Page 74 of The Secrets We Share

She barks another laugh, patting me placatingly against the cheek. “I didn’t finish high school. What makes you think college is in the cards.”

She doesn’t see it. The genius is hidden deep down under years of self-preservation and keeping afloat. She could do anything she wanted with the proper support.

“You want to go to school? We’ll make it happen. If you want to find a career that doesn’t require it, great. You finally give in and let me chain you up in the apartment as my personal sex slave.” She slaps my chest at that last one as if I’m being ridiculous, but it sounds like the best option to me. I grip her chin, meeting her gaze. “The only thing I won’t let you do is work some dead-end job so that you have something to do.”

With a roll of her eyes, she shoves me away. “Let’s worry about all of that later. Now, get out and stop distracting me so I can finish getting ready. We can’t be late for check-in.”

My skin itchesthe longer it takes for a nurse to come out and update me on how Keira’s doing. It’s been an hour and a half, and I’m ready to take my girl and leave. Throwing the magazine, I was trying to distract myself with down on the table. I stand and start to pace the waiting room. It’s empty, save for the receptionist tucked behind the shielded window. They have ten more minutes before I push through those double doors, demanding answers.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, on silent to avoid the disapproving looks from the receptionist for it going off again. I pull it out and see the text from James.

All set here. How’s Keira?

Still waiting for an update. Stacey squared away?

Yeah, got a shiner for my efforts, but now I don’t have to worry.

Anything to report otherwise?

All’s quiet here. Keep me posted tomorrow.

Got it.

James left right after Keira was able to convince Stacey to leave. I’m unsure where he sent her, but it’s better that way. Now, he’s prepped and waiting to recover my father when I give him the go. Domenico can negate on his word all he wants after this. I’m done. And if my father finds himself in a similar situation in the future, I’ll be looking the other way.

“Mr. Greyson?” a woman in dark blue scrubs asks.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Keira is out of the procedure. Everything went well. They’re taking her to the recovery room, where she’ll be able to wake up slowly as the anesthesia wears off. Once we get her situated, someone will come out to get you. It should only be another thirty minutes or so.”

“Okay, thank you.”

She disappears back behind the double doors, and I check my watch. This morning’s coffee is dwindling. I need another hit of caffeine, and I need to find it quickly. The clinic has a coffee cart in the lobby, and I order something for both of us.

“There she is. How are you feeling?” I ask when Keira’s eyes flutter open.

“Groggy. How did it go?”

“They said it went great. Nothing out of the ordinary, and we can leave as soon as you feel ready.”

Nodding, she closes her eyes, disappearing back into unconsciousness. It’s another hour before she’s discharged and secured in the SUV to get back to the apartment. She lets me all but carry her upstairs and back into bed. She won’t be leaving it until tomorrow at the earliest.

“Do you need anything?” I ask, tucking the blanket around her slumping body.

“Have you seen my phone?”

“It’s probably in your bag. I’ll go grab it.”

The phone in question has a missed call from an unknown number, but it’s the follow-up text from the same number that piques my curiosity. I take it with me to the kitchen to make Keira something to eat and drop it on the counter, but a nagging feeling to check and see if there’s more there won’t go away.

She didn’t save the number, but the text thread goes back days, and it’s not good. I rush from the kitchen, abandoning the food. The door slaps against the wall, and Keira jolts at the noise, sitting up against the headboard.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” I bite, stomping to the mattress to throw the phone in her lap.

Her eyes bug out when she sees what I left pulled up on the screen.

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