Heartless (Steel Demons MC #6) - Crystal Ash Page 0,8

housing, food, and all basic necessities would be taken care of.”

My curiosity got the best of me. “So why did you say yes?”

The doctor straightened. “I wanted to help those who needed it most—the ones without any access to medical care.”

“We also take in patients traveling from other territories,” Rhonda explained. “Some cross hundreds of miles to get here. They have to be screened by the army at the borders, so we try to have medics posted there in case it’s something life-threatening. But it’s like Dr. Brooks said,” her eyes lifted to him, “we need more people. Badly.”

That sealed it for me. I wanted to work here. Their mission matched mine exactly—the same one I’d carried with me since leaving Texas.

“When can I start?” I asked.

My stomach growled as I stepped out of the hospital front doors two hours later. Dr. Brooks and Rhonda had given me an extensive tour, even allowing me to visit current patients and other staff. The time flew by and I hurried out when the tour was all done, hoping I hadn’t kept Gunner waiting.

The cold was the first thing that hit me when I stepped outside, a shock to my system after walking back and forth inside for several hours.

Even the landscape looked softer, grayer than this morning. This chill on my morning walk with Reaper had been nothing compared to this. My little flannel jacket didn’t stand a chance. I reached down to hold Freyja for some warmth, but she decided to be uncooperative, twisting out of my arms to stay planted on the ground. No motorcycle was waiting for me out front, so I wrapped my arms around myself as I peered down the street.

“What the…” Something was falling on my face, sticking to my eyelashes. I blinked and looked up, holding my palm out for what seemed to be an impossibility.

“It’s snowing!” I laughed to no one in particular, spinning in a circle just outside the awning of the hospital entrance.

I was freezing my ass off, but didn’t care. Weather patterns had become so unpredictable in recent decades and snow was rare. All my life I’d been used to droughts, freak thunderstorms, flash floods, and even the occasional hurricane in my part of Texas. But snow! I had few precious memories of the magical white stuff.

My laughter and spinning continued until I got dizzy, slowing down as the roar of a motorcycle steadily grew louder as it came down the street. I leaned against a parking sign, my surprise apparent as the leather clad rider approached.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” I said.

Three

REAPER

The morning sun disappeared behind a blanket of clouds, and the warmth with it, as Shadow and I rode to the City Hall building. I zipped my jacket up to my throat, grateful that I’d dressed for the cold.

“Feels like rain,” I remarked as we took up a parking space in front of the building.

“I think it’s snow.” Shadow stretched and curled his gloved fingers, dismounting his ride.

“That’ll be somethin’.” I reached into my jacket pocket for smokes, then remembered it wasn’t allowed inside the building. My hand dropped with a sigh. I had to start getting used to cutting back anyway.

The governor’s assistant, Josh, waited for us in the lobby of the same building where we attended the dinner party last night.

“Morning, gentlemen,” he greeted, hands shoved in the pockets of his pressed slacks. Even inside the building, it wasn’t much warmer than outside. Heat was expensive, a precious resource, and I knew Governor Vance was conscious of budgets. “The governor is just finishing a meeting in his office, then he’ll be at your disposal.”

“We’re waiting for one more anyway,” I said. “Gunner should be on his way back from dropping off our wife at the hospital.”

Josh’s eyebrow twitched at the use of our before he schooled his features again. “Oh, I see. Is Mariposa all right?”

“Fine, just meeting the staff and getting a tour.” I inclined my head. “As we are here.”

“Yes, of course.” Josh clasped his hands in front of him and looked at Shadow. “Did you enjoy the governor’s gift, sir?”

The man’s face froze, his throat working a nervous swallow. “Um, yes. Please thank him for me. It was very much…enjoyed.” He almost appeared to be sweating, despite the cold.

“I’m glad to hear it.” Josh turned to a side table with a coffee press and pastry spread. “Help yourself to anything. I’ll see how much more time the governor needs.” His shiny shoes clacked