The jangling of keys in the background signals that they’re already on their way. Those two jet-set around the world for Cam’s work the majority of the year, but by some miracle, they’re in the city this week, crashing at the hotel.
Shit. I’ll need to make a quick exit unless I want Cam to unleash his big-brother energy and rip Dr. Elliott and his son a new one.
“What am I supposed to say when I go back out there?” I ask.
“Who the hell cares. Just leave.Now,” Cam roars.
Joey, the only level-headed person involved in this conversation it seems, suggests, “Tell them there’s a family emergency.”
“Okay,” I reply, though lying doesn’t appeal to me any more than leaving without an explanation.
After ending the call, I pat my face with a damp towel, then return to the table.
Rather than sit, I hover next to the table, keeping my attention fixed solely on my boss. “I’m so sorry,” I force out, working to keep my tone even, “but something’s come up and I need to leave.”
“What do you mean?” He frowns in confusion. “Julio just got here, and this dinner is very important.” The man is completely oblivious to the urgency and nervousness in my voice. For being a family care doctor, he’s not being very astute.
“Again, I apologize, sir. I—I’ll explain later, but I really do need to go.”
If I wait for him to respond, I might lose my nerve. Turning, I march across the restaurant. As I throw the door open, I run smack into Cam and Joey.
“Sheesh!” I gasp, nearly tottering over in my heels. “Did you two run here?”
Their heaving chests answer for them. Joey engulfs me in a hug, and my brother embraces the both of us.
With an arm slung over my shoulder, he leads me in the direction they just came from. “Let’s get out of here.”
When we return to the penthouse, Cam flips on the kettle, and I quickly change into leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. As I wander into the living room, Joey pats the seat next to her on the sectional, then tosses a throw blanket over us. Cam passes us each a steaming mug of herbal tea a couple of minutes later, then sits on the ottoman.
The two of them watch me with bated breath.
With a long exhale, I dish out the entire story.
Deep lines crease between Cam’s brows as I finish. “Why didn’t you tell the police? Or a professor?”
I sigh. “I wanted to, but I was consumed with studying and tests. I barely had time to breathe. It seemed easier to avoid him as best as I could and suck it up until I moved on to my residency at the hospital a couple of months later. I seriously thought I’d never see him again.”
“But—”
“Cameron.” I hold up a hand, trying not to let my irritation flare. “I love you, and you’re the best big brother. But this is something I don’t think you can understand. I mean that with respect.”
He stares at me as I sip my tea, and I concentrate on the warm sensation in my throat.
“You’re right,” he says eventually. “I couldn’t possibly know what it’s like to be a woman in this situation. It’s just that you’re my baby sister and I would kill any man who hurts you.”
Beside me, Joey beams at him in total adoration.
“I love that about you,” I say. “But it isn’t productive to dissect what I should have done back then. What’s important is determining what I’m going to donow. How am I going to work alongside him?”
Cam sets his tea down a little too aggressively, causing it to slosh over the rim and onto my coffee table. “Obviously you’re quitting.” He crosses his arms at his chest.
I bristle at his command. “Quit? I can’t quit. This is my job. And I love it.”
“Then Dr. Elliott has to fire the bastard.”
Joey looks from me to my brother, her dark eyes thoughtful. “You think he’d fire his own son?”
“No idea. But Claire needs to tell him what happened. He should know what kind of prick is working in his clinic.”
