Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson) novel Chapter 889

Christine was still fuming, but she knew Dailey wasn't completely off his rocker. He wasn't about to go on a murderous spree. He just didn't want her to reach Duke Northwood that night.

"Fine," she thought, "I'll call him tomorrow."

But she didn't expect Duke Northwood to call her first thing in the morning.

"Are you okay?" they both blurted out at the same time, laughing at the synchronicity.

Duke sounded bewildered. "Do you know what happened to me?"

"I was just settling the bill last night when two big guys in black suits hustled me into a car. Next thing I knew, I was out cold," he recounted. "I woke up this morning, found I'd spent the night on a hard floor, my neck's all kinked, and I think I'm catching a cold. Achoo!"

Christine silently cursed Dailey. Really, he couldn't even put the guy on a bed?

"A friend of mine, he's a bit... intense. I'm sorry you got caught up in this," she explained.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Duke asked, sniffling.

"Ex-boyfriend," Christine admitted, not bothering to hide it. "Let me take you to the hospital, and then you can join me for a gala tonight."

"What kind of gala?"

"The kind that could be beneficial for you."

"I'm not sick enough to skip out on a good opportunity," Duke replied, "but I'll take some medicine. No need to come over. A cold's nothing compared to making money."

"Just make sure you're in shape for tonight."

"I will be. I never drop the ball when it counts. Are you okay, though?"

Christine pressed her temples. She knew the situation with Dailey was too complicated to explain right now. "I'm fine."

"Glad to hear it."

As soon as she hung up, she heard the swipe of a key card and a tall, imposing figure entered the room, his expression cool and detached.