Forty three
Zeke’s POV
Entering the casino, I felt the familiar rush of adrenaline that always accompanied the flashing lights and pulsing music.
As I made my way to the VIP lounge, I couldn’t shake the image of Kamille’s face from my mind.
I have to be the first person she sees when she wakes.
I sat and the bartender quickly served me with a glass of sapphire royale. I wanted to drown out my thoughts. If only for a little while.
“Brother!” Zane echoed from behind me. Finally they were here. My heart danced in joy.
“What’s up brother?” Fletcher asked, his voice laced with concern.
I offered them a weak smile. “I just need a drink for now.” I replied, taking the vintage style glass in my hand.
“I bet my brother’s heart has been toyed with.” Zane said, turning towards Fletcher.
“No bro. Leave the heartache to me. I bet his skin was sullied by lowlifes.” Fletcher countered and they both laughed. I smiled.
“Why are grown up men acting like silly kids?” I asked as they settled in and the bartender brought in more drinks.
“Hmmm. Sounds like, why are you here and drinking all by yourself to me.” Zane replied in whispers. His tone was laced with concern but his eyes were mischievous.
“Because it is my Casino? And both of you are here.” I replied casually, a little relaxed by their presence.
Fletcher nodded, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “We’re here for you, man. Whatever you need.”
Zane chuckled and before I could react, my phone started to ring. I quickly looked at it, Incase it was Kamille or the kids but it was my father. I ignored it.
As my phone continued to ring insistently, I kept ignoring it, hoping he would stop but he didn’t. Such a persistent old man. Tsk.
“You should pick the call before we are dragged into your troubles.” Fletcher urged.
“Yes brother. I don’t want my life to end in a casino because of your father.” Zane teased.
“As if.” I replied and with a resigned sigh, I excused myself from the table and stepped outside to take the call.
“Hello Sir.” I answered, my voice betraying none of the turmoil raging inside me.Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.
“Zeke, what is this I’m hearing?” My father’s voice crackled over the line, filled with a mixture of disbelief and anger.
My heart sank at the accusation in his tone, the weight of his words pressing down on me like a leaden weight. “What did you hear?” I asked uninterestedly.
“Kamille is alive, and you knew about it?” His voice rose with each word, his anger palpable even through the phone line. “And I have grandchildren I don’t know about? I’ve been receiving congratulations I don’t even understand. What is going on, Zeke?”
Fuck those old noisy directors.
How could they let such sensitive information slip through their fingers? And how sure were they that the kids were mine. I squeezed my forehead with my fingers.
Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I brought the phone back to my ear, my tone firm and resolute. “Dad, I understand that you still have close contacts with some of the doctors at the hospital.” I said, my voice tinged with irritation.
“But you need to tell them to control the spread of that information. It’s confidential, and it shouldn’t be circulating like gossip.”
“You say gossip? But it didn’t sound that way.” Father replied.
“I will explain things to you and mother when I come around.” I responded.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, my father no doubt processing my words. Finally, he spoke, his voice tinged with concern. “When Zeke? Your mother and I are dying of curiosity.”
I sighed. “Soon, Dad, I promise.” I replied. “But right now, I can’t answer your questions. Just please, tell your contacts at the hospital to keep quiet about this.”
I ended the call and went back inside the VIP lounge. I knew that I needed to act quickly to contain the spread of the information before it spiraled out of control.
“I’ll be leaving soon.” I said as I rejoined Zane and Fletcher at the table.
“Leaving already, Zeke?” Zane exclaimed, a teasing grin playing on his lips. “We came out here because of you, and now you’re leaving us high and dry?”
I offered them a wry smile. “I don’t care.” I replied, my tone unapologetic. “I need to settle something at the hospital.”
Their expressions turned to surprise as I mentioned the hospital, their curiosity piqued. “Hospital?” Fletcher echoed, his brow furrowing in confusion. “What for?”
I met their questioning gazes with a knowing look, understanding that they wanted more explanation. Taking a deep breath, I decided to confide in them, knowing that I could trust them with the truth.
And lay it off my chest too.
“Kamille is alive.” I began, my voice quiet yet determined. “She’s alive, and there’s a lot that needs to be sorted out. Word about it cannot get to the public.”
As I spoke, I could see the shock and concern flicker across their faces. “Holy cow!” Zane exclaimed.
I eyed him and continued. I also disclosed the shocking news about our children, Zane and Fletcher’s expressions shifted from surprise to concern. Their eyes widened in disbelief, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what I had just revealed.
“But she doesn’t know she told you?” Zane’s voice was filled with incredulity, echoing the disbelief etched across his features.
I shook my head, a heavy weight settling in the pit of my stomach. “No, she doesn’t.” I admitted quietly. “She was sleeping, so she doesn’t know that I know.”
Zane and Fletcher exchanged a glance, their silent communication conveying a shared understanding of the gravity of the situation. “We’ll come with you to the hospital.” Fletcher declared firmly.
I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could form any coherent words, Zane spoke up. “We won’t say anything.” He reassured me, his gaze steady and unwavering. “But we just want to see her and the kids, Zeke. That’s all.”
A sigh escaped my lips as I realized the futility of resisting their insistence. I nodded in reluctant agreement. “Okay.” I conceded, knowing that I couldn’t deny them the opportunity to see Kamille and the children. They would always find ways to see her.
As we entered the elevator that descended to the VIP exit, I remembered the task I gave to them.
“Any updates on the drug baron?” I inquired, eager for any news that might shed light on the mysterious figure lurking in the city.
They exchanged a glance before Fletcher spoke up. “The drug baron is here in London, but he’s keeping a low profile.” They informed me, their voices tinged with frustration.
“He’s undercover, using an alias and an alibi to divert attention from his illegal activities. But we got a picture. I’ll send it to your office tomorrow.” Zane added.
I nodded grimly, absorbing the information with a sense of grim determination. “Send me the picture, but not to the office.” I instructed, knowing that every piece of information could be crucial in bringing the elusive criminal to justice.
“I want to be by Kamille’s side.” I said slowly.
Zane and Fletcher’s voices broke through the seriousness of the situation. “No work? Did I hear that right?” Zane exclaimed, his eyes widening in mock disbelief. “I think I can die peacefully now.”
Zane’s remarks elicited a chuckle from Fletcher, who couldn’t resist adding his own jab. “Remember when your wife couldn’t even get you to stay away from work?” He teased, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “On her birthday, you ditched her party for a meeting in Las Vegas.”
I sneered in response, my irritation bubbling to the surface. ‘You two are too noisy.” I retorted, my tone sharper than intended. “Keep quiet.”
But despite my annoyance, they laughed heartily at me.
They are my brothers for a reason. I chuckled.