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As quickly as she’d tensed, she relaxed. “Cannon? Please tell me when the attack happened.”
Heaving a frustrated sigh, he slid his finger down her forearm. “Last night. I got the call when we were…”
“Interrupted?”
The regret in her voice shouldn’t please him, but it did. He stepped between her knees. Like last night, she opened for him, and like last night, he wanted to devour those glossy lips that still smelled like cherries. “The ransom email said no law enforcement, specifically FBI, or there would be consequences.”
He squeezed antibiotic ointment on a cotton swab.
“Don’t you watch TV, silly?” She landed a playful swat on his chest. “Every ransom note says not to contact the authorities.”
He dabbed the ointment onto her stitches. “I’m aware, but this isn’t television.”
“Then you’re aware that paying terrorists isn’t the professional or ethical thing to do here, right?”
He jerked his head up. “Terrorists?”
“Yes, Cannon. Terrorists.”
“We’re a small healthcare network in the mountains. Why would a terrorist organization waste time on us?” He covered her wound, then asked himself again why the ransom demand was so astronomical. Had a terrorist attacked Red Snow because they knewhehad money in the bank? “Fuck.”
Rosalie slid off the bed. “What is it?”
“Nothing.” He disposed of the used syringe and his gloves. “Annie will bring your discharge papers shortly.”
The bandage creased along with her brow. “How much, Cannon?”
He sighed. “Two million.” His ulcer spit fire at his answer, but hell, he’d already confirmed the attack. What was it about this woman that made him forget better judgment?
“That doesn’t make sense.” Her pupils dilated until the black orbs nearly overtook the surrounding amber. “Ransomware attackers hack into an organization’s finances. They know what you can afford to pay and what your insurance covers. This hospital doesn’t look like it can afford two million dollars. Show me the ransom email.”
The accurate assessment caused his fight-or-flight response to kick in as strong as if someone had injected a stimulant into his vein. “You’re on vacation. Go and enjoy the rest of your time off.”
She fixed her gaze on the curtain and spoke without looking at him. “Cannon, let me help. You have no idea about the type of criminals you’re dealing with.”
No, he didn’t, and that scared the shit out of him.
Rosalie watchedthe color seep from Cannon’s face, from his eyes down to the slight cleft in his chin. She’d run her tongue over that stubbled divot last night. Now, she wanted to stab a syringe filled with common sense into the sexy little spot and shoot reason straight into his brain.
He backed up to the curtain. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Agent Zenner.”
“Really, Cannon?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I deserve more than the canned patient farewell you just gave to a five-year-old.”
“I’m sorry.” He fisted the curtain at his back and set his jaw. “I hope you feel better.”
“Cannon, I know these bastards.” She knew one all too well, although she’d never laid eyes on the terrorist only known as Malgor. The intelligence community didn’t even have so much as a photo, let alone his real name. Two years had passed since the monster had brutalized her body and killed her father in retaliation for thwarting his kidnapping attempt. “I might be able to figure out who the attacker is by seeing the ransom email.”
Cannon studied her for a long moment. Indecision swirled in his eyes before he snapped his mouth shut and yanked the curtain aside.
Anger overrode her reaction to theclick-clacksound that brought back nightmares.
Annie swept in. “I have your discharge papers ready, sweetie. Let’s get you out of here so you can enjoy your cousin’s engagement celebration.”
A groan gurgled in Rosalie’s throat. Why did everyone want her to go to the blasted party? A cybercrime had been committed. She was a cybercrime agent. Why couldn’t Cannon put two and two together and realize she possessed the expertise he needed? The guy she’d broken up with a few months ago had failed to do the same thing when his company had been attacked, and he’d paid the price.
Cannon didn’t meet Rosalie’s gaze as he fled the room. She tried to sidestep Annie. Instead, the plump nurse wiped a tear from her eye and pulled her into a fierce hug. “Thank you for coming to my rescue.”
She patted Annie’s shoulder. “I should be thanking you for taking such good care of me.”
