Amelia quickly went to her room to grab her purse, then they left the suite, stepping into a hallway with plush carpet.
The car that waited for them when they reached the hotel’s entrance was actually a limo. Ben stepped in first, then reached to help Amelia into the back.
Julian, Luca, and Anthony followed, the bodyguards taking positions at either end of the limo's spacious interior. As thevehicle pulled away from the curb, Amelia settled back against the leather seat.
"The testing facility is about twenty minutes from here," Julian explained, checking something on his phone. "They'll start with bloodwork, then move on to some imaging and other diagnostics."
Amelia nodded, focusing out the window at the towering buildings of New York City.
The sheer size and density of the metropolis were overwhelming after the quiet familiarity of Serenity. People hurried along the sidewalks, their pace quick and purposeful compared to the relaxed stroll of folks back home.
"It's been a while since I was last in New York," she said, trying to ignore the jolts of pain coursing through her body from each small bump in the road. She gripped the edge of the seat, focusing on her breathing to maintain her composure. "I was here for a skating competition about five years ago."
"Did you get a chance to enjoy the city?" Ben asked.
"Not really." She watched a yellow taxi cut across three lanes of traffic. "I was too focused on the competition to see much beyond the rink and my hotel room. I've never been much of a tourist when I traveled for competitions."
The limo slowed as they approached a sleek glass building that towered above the street. It looked like any other high-rise, with nothing to indicate it might be a medical facility rather than just another office building.
"Burke Medical Research," Julian explained, noticing her gaze. "We own the building but lease out space to various medical enterprises. The testing facility is on the tenth floor."
As the limo pulled up to the entrance, Ben's hand found hers. "Ready?"
Amelia nodded, trying to ignore the way her heart fluttered at his touch. "As I'll ever be."
The bodyguards exited first, scanning the area before Julian stepped out. Ben followed, then turned to offer his hand to Amelia. She took it gratefully, wincing slightly as she climbed out of the car.
"You okay?" Ben asked quietly.
"I'll manage," she murmured, straightening her shoulders.
Ben kept hold of her hand as they entered the building and made their way to a large desk.
The woman seated there greeted them with a smile, then listened as Julian explained that there should be security badges waiting for them.
Julian and Anthony already had badges, but the woman handed over an envelope that contained badges for her, Ben, and Luca.
After they had them, Anthony led them to a scanner where they each placed their badge on the screen before passing through a metal detector.
“Security is paramount here,” Julian explained as they walked toward a bank of elevators on the other side of the security entrance. He used his card on a scanner, then pressed the up button. “Given that this is a research facility, there are things that must be kept secure. The security cards track a person’s movements, and they are also keyed to give or limit access to different parts of the building.”
When the elevator arrived, they stepped into the car, and once again, Julian swiped his card before pressing another button indicating the floor they were going to.
Ben had kept hold of her hand through it all, and Amelia tightened her grip on it as the elevator car began a rapid, silent ascent. When it came to a smooth stop, a bell chimed, and the door slid open.
“We’re this way.” Julian motioned to the left as they moved out of the elevator car.
“Are there many people here today?” Amelia asked. “Given it’s the weekend?”
Julian chuckled. “There are no days off in this building. There are always people here working.”
Another card swipe, and they were in a long, stark hallway. When they reached a door on the right, Julian used his card again, then opened the door and stepped through it.
Ben guided her through the door, and Amelia looked around the room. There was a cluster of comfortable-looking chairs in one corner, and another door on the far side of the room.
“Good morning, Julian,” a man said, walking through the door. He was a middle-aged man, wearing a white coat. “Good to see you again.”
The two men shook hands, then Julian introduced her and Ben. Luca and Anthony had taken seats near the door.
