Mr. Right Now: Vol. 3: Drinks On Us Tonight (2 page)

Cole’s blood boils from the arrogant son of a bitch in front of him. He tried to keep his cool while Eli was in the room, but now he’s not. Cole’s finding it hard to keep his mouth shut. The young doctor is a prick and is just begging to be put in his place. Cole understands more than anyone else about getting down to the facts and being practical, but you don’t have to be a dick.

This is the third time he’s interrupted the female doctor, making no apology.

“Sorry, Dr. Smith, but I’d really like to listen to the rest of what Dr. Abter has to say.” Cole clenches his fist in frustration and tries to pipe down his rage.

“Well, I was just saying that in my case study my first year, I was witness to a similar case, and the patient pulled out of it. Just never give up hope because it might be the best medicine.”

“Dr. Abter, with all due respect, you’ve only been practicing for a few months, while I have years under my belt, and it’s never okay to give false hopes to loved ones.” Dr. Dickhead turns to Chloe’s mom, gets down on one knee, and holds her hand. “You may have days or weeks with her.”

Cole watches the female doctor quietly leave the room with her tail tucked between her legs and wants to race after her, but remains put. Soon, the other doctors leave the room.

“I’m staying tonight and tomorrow with Eli. One of his brothers will be here with him at all times.”

“Thank you. I’m just sick.” Chloe’s mom breaks down in a fit of sobs after being so strong.

Kam is at her side. “What can we do for you?”

“I’d like to go to my hotel room now.”

“I’ll drive you.”

Kam holds her hand and guides her from the small room.

“Hey, Kam,” Cole hollers. When he gets his brother’s attention, he asks him in a softer tone, “Are you okay to drive?”

Kam nods and rounds the corner.

“Then there were only two.” Cole plops down on the small leather couch next to Birdy. “You never know what you’re in for with us boys, Holden.”

“Please call me Birdy.”

Cole gives her a sideways glance, too fucking mentally exhausted to take on that level of crazy.

“Okay, Birdy.”

“Have you ever been in love before?”

Her question catches Cole off guard, but he’s quick to answer. “Nope, and don’t plan to.”

“How do you know you’ve never been in love?”

“Is this fucking twenty questions?”

“Sorry, Cole, I’ve just never felt like this before and wanted to know if it’s real love.”

“Well, if I was ever to fall in love, I’m sure it would be a lot like having the worst and best feelings in your life, but still wanting that person more than anything in the world. “ Cole relaxes his head on the back of the couch and closes his eyes. “And you’d do anything for that person without a second thought, because they own every single ounce of you.” Cole pauses for a few minutes then adds, “But that’s only if I’m guessing.”

“I love him.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure he loves you as well. Just be careful. Dax lives hard and loves harder. He’s a ball of fire, that’s for sure.”

They sit in silence, mulling over thoughts about life and the next steps. Cole savors the few moments of silence in his life. It’s something that’s damn near nonexistent. He needs a vacation alone to a faraway place, but can’t force himself to leave.

“Birdy, do me a favor.” He rolls his head to face her. “If you ever see Dax using a white powder, like snorting it up his nose, you have to let me know. Don’t tell him, just come to me.”

“Okay, but…”

Before Birdy has a chance to ask any questions, Dax joins them.

“How is he?” Cole stands.

“Better than I thought. I’m not sure whether to be scared or impressed. He had a dream, and Mom told him his girls would be okay.”

“I would’ve bet we were going to have to sedate his ass.”

“He’s going to be crushed, Cole.”

“I know, but not much we can do about it. Where is he now?”

“Up in her room.”

Cole watches his brother wrap up Birdy and lift her in the air in a massive hug and attack her lips. His gut wrenches with how hard Dax has fallen for her…and her background. He sees
tragic
in red lights flashing above their heads, but is doing his best to remain positive.

Two detectives step into the room, and Cole immediately recognizes them from the night of the attack. All four men exchange handshakes, and when one of them flashes his badge, Birdy begins to shake like mad in Dax’s arms.

“Excuse us, we have an appointment. I’ll call you later, Cole.”

They wait until Dax and Birdy have left the room.

“We have some new information on Chloe’s case.”

Cole only nods, mentally noting everything he already knows about it. It would blow his brothers’ minds if they knew how far the Harwells have gone to make sure Made To Sin never opens its doors. Cole and the other men know Chloe’s attack was from a pending court case against Ethan, but what the others don’t know is how her home and office were bugged by the Harwells.

They knew her every move and business plan, and that’s why they seemed so successful against other competitors until the Sterlings, who don’t take no for an answer. Also, what the other brothers didn’t know was that the Harwells own a chain of coffee shops, and that’s the business deal that sealed Chloe’s fate.

“We’re arresting old man Harwell tomorrow on several charges and just wanted to let you know. Ethan is next and will be facing charges as well. The men won’t see the light of day with everything we’ve gathered. It just saddens my heart it took a young woman losing her life to come to this point.”

Cole knows Chloe has no hope, but in Eli’s honor he defends her. “She’s not going to die.”

