Page 104 of Captured

I checked my watch and grimaced. I hoped like hell Rico was downstairs with the freaking SUV or I’d never make it in time.

“Enjoy your evening!” Ken called as I raced down the hospital’s corridor. I’d been lucky enough to get my old job back, happy that I’d returned to healing instead of taking lives.

While my old life remained somewhat of a constant in the back of my mind, I certainly didn’t miss the travel, the danger, or the life in any way. Neither did my beautiful woman. However, I was still president of the family corporation and I did manage to attend every single meeting. Who knew I could be a corporate guy?

I skipped the elevator, the damn thing usually taking too long, instead slamming my palm against the door leading to the stairwell. I was still whistling when I reached the first floor, delighted that my baby was finally getting her real chance, the one that would allow the entire world to know how amazing of an artist she was.

I flew out of the emergency entrance, searching the parking lot. Headlights flashed in my direction, a vehicle heading toward me. Jerking to a halt where the ambulances usually flew in.

Laughing, I threw open the passenger door, although Rico acted as if he was supposed to climb out. I still had a number of people working for me in the same positions as before, but I was completely out of the business of assassinations and mafia for that matter.

That didn’t mean I shouldn’t keep watch. While Talon’s identity remained a secret, the rumor mill stating the powerful assassin had finally been killed or captured, it was my family’s name I had to remain concerned about.

The alliance with the prince was still thriving, Gideon rotting away behind bars. And no one was the wiser as to what had happened to either Liam or to Chase.

“Boss. I was about ready to yank your ass out of surgery if necessary,” Rico said as he threw the gear back into drive, barely giving me time to close the door. “We’re cutting it short as it is.”

“Yeah, well, drive like you mean it because I need to pick up flowers.”

“You’re shittin’ me, right?”

“No, I’m not. Do you honestly think I can go into that concert hall without a bouquet of white roses?”

“Why didn’t you tell me to get them for you?” Rico huffed as he rolled out of the parking lot, narrowly avoiding getting into a collision.

As he raised his middle finger in the rearview mirror, I rolled my eyes. The man was going to get us killed one day.

“Because then it wouldn’t be personal. Emily can sniff that shit out a mile away. You know that.”

“She is pretty phenomenal, which is why I’m shocked she’s with you.”

His laugh boomed into the SUV, and I teased I was going to choke him. The truth was Emily was an amazing woman in every way, her heart as big as anyone I’d met in my entire life. She’d become a wealthy woman when her father had been sent to prison. But instead of using it to buy expensive toys and trinkets like I’d done in my youth, she’d become determined to continue with my work at the children’s hospital as well as provide donations to the various local animal shelters. She’d even bugged me about creating an animal sanctuary at some point.

I’d had to remind her that our time was quite busy with my surgical rotation and her being the one traveling the world. At least she was home for several months. Or so I hoped. It all hinged on whether or not she’d received the news we were both hoping for.

Rico made turn after turn, screeching around every corner and weaving in and out of the busy Boston traffic.

“What flower shop, boss?”

“You know, Emily’s favorite.” The one where she’d frequented since moving into my house with me eighteen months before. For six months, we’d dated at her insistence, getting to know each other like normal people did. Hell, I’d been getting to know me as well. I almost liked who I’d become. Well, maybe.

When I’d asked her to marry me, she’d pushed me away for two solid months, the little wench. But I’d finally won her heart.

“Yeah, yeah,” he said. “We’re almost there. Just don’t dawdle. Get in and get out.”

“You’re giving me orders now?” I teased.

“Someone has to.” He managed to find a parking spot less than a block away, jerking into it like the expert driver he was.

“I’ll just be a minute.” I jogged toward the store, moving inside. Thankfully, the owner was behind the counter.

“Dr. Saint. What a pleasure. How is your beautiful wife?”

“Amazing and having the big concert. Can I get two dozen white roses on the fly?” I grinned, allowing my dimples to show.

“Of course. I thought you might be coming by and already put them together for you.”

“What would I do without you, Rosie?”