Page 10 of Playing to Win

“I came inside Danica’s apartment building. She said she wouldn’t take long, but it’d been over twenty minutes.” He takes a deep breath then mutters to Danica again, except this time, I can’t hear him. I turn around, ready to hit the garage button, when Parker and Ezra huddle in with me, still staying silent but knowing enough not to ask anything, not like I could fucking tell them a thing. “She was on the ground, head tucked between her knees, covering herself, and there in front of her was the landlord.” My heart stops. Brian was being hand delivered a message to leave. It wasn’t supposed to happen until later this afternoon, once Danica was safely at my place.

“How bad?” My hand not holding my cell phone goes to the wall. I’m worried Brian did the worst possible. Did he rape her? Did he hurt her in a way that will cause permanent damage? Is she sitting on the bottom of the stairs unable to move? My heart is racing, stomach twisted in so many knots while I wait. Jesus, it feels it’s been a damn whirlwind, and I haven’t been waiting a damn minute.

“She probably has a concussion and a few bruises. Another neighbor called the cops and ambulance. If they suggest she go to the hospital, I’ll follow her and keep you in the loop.” I take my first full breath since Bellamy called.

“Son of a bitch, anything else?”

“Not that I know of right now. She did a bang-up job on Brian, though. He looks like he went twelve rounds with Mike Tyson.” The elevator dings, opening to the garage level.

“I’m on my way. Let me know if they transport her, and don’t let her tell them no.” I make a mental note to call Mallory and keep her apprised of the situation.

“No problem. See you shortly.” I hang up. No other pleasantries need to be spoken.

“What the fuck? Is everything okay?” Ezra asks first. Parker looks at me, nodding.

“Not sure,” I reply.

“Let’s go. I’m driving. We’ll do whatever we need and rally the women. I’ll call Nessa as soon as we know what we’re dealing with.” Him driving is for the best. I’m so pissed off, I’d probably run every red light and graze a pedestrian in order to drive on the damn sidewalk to get to Danica.

SIXTEEN

Danica

“I’m fine,”I tell Theo for the tenth time since being admitted into the hospital. Yep, I hit Brian so bad with the back of my head I gave myself a concussion. Shit didn’t stop there either. I no sooner lost the light when he decided to pull me by my ponytail, attempting to drag me further away from my door, when Bellamy appeared. I’m not sure what would have happened had he not come. I’d like to think Brian wouldn’t have taken things too far, but you just never know.

“Danica, you’re not. You have a concussion, and they want you to stay the night. In fact, they pretty much said you’d be going against medical advice. You’re staying, end of story.” I’d roll my eyes if my head weren’t pounding. Instead, I gingerly lay my head back, avoiding another conversation I’m sure to lose because Theo, the caveman, called in Mallory.

“He’s right, Dani. Please, this once, listen to someone and stop being headstrong. In this instance, it might save your life.” I hear the emotion clogging her voice, and I know better than anyone how strong she is. This must really be upsetting her.

“Fine, I’ll stay, but stop hovering. Both of you.” Theo doesn’t listen. He moves my fingers away from the intravenous line I was fiddling with. Apparently, Theo Goldman knows everyone in New York. Lucky for me, I’m getting the royal treatment. Not so lucky for me, I’m being catered to like the Queen of England. Overkill, to say the least.

“Thank you. Now, I’m going to head out. There are a few people who are busting at the seams trying to get in here, but this big guy is holding them off.” Mallory comes closer. My eyes open and blink the tears away. My best friend looks like she’s aged ten years in the span of twenty-four hours.

“You’re welcome. I’m okay. I’ll call later, and I’m sure Theo will text you with any updates.” She cups my cheek, kisses my forehead.

“He better, and you better listen, or else.” I attempt to laugh. The throbbing in my head doesn’t let me, though.

“I will, promise.” I nod, give her a weak smile, and then she’s heading out the door. Theo takes a seat beside my bed, hand entwined with mine, squeezing it lightly. The door closes softly behind Mallory. My eyes stay open even though Vanessa and Dr Smith told me earlier that sleep is the best thing for me. It’s really hard to shut down my brain. I shouldn’t be worried about work, school, or the thought of returning to my apartment when I’m released from the hospital.

“Theo.” I turn my head to look at him. His attention is already locked on me, gaze never wavering.

“Fairy,” he replies, a tired smirk on his face. Theo was at the hospital before I was, holding my hand as they off-loaded me from the ambulance, staying put the whole time until it was time for an MRI. Still, he was adamant about waiting right outside the door. A string Vanessa, Parker’s wife, pulled, or it could be the last name or the wing that was named after Four Brothers with the hefty donation they gifted the hospital. Anyways, she stayed with me the entire time, talking me through the process. I wasn’t nervous, more annoyed that I was meeting important people in Theo’s life while looking like I’d been run over a time or two, put in a situation that had I been on my A-game, I probably could have avoided.

“You don’t have to stay. I’ve pulled you away from work. Your friends are out there in the waiting room, and I’ll be sleeping. Go, spend time with them.” I’m attempting to let him off the hook. Seriously, my whole life is a basket case. I’ve yet to tell him the reason why I’m twenty-five and working two jobs, living in an apartment building with a skeeze ball of a landlord, and why I’m my own worst enemy when it comes to needing a helping hand.

“I’m staying, Danica. We’re not going to argue over it. You’re not up for the way I’d silence your mouth or the thoughts currently running through your mind.” His jaw clenches. The hand not holding my own moving toward my face trembles. Theo Goldman, billionaire playboy who has never once been seen with the same woman twice, is worried. About me. Thank you, social media gossip sites, for giving me the four-one-one while being chauffeured around with nothing to do but scroll through my phone.

“Alright, stubborn caveman,” I grumble. It seems being alone won’t be an option. It’s probably for the better. A pity party over missing class won’t help anything right now.

“Caveman? I like that, a whole lot, but, woman, you own the wordstubborn.” The tilt of his lips causes my insides to ripple, thighs to clench, and nipples tighten. I’m sure if Theo took his eyes away from mine and looked down the length of my body, he’d see exactly what he’s doing to me with one look alone. Apparently, where Theo is concerned, my body gives zero fucks about a headache or a concussion.

“We’ll agree to disagree. Go let your friends in. They’ve been waiting long enough.” I don’t tack on that my looks might scare them away. The least I can do is say hello. It’s not every day strangers will drop what they’re doing to make sure you’re okay.

“Fine, but they aren’t staying long. You heard the doctor. Rest, and lots of it.” He moves in closer, lips touching the corner of my mouth, kissing me softly before he stands up. The softness along with his innate way in taking care of me, it has me melting further for the billionaire I swore I’d never fall for.

“Okay.” He nods before heading out the hospital door. I watch him the entire time, his back to me, his shirt a wrinkled mess, sleeves rolled up in what I’m learning is his signature move the minute he’s out of the office for the day. Theo makes it to the door and opens it lightly, making sure he doesn’t make any unnecessary noise, and stays at the doorway as he exchanges a few words with his friends before he tips his head over his shoulder and meets my stare yet again.

SEVENTEEN

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