Page 13 of Flame's Fight

“We didn’t argue. But I had to cancel our date. We made plans to go out for Chinese Food but I got stuck at work. Some idiot broke into one of our storage units. I had to deal with the cops and the guy renting the space. I remember being pissed because I wanted to be with Brooke. We spent the night together, and she said she understood.” I shrug. “Maybe she doesn’t like how much time I spend working for the club.” I hope that isn’t it, because as much as I love my mom, sisters, and brother, the club is just as much my family.

CHAPTER EIGHT: BROOKE

“Shut the fuck up!” Dante bellows at Tony, who has the sense to cower under his glare. “This is what’s going to happen. I’m taking my woman home. Now. She’ll decide if she comes back to work. If you try to fire her or suspend her, you’ll find yourself in a world of hurt.” He turns away from Tony, who is sputtering his protest.

When Tony takes a step toward Dante, Chaos and Reaper move in his path.

“As for you, Dr. Chambers. I don’t know why you thought it was a good idea to blindside Tally while she was working. As a surgeon, I would expect more consideration from you. You and your family have caused my family enough trouble. Go back to Chicago.”

Vance Chambers holds up his hands, and I can see the sadness on his face as he studies Tally. He glances back at Dante. “You’re right. Of course. I didn’t come here to upset her. I just wanted to talk to her, and she hasn’t been taking my calls.” Dante glances at Tally but says nothing, simply looking back at Vance. “I only want a chance to talk to Tally and Caitlin. I’ve let them both down, and I just want to apologize. The Feds have shut down my clinic, but I don’t care about that. I only care about my daughters and fixing what I broke.” He says, his eyes pleading with Tally to believe him. “My lawyer thinks I should be in Chicago fighting for my practice, but I had to come and save something more important.”

Tally is leaning against Ashlyn as she watches her father. She moves back to Dante’s side. He slips an arm around her.

“I can’t speak for Caitlin, but I’ll talk with her about meeting with you. We may listen, but not here. Not now.” She says as she wraps her arms around her center while Dante lays his hand protectively over her belly.

Vance’s eyes go wide as he recognizes the meaning of their stance.

“You’re pregnant?” He whispers. “My baby is pregnant?” He looks at Tally. “Please, I’ll do whatever you I have to, if you’ll just give me some of your time to see if I can salvage even a small part of our relationship. Your mother caused so much damage, but I’m just as guilty for listening to her. I’ll likely lose Chambers Group because of her. But I don’t want to lose you, too. I realize now that I need to question everything she told me about you, Caitlin, the business, and especially Standish, his son, and your brother.”

Tally studies her father for a minute. “I think we’ve made a spectacle out of our family enough for one day. I’ll meet with you, but not today. Go back to your hotel. I’ll call you, and we can schedule a time and place to meet.” With those words, she whispers something to Dante, who nods. She turns and pushes past Tony and the other spectators to move further into the building.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Tony demands, reaching out to grab Tally’s arm but pulling back quickly when Dante, Reaper and Chaos all growl.

“I’m getting my things.” Tally tells him as she continues walking. I run after her, finding her by the employee lockers, resting her forehead against the cool metal.

“Are you alright?” I ask her.

She sighs and looks at me. “No. I can’t believe I broke down like that, let my emotions take over. We caused such a scene. I can’t blame Tony for wanting to fire me. He should fire me.”

“Don’t say that. You were upset. After everything your family has put you and Caitlin through, I can’t imagine how you could have reacted any differently.”

She gives me a sad smile. “Thanks, but I acted like a teenager with daddy issues.” She chuckles. “I guess that isn’t far from the truth.”

“Are you going to talk with him, listen to what he has to say?” I ask.

She nods. “I am. I realized when he mentioned mom and her lies, that Caitlin and I dealt with her more than him. He was always working. I remember most of my arguments about what I was doing after graduation were with her, not my dad. She was the one who pushed me to join Chambers Medical Group. When he heard I wasn’t joining them, he was sad, but he wasn’t angry. Not like her. I forgot about that.” She muses. “How often do we see our parents as a set instead of two separate individuals?”

“You think she was pressing her agenda, but not necessarily theirs?” I ask, and Tally nods.

“I need some time to think, and I need to talk with Caitlin. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, or if I’m coming back. You’ll take care of Flame for us, right?”

I gulp. I can’t imagine not working with Tally. She’s one of my favorite doctors and a great friend. I’ll miss her terribly. But what is more problematic is how can I take care of Flame? But so as not to cause Tally more stress, I nod. I’ll figure something out.

“Do you think you can talk to Tony? I hate to ask, but I know you and he are friends. Can you see if he’s thinking of letting me go? Dante will go ballistic if Tony plays that card. Maybe he’ll just give me a few days of unpaid leave and a note in my file. I know Dante will destroy him, and maybe this hospital if Tony fires me.”

“I’ll talk with him.” I promise. “I’ll play the pregnant card. That’s worked for women for years.”

I walk back out to the lobby with her. I see Chaos and Reaper escorting Vance Chambers out of the building while Dante opens his arms for Tally.

“Dr. Chambers…” Tony begins, but stops when Dante snarls at him.

“Leave her alone.” He says. “She’s pregnant, and I won’t let you attack her. You do what you have to do, but know this. My club has a couple of exceptional lawyers on our payroll. We’ve provided your hospital with several donations. If that isn’t enough to have you reconsidering your threats against Tally, remember that Angela Westbrook will have plenty to say to the board of directors if you fire her daughter-in-law, the mother of her first grandchild. Do we understand each other?”

At each statement from Dante, Tony grows paler until he’s almost the same color as Tally. Considering his normally tan skin, that’s a little frightening.

Without waiting for an answer, Dante and Tally leave. But not before Tally sends me a pleading glance before glancing at Tony. I nod back at her. I understand my mission. Find out what Tony is planning so I can help Tally avoid Dante unleashing hell on Tony and the hospital.

I sidle up to Tony, who’s still staring after the power couple. “You ok?” I ask him, glancing at Ashlyn, who is watching us.

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