Ruthless by Shelia M. Goss Page A

was my mother. How could this be? My whole life has been one big lie.”
    Sheba could see the pain in Delilah’s eyes. She wished she could erase it. All she could do was help her get through this. “I didn’t mean to make you upset. Maybe we should continue this conversation another time.”
    Delilah snapped, “Maybe we should. I’m kind of tired right now.” Delilah closed her eyes and didn’t open them back up.
    Uriah stood up and then motioned for Sheba to follow suit. She remained seated. Uriah tilted his head toward the door.
    Sheba finally took the hint and stood up. “Delilah, I’ll be back. You’re not going to get rid of me that easy. We’re family. And we’re going to get through this together. We’re all each other has.”
    She heard Delilah mumble something under her breath, but couldn’t make out the words.
    She and Uriah exited the hospital. As soon as they were in the car, Sheba went off on him. “You could have been nicer to her.”
    â€œI was nice. She’s the one who got on the defensive.”
    â€œShe’s been unconscious. What do you expect? Then I drop the news on her that we’re sisters. Come on, Uriah. I’ve never known you to be heartless.” Sheba couldn’t stand to look at Uriah right now, so she looked out the window as he drove.
    â€œWhat do you want for dinner?” he asked.
    She ignored him.
    â€œBaby, let’s not play the silent game. I will be leaving the country soon. Let’s not fight.”
    Sheba knew he had a point. She loved Uriah but couldn’t understand why he couldn’t show the same compassion as she did when it concerned Delilah. She would try to forget what had happened back at the hospital. They had only two more days together, and they would make the best of it.
    Sheba took his hand, and their fingers interlocked. “Love you, even though you can be stubborn,” Sheba said.
    â€œDon’t mean to be. I just don’t want you to end up hurt.”
    â€œI won’t be. I promise you that,” she responded. She squeezed his hand.
    He pulled their hands up and turned hers over and kissed the back of it. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
    â€œI’m going to miss you, too.” Sheba turned her head away so Uriah couldn’t see the tears flowing down her face. She used her free hand to wipe them away.
    She didn’t want to admit it to Uriah, but she was scared. She was scared that if he went to Afghanistan, she might never see him again. Right now she blamed one person, and that person was David King. She had convinced Uriah not to join the military years ago, but for what? He was still being deployed overseas in a sense. The next time she saw David, she vowed to tell him a thing or two about himself.

Chapter 12
    David decided to take an impromptu trip to the Horseshoe Casino in Shreveport. Although he hadn’t decided whether or not he would spend the night, he rented one of the executive suites to change his clothes in.
    He had planned on calling Uriah to make sure he had everything he needed for his trip, but instead, he opted not to. While relaxing before going to the hotel’s casino, he picked up the local paper. One of the articles caught his attention.

    Police are still trying to find the suspect who shot Delilah Baker. If you have any information on who committed this crime, please contact Crime Stoppers.

    David picked up his cell phone and called his driver. “There’s been a change of plans. I need you to meet me back up front.”
    An hour later David’s driver dropped him off at the hospital. David went to the ICU but learned that Delilah had been moved to a private room. Upon arriving at her room, he caught the tail end of a conversation.
    A woman dressed in burgundy hospital scrubs said, “Ma’am, we’re sorry, but the insurance you had is no longer valid. We’re going to need