“This is about stopping violence.About preventing death.”
Um, was it?He edged ever closer to her.He loved that warm vanilla scent.Just made him want to drink her in.Consume her.“You wanted to talk to me.You wanted me for your research.”No, actually, he thought she’d wanted him…
Because a serial killer is at work in Dallas.And you thought I was him.
Until the bastard had taken Atlas.And that was something they had not discussed.He just hadn’t been able to get Lily alone for long enough, not yet.They’d had to talk with the local cops, had EMTs hovering around them, gone to the hospital just to be met with doctors and nurses and…
No good privacy.At least, not privacy for longer than a few moments.So they hadn’t been given the opportunity to talk about the serial killer who’d been picking prey from Dallas.Disembowelinghis victims.A very distinct calling card.Since Lily had mentioned that particular process more than once, he knew she was already thinking about the serial.They’d get into a full discussion about the killer, once he had her away from the hospital.And alone with him.
For the moment, though…
You want to understand me, huh, sweets?Understand my deviance?Fine.Then I will let you into my darkness.“Consider your all-access pass granted.”
Her brow furrowed.“You…are you saying that you will agree to meet with me?You’ll talk with me?Afterweeksof avoiding me completely?Of literally having me thrown out of your building?”
“That’s not very nice,” Phillip mumbled.
“I’m not typically mistaken for being aniceman.”The avoidance had been for Lily’s own protection.But she had been persistent, and now, she’d made a fatal mistake.“You saved my life.”
She didn’t even blink.“Technically, I think I saved your life and the lives of those six men who work for you.”A pause.“I didnotsave Benedict.”
He didn’t want her focusing on the detective.Her tears had stopped, and Atlas did not want them falling again.“I figure that I owe you.”True enough, he did owe her.But, more, when it came to Lily…
I am just not letting you get away.
Footsteps thudded nearby.Atlas turned toward the sound just as Desmond appeared in the doorway again.
“The limo is being brought around to the front of the hospital,” Desmond told him.
Excellent.“We’ll need clothes,” he said.Then Atlas shrugged.“Though I suppose we could just walk out in the hospital gowns.That’s always an option.”Atlas was curious as he focused on Desmond.“Has the press gotten wind of the story?”
“Absolutely.They are waiting outside.”
“Um.Then shots of my naked ass in this hospital gown would be splashed everywhere.”He didn’t care about his ass.But Lily…he didn’t want vulnerable shots of her taken.“So, yeah, guess we’ll be needing those clothes.”A brief pause.“Desmond?”
He’d already ducked out of the doorway.
But Desmond returned almost instantly.“Already got it,” Desmond retorted as he tossed a duffle bag toward him.“Things for you and for the lady.”
Andthatwas why Desmond was his right hand.The guy was a miracle worker.Atlas caught the bag in his left hand.“Perfect.”He slanted a glance at Phillip.The doc was still staring at Lily with wide eyes and far too much admiration on his face.Mooney eyes.The doctor clearly had a crush or hero worship or some shit that would be stopping.“Your services are no longer needed, Dr.Owen, but thanks so much for all that you’ve done.”Well, damn, maybe hecouldbe nice.So what if the words held a hard, brittle edge?They’d still been mostly polite.
Dr.Owen snapped to attention.Face flushing, he whipped toward Atlas.“You are my patient.Sheis my patient.She has a concussion.Granted, her injuries were milder than yours, but I am the medical professional, Mr.Bennett.Not you.Therefore, I will say when my services are needed or not needed.”
“Is Lily in danger?”He and Lily had both agreed that they could hear each other’s medical info.One of the requirements for them to be able to stay together during so many of the exams.
“No…she…she should be fine.Her responses are all normal.Neither of your scans showed signs of brain bleeding or fractures.”
Good.Lily was not in jeopardy.Time to drop all pretense.Time for Phillip to get the hell out of their way.“Desmond, escort the doc from the room, will you?Lily needs privacy to change.”
Desmond advanced and wrapped one hand around the doc’s right shoulder.“Let’s go.”
The doc jumped.At least two inches.“Wh-what?What are you doing?”
“The door is this way,” Desmond informed him, voice courteous—far more courteous than Atlas’s had been, but then his head of security added, “and, FYI, you getting an ass kicking if you stay in the room and watch the lady change is…” Desmond pointed toward Atlas, “…that way.”
“What?”Shock.Horror.Fear.
The doc scrambled and wisely chose to get the hell out of that exam room.Such a good life choice.The door clicked shut behind him.For a moment, Atlas stared at the closed door.
