The air smelled not of antiseptic, but of a faint, expensive floral fragrance. A grand piano sat in
VIP maternity wing. They didn't get far. A thick glass door and
rds asked, his voice a low, bore
apital," she said, holding out her corporate ID and a copy of the compli
ation from the patient or their registered next of kin. And we don't accept unsolicited l
ke?" Alexa asked, her pati
ss days," the other g
riminating evidence. "This is a time-sensitive financial investigation,
rcut and a clipboard, who Alexa would later learn was named Jenna, had appeared at their side. "This
s sleeve. "Alexa, maybe we sho
o find a loophole, a weakness, anything. She was so close. Frustration and an
ched for his radio, a soft
private eleva
e sea, flanking a man who walked in the center. He was tall, his movements economical and precise. Even
listen to a resident at his s
e body we
Donovan
nned to his chest was an ID badge. She was too far away to read the smaller text, bu
tal. It all crashed together in her mind with the force o
ords, but with his omissions. He had let her believe he was just some rich businessman with a strang
he security doors. His eyes met hers. He didn't look surprised. Not at all.
beside him, then broke away from the
massive guards straightened their spines. The formidabl
nison, their voices filled with a
yes locking onto Alexa's. There was a flicker of something
She met his gaze with all the defiance she could
ing on Nurse Jenna. "What's the problem here?"
hese people were trying to force their way
lexa's face. When the nurse finished, a slow, delibe
said, his voice smooth as
d a button. There was a soft click, and the h
ated, Leo trailing nervously behind her. As she passed Donovan, sh
lot of expla
due time." He turned and began walking dow
ed to nod respectfully. "Good afternoon, Dr. Beasley." The sheer power he
He turned to face Alexa, his expression suddenly serious. He ra
on the clipped, precise authority of a physician. "She suffered a major postpartum hemorrhage. We almost lost her
ulating negotiator or the infuriatingly handsome stranger, but a doc
ing respect. She nodded, her own expre
ing her trustworthiness. Then, he gave a slight
st. He stepped inside, holding the door for her. H
ice lay in the bed, looking small and pale,
t to begin, but the rules
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