Page 96 of Savage Saint

Everything but the location and door is gone.

In its place, we’ve been upgraded from standard, functional furniture to pieces that look like they came from one of those expensive retail stores where they draw you in by asking you to sit down and put your tired feet up. Two deep sofas sit against the far wall with matching chairs angled around low, marble tables. All plush and perfect for naps, and I immediately understand the new coasters set up strategically everywhere.

Our old faithful couch is nowhere to be seen.

Traitorous thought, but looking at this new setup, I do not miss that thing at all.

Then I turn, taking in the rest.

The coffee station alone nearly makes me emotional. Two beautiful machines. Not the little single-serve one we used to abuse during difficult shifts. One is clearly for pods, with every flavor imaginable stacked beside it, while the other looks like something stolen directly from the doctors’ lounge. Maybe better.

Espresso machine.

Grinder.

Coffee beans lined up in glass containers with labels beneath each one detailing the bean and flavor profile. There are syrups, different sugars, creamers, and teas. Real mugs and disposable ones because after a long shift, those pretty cups will go missing.

Some never to be found again.

“Holy shit.”

Katia laughs behind me. “I know. Shocked the hell out of everyone.”

I walk over to the coffee station and run my finger across the glass containers. “We have actual beans.”

“We do.”

“This looks better than theirs now.” She knows who I’m talking about, and because I’m petty, I cast a glance at the door. Would love for Alvin to walk by so I can flip him off—discreetly, of course. From the corner of my eye, I catch her shoulders shaking. “You know it’s true. Tell me, how did they react? Any complaints?”

“Caught Dr. Rodriguez in here twice.” I move closer, tilting my head for the chisme. “He was taking inventory. Complaining about how they could really use an extra machine, tried to get the head of medicine to agree but was shot down. According to what I heard, this was a donation from an anonymous source. A thank you to a nurse who saved a man under duress.”

I stop.

Katia keeps talking, but for a second I don’t hear her.

My gaze travels across the lounge again—from the expensive, yet comfortable-looking furniture to the coffee setup and then all the little upgrades that will make every nurse’s shift a little easier.

“That man,” I whisper under my breath, but Katia looks at me with questioning eyes.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

“You sure?”

I grab two bottles of water from the fridge and hand one to her. “Yup. Let’s clock in.”

She nods; we’re almost out the door when Katia suddenly gasps. “Wait!”

“What now?”

She rushes inside the small supply closet where we keep extra scrubs, towels, linens, and paper goods for the lounge, and comes out with a small gift bag. It’s purple. A little glittery.

“Here. I almost forgot about these.” Katia points at a little pin attached near her badge. It’s a bear, and over the stomach it reads: boo-boo fixer. Cute. “Every nurse got one. Different sayings, little thank-yous, and nurse stuff. There’s a generic note inside, too, but I can’t begin to tell you how every nurse this week’s been walking around with cheesy grins.”

“That’s a very sweet gesture.” If it’s Santos, I’m going to kiss that man stupid before I spend time on my knees investigating the piercing at the base of his cock. I remember the small clink it made as my nails bumped it, the slight darkening of his eyes, and then the way he made me come.

“Why are you blushing, Geni?”