Bad Men - Piper Stone Page 0,88
“You’re alive.”
Diego’s words dragged me out of the spiraling nightmare, the visions of Michael’s face and the horrible words he’d said to me.
And would continue to say.
I love you, Jack. I do. I love you.
The words would never be said. They simply couldn’t be, but I was a doctor and I would make certain he lived. Damn it. I would. No fucking asshole was going to stop me performing my job.
“What?” Jack managed, his voice raspy. “You expected… me to die?”
“Jesus Christ, buddy. You had us worried,” Diego snapped, although I heard the concern in his tone.
Jack shifted slightly, his upper lip curling. “Yeah… Well…” He lifted his arm, glaring at the IVs, cursing under his breath.
Just like I knew Jack would do.
“What the hell happened?” he struggled to ask, even trying to clear his throat.
“You’ve had tubes down your throat for one thing,” I managed, feeling nauseous and lightheaded.
“Long story,” Diego answered. “A lot to talk about.”
“Where are we?” Jack’s eyelids closed once again then he jerked them open, determined to stay awake. “Water.”
“DC. Dante’s plane was a glorified tin can, but it got us here safely,” Dante grumbled under his breath.
“We’re at Howard University Hospital,” I added. “Far removed from my father’s web.”
Jack gave me a half smile. “You’re… learning.”
Learning. The knowledge I continued to receive only further fueled the nightmares.
As I poured a small cup of water, finding a straw, another cold shiver slithered down my spine. There was never going to be a moment we’d be free of this nightmare. There’d been so many times since our return that I’d wanted to go to the police, but what was I supposed to tell them?
That my father was some kind of personal healer for the Mancini family, paying blood money to mercenaries who worked for master criminals in order to try to save my life? The thought wasn’t just ridiculous. It would be devastating all the way around.
No career.
No life.
No family.
No… love.
I was still stuck in a prison, one that I had no way of breaking free from. While I’d yet to learn all the truths, I knew enough that I was the only one who could make changes.
Be his doctor. Nothing more.
The little voice wouldn’t rest until I listened.
“You need your rest.” I squeezed Jack’s arm before glancing over at the monitors. At least he was stable, his oxygen levels good.
“Help me sit up,” Jack insisted, still struggling to breathe. “I need to get out of here.”
“Not a chance. You still have a serious wound and not just from recent surgery. You need several days without complications before that will even be considered. And don’t fight with me on this. I am your doctor.” I gave him an admonishing look.
“Why don’t you leave Jack and me alone for a few minutes, Doctor?” Diego asked, although it wasn’t a friendly request. “I assure you that he’s not going anywhere.”
I gave them both a look before shaking my head. The two men were the most hardheaded I’d ever come across. As I walked into the hallway, leaning against the wall, the ugly myriad thoughts, decisions that I needed to make seemed overwhelming. I knew it was only a matter of time until I’d be forced to come to some understanding of my distorted life.
I had to end this nightmare, to finally take control of my life. If it meant shutting the door on my family, then so be it. Confronting my father was important, ending the lies and betrayal. Then I’d be ready to face Michael.
My resolve was stronger than ever before. I could do this.
Even if it meant losing my life.
Chapter 16
Jack
Deceit.
Lies.
Revenge.
I was well aware that almost everyone kept precious secrets to themselves, often requiring a lie told every so often. Hell, I wasn’t immune to that by any means. Even the lovely doctor was holding something inside, a darkness as well as continued fear. What I couldn’t figure out is from what.
At least from the discussions I’d had with Diego, there’d been no overt threats, but my instinct told me that we were still surrounded by danger. However, if that was the case, why hadn’t her father come by the hospital? What hadn’t Michael attempted to intervene in some manner? We weren’t on some kind of lockdown, nor was I considered in critical condition any longer.
At least in the two days since I’d awakened, Lindsey had followed Diego’s instructions and gone with him to get a good night’s rest. That had left me alone with the