The Billionaire Next Door (Billionaire Bad Boys #2)(60)

Before Reese could speak, Tag said, “Nice of you to let me know.”

His brother narrowed his eyes, anger seeping into his expression, and a woman with dark blond hair shot out of her seat to stand next to him. Reese’s wife-turned-ex-wife-turned-fiancée, no doubt.

“We only just found out ourselves, Tag.” She extended a hand to Rachel. “I’m Merina Van Heusen.”

“Crane,” Reese corrected.

“Not yet,” Merina said with a pointed look. Rachel shook her hand.

“You must be Rachel.” Reese shook her hand next.

“Yes.”

“Thank you for coming.”

“Cut the formality, Clip.” Tag’s anger was on a short leash. Rachel wrapped her hand around his forearm gently so he knew she was on his side. “What the hell is going on?”

“I’ll explain,” came an authoritative voice.

Every head swiveled to the older, white-haired man with a matching white goatee. Thick, muscular build, flooring blue eyes.

This had to be Alex “Big” Crane.

Tag’s father.

*



The next few minutes were a blur.

Tag grilled his father for information, of which Alex gave as little as possible. Evidently Eli’s request that he keep quiet took precedence. That also included not sharing details of the surgery.

“You know I love you all equally, so stop trying to guilt me. Anyway, you can ask him yourselves.” Alex’s forehead was crinkled, his eyebrows meeting over a strong, straight nose as he snapped his eyes from Tag to Reese. “I don’t want a lecture from either one of you.”

“We should know what’s happened before we go in there,” Reese grumbled. Tag was glad his brother was as pissed as he was. Keeping secrets was bullshit, and not a habit the Crane men had when dealing with each other.

“We’re ready,” Alex said, beckoning a nurse. “Reese. You’re the oldest. You first. I’ll go in with you and Merina.”

“Tag…” Merina looked to him, but he shook his head and put his arm around Rachel. He understood the importance of Reese taking her with him. She shouldn’t go in there with anyone else.

“Not the way I envisioned first meeting your brother,” Merina said to Reese, her smile pale. Reese tucked her against his side and kissed her forehead. Tag’s gut twisted. Being here, everyone behaving somberly, was a premonition of something bad, and he hated that he didn’t know what it was.

His father’s assistant, Rhona, had come as well. Again Tag considered her presence, as well as the way her eyes were rimmed red, her hands laced in her lap, knuckles white. Definitely she and his dad were more than co-workers. She had taken the news as personally as any of them.

Which made him consider him and Rachel and what it meant that she’d insisted on coming with him. He couldn’t think of a single other woman from his past who would have offered. Face it, this wasn’t the most comfortable way to meet his family.

“Let’s sit,” Tag said to her, his voice gentle. He’d been growling like a caged lion since he arrived. Not only did it not help him pry information from his dad, but it also hadn’t put the scared woman at his side at ease.

Rachel sat next to him, fingers linked with his while her other hand rubbed his arm, consoling him. She was so damn sweet.

“He’s okay,” he told her, covering her hand with his. “If he’s making demands that none of us know what’s wrong until he tells us, then he’s okay.” Tag had to believe that or he’d go insane. When their mother died, Eli had handled losing Mom in much the same way he was handling this scenario—he’d locked up, shut down, and processed internally.

“I’m sorry we can’t tell you,” Rhona interrupted, her voice fragile. Worry was etched across her face, her blond-with-gray-streak ponytail sloppy like she’d hurriedly pulled it back. She was dressed casually, and so was Alex, which made Tag again consider how much time they spent together. “Eli was adamant.”

That she knew made Tag feel an ache of betrayal.

“I’ll know in a few minutes,” he said anyway, aware that taking out his anger on Rhona wouldn’t help the situation. Definitely she and his father were more serious than he’d thought.

Tag had a brief slap of insight at that thought. He hadn’t told his family about Rachel, until Reese had pressed. And here he was with her. They appeared together in every way. He couldn’t exactly fault his dad for not laying things out. Maybe, like Tag, Alex didn’t know what he and Rhona had either.

“Tag,” came Reese’s voice, pulling him out of his thoughts. “Rachel. You two can go in now.”

Reese’s pallor was sickly, his expression grim. Merina didn’t look much better.

Tag’s stomach sank. He stood, then glanced at Rachel, who rose from her seat cautiously. His girl, blond hair down and beautiful, eyes wide with worry. She was scared. She was concerned. And she was in a hospital with his entire family. She’d stayed by his side.

His sister-in-law-to-be swiped tears from her cheeks, a look of devastation covering her features. When Reese enclosed Merina in a comforting hug and met Tag’s eyes over her head, Tag’s knees nearly went out from under him.

What the f*ck had happened to Eli?

“Rachel, I’m not sure this is the best time for you to meet Eli,” Alex stated. The look he sent Tag next made him feel like puking.