ETHAN
Two years ago…
VRS Victoria, Purple-Class Command Ship
Location: Need to Know
“Captain? Are you here? I have someone for you.”
“On my way.” Ethan finished scribbling some notes on a patient chart, placed it on the stack to be filed digitally by his admin, and grabbed his white doctor’s coat as he headed out of his tiny office. He shrugged it on as he made his way to the main part of the ship’s medical bay.
He was always surprised at how often injuries happened onboard ships, even command ships such as this one. But this was theVallerian Royal Service Victoria, named after his grandmother and former queen, and was one of the fastest, strongest, and most highly targetable ships in the fleet. He wasn’t supposed to be on this ship, but he’d arranged the assignment change the day theVictoriawas set to depart. Marcello had originally circumvented the chain of command and assigned him somewhere else, somewhere ‘safer for his baby brother’—Ethan called bullshit on that behavior; he hated when his family treated him like a fucking child.
Command ships like this one were strategic to coordinating operations for the fleet. That meant several high-ranking individuals would eventually be on board, and there was one in particular he’d planned to meet.
He walked past the main doors to the bay while straightening his coat. “Who do we have today…”
His voice trailed off as he caught sight of a Petty Officer of the lowest rank settling someone on one of the beds, and not just any someone.
A woman, and not just any woman.
It was famed actress, Anda Salamanca, dressed casually, but expensively. Being a royal and having a sister in the fashion industry meant he understood the quality that money often bought, and this star of stage and screen definitely had it.
As Miss Salamanca adjusted herself on the bed, her gorgeous raven hair shifted and caught the harsh fluorescents from above. She seemed to glow, even in the stark light of this windowless room. He’d always thought that glamour was something saved for award shows and movie premieres, yet here she was, dazzling them all.
What was she doing here?
“You’re the doctor in charge?” Her voice was even softer and more seductive then he remembered from her last movie. He’d always assumed that her voice must have been doctored in some way…no one could sound like that in real life.
Protocol and an easy smile, both things ingrained in him since practically birth, came forward now as a reflex and habit, and he shifted into doctor mode.
He reached the side of her bed and held out his hand, which she shook. Her hand was just as soft and smooth as her voice. “Yes, I’m Captain Santoro. I wasn’t aware we had a guest on board, Miss Salamanca.”
She gave him a commiserating smile. “I am sorry. Though my arrival was approved very last minute, I was sure they’d informed everyone that I was coming. Yet, it seems that I don’t need to introduce myself?”
“We’re all fans of your work, of course.” He gave her a look over and noticed her hand near her ankle. Twisted? Sprained?
He turned to the Petty Officer. “You can return to your position.”
The eager young man didn’t give up so easily; Ethan wouldn’t have either in his place. “Sorry, Captain, but I’m to escort Miss Anda around.” He stammered, “I-I mean Miss Salamanca.”
The vixen just smiled. “Anda is just fine. Though I’m sure you can give me and the doctor just a few minutes? He may want to examine me.”
The Petty Officer blushed. “Of-of course, Miss Salamanca. I’ll just be outside to escort you when you’re done.”
After the man left, Ethan turned back to his patient. “So, tell me what’s wrong.”
She gestured to her left ankle. “I think I hurt it.”
“May I examine it?”
She nodded and he began removing her boot and sock.
All the men and women on board had pre-registered with him in the medical bay, so he already had access to all their medicinal allergies and other issues. Since she was not one of the ship’s company, he took her history verbally as he began to examine her ankle. Flexing it, twisting it, turning it, and watching her expressions while he did. Nothing seemed swollen or about to become swollen, no discoloration, no bruises.
“How did it happen?”
She winced as he prodded more forcefully. “Tripped. It’s funny. People always think I’m so graceful until they meet me in real life. I’m always tripping over everything.”
