“But it would keep him safe. Let me know what you want to do. Either way, I’m staying here tonight.”
“How old was the kid who died?”
“Twelve. A girl.”
“We need to investigate every doctor and nurse at the clinic.”
“Already on it, but it’ll take at least a week for a thorough background check. We’re racing the clock.”
“So are the agents.”
“What?”
“The FBI agents need to be checked too.”
“You think—”
“I think people are capable of unthinkable things when they’ve got something to gain.”
“That part’ll be harder. They know how to cover their tracks.”
“So do we.” I pause. “About Bruno staying with you—I don’t think that’s the right move. Maybe a different clinic. I need to think about it.”
“Whatever you say.”
“Blood?”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t want to lose another one. We need to find whoever did this.”
“We’ll get the bastard.”
I hang up and take the stairs to my penthouse instead of the elevator, straight to the bedroom. I strip off my clothes and head into the bathroom, blasting cold water, but nothing can wash away the weight of having failed that little girl.
We rescued her. She should have been safe.
I think about what I promised Bruno—that I and the doctors would protect him—and how he reacted. He didn’t believe me when I said anyone other than me would keep him safe. He wantedmeto protect him. And I won’t fail that kid. No matter the cost.
No bastard will ever hurt him again.
I hear a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I say, even though I know I should keep her away. I’m not stable right now.
And I’m completely naked. I don’t think Lilly has ever seen a naked man in real life.
The door opens, and I’m standing right in front of her.
The glass of the shower leaves nothing to the imagination, and she stares at me, wearing nothing but a white robe.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“Maybe not,” she says, her eyes slowly tracing every inch of me. “But I don’t want to leave.”
I open the shower door. “You don’t know what you’re saying. Back at the beach house, you told me you weren’t ready to go all the way.”
“I changed my mind. I want everything. No more waiting.”
