“That’s why you’re here.” Dr. Davis clapped him on the shoulder. “This treatment should help regrow the remaining tissue and get you back out there.”
That statement was too definitive. There was no guarantee the treatment would be effective, and the light of hope in Andrew’s eyes made me uneasy.
“Do you have any questions for the research team?” Dr. Davis asked.
“Yeah. Will it work?” he asked bluntly, looking at Nathan and me.
I hesitated, and Nathan jumped in. “The research is sound. Omega stem cells are universally compatible, basedon our research, and Bridget’s — I mean Ms. Crawford’s — earlier research into Omega cell structures shows an increased inflammatory response that leads to faster healing for their injuries. If this inflammatory response holds true for donor cells, we expect more robust results than standard allogeneic stem cell therapy.”
Nathan knew about my other research? I finally looked at him, and he was staring at me, his expression as intense as ever.
“In other words,” he said, still looking at me. “We hope so.”
“Well put, Dr. Manalo,” Dr. Davis said. “Alright, as much as I love you, Andrew, I do have other patients. We’ll see you in two weeks for your follow up to see how things are going, okay?”
“Thank you,” Andrew said, sounding sincere. “I’ll see you then.”
I followed Dr. Davis out of the exam room and felt Nathan behind me. We regained the hallway outside, and Dr. Davis turned on me. He thrust his face uncomfortably close to mine, and I winced at his bitter, tree sap scent.
“Ms. Crawford, is it? How dare you undermine me? Don’tevercorrect me in front of a patient again,” he hissed between his teeth.
I stepped backward instinctively and bumped into Nathan. He gripped my shoulders, steadying me. I could feel the heat of his palms, even through my lab coat and sweatshirt.
“Do not speak to her like that,” Nathan said, his voice cold and cutting.
Dr. Davis scoffed, but he backed down. “You’re both here because ofmyfunding. Don’t forget that. You’ll meet with Andrew for his follow-up appointments to check his progress, and make him feel like he’s getting the best fucking treatment available, or I will find other researchers that will. Do we understand each other?”
“Yes, doctor,” I said meekly, even as rage boiled in my stomach. I made myself small, because I knew from experience that would probably get him to just leave me alone.
He scoffed again and turned away. Two nurses skirted out of his path as he passed.
I shrugged off the weight of Nathan’s hands and hurried back toward the safety of the lab. I paused outside the door. My breath was coming fast and I could feel the beginnings of a panic attack. I hated confrontation. It reminded me of my fathers. They hadn’t always raised their voices when I misbehaved, and sometimes the quiet threats were worse.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, sensing the antiseptic scent of the clinic and the faint smoky, citrusy smell of Nathan next to me. I could hear a phone ringing in the waiting room, the buzz of the lights overhead, and Nathan’s own deep inhales and exhales. This wasn’t my old room with its stifling silence, me waiting for my fathers to arrive. I was at work; I was safe.
“Are you alright?” Nathan asked, sounding concerned. My stomach twisted with shame.
“I’m fine. Sorry. I just wasn’t expecting it.”
“Don’t apologize,” Nathan said, and for once he’d managed to keep the command out of his tone. I opened my eyes. Despite his gentle tone, he looked murderously angry. “He should never have spoken to you like that.”
“I should be used to it by now, honestly. He’s definitely not the first man to remind me I’m just a woman, and an Omega at that.”
Nathan growled softly in the back of his throat, shocking me. I’d never seen him lose control. His being so incensed on my behalf was… I yanked my mind away from the word “arousing.” Clearly my insane reaction to Andrew St. James was not completely out of my system. Another curl of my scent rosebetween us. Nathan cut off his growl abruptly. “I’m reporting his behavior to Lisbeth.”
Panic flared in my stomach again. I’d heard too many stories of women being quietly removed from studies after submitting complaints to want to go down that road. “No, please don’t. It’s really fine.”
“It’snot,” he responded.
“Drop it, please. I don’t need you to rescue me. I’ll handle it.”
Nathan reared back as if I’d slapped him. “I don’t think you need rescuing, Bridget. But he shouldn’t get away with that kind of behavior toanyone.”
I ignored the little frisson of pleasure at hearing him say my name. That was twice in the last hour. “You heard him. In his mind, we’re all replaceable. Please drop it.”
Nathan took a deep breath, his hands clenched at his sides. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is. Now, let’s forget this happened and make sure Anvi hasn’t burned down the lab.”
