The Billionaire and His Driver

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The next day, Ronny and Brina woke up late. Smiling at each other, they kissed, showered together, and dressed together. They both were feeling as if their brand-new relationship was moving right along. That it just might find a way to work out. Although they both had their apprehensions.

After breakfast in Ronny’s private dining room, they made their way, with Brina as driver and Tex still riding shot gun, to the hospital.

Sully and Zack, along with Mr. Prado, were already in Elvira’s room when Ronny and Brina walked in. Brina wore a pair of slacks with a sleeveless blouse tucked in, while Ronny wore his customary business suit. Nothing changed in their physical appearances, but Sully could see the difference in them. They were actually going to try to give it a go, he realized, and he was still baffled by that. How could two people from such incredibly different backgrounds make it work?

To Brina’s delight, Elvira was sitting up in bed. As Ronny sat next to his brothers, Brina went to her bedside. “You look wonderful, Mrs. D.,” she said happily as she hugged her. “A picture of health despite your surgery.”

“James helped me put on a little makeup and do my hair,” Elvira said.

Zack elbowed Sully when she said that. The brothers knew they had the hots for each other, but neither would ever admit their attraction out loud. To them it would be a dereliction of their duty.

“How you been holding up, Mr. Prado?” Brina asked him.

His arm was still in a sling as he sat in the chair beside Elvira’s bed. “I’m doing well, Brina. A little sore around the elbow, but that’s it.”

“He took a bullet for me,” Elvira said. “He pushed me out of the way and took that initial bullet.” Tears tried to well up in her eyes, but she was too strong to allow them. “To him I am eternally grateful.”

“Yes, it was a great thing you did, James,” Ronny said. “Thank you.”

Sully and Zack both looked at Ronny. “Did our big brother just tell somebody thanks?” asked Zack. “Did I hear that right, Sullivan?”

“Shocking though it may be,” Sully responded, “you heard it right.”

“Who’s rubbing off on him? Certainly not you.”

“Certainly not,” Sully said as he looked over at Brina.

Elvira was looking at Brina too. “How’s everybody doing? Have you checked?”

“We told her they were fine, but she doesn’t believe us,” said Zack as he slid his fingers through his thick wad of hair and slung it back from his forehead. Of all the brothers, Brina noticed, he was the most attractive. But also the most skeptical of her. Sully, who behaved as if he was the boss of the family right alongside Ronny, was a close second. “She thinks we’re just telling her what she wants to hear,” Zack added.

“That’s exactly what they’re doing,” Elvira said. “But I know you’ll tell me the truth.”

Zack laughed. “Check her out,” he said to his brothers.

But Sully and Ronny were sitting there in their expensive suits, their legs folded over their knees, their entire focus on Brina. Because both brothers knew that if Elvira turned to her for the truth in any matter, she had to be a truthful person. Just as Ronny believed she was. Sully was still kicking the tires. He had to see more.

But Elvira was concerned about her staff. “Is anyone still in the hospital?”

“Everybody’s been treated and released,” Brina said. “Except for Gail. She had surgery, but she’s doing well too. We went by her room before we came to yours.”

“What was she saying, with her mean self?”

Brina suppressed a smile. “She was yelling at Mr. Bradshaw, saying she’s going to sue Bradshaw Manor for not keeping her safe, and that she hated us. The usual Gail stuff. That’s how I knew she was fine.”

Elvira smiled and shook her head. “That’s one hateful woman. How she gonna sue somebody for what somebody else did? But that’s Gail.”

“But what about you, Mrs. D. How are you doing?”

“Surprisingly well. I don’t like doctors nor hospitals, but what can I do? The doctor said I should be able to go home in a few days.”

Brina smiled that smile Ronny loved. “That’s great, Mrs. Dash. That’s just wonderful news.”

Then they all small-talked for nearly an hour. Until Ronny looked at his watch and rose to his feet. “Wish we could stay longer, Elvira, but it’s time to go.”

“Thanks for coming, sir.”

“No problem at all. Come on, Sabrina.”

“Why don’t you let her stay, Ronny?” Zack asked as Brina hugged Elvira’s neck. “You have two hands. You can drive yourself around.”

“She has an appointment,” Ronny said. “And mind your own business,” he added as he walked out of the door.

Zack looked at Brina. “What appointment?”

Brina hunched her small shoulders. “I have no idea,” she said, and hurried behind Ronny.

Zack looked at his older brother. “She has very beautiful eyes.”

Sully leaned away looking at Zack. “So?”

“So nothing. It’s just an observation.”

“You’d better not let Ronny hear that observation,” Sully said.

“Amen,” said James.

Zack looked at both of them as if they knew something he had no idea about. “I thought she was his driver,” he said.

“She’s his driver alright,” murmured Elvira, but to her shock they all heard her. Sully and James laughed out loud.