“Is professional courtesy,” I cut her off.“Nothing more.Now move aside.We have patients incoming.”
For a moment, I think she might refuse, but then her expression hardens.“Fine.Have it your way.But don’t come crying to me when you realize what you’re missing.”
She yanks the door open and storms out, leaving me standing there, adrenaline coursing through my system.I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.The violation of her touch lingers, making me feel unclean in a way that has nothing to do with hospital germs.
I check my watch—eight minutes until the first ambulance arrives.No time to process what just happened.I’ll deal with Alex later, possibly with HR involved.For now, patients need me focused and present.
Whatever happens with Alex, whatever danger still lurks from the Reapers, whatever complications arise from my new relationship with Zach, all of it can wait.Right now, someone’s life depends on me being completely present.
The ambulance doors swing open, and I step forward, already calling for vitals and an assessment.This, at least, is something I know how to handle.
* * *
Two days later,I’m finally back on something resembling a normal schedule.The aftermath of the hospital shooting has begun to settle, though security remains heightened throughout the building.I’ve managed to avoid Alex entirely since the supply closet incident, switching shifts with other doctors when possible and making sure I’m never alone in a room with her.
As I sign out at the end of my shift, exhaustion weighs on my shoulders.Between the long hours, the constant vigilance, and the emotional toll of processing everything that’s happened, I feel stretched thin.The only bright spot has been Zach, who’s texted regularly throughout my shifts and called whenever I had a break.
“Heading out, Doc?”asks Tommy, one of the club prospects Zach assigned to keep an eye on me.He’s young, early twenties at most, with an eager-to-please demeanor that makes him seem more like an enthusiastic puppy than a motorcycle club member in training.
“Yeah, finally,” I say, rolling my shoulders to release some tension.“Can you give me a ride to pick up my car?”
“Sure thing.”He perks up, clearly pleased to be useful.“Slaughter said I’m to stick with you wherever you need to go.”
I smile despite my fatigue.Zach’s protectiveness should feel stifling, but somehow it doesn’t.“I also need to get a haircut.It’s been weeks, and I’m starting to look unprofessional.”
“No problem.Livie’s shop, right?That’s where most of the guys go.”
I nod, following him out to the parking lot where his motorcycle waits.The ride to the garage is quick, and after retrieving my car, I lead the way to Livie’s salon with Tommy following closely behind on his bike.
The shop is busy when we arrive, the familiar buzz of clippers and chatter filling the air.Livie spots me immediately, her face lighting up as she finishes with her current client.
“Xavier!”She waves me over, her hair bouncing with the movement.“Perfect timing.I just finished with this gentleman.”
I settle into her chair, grateful for the timing.Livie drapes the cape around me, her fingers already assessing the state of my hair.
“So,” she says, meeting my eyes in the mirror, “word around the club is that you and Slaughter are officially a thing now.”
Heat rises to my face.“News travels fast.”
She grins, starting to comb through my hair.“Honey, in this family, news doesn’t travel, it teleports.”Her expression softens.“He’s been different since you came along.Calmer.Happier.”
“It’s still new,” I admit, surprised by how easy it is to talk to her.“But it feels… right.”
“The best ones always do.”She begins trimming my hair, her movements precise and confident.“So, catch me up.How’s hospital life treating you?”
I hesitate, then decide to confide in her.There’s something about Livie that inspires trust, and I need to tell someone about what happened.“Actually, I’ve been dealing with a situation at work.A nurse who won’t take no for an answer.”
Livie’s hands pause momentarily before resuming their work.“What kind of situation are we talking about?”
I explain what happened in the supply closet, keeping my voice low despite the noise of the salon.As I speak, Livie’s expression darkens, her lips pressing into a thin line.
“She grabbed you?”she confirms, anger flashing in her eyes.“After you’d made it clear you weren’t interested?”
“Yeah,” I sigh, the weight of the memory settling uncomfortably.“It’s not the first time she’s been inappropriate, but it was definitely the most aggressive that day.”
“And what are you doing about it?”Livie asks, her tone deceptively casual as she resumes cutting.
“I filed a report with HR.But these things take time to process, so, meanwhile, I’m stuck working with her.”
