Page 109 of Savage Promises

As usual, taking care of Neve falls on me. Alwaysme.

“She needs a family member here immediately,” the coach stresses, probably exhausted from a long day that she didn’t think would end in the ER. “The hospital admin is asking questions about her insurance that I can’t answer. I gave them a card from her wallet, but there’s an issue.”

Insurance? She got hurt on school property. During a school event. Surely, they are responsible? Like a workman’s comp thing. But I can’t argue that while my sister is in pain.

“I’ll be right there.” I end the call and want to bang my head against the wall.

I return to the dining room and Shane immediately clocks my expression. He stands up and pulls me off to the side. “Everything all right?”

I get how a mob boss’s possession of his wife can be over the top. Shane doesn’t justtoleratemy commitments, he celebrates my dedication to running a successful club. My power turns him on. But Shane has no love for my sister and although he hides his resentment when I try to help her, I know it bothers him. Neve betrayed him, made him look like a fool, and he can’t get past it for some reason. Even if Neve’s choices played perfectly into his game to make me his wife instead.

Shane’s bitterness toward her lingers between us. To leave our dinner because Neve is in trouble will be a slapin the face.

“There’s a problem at the club,” I lie and it immediately feels wrong, but there’s no backing out now. “I need to take care of it. Mara sounds shaken up.”

Shane sits back in his chair, hand tightening around his wine glass. “I’ll skip the dessert and go with you.”

“No. It’s a female thing. Better it’s just me.” I force a smile to lessen the concern by sounding light about it.

It’s not the first time I’ve had to rush to the club to deal with an issue.

I lean in and whisper, “Thisis important. Stay. I can handle my club.”

“Okay, Lennox, but let me call your guard.” He takes out his phone.

Fuck... Dorian. He’ll rat me out for sure.

“I’ll take a cab right outside. And I’ll have one of the bouncers bring me home.” I grab my clutch and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek, I say, “I’ll be fine.”

The weight of Shane’s suspicious gaze crawls up my spine. I don’t look back, don’t let it drown me in guilt. With my coat across my shoulders and my heels clicking against the ancient oak floors, every echo broadcasts my lie.

I hop into one of the taxis waiting in front of the restaurant and press a one-hundred-dollar bill to the glass, demanding we race to Harbor Hospital. The motivated driver flies down narrow cobblestone side streets that I never even heard of. He even takes a back-alley route I wouldn’t walk through in broad daylight.

But we get there in twenty minutes, earning his tip.

After arguing with the ER receptionist, I’m given a pass into the bays beyond the double doors where the smell of antiseptic and the cries of other patients in agony greet me. I find Neve, her pale face scrunched in pain. A nurse is taking her vitals, and the new volleyball coach, aragged-looking woman in her forties, stands awkwardly at the foot of the bed.

“I’m here!” I say, rushing to Neve’s side.

She whimpers, clutching her arm. “About time.”

“What happened?” I ask, ignoring her tone.

“That bitch Rachel tripped me.”

“Now, Neve. You know it was an accident,” the coach singsongs.

Sounds like they want to avoid a lawsuit.

“I told you the team hates me,” Neve bites out.

With the coach looking stressed, I turn to her and say, “Thank you for staying with her, Coach. I got this.”

“Good luck, Neve.” She turns to walk away but stops when I clear my throat.

“Just so you’re prepared... This happened on school property. I will be calling my lawyer.”

Her shoulders stiffen, but she just nods and keeps walking. I hate that I’m jealous of how she gets to leave all this behind her, and my shift has just begun. And with Neve’s ungrateful attitude, it’s going to be a long night.

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