Page 98 of Hades

God, I love this woman.

Evelyn

“You did good.” Atticus sits across from me in his office as we go over the case.

I know Hades wanted to be here with me, but Reaper has had him doing more things with the Chicago guys lately.

I think he sees what I see. Hades needs to face his past and move on in order to truly enjoy life. I know Reaper wants him to feel at home in our club so he never leaves. For me, it’s more personal.

I want to be his old lady. I can’t take on that role until he starts to believe he deserves happiness. I can still see the lingering doubt in his eyes. Until it’s gone, I can’t accept anything more serious. I have to protect my heart.

“I was highly motivated. You gave me the hope I needed to keep fighting. I will admit, I was starting to lose it.”

Atticus looks over to my bodyguard for the day, Trigger. Trigger ignores him, but I can see how he tenses.

“Well, you had a good teammate here. Trigger is the best in the game. He has been invaluable to me.”

I glance at Trigger and see he looks uncomfortable.

“You two are friends, right?”

Trigger looks up at Atticus as Atticus looks at me.

“That might be an appropriate term, I suppose. Close friends.”

I feel like I stepped into something. Something I do not have time for. Deciding to let whatever awkwardness between the two go, I change the subject.

“So what is the plan? How are we going to handle this?”

Atticus taps his finger on his desk, still looking at Trigger. When Trigger goes back to his tablet, Atticus sighs.

“I have already scheduled a meeting on your behalf with the hospital’s representative, human resources manager, and Dr. Pembrooke. I have advised them that after reviewing the documentation, that you wished to speak with them about settling the case outside of court. That you want to take responsibility for your part in all of this. Of course, they don’t know that we have evidence that you were not responsible at all, but I have a feeling Dr. Pembrooke won’t consider that.”

I shake my head. “He has been trying to get me to date him for years. I have always been able to keep him at bay, but when Hades started sticking around, he ramped up his efforts. He started acting erratic, even getting Hades banned from the hospital. Could we maybe mention that too? Hades’ grandmother was in the ICU. She has since been moved to a long-term facility, but the fact that he was banned for simply speaking to me is outrageous.”

Atticus considers this a moment. “Is she actually his grandmother?”

“No, but the paperwork shows she is and will not be challenged,” Trigger mutters.

“Very well. We will bring that up as well. Anything else?”

“Yes,” I start. “I want them to know that who I choose to spend my time with outside the hospital is none of their concern, and if it is an avenue they wish to continue to try and control, then I will be leaving the hospital indefinitely. They are no longer in control of me. I have nothing to lose.”

Atticus smiles. “Can do. They would be fools to let you go, Evelyn. I have interviewed many staff and past patients that voluntarily came forward to speak on your behalf. They speak highly of you. It seems not only are you a brilliant doctor, but you are a good human being as well.”

My face flushes at his comment. “That means a lot. Thank you.”

“I only speak the truth. The meeting is three days from now. It will take place at a neutral location. I have connections at the courthouse and have arranged to use one of their mediation rooms. I suggest you show up alone, but I understand the current state of the world deems a bodyguard necessary. I suggest whoever you bring remains outside the building. I will wait for you, and we will enter together. We need to show a united front. I will give you an opportunity to speak at the meeting, but remember to keep it professional. No matter what they do or say, you only stick to the facts and leave emotions at the door. If we want to win this, we cannot show them any weakness. Understood?”

“I understand. Thank you again for taking this on. It means the world to me,” I tell him.

He stands, so I do too.

When he shakes my hand, his eyes dart to Trigger. “Anything for the club.”

He sits back in his seat as Trigger stands, not looking his way once. I follow Trigger out of the building until we are standing at my car.

Trigger climbs into the passenger seat, still on his tablet.