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"I disagree. It's done. The money is yours and you can do whatever the hell you want with it. Give it away. Buy a bunch of stupid shit. Whatever.” Ransom steps up to the bed, looming over Joker’s massive form. "But if you do anything to hurt Colt, or anyone else in this family, I'll bury you. So stay straight, don't break Colt's heart, and you have the world at your disposal."
Johnny's hand wraps around the railing of the bed, and he pulls. That wrist is handcuffed to the bed. His wrist is so thick it looks like he could snap the cuff with very little effort. Of course, he'd end up in trouble for that. The guard at the door barks a 'hey', and Johnny lets go of the rail and drops his hand to the bed.
I can't imagine living the way he does. Being told what to do all the time. Everything on a schedule of someone else's making. The noise and the lack of privacy would be overwhelming.
"I do not understand the problem. You committed a crime and went to prison. We benefited to some degree from your actions. It's simple," I say.
Joker eyes me, then lets out a grunt. "Simple. I wouldn't have used that word."
I really want out of this room. I want Janey. "It is simple. We set aside one-tenth of one percent of our profit for you. I managed it like I did all my brother's money. Now you use the money to fund your new life."
He blows out a breath, making the bandage over his mouth flutter. Evie carefully smoothes it into place at the side of his mouth. He gives her a nod and stares up at the ceiling. "Fine. So there's enough money in there to pay the fancy doctor?"
Ransom opens his mouth to answer, but I cut him off, anxious to get out of this room. "As of yesterday morning, there is $87,984,935. And a few cents." I turn and bolt out the door, leaving behind a shouting Joker, and a few laughing brothers.
I dropped a bomb. I am aware. But it was the most efficient option. Ransom would have danced around it, hoping to put Joker off. But it's a waste of time. Joker's as stubborn as Colton, and obviously he wouldn't be happy with the amount. I learned a long time ago people can be odd about money, so it's better to rip the band-aid off.
I push through the ER doors and hurry into the main lobby of the hospital. There's less noise, less people here. Maverick walks toward me, tucking his phone in his back pocket. He lines around his eyes aren’t as tight as the were fifteen minutes ago.
"He's not going back. I pulled a few strings, and yanked a few chains. Everyone agrees it would be best for him to stay away from the prison."
"Colton will be happy," I say, looking over his head to the private waiting room. Though I don't think it's officially a waiting room. More of a lounge for donors. Either way, it's closed off from everyone else, and that's all that matters. Maverick follows my gaze, and turns, heading for the door as he replies.
"Yeah. He'll be busy getting the apartment ready for him and buying Christmas presents. Thank fuck we have some time to handle all of this." He swings open the door, revealing the women passing a bottle around.
Becca squeaks and shoves the bottle down the front of her shirt. "Heeeyyy." She's strange. I like her. A lot. Janey still looks sleepy-eyed, one elbow propped on the arm of her chair, her chin resting on her fist. She only had a few hours of sleep earlier.
I read up on wedding nights, again, just in case, but it's clear that we won't be having that kind of night.
"We haven't been gone that long," Maverick says, grinning.
Cara fishes the bottle out of Becca's cleavage, avoiding her slapping hands, and tucks it back into her massive purse. "Relax, they're not shit-faced. They only had a few sips. How's Colton’s brother?"
“Johnny,” I tell her. He’s been called Joker a long time, but that’s a prison name. He’ll want his old name back, won’t he? “He will be okay," I say. "The cuts on his face are huge. Maverick says he doesn't have to go back, so that will be good." Done talking, I move over to Janey and offer her my hand. She takes it, and something Maverick said registers. "Christmas Presents? We're exchanging presents?"
Holly smiles up at me. "Yep. We're doing it up big. It's going to be so great. And now, with Johnny home, you know Colton's going to be over the top."
"Great," I echo, saliva pooling in my mouth. "The online shopping window has closed. The deliveries will not arrive on time." Janey tightens her fingers around mine, a small smile on her lips.
Maverick snickers. "You're right, brother. Looks like we're going to the mall."
As Becca would say, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
16
JANEY
The man is flipping out. Oh, there aren't any obvious signs, but to me, the twitching of his fingers and the way his eyes hop around the parkade are clear as day.
Who knew a mall could be so scary?
To be fair, I've been freaked out at a mall, but it usually has to do with the prices. Shopping when you're on a budget isn't that much fun. But for someone like Jonas, I guess it has less to do with money and more to do with the crowds and noise.
"We don't have to do this. We could make presents for everyone. Cookies or something else easy." Though I really want to go in. I want to get Jonas something. It will never be equal to what he's giving me, but the idea of having nothing for him or anyone else on Christmas morning makes me sick. I want a real Christmas, the kind they have in Hallmark movies. The kind with smiles, laughter, and good food.
The kind I've never had but always dreamed of.
The twitching fingers stop, and he swings those rich brown eyes to me, fear of the mall forgotten. "Wait. You know how to make cookies? What kind? What ingredients do you need?"
