“I’m sorry I won’t be around this morning,” he said, removing his helmet.His gaze was dark and intent.“Club business.King needs me.”
She smiled.“You don’t have to apologize every time,” she pointed out.
“I do,” he said quietly.“Because I don’t like leaving you.”
Her chest warmed at that.
“I assigned a prospect,” he continued.“Rook.He’ll be around, watching.He’ll give me updates.”
She rolled her eyes softly.“You worry too much,” she pointed out.
“Yeah,” he said.“That’s not changing.”
She leaned in and kissed him, slow and deliberate.He responded instantly, using one hand to cup the back of her neck like he couldn’t help himself.When they broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers.
“Lunch,” he said.“I’ll be back.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she told him.
He watched her walk toward the hospital doors like he always did, waiting until she was inside before riding off.Inside, the hospital swallowed her whole.The familiar chaos wrapped around her.This was where she belonged.
She buried herself in work.A trauma case came in, then another.A child with a broken arm and an elderly man short of breath followed.Time blurred the way it always did when she focused.The world narrowed to vitals and charting and steady hands.
For a while, she forgot everything else.She caught glimpses of Rook occasionally.Leaning against a wall near the ER entrance.The prospect pretended to scroll through his phone while his gaze tracked everything.He was young, maybe early twenties, but he seemed alert and disciplined.
It reassured her more than she wanted to admit.By late morning, the ER slowed just enough for her to step into the staff hallway for a quick drink of water.She sent Reaper a quick text.
Elena:All good.Busy.Miss you.
No reply yet, but she knew he’d see it.She didn’t notice the man at first.He wore scrubs, dark blue, indistinguishable from dozens of others.His badge was turned just enough to obscure the name.He leaned against the wall near the supply room, head bent as if checking his phone.
When he looked up, their eyes met.Recognition hit her like ice water.It was Cruz.Her breath stuttered.Her feet slowed without her meaning to.He smiled faintly, like they were sharing a private joke.
“Elena,” he said softly.“You look well.”
Her heart slammed against her ribs.“You shouldn’t be here.”
“And you shouldn’t be alive,” he replied calmly.“But here we are.”
Her gaze flicked down the empty and quiet hall.Where was everyone?
“I told you,” she said, forcing steadiness into her voice.“I don’t know anything.”
“That’s not why I’m here,” he said.
Her fingers curled around her phone in her pocket.
“You’ve become important to Reaper,” Cruz continued.“And we have a personal score to settle.”
Fear crept higher, cold and precise.“Lay a hand on me and Reaper will come after you,” she told him.
Cruz’s smile widened.“Good.”
She turned to walk away, but Cruz moved fast.He clamped a hand around her arm, fingers digging in just enough to hurt.He leaned in close.
“Don’t scream.You won’t like what happens if you scream,” Cruz warned.
Her pulse roared in her ears.She twisted, trying to pull free, but another man, inked and muscled, appeared from the supply room, blocking her path.
