Page 38 of Morally Black Betrothal
“Wonder what he’sreallyworth,” Lemond kept going. “Google says over two hundred billion, but I bet it’s more.”
It was, in fact, closer to two fifty. Offshore accounts, real estate speculation, art collecting were all very handy tools. So was compound interest.
“Bet it’s a bloodbath right now with all of them vying for the top spot.” Lemond couldn’t quite help himself. “I wonder if they’re just waiting for him to kick the bucket.”
I opened my mouth to inform this asshole that he no longer had a job with the hospital, NDA or no. Who the fuck cared that most of what he was saying was absolutely true? He could fuck right off.
“Shame on you,” Simone said sharply.
But now I could see over the top of the computer monitor. Could see her standing, small but glowing, with her hands on her slender hips, hair pulled back into a ponytail that swayed back and forth as she shook her head.
The nurse at least had the decency to look ashamed, but he kept going. “Don’t tell me you actually feel sorry for these people. Niall Black is practically one of the four horsemen. One of those billionaires responsible for global warming, rising poverty levels, and the demise of the middle class, and raising four kids in his spitting image. These arenotgood people.”
Simone turned just enough that I could see an adorable cleft appear between her brows as those full lips pursed. “No matter who the Blacks are or what they’ve done, they’re going through a terrible time. They don’t just deserve our care. They deserve our compassion.”
It was a solid argument. It did not, however, contradict Lemond’s assessment of my family.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Joan put in. “Now I have to scoot. Lemond, you’ve got rounds to make.”
Now by herself, Simone rubbed a hand over her face. “Compassion,” she muttered again before grabbing a chart and turning in the direction of my father’s room with something more like determination.
Until, at least, she found me in the doorway.
“Brendan. You are here.”
Her eyes popped open, and the sky blue was a beacon calling me home. And by God, I wanted to answer it.
I stood up straight, no longer even pretending I hadn’t been listening. “I am.”
She strode toward me, stopping just outside Dad’s room. Up close, she still glowed but looked, politely, like hell.
Shadows circled her red-rimmed eyes, and her golden skin was sallow with fatigue. The pink scrubs she wore were wrinkled, and her hair had been hastily brushed back into a limp ponytail.
She was still gorgeous.
“Thank you, by the way,” I said after I cleared my throat. “For what you said back there to the nurses.”
“Oh, God. You heard that?” Her cheeks flushed. I wondered if they did that when she was happy, too.
I shrugged. “I was about to tell them where to shove it, but you did my job for me.”
Again, she rubbed her face, despite the fact thatshehadn’t done anything wrong. “Well, that’s mortifying. These are some of the best medical workers in the world, I promise. But maybe they aren’t very good people.”
“Most aren’t. I’m used to it.”
She gave me a funny look. “Please don’t have them fired.”
“Why would I do that?” I asked as if I hadn’t been considering it.
Simone sighed. “Lemond is rude, but he’s also the best nurse on the ward. The patients love him, and no one is better in a crisis. If something happened to your dad, he’s the one you want rushing in to revive him.”
I nodded, though there wasn’t a chance in hell I’d be letting that guy near my dad. Since she was asking, though, I’d keep my claws sheathed.
“How is he? Do you want me to stay with him? Do you need a break?”
We both glanced back at where Dad was sleeping again. Thank God. I didn’t want to think about how he’d take this little interaction.
