Lauren agreed to our arrangement–and for all I knew she was still screwing that guy in the Sinners’ MC–so I didn’t know what else she expected of me.
“Can I be excused?” Dani asked as she stood from her seat. Since when did she askpermissionto leave the goddamn table?
“Sure, dear,” Mom said sadly. She knew something was up with Gemma and Dani considering they were typically thick as thieves, and now they wouldn’t even look at each other.
She turned to leave with her plate but Dante grabbed her arm and pulled her back down. “Sit your ass down. You’re being punished, remember? Just like a child.”
She gritted her teeth as she stared at her plate, rage burning her eyes. Mom sighed and looked at Dad, willing him to say something.
“Uh, are you not feeling well, Danica? Maybe there’s a bug going around,” Dad suggested.
“She’s fine,” Dante barked. “Just tightening her leash a bit. After the stunts our kids have pulled lately, I’m fed up. Anyway…what time are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Our flight takes off at eight in the morning, so we will be out of here early,” Dad said.
Dani dropped her fork and it clanged against the porcelain plate. “You’re leaving tomorrow?”
“We have a consultation with a doctor in Chicago. He has high hopes for a successful surgery for Bobby,” Mom beamed. “So yes, we will be gone for a few days.”
“That’s great,” Dani said as she clenched her fists. “I want to see him before we leave.”
“Of course, honey. He would love that.” Dante huffed under his breath and Mom glared at him. Fuck, she hated his guts. “Why don’t you go now? It’s getting close to when he goes to bed.”
Relief flashed on her face as she excused herself. Dante looked irritated for a moment before going back to his dinner.
I waited a whole five minutes before excusing myself from the table as well. I couldn’t stand the thought of not knowing what Dani was saying to my brother. Yeah, I know I’m a fucking weirdo, but I’d gotten so used to eavesdropping, it felt unnatural not to.
I raced down the hallway to Bobby’s room as I pulled up the security app and halted to a stop as Dani shut the door behind her. Her eyes were watery, like she was trying to hold tears in.
“That was quick. What, no hockey romances tonight?” I asked as she rolled her eyes.
“You have problems.”
“I know,” I smiled, but she didn’t reciprocate. I pulled her away from Bobby’s door to make sure no one else could hear what we were saying. “What the fuck happened since last night?”
“It was bad,” she said, nibbling her lip.
“Tell me.”
“I need you to do something for me. I need you to tell Bash to come to Ethereal tomorrow night. Tell him that it’s life or death.”
“Jesus, are you okay?” I asked as my hands reached for her arms. She backed away a step so I wouldn’t touch her. I wanted to hug her. I wanted to hold her and make her think everything would be okay. We needed to talk about what was going on between us, but she was cold and rigid.
“I mean it, Kane. You have to get him there. I can’t say more than that but if he doesn’t show up, I’m fucked. And I’m sorry for what I’m about to do.”
“What?” I asked just as she reared back and slapped me across the face.
“Leave me alone, Kane! I mean it. Whatever we were doing is done,” Dani said as she glanced over my shoulder. “I’m sick of you causing drama for me.”
“That’s my girl,” Dante said as he hooked his arm with Dani’s and pulled her away from me. “Stay in your own fucking lane. My daughter, my business, remember?”
I touched my cheek where she slapped me, realization hitting (along with her hand) that she was in trouble.
Undoubtedly from me opening my big mouth.
Fuck.
If she wanted Bash at the club, then I would get him there. Whatever he was involved in must be of more use to her than I was, which stung. I’d have to put my pride and my ego aside for once and do as she asked.