately.” He glances at me, and then looks away. “Work…I’ve been busy with work.” He rubs his forehead. “Were you here when he…”
Levi shakes his head. “None of us were.”
I walk over and put my arms around Adam. “Where is he?” he says, but Levi’s back is to us now.
“In the room,” Wes answers.
Adam stares at the door, then looks down at me. “I need to see him.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“No.” He pulls his fingers through his hair, ruffling what was combed and polished, even after our dash through the casino. He eases out of my arms and walks to the partially open door. Hunter nudges him lightly as he passes, and Adam glances up in acknowledgment. Then he enters the hospital room.
How could this have happened? We just saw his father a few weeks ago at the cocktail party. The man seemed fine. Thin, maybe? I don’t know. I’d never met him before. Adam said he wasn’t close to his father. None of them were…and the man had been trying to reconnect with them.
Oh God.
Adam exits the hospital room a few minutes later. His eyes are red and his face is completely motionless. He looks like he’s in shock.
I reach for his hand, and he pulls me close—so close there’s no space between us. “I’m so sorry,” I say. His chest hitches, but no sound comes out of his mouth.
After a moment, he releases me, and all of his brothers are staring. They quickly look away. “Is there anyone we should call?” Adam’s voice is rough.
A woman I hadn’t noticed steps forward. She looks like she’s in her sixties. Very pretty, with silver hair. It’s one in the morning, but she’s wearing a pale skirt suit. “It’s already been taken care of,” she says softly.
