in this care apartment for months, she still smells like Mom.
“The one where you’re thinking too hard about something else. Something complicated.”
I nod. “That’s one way to put it.”
“What’s bothering you?” She takes another struggling breath.
I cover her hand with mine. “I’m just worried is all. You know how I—”
Her phone rings. The loud one provided by the facility.
She reaches for it. “Hello?”
I can hear Doctor Lincoln through the receiver.
“You ready to roll?”
“What?” Mom sounds just as confused as I feel. “Roll?”
“Figure of speech. I just got word from the bursar that you’re paid up, and then I got word that there’s a set of lungs on their way here. Perfect match.”
“What?” I sit straight up. “What did he say?”
Mom blinks, confused. “What did you say?”
He laughs. “I said you need to tell Nurse Evie to get you ready because an ambulance is on its way to transport you to Geneva General.”
“Now?” she asks.
I take her hand and squeeze it between mine. I’m in the same amount of shock as she is. This can’t be happening … Can it?
“Yes. Right now. I’ve got to go and make sure everything’s ready for my OR. But this is it, Maeve. It’s what we’ve been hoping and praying for. I don’t know where you found the money, but Geneva is more than happy to take it. Let’s get this show on the road.” He hangs up.
“Is this real?” Mom puts the receiver down with a shaking hand. “Lily, is it?” She reaches out and pinches me.
“Ow!”
“It’s real.” She nods and lies back as the squeaking sounds in the hall tell me the nurse is hustling toward us.
I can’t contain my emotions, my tears flowing as I hug her close. “Oh my god, this is it.”
“This is it.” She pats my back. “New lungs.”
My tears only increase, and I hope against all the bad luck in the world that this isn’t too good to be true.
12
Clark
2 months later
“He’s been skimming?” I ask Travis, my right-hand man.
“Yeah, taking bets, then marking them down with lesser amounts.”
“Motherfucker.” I run a hand through my hair. “He was one of my best bookies.”
“Want to give him another chance?”
I stare at him.
He cracks a smile. “Just kidding, boss. He’s already dead.”
“Good.” I relax back into my chair. “Anything else?”
“Nothing from me.” He backs to my office doors. “But that sweet thing out front has been waiting a while.”
“What?”
“The girl. She’s waiting.” He cocks a thumb over his shoulder.
“What girl?” I shake my head, then press the button to my secretary. “Is someone here for me?”
She answers quickly. “Yes. No appointment. I was going to notify you when Mr. Brannon left.”
“What does she want?”
“She said she has to speak with you and she hasn’t said another word. Should I have security escort her out?”
“No.” The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. This feeling, I know it. But it can’t be her. She doesn’t even know my name. I forced myself to let her go.
“Later, boss.” Travis smirks and strides out.
“The fuck?” I stand, then sit again. “Linda, send her in.”
I don’t intend to, but I find myself holding my breath.
When the doors open, I see Linda, and then I see her.
She walks in like she owns the place and comes to stand right in front of my desk. Linda closes the doors.
“Clark Evergreen.” She says my name like she savors the taste of it.
“Princess.” I stare her down. She’s even more beautiful now that she’s stopped with the cocaine chic diet. Fuller, more feminine, more everything. My heart riots inside me as she walks around my desk.
“It took me a while, but I eventually got the hospital bursar to break.” She hikes up her pencil skirt, revealing black garters underneath, then straddles me.
I grip her hips, and right then, I let myself believe this is real. That she’s here. And not for my money or to stab me in the back for a rival. But for me.
“When she told me your name, I said ‘who?’” She unbuttons her shirt and shows me the matching black bra underneath. “And then I did some digging. You’re a bad man, Mr. Evergreen.”
“I never said any different.”
“You were always honest with me.” She reaches down and unbuckles my belt, then lowers my zipper. When her small hand wraps around my hard cock, I groan. “Except when you left me.” She twists her wrist, sending a burn through my shaft.
“Did you come here to get fucked, princess? Because that’s what’s going