Page 64 of Booked for Theft

I could pick and choose which cells went and which cells stayed, which gave the care team an edge in combating the disease.

“I feel we have done our country a great disservice through our failure to cultivate exsanguinators in the medical field. Not all exsanguinators have your skill and ability, but you’ve proven how useful you are in the medical world—and other exsanguinators are showing up in hospitals around the country. We’re already seeing increases of ER survivor rates just from having training individuals on hand to help in sketchy situations. It’s truly remarkable. May Senator Maybelle rest in peace, but her death has led to the salvation of so many lives, all because of you. Without her assassination, the world wouldn’t have gotten a chance to see you shine.” Representative Forsythe sighed. “And I grieve that Senator Thaddens passed as he did. That must have been hard for you.”

One day, I would sit down and truly cry over everything that had happened, but I would wait until our country had a chance for a good and a bright future. “It was. Normally, I’m treating people I don’t know—or it’s a family member, like Bradley’s father. My magic hadn’t been discussed, and he hadn’t asked for me to check him over. Even if he had asked me to check, I wouldn’t have known what the cancer was. I would have sent him to a doctor first thing in the morning.”

“And first thing in the morning would have been too late.”

I nodded. Oddly, acknowledging the situation helped. “Exactly. Sometimes, life isn’t fair, nor is it kind—and this case, it was neither fair nor kind.” I took the initiative and headed into the fast food joint. “You’re about to witness a burger slaughter, sir. I hope you are prepared for the vast quantity I can consume in a single sitting.”

“I have heard rumors of your appetite, and I admit I’m curious.” The politician followed me with my fiancé trailing in his wake. “Do they serve anything spicy here?”

“Sometimes.” I eyed the menu in search of one of their pepper burgers. Luck was with me, as there was a temporary sign indicating they were pitching a burger from the depths of hell, spicy enough to make anyone cry. I bounced to the counter and pointed at the offering. “I will take three of those, and make them as hot as you can, and layer on the cheese, Doug.”

Doug, who was one of the regular workers and was often around when I came in, laughed at my request. “Only three today?”

I spent a moment thinking about it. “You’re right. I better get four, and if the spicy is from a sauce, I better get some on the side to dip my fries in.”

“We got our hands on a batch of peppers imported from South Carolina. It’s the hottest peppers legal for sale in the restaurant industry. We slow roasted them to maximize the flavor, and we’ve removed the seeds to prevent injury.”

Were there sweeter words to my ears? “I’m going to need some yogurt and extra napkins.”

“I’ll toss in some lemons, too. You’re going to need them. Whatever you do, do not rub any of the oils in your eyes. You will regret it. Should you get any in your eyes, go seek immediate medical attention.”

I loved when my food ran a high risk of injuring me due to its spicy goodness. “Music to my ears, Doug. Hook me up with four, go heavy on my fries, and include mercy. I am hoping to need it.”

“And for you, Bradley?”

“I will take two cheeseburgers with extra cheese, give my extra cheese some extra cheese, and give me some fries. I will not be trying anything claimed to come from the depths of hell, thank you.”

“How about some banana peppers on the side?”

“I will accept banana peppers with regret, mercy yogurt, and some lemon,” my fiancé replied.

According to his expression, he worried, already had regrets, but refused to give up quite yet.

“I’m buying for my guest as well,” I said, gesturing to Representative Forsythe. “Are you brave, moderately brave, or like Bradley, willing to nibble on a small piece of banana pepper to say you at least tried?”

Representative Forsythe eyed the menu with wary regard. “I fear I am about to make a very poor decision, but count me as among the brave for one burger. I will also try the cheeseburger with extra cheese that has been accompanied with extra cheese for when I tap out on the insane burger from the depths of hell. I should probably take an order of fries as well.”

“He’s going to need extra yogurt and lemon with his, too.”

“It shall be so,” Doug replied before giving a bow, ringing me up, and passing me the terminal.

I paid, returned the device, and grinned at my political victim, who would be donating his wealth to my library if I had my way. “We have a fridge with drinks, including milk, in the library, as my boss has learned I will bring spicy food into work and try to trick people into trying it. And then we became spoiled and needed milk daily.”

My return had brought about numerous changes to the branch, and the stocked refrigerator was one of those changes. I had a suspicion Bradley had purchased the refrigerator and paid to have it stocked; thus far, there was no evidence that the public footed the bill for the perk.

“I appreciate your mercy. I will be honest, if I even try something that makes you cry, I will earn significant street cred among my colleagues.”

I bet, especially after learning about my reputation with spicy food. “May we both emerge from this experience with our taste buds and sanity intact.”

“While I have doubts, I’ll certainly do my best,” Representative Forsythe replied, and he grinned at me. “And when my wife asks why I can’t talk above a hoarse whisper, I will simply tell her that there is a spice dragon in New York, and I foolishly tried to prove my mettle.”

I widened my eyes at his commentary before staring at Bradley. “I’m a spice dragon!”

“I can’t argue with his assessment, so I will not. Just tell everyone I tried to keep up with you before I perished from trying the banana peppers,” he requested.

Poor Bradley. One day he would learn—or he would adapt to my spicy ways. “I’ll try.”