The doctor nodded and headed toward the door.
“Oh, Dr. Campbell?” Tabitha called before he left. “Make the same offer to eight of your best nurses. We’ll need two for each shift and two to swing shifts.”
Dr. Campbell sighed. “Yes, Dr. Creed. I’ll make it happen.”
“Thank you, Dr. Campbell.”
CHAPTER 16
NIYAH
Niyah pulled in front of her West Loop condo and killed the engine. She inhaled a deep breath and dropped her head on the steering wheel, closing her eyes with a desperate need to decompress. Mario hadn’t survived.
She had been minutes, maybe even seconds away from witnessing his murder or possibly becoming a murder victim herself.
She raised her head and looked down at her bloody scrubs. Of all the days to be slacking on laundry duties, today was the worst. Niyah shook her head, trying unsuccessfully to erase the picture of Mario bleeding out on the floor. When it didn’t work, she exhaled a frustrated breath and exited her Land Rover. Maybe a hot bath and a lot of wine would do the trick. She grabbed her bag from the back seat and headed up the walkway.
“Niyah,” a masculine voice called from behind.
Niyah startled and whipped around.
“Oh, shit!” Xander cussed, closing the distance between them. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
After breathing a sigh of relief, Niyah asked, “What are you doing here, Xander?”
Xander grabbed the bag from her hand. “I umm… I heard about your intern. I was worried about you.”
“I’m okay,” she lied.
Xander smiled sympathetically. “No, you’re not. I thought you might want some company.”
“Are you okay, Dr. Reed?”
Niyah turned toward the sound of her doorman’s voice. “I’m fine, Ralph. Thank you.”
Ralph nodded and moved back toward the door. When she turned back, Xander was within hair’s breath of her face. “You’re a little jumpy,” he whispered, cupping her jaw.
“I’m fine,” Niyah whispered.
Xander frowned. “You’re not fine, Niyah. And that’s okay.”
“Xander, I--”
“I’m not here to pressure you,” Xander assured. “I promise. I know you had a crazy day. I just wanna keep you company.”
Truth be told, Niyah was a little jumpy. And the thought of Xander staying to keep her company was reassuring. “Okay,” she relented with a nod.
“Good.” Xander turned her by her shoulder. He pressed his hand to the small of her back and led her to the door. Ralph opened the door with a smile. “Welcome home, Dr. Reed. You have a package in storage. I’ll send it up in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Ralph. But, please hold those packages until tomorrow.”
Ralph nodded. “Have a good night, ma’am.”
“Thank you. You too.”
Niyah led Xander through the lobby to a bank of elevators. When she pushed the call button, there was an immediate ding. They stepped into the set of doors that separated behind them and ascended to the twentieth floor. When they exited, Niyah ushered him to her corner apartment. “I’m just here.”
She typed in a key code and unlocked the door. “Come on in.”
