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He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Rosalie, I need to see you in my office.”
Her hopes sank to the carpet. She uncrossed her fingers and braced for an argument. He might not respect her professional opinion, but he damn well would respect her for not giving up.
As she picked up her backpack, Karl touched her elbow and dipped his head to her ear. “Tell Ford to forget about his personal agenda and stop playing the hero before he gets his hospital in deeper water.”
She jerked her head back. If Karl had a problem with Cannon looking out for the people who loved and depended on him, then he was a bigger jerk than she’d thought.
As she rounded the long table, Cannon didn’t take his eyes off her. Once inside his office, she strode to the middle of the room and dropped her bag on the floor.
Cannon gripped her shoulder and spun her around. “What did Karl say to you?”
“He told me you have a personal agenda for paying the ransom.”
“The way he whispered in your ear seemed like he’d like to have a personal agenda withyou.”
She grimaced at the curling sensation in her belly. They should be talking about the ransom, yet she couldn’t help but explore this jealous side of Cannon he couldn’t—or maybe didn’twantto—hide. “I get the feeling Karl would like to getverypersonal with me. Are you going to write him up for it?”
He grabbed her hips. “I’ll fire him.”
She stepped back. Thinking straight while he touched her posed a challenge. “Cannon, we need to discuss the ransom. You can’t?—”
He placed his finger on her lips. “I’m not paying it, Snow Angel.”
Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. “Why?”
“Because I’m not a fool.” He ran his finger over her bottom lip. “I want to make this shit all go away for very personal reasons, but I appreciate and respect your expertise and instincts, and you’re right; paying the ransom isn’t the solution.”
Warmth spread through her body. It had been two long years since anybody she cared for, besides her colleagues, had said they respected her work.
“There’s more at stake than you know, and I don’t have time to explain it all now.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I’mscared shitless for everyone in this hospital, including you, and don’t try and tell me not to worry. I’ve been negotiating with the Grim Reaper since before you were born. Being experienced and trained doesn’t make you bulletproof. Julia certainly wasn’t.”
Her hand dropped to her ribs where she’d been kicked by Logan. “Bullets wouldn’t be flying if I hadn’t come to town. I should leave and chase Malgor from headquarters.”
“No fucking way.” Her departure had sounded like the best solution not too long ago. Now, it sounded like the worst. “Take your shirt off.”
“What?”
Cannon reached for her top button. “I need to examine you.”
“Later.” She stilled his hand with hers. “We need to tell Karl your decision, and my colleagues will be here soon. They might agree that I should go back to headquarters. I don’t want Malgor hurting someone when he comes after me. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”
He pushed her hand away. “I think he gave us a good idea tonight. Let me see how bad you’re hurt.”
“Fine, but I already told you I’m just bruised.”
She remained still as he quickly undid her blouse. Desire zoomed from her belly to between her legs as he stared at her lacy bra. Her heart had warmed when he’d said he appreciated her expertise. Based on the hungry way he was looking at her now, he appreciatedallof her.
He slid her jacket and shirt from her shoulders. “I’ll give you a clean scrub top to wear.”
She shivered at the reminder of Julia’s blood on her clothes. “Thanks, but I have another shirt in my bag.” She glanced down at her backpack. Why did having a change of clothes at the ready in his space sound so intimate?
Dropping to his knees, he gently prodded the ugly, purple bruise on her side. “Nobody is going to get hurt if youstay here, Rosalie. All entrances are in the process of being manned by armed guards, with others patrolling inside and out. Elective surgeries are being canceled. Non-critical emergencies are being re-routed to urgent care centers and to Grand Pines. Every person who enters, and every delivery, will be screened, searched, and go through metal detectors. The number of visitors will be greatly reduced.”
“That sounds like a good plan, but if I’m taken out of the equation, Malgor has no reason to terrorize your?—”
She whimpered as he hit the spot where Logan’s knee had connected. “Jeez, that hurts.”
“Sorry.” He gently ran his fingertips over the injury he’d aggravated. “I think you’re right. Nothing seems broken, just bruised. Not much I can do in the way of treatment.” Standing, he brushed his fingers over the bandage on her forehead. “This must hurt too. I can take you to the ER and give you another injection.”