The two detectives nod and offer their hands for a parting handshake.

“Please let Eli know, and tell him to contact us if he needs anything.”

“Thanks.”

Cole watches the two men leave the room and once again collapses on the couch, beaten down. His shoulders are broad, but not nearly as broad as Dax’s. His personality is charming, but not nearly as charming as Eli’s. And his game is good, but not as hot as Kam’s. So Cole’s always been the one brother to bottle up all the family’s problems and fix them.

The effects of responsibility are beginning to wear him down. Cole’s tired, but facing the most pivotal part of his career. Made To Sin must be a success on the West Coast, and then he can go home and not be tired.

Cole quietly closes the door and leaves Eli by Chloe’s side. He jogged the three flight of stairs up to her room instead of taking the elevator. It helped him release some stress. Chloe is off all life support and even fluttered her eyes a couple times, but it’s nothing to get wound up over.

Cole runs down flight after flight of stairs to the basement. He’s found this hospital has a decent cafeteria, and he’s too exhausted to go out anywhere tonight. He’ll find some grub and then go to the waiting area upstairs next to Chloe’s room.

Pushing the swinging doors open, he finds the cafeteria deserted. Cole relaxes a bit, going through the line selecting chicken and grilled vegetables, and thinks he’d give anything for a large, rare T-bone and a cold beer. But chicken will have to do for tonight. He finds a deserted table in a corner and settles in.

Cole tries to enjoy his dinner, but the stale smell of the hospital mingled with his worries make it impossible. He swirls around his broccoli and mentally makes notes of everything he needs to do. He finally pulls out his MacBook and begins answering a pile of emails waiting for him.

He’s not sure how much time passes, but enough for his food to turn cold. When he looks up, the cafeteria has filled a bit more. But it’s the surgeon from earlier who catches his eye. She’s by herself at a corner table opposite him. She needs a good fucking, he thinks to himself. To at least loosen her up and give her a good time.

She catches him staring at her, making him feel a bit awkward, so he shoots her a quick wave to not make it as obvious, and then focuses on his work. It’s pretty hard to get Cole rattled, but being caught ogling her and prescribing her a good fucking does the trick. He shakes his head at being busted and digs right back in to business.

By the time Cole makes it back up to Eli and Chloe, it’s been hours and he feels a bit guilty for leaving him that long. But on the other hand, he did get caught up on his work and might be able to spend tomorrow doing something other than work and worrying about his brothers.

He’s surprised when he rounds the corner to find several doctors in Chloe’s room. Monitors sound throughout the hall, and loud commotion comes from her doorway. He can pinpoint it easily with the large crowd standing at her door. His heart fucking drops to his feet, knowing this can’t be good. There’s no way in hell he can get to Eli. Cole damn well knows he’s probably up in the front holding her hand.

Do they really make this big of a deal when someone begins to pass? Hell, he wouldn’t know. His parents were killed instantly in a plane crash. Cole tries to get as close as possible and listens.

“She woke up.”

He turns to see the female surgeon.

“She what?’

“She woke up about twenty minutes ago. There’s a team of doctors in there checking her.”

“So, she’s alive?” Cole scratches his head.

“She’s alive and awake, but there are so many other factors that could come into play.”

He scrubs his face a couple times, trying to take everything in. “Thanks.” He pauses and searches for a nametag, but her badge is tucked into her scrubs.

“Doctor?” she fills in for him.

“Well, thanks, Dr. No Last Name.” Cole studies her hand as she tucks a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “So do doctors have first names, or do you lose those when you become one?”

She chuckles. “Jax. It’s short for Jacquelyn.”

“Thanks, Jax.” Cole grins back at her

“You’re welcome, brother. I mean, brothers don’t have first names, do they?” Jax asks.

“Nice, she’s smart, pretty, and knows how to make a joke.”

“Got to run, brother.” Jax spins on her heel and walks straight down the hall, leaving him with his jaw wide open.

Cole tries not to stare too long and takes out his phone to call Dax and Kam. He just gives them the basics and hangs up. There’s no need for the other brothers to come up just yet.

Cole leans back on one of the walls, crossing his arms over his chest and trying not to get overly excited about the news. He watches the nurses and doctors scurry about, taking care of patients and attending to the whistles and dings of machines. He barely hears the code alert blare over the speakers, but the rush of nurses and doctors racing by catches his attention. He spots Jax and watches her in full action jogging down the hallway. Her dark brown hair bounces with each step, and it takes all his self-control to not reach out and grab her.

Her build is just the way he likes them, shorter and super lean with huge tits. The freckles that pepper the bridge of her nose might be his favorite thing about her. Jax turns her head just enough to catch sight of him and gives him a little smirk. Cole growls, “Fuck me.” He just got out of a mess with Creed; he sure as hell doesn’t need to find himself in a similar situation.

He replays his motto over and over in his mind. “Business during the day and party at night…no strings attached.” He’s losing soldiers one by one, and it looks as though it’s just him and Kam to tear shit up in the penthouse. And tomorrow night he’ll be fucking living it up, no doubt.