The Billionaire Playboy's Regret (Lark and Max) novel Chapter 84

Lark’s head was pounding. She found herself wondering if her father’s head hurt as bad as hers did. She rolled off her childhood bed and landed with a thud to the floor on her knees. She contemplated simply crawling to the bathroom instead of trying to get up and walk.

“Oh good, you’re up.” The door pushing open and Ollie coming into the space had her whimpering.

“The last thing I remember is doing shots with Dad at the bar of the club where we held the wake.”

“Your Dad insisted Riggs take him back to the grave last night and he apparently poured a shot for him and Nana Prue. He then passed out right there. You on the other hand, went down like a lead balloon after the third shot of sambuca of all disgusting things. We got you home and put you to bed.”

“We?”

“Me, Heriberto and Santiago.” She made a face, “be careful around Heriberto, would you? He made a comment about hoping Max would slip up sooner rather than later. I think he likes you, a lot.”

“I like him too.”

“Enough to leave Max for? I’m thinking he’s trying to wiggle his way in. Would it work?”

“No! He gives me big brother vibes.” She grinned suddenly, “maybe we’re related.”

“No. He wants to f**k you, Lark.”

“He doesn’t!”

“He does. Big time. Be careful. He’s sneaky, Lark.”

She shrugged, “I’m in a committed relationship with Max. We’re getting married. Heriberto can want what he wants but I know what I want. It’s Max.” Lark managed to get upright and held onto the edge of the nightstand. “I need to get cleaned up and head over to the hospital. I want to see Max. We shared a weird conversation at the funeral home. He left without saying goodbye, which is not like him. I texted him multiple times last night and other to say goodnight and he loved me, I haven’t heard from him at all.”

“Lark, you accused him of extorting you and coercing you into marriage. He’s been processing.”

She frowned, “what? What do you mean processing?”

“I mean, he thinks you don’t really want to marry him. He’s second guessing every single conversation you had. He told me he’s not holding you to marrying him because he knows you only agreed because he extorted you into it.”

She grimaced, the throbbing in her head not nearly as painful as the one suddenly happening in her chest. “What are you talking about, Ollie?”

“I’m talking about my brother realizing you don’t really want to be with him. He accepts you for being bitchy. You accept him for being coercive.” Ollie rolled her eyes, “did you really say that to him?”

She rubbed her forehead confusedly. A vague recollection of the conversation at the funeral home flitted around. “Maybe?

“Well, he thinks you believe he’s a manipulative asshole who extorted you into agreeing to get married. He also said while the house he bought was meant to be a gift for you, you thought it was a bribe. An exchange of some sort. Marry me and I’ll give you a house. He would have given you the house without marrying him in exchange.” Ollie sighed. “Anyway, he’s doing some kind of therapy thing this morning at the hospital for his chest and then he has group therapy with the counsellor and our family after this.”

“He thinks I don’t want to marry him?”

“Yup. You’re the one who said it, Lark.”

“I didn’t mean it, not like that.” She frowned, “I was teasing him because,” she trailed off and looked at Ollie in confusion,” you’re f*****g with me, right?”

“No. He’s giving you space because he knows he’s been hounding you and he feels guilt.”

“I’ll talk to him and fix it.” She pushed the thoughts away. Obviously, there was a misunderstanding, but they would work it out. “Why are you here so early? I thought we weren’t leaving until dinner time.”

“I’m leaving now. I was only popping in to see you before I head back to Houston with Santiago. He doesn’t want me out of his sight right now because his crazy soon-to-be ex-wife has flipped out now, she knows he has his sister freed. She might retaliate somehow. I don’t know. Mafia families are weird. All I know is I’m under the Santiago lockdown which means I have more guards than I normally do, and I have to be attached to his hip.”

“I’m happy for you Ollie,” she gave Ollie a smile.

“I told him I want a house in Dallas. I don’t want to move back to Houston permanently. It took too much work to relocate all of my business here last time. I also want to be closer to my family, especially since we’re already trying for a baby.” She gave a sheepish smile at Lark.

“You’re trying for a baby already? How exciting, Ollie!”

“It is.” She hugged Lark tight.

Fallon burst into the room and pointed at Ollie, “I’m coming back to Houston with you and your man. Mom just told me you’re leaving now. I’m coming with you, and I don’t care if I’m cramping your style either. I can’t do one more day of your sister and brothers. I can’t. I’m done. You were right, Lark. I should have gone to another university.”