Page 18 of False Pretenses

All three Cordes bent over Leo, who had paled more than he already was. His hands shook with violence, and he seemed to have trouble catching his breath. Nathan’s gaze bore into hers. “Get Aziz now!”

Alyssa nodded and fled the room, shouting for the butler. As Nathan carried his father to the car, Aziz screeched to a halt at the front of the house. Alyssa realized Felix did not live in the house like the other two did, nor did the cook and the assistant maid who helped Talia during the day. Aziz would drive.

Alyssa hung back as the others piled into the car, and Nathan took her hand after he’d buckled his father inside. “Get in,” he commanded. She didn’t protest when his grip tightened to the point of pain. The set of his jaw, the pallor of his own skin, and the way he never looked at her but didn’t take his gaze off his father displayed his fear. He loved his dad, and this situation bore heavy on him.

She settled in at his side as they whisked to the hospital. Lydia barked sharp orders into her cell phone while holding Leo’s hand. By the time they drew into the driveway at the emergency entrance, orderlies were wheeling a gurney toward them, and a man who must have been a doctor by his authoritative presence stood nearby.

The next hour dragged by with the family in the waiting room and Lydia in with Leo. Nathan paced, and Piper sat with feet drawn up, shivering in her chair. The blank expression in her eyes told Alyssa she didn’t realize she’d left the house without her shoes. Alyssa stood and walked over to the triage station. “Any way we can get some of those socks with the nonskid stuff on the bottom?”

The nurse opened her mouth as if to say no. Alyssa interrupted. “The Cordes are so worried about their dad, Piper forgot her shoes.”

“The Cordes, oh yes, of course.”

Alyssa bit down on the bitterness and thanked the woman for the socks. She handed them to Piper, who sat staring at them in her hand. Nathan stooped in front of her and drew them onto her feet. Piper muttered her thanks to her brother, a

nd Alyssa returned to her chair. Time crawled by. Nathan returned to her side and cupped her face between two hands before resting his forehead against hers. “Thank you for being here.”

“You don’t need me,” she whispered back and struggled with the ache caused from seeing his pain. “You’re surrounded by your family, and that’s what’s important. It might be best if Aziz takes me back to your house.”

“Stay…please.”

He gave no elaboration, and she nodded in silence. They sat side by side waiting, and at last, Lydia appeared, looking haggard. The change in the stylish woman worried Alyssa all the more. “He’s out of the woods for now. They say we can see him, but not too long. They’re moving him to the ICU, and I’m staying the night.”

Nathan drew his mother into his arms, and she allowed herself a quick cry before forcing a smile. Alyssa didn’t know how she did it. This time when Nathan tried bringing her along, she dug her heels in and remained in the waiting room until they returned. Just as Lydia indicated, the visit lasted no more than a few moments. Then they were on their way back to the mansion. The silent interior of the car weighed down, and Alyssa hopped out of the vehicle the second it came to a complete stop. She checked her watch and noted the late hour. A glance at Nathan showed he wasn’t ready to sleep.

“Good night,” Piper murmured and headed up to the stairs. If her brother’s response reached her ears, Alyssa would have been surprised. She took his arm and tugged him in the direction of the kitchen.

“This way,” she told him. He hesitated, a questioning expression spreading over his face. “Comfort food.”

They strode into the kitchen, which Alyssa had so far only glimpsed in passing. The room expanded bigger than her apartment. Nathan dropped into a chair and leaned back in it. The faraway look in his eyes told her he moved on automatic.

Shoving aside the fact that she was a guest, Alyssa raided the refrigerator. As she expected, a chocolate cake sat on one shelf with a single slice missing. Good. She wouldn’t need to feel bad about cutting into a brand-new one. After she’d arranged a piece for her and a piece for Nathan in bowls, she discovered vanilla ice cream in the freezer and heaped two spoonfuls for each of them into the dishes.

“Eat,” she commanded, sitting across from Nathan. “The sugar will give you a boost—artificial and short term, but every little bit helps.”

Nathan moved mechanically and spooned cake and ice cream into his mouth. After a few bites, his gaze rose to hers. “How did you know about this?”

She laughed. “A few broken hearts.”

“Ah.”

The sweet, creamy dessert eased down her throat, an old friend always willing to be there. Except when I hate her because she made me gain weight. Then she can kiss my ass. “Yup, women really do this. It’s not just for the movies. You have to have seen Piper eat—” Maybe he hadn’t. Not that his sister couldn’t get a broken heart, but she guessed Piper kept even that a secret because of her preference.

“No, I haven’t,” he confirmed.

“Lucky you. The tears and snot accompany it, and that’s so not pretty.”

He cringed and put his spoon down.

“Damn, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to kill your appetite.”

“You didn’t. I was just thinking how great you are. This is just a gig, I guess you can call it, and you’re all in. You helped me, and even Piper when she needed it. I just wanted to say thank you.” He reached across the table and touched her fingers. She wanted to draw back, to protect herself, but the haunted light had returned to his eyes.

“You all love him very much. I can tell.”

“You have no idea.”

Nathan ran his hands through his hair and stood. He paced a few steps away from the table and leaned on the island in the middle of the kitchen. The stove was situated there, one with five burners and a rack overhead, pots and pans hanging from it. Alyssa had always wanted something like that. Her apartment stove looked like someone had squished it between the sink and the refrigerator. The burners were so tight, she had trouble getting food prepared in a big soup pot to cook evenly.

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