Page 65 of Chloé

“You sit tight and don’t worry.” Dad sniffed and swiped at the tear on his cheek. “Everything is going to be fine. I’ll leave now and be there as soon as I can.” More talking, more muffled cries. “I love you, Ma. He’s going to be fine. Call me if you need anything or hear anything else.” He nodded. “I know. Julien or Priest will drive. We’ll be careful. See you soon.”

He ended the call and lowered his arm, his eyes wide and glassy as he turned toPère.

“Pa just had a heart attack. He’s been rushed to the hospital.”

“Oh,princesse.”Pèredrew him into his arms. “I’m so sorry.”

Dad buried his face inPère’s neck and burrowed into him, and Chloé looked at the two of them and mouthed,Go.

Pèrestroked a hand down Dad’s back as quiet sobs started to fill the air. “Are you sure?”

Chloé’s own emotions were starting to get the best of her as she watched her dad slowly fall apart, and she knew the one thing she could do for them right now was look after this place so herpèreand papa could look afterhim.

“Of course. No question. You and Papa need to go with him.” She came around the desk and wrapped her arms around them both. “Go—he needs to be with Nonna.”

Pèrenodded and kissed her on the forehead. “We’ll call you as soon as we hear anything.”

“I know.”

Dad didn’t say anything asPèreled him to the door, andPèrelooked back at her.“On t’aime.”

“Je vous aime aussi.”

As they disappeared, Chloé collapsed onto the desk. Her heart was racing, her head spinning, and as everything that had just happened started to sink in, it felt like she couldn’t breathe.

She closed her eyes and tried counting back from ten, and when that didn’t work, she reached for her phone, knowing the one thing thatwouldcalm her.

She hit the number and closed her eyes.

When she heard, “Hey there, Red. How you doing?” she finally took another breath.

* * *

“RED?”

WHEN CHLOÉ didn’t immediately answer, Zayne got up off the couch in their office at the club, and clicked his fingers at Ethan to get his attention. Something wasn’t right. “Chloé? Are you there?”

Ethan tossed his pen on the desk and sat back in his chair, a frown marring his forehead.

“Yes,” Chloé finally said, but her voice sounded different. Quiet, shaky…sad.

“Are you okay? You sound upset.”

Ethan sat up at that, and Zayne held a finger up and put her on speaker.

“Ethan’s here too, Red.”

“Chloé?” Ethan said. “Where are you? Are you hurt in any way?”

“I’m okay,” she finally said, though her voice was still shaking as though she were about to start crying—or had just stopped. “It’s not me.”

It’s not her?Zayne mouthed to Ethan, who shrugged.

“Is it one of your fathers?” Zayne asked. “Are you at the restaurant?”

“Yes, I’m at JULIEN and they’re fine, but my pop… My dad’s dad.” She sniffed. “He had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.”

Ethan got to his feet then, and both of them headed for the door.

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