"Can you hear me?" I ask, switching into professional mode—not the woman he wronged, just the nurse treating a patient.
"Doc..." he wheezes.
"Don't talk. Save your breath." I'm already pulling out aspirin, checking his vitals. "Someone call 911. Tell them cardiac event, male approximately 45 years old, conscious but in significant distress."
Blade holds up his phone. "Already on it."
I work with the calm efficiency of years of trauma nursing. Aspirin administered—chew it, don't swallow. Position adjusted to ease breathing. Vitals monitored continuously. Keeping him conscious and as calm as possible until the paramedics arrive.
"Why?" Ghost rasps, looking at me with genuine confusion. "Why help me?"
"Because I'm a nurse. That's not conditional." I check his pulse again—still rapid but steadying slightly from the aspirin. "Even assholes who don't deserve it get treatment. That's the oath."
"I almost killed your baby."
"Yes. You did. And I'm saving your life anyway. Try not to think about the irony right now—just focus on breathing."
The paramedics arrive within minutes. I give them a rapid-fire report—timeline, symptoms, treatment already provided, vitals. They load Ghost onto a gurney, professional and efficient.
Just before they wheel him out, his eyes find mine one more time.
"Thank you," he manages.
"Don't make me regret it," I respond. No warmth, but no cruelty either. Just fact.
After the ambulance leaves, the clubhouse goes quiet.
Joker approaches first. "That was... damn. You really saved his life."
"Maybe. He still needs hospital care. But the aspirin bought him time."
"You didn't have to help him. After what he did—"
"Yes, I did. That's what being a healer means. I don't get to pick and choose based on who's been an asshole. If I did, I'd nevertreat any of you." I almost smile. "Besides, now he owes me. That's better than having him dead and martyred."
Blade laughs from across the room. "Strategic and savage. Respect, Nurse Cruz."
"Where's Zane?" I ask, suddenly aware he wasn't here for this.
"Club business. Should be back soon." Joker studies me. "You want to wait for him?"
"No. I need to get back to the clinic. Dr. Reeves is covering for me." I pack up my medical bag. "Tell Zane I'm fine. Tell him I saved Ghost's life and he can process that however he needs to."
"He's going to be impressed."
"Or concerned. Hard to tell with him."
I make it back to the clinic, finish out the day treating patients, and by the time I get home at six PM, I'm running on fumes and adrenaline.
Izzy's car is in the driveway.
Of course it is.
Inside, I find her on the floor with Santiago, who's discovered his feet are fascinating and won't stop grabbing them. Zane's in thekitchen attempting to cook something that involves a lot of noise and creative swearing.
"How was your first day back?" Izzy asks, not looking up from Santiago.
"Saved Ghost's life."
