Page 5 of Savage Reckoning

“We have history,” I offer, hoping he might leave it at that.

No such luck. “What sort of history?”

“It’s personal.”

“You don’t say.” His expression hardens. “We have enough to deal with, without you dragging your fucking baggage in here. Megan matters to us, so if she has a problem with you, so do I.”

“There won’t be a problem.”

I’m lying. The last person I ever expected to run into, ever again, probably, was sweet little Megan Alexander, and I have precisely nothing in place by way of a strategy for dealing with her. She’s a complication I could do without right now.

But, that said, fuck, she looked hot.

“When I hear that from Megan, we’re good. Until then, the jury’s out on you, Sawyer.”

He turns back to his companion, dismissing me.

I recognise the other man and I can tell by his expression he hasn’t forgotten me. I daresay our encounter was fairly memorable. I had just slit the throat of a Mafia vice lord who was supposed to be my boss. The only reason I didn’t end this guy and his comrade, who I gather was the famous Ethan Savage himself, was because they seemed to be intent on liberating four teenage girls who would otherwise be auctioned as sex slaves. I assumed they were on the side of the angels, or at last the same side as me, more or less. I opt to rekindle that acquaintance.

“Good to see you again.” I offer my hand. “Didn’t catch your name last time.”

Clearly curious, he accepts my handshake. “Rome. And this is Irina.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am.” I offer her my hand as well, then tip my chin in the direction of the wheelchair Rome is currently occupying. “That because of the crash?”

“Yeah. Busted ankle and wrist. Ankle needs attention.”

“Okay.” Since no one is offering to complete the introductions, I offer my hand to the blond. “And you are?”

He simply glares at me and leaves me hanging. “Jack Morgan,” he growls eventually. “You need to stay out of my way until Megan can vouch for you. Got it?”

I incline my head, though how the fuck I’m going to win her round without offering her my dick on a plate is beyond me right now. She probably wouldn’t even take that.

“I’m going to the crash site, then on to the warehouse.” Jack Morgan continues, barking out his instructions. “I want everyone assembled there in two hours, apart from the guards assigned to security here. Rome, I’ll leave you six men. And you can’t leave the hospital yourself until your ankle’s been plastered so you may as well take command here. We know this is an attempted hit and we’ll assume Ethan was the primary target, so no one is to get to him unless you’re a hundred percent certain they’re on the level. Legit police or crash investigation team, and medics. No one else.”

“Got that, boss.”

“Magda and Aaron need security, too. And we need to hear Magda’s account of what happened. The police will be crawling all over her as well. Make sure someone is with her when she’s interviewed, but otherwise, cooperate with the authorities.”

“Sure. I’ll get down there now.” Rome drops a kiss on Arina’s mouth. “Can you stay here, baby? Keep us up to date with any news.”

“Of course. Anything. Just…”

“Just what?” He’s already trundling his wheelchair towards the door.

“Be careful,” she whispers.

Jack Morgan doesn’t seem to have any instructions for me, so I opt to follow Rome.

I catch him out in the corridor and take hold of the handles on his chair. “Need a push, buddy?”

“No. And I’m not your buddy.”

“We’ll see.” I take the strain and wheel him towards the lift.

Megan

Once out in the corridor, I break into a run. I don’t stop running until I’m in the lift heading down three floors to ward seventeen. Mercifully, I have the car to myself, so I lean on the wall and take a breath. A deep breath, followed by another. And another. My heart rate is slowing by the time I emerge by the entrance to Magda’s ward, but only by a fraction. I sink onto a bench and force myself to calm down before I go in there.

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