Page 146 of Bleed with Me

Lucas drifted his gaze from the computer, glancing at me as if I had asked him to arrange a meeting for me in the Pentagon.

“Impossible,” he replied curtly. “The entire neuro team is in his room. His mother is waiting outside, Dorian is running around the floor, and Zyon is on his way.” He leaned back in his seat with a resigned expression. “Unless you can walk through walls, you’ll have to wait.”

I grabbed my purse, keys, and phone, and turned to him on my way out.

“You have half an hour until I reach the hospital to clear the way.” I waved at him with a broad smile.

“Nina…” he groaned.

“Be creative.”

The drive to the hospital took twenty-three minutes. Lucas spent twenty-two of them typing furiously.

“You’ve got exactly four minutes,” he announced the moment I parked outside the hospital. “Not a second more.”

“Four?” I kicked the door shut. “Why four?”

“Because,” he clicked his tongue, “the neuro team is about to discuss Malin’s condition with the family. And,” he paused dramatically, “Jessica Ryan just received an urgent call about a cyberattack on the hospital servers.”

“Cyber—”

“There is no cyberattack,” he said, sounding suspiciously proud of himself. “I’m buying you time. Four minutes, Nina.”

“That’ll do,” I confirmed, stealing a file from the nurse’s desk.

I ended the call and hurried toward the elevator. The doors opened directly onto the fifth floor, and instantly, two Zhumagulov bodyguards looked my way.

Shit! Not the same men as the last ones.

The plan of action was formed before I took another step.

“Miss.” One guard raised a thick black brow.

“I need to go inside.” I pointed at the double door.

“Doctor Zhumagulov instructed us not to let anyone through,” he said, not moving an inch.

“I know.” I smiled weakly, faking nervousness. “But I’m his new assistant. We haven’t met yet. I’m bringing his brother’s results for the meeting.”

I waved the file in front of his face. The older guard exchanged a look with the younger one. They surely knew which meeting I was talking about.

“Turn around and spread your arms and legs,” the older one commanded, and my brows shot up in surprise. “Quick checkup. What if you’re carrying a gun?”

He cast me an expectant look, and I smiled awkwardly.

“Oh, okay.”

His hands on me felt like ice, but he did his job quickly.

“Clear,” he said to his colleague and turned to me. “Next time, don’t be late.”

“Of course,” I offered him my best grateful smile. “Thank you.”

I hurried toward Malin’s room, but before reaching it, another obstacle emerged. A nurse carrying medication rounded the corner so abruptly that we nearly collided.

“Oh!” She blinked at me. “Visiting hours are—”

“I know.” I gently caught her shoulders before she could finish. “Could you please tell Dr. Watson they’re looking for him in trauma?”