“My little sister is in the hospital and she needs an operation and we don’t have any other options. Your uncle said I should talk to you,” she finally pushed out, on the verge of crying, once again. She could tell by his tone of voice he was simply humoring her and in no way was going to help them out. She was going to lose her baby sister and she didn’t think she could possibly make it through the horrific experience.
He was silent for so long she thought he hung up the phone. He didn’t remember her, or her sister and he was far too important a man to sit there on the phone with her. She’d failed her last resort and she felt an overwhelming sense of grief. She was starting to take the phone from her ear when he finally spoke again.
“Do you know where my office is?” he demanded.
“Yes, in the city,” she mumbled.
“Be there tomorrow at five,” he said and then she heard nothing but a dial tone. She sat there for a couple of minutes in shock as the phone continued to beep at her. She finally managed to hang up and allowed the tears to fall down her cheeks. It wasn’t hopeless. He was willing to hear her out. She didn’t care what it took. She had to convince him to help her baby sister. She couldn’t lose her.
Ryan sat at his desk, feeling a myriad of emotions coursing through him. He had known who was on the other end of his line from the very first word she had whispered. He could never forget that voice. It had haunted his dreams for the past twelve years. She’d been the girl who got away; hell not only got away but thrust him from her life.
He ran his hands through his hair and let out a sigh of frustration. How he wished he could’ve simply told her to go to hell and hung up the phone. There was no way he could be that much of a bastard. He’d loved Patsy as if she was his own little sister.
He felt a smile lift the corner of his lips, as he thought back to little Patsy toddling around his legs, as he spent time with Nicole. She had become attached to him from the very first moment he came through her doors. Over the years of watching her grow up she’d squeezed a piece of his heart.
He hadn’t heard Patsy was hurt. He decided to make some calls and get some background information on the situation. He needed to be well prepared when Nicole stepped through his doors. He’d been incredibly surprised by her call. He wasn’t having any more surprises when she stepped back into his life. He also needed to speak to his uncle. He didn’t know what the old man was up to but he knew not to give his number out to anyone. His uncle should’ve taken her number and given it to Ryan. That way he wouldn’t have been surprised. He didn’t like to be blindsided.
By the time Ryan got the answers he was looking for, he hung his head in shame. He couldn’t believe how bad things had gotten for Patsy. He knew beyond any shadow of a doubt he would help her but Nicole had no clue of that. He would help Patsy but he was also going to get what he wanted out of Nicole.
She’d once thought he wasn’t good enough for her and now he was the only one who could save her baby sister. He felt a sense of justice in that knowledge. He knew there wasn’t any point in working the rest of the day, as he couldn’t concentrate. He was eager for his appointment the next day. A smile stole across his features, as he sat back in his chair. He enjoyed a challenge and Nicole would definitely provide him some entertainment.
He made several phone calls, which included getting Patsy moved to a private room. He then found the best cardiothoracic surgeon he could find, called in for a consult. He didn’t do anything in half-measures and he wanted to make sure she received only the best of care.
By the time he hung up the phone, he felt more in control. Patsy was going to be well taken care of and he was going to get his chance for redemption with Nicole. She would pay for what she had done to him and they both would enjoy the punishment.
Ryan headed home, feeling better than he had felt in a long while. That somewhat empty feeling he had been dealing with for quite some time seemed to have completely lifted. He found himself smiling as he jogged up the stairs to change clothing. He was meeting up with Drew later in the evening and decided to enjoy his great mood.
Nicole paced outside the high rise building, working up her courage to enter through the double doors. He wouldn’t have told her to come in unless he was going to help her sister. He may hate her for what he thought she’d done to him but he used to be the kindest person she knew and there was no way he could let Patsy die.
She squared her shoulders and held her head up high as she entered the plush interior of Titan Enterprises. Even the lobby of the building screamed luxury, with its marble floors and huge security desk. There were plants strategically placed to make the area warm and inviting and several people were moving around the lobby, coming in and out of different doors. She didn’t know if the room was supposed to seem intimidating or not but it certainly made her feel out of place. The people he dealt with on a daily basis most likely didn’t notice the luxury surrounding them as they were around it all the time.
The guard behind the desk looked pleasant enough but Nicole could see the steel in his gaze. If she wasn’t on the acceptable list, there was no way she’d make it to the elevators. She had to fight every instinct in her, which told her to turn around and run away. She was made stronger than that and wouldn’t back down. She’d fought harder battles in her life but her sister’s surgery was the only one she’d ever fought for with her whole being.
She tried to walk with as much confidence as she could muster. What if him having her come in had been a cruel joke and the guard was going to send her on her way? If that were the case she would leave kicking and screaming. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her sister, even if it meant humiliating herself.