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He’s drinking on the job again.

“I’m pulling your medical license.” I hold my hand out across the desk. “Hand over your keys and your coat.”

He laughs and takes another swig of his mug.

“And who gave you the authority for this?” He gestures to Cain and Alec. “Your thugs? You’re just a nurse.” I stifle a laugh that comes out in a puff.

You’re just a nurse.

“I am the only consistent doctor this colony has had for two years.” I walk around the table, grab his mug, and pour it down the sink. “My thugs? Cain is my Husband, and the father…” I turn around to face him, leaning back against the sink. “Grigori, this is the best option we will offer you. You will be escorted to your home to pack what’s most valuable to you. Then you will be brought to the airport and be put on a plane to Russia.”

Grigori follows my gaze as I look to Cain. His jaw is tight, his hands are balled into fists, and he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. His eyes are locked in on Grigori.

Cain is waiting for me to nod, to tell him to have his way. And while I want to say yes, I’ve also had enough of the killing.

“Mr. Orlov, would you please escort Ms. Daily and Mr. Powers out of the clinic?” Grigori leans over the desk on his elbows; Alec laughs.

“Oh, it’s Mr. Orlov now, is it?” He crosses his arms over his chest. “My loyalty stands with Lord Daily. And by extension, Mrs. Powers.”

Sometimes I forget that my father was Alec’s mentor before he died.

“The Medical Authority is mine now, Grigori.” I step forward, leaning against my palms on the desk. “Please don’t make me do this.”

Bang!

The door bursts open, Riah rushing in, his chest heaving.

“We’re done.” He says, rushing forward; he grabs Grigori by the collar before he can make it around the desk, throwing him over onto the floor. Riah straddles him, a knee on either side, his fist flying down again and again until blood bursts from Grigori’s nose.

“Riah!” I call to him. He lowers his fist, then looks at me over his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Boss.”

Riah looks back at Grigori, grabs a syringe from his pocket, and jabs it straight into his chest.

The red syringe.

I rush towards Cain’s side, grab his arm, and rise to my toes to whisper in his ear. “Help him.” Cain jumps forward, placing his hands on Riah’s shoulders to guide him to stand. Grigori convulses on the floor, foam frothing from his mouth, his eyes wide. “Get Riah out of here. To the nurse’s quarters.”

Grigori’s body taps on the floor, a gurgle from his throat. I face the wall, closing my eyes as a tear escapes.

For someone who has done the worst to me, I still didn’t want this…

A large, warm hand wraps over my shoulder.

“Mrs. Powers… Go, I’ll take care of him.”

“Thank you, Alec.” I swallow, then walk the back halls straight to the nurse’s quarters.

Riah sits on the couch, his elbows on his knees with his hands forming a steeple at his chin. His leg bounces uncontrollably. Cain leans against the wall in the corner, his legs crossed casually at the ankles as he smokes one of his herbal cigarettes.

“I’m sorry, Boss,” Riah says, his gaze locked in on the floor. “I can’t get over what he did to you.”

I grab a water bottle from the cupboard, walk over, and kneel in front of Riah. He takes the bottle and guzzles it down.

“It’s okay… From now on, we need to do our best not to keep things personal.” I place my hand on his shoulder; he runs his fingers through his hair, gripping the small hairs at his nape. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah…” The bottle crinkles in his grip.