Page 70 of Guarded from Corruption

“Yeah.” I pitch my voice low so the patients waiting in the reception area won’t hear me. “I’m okay. Just… a little nervous. I’m not sure why, it’s fine, and I know everyone here…”

He turns to face me, still cupping my hand tenderly in his. “It’s normal to be nervous. After everything…” He trails off, frowning slightly. A second later, his expression clears. “Anyway. You’re okay. But if you’ve changed your mind and want to go home, we can leave right now. No one would judge you for it.”

Niall wouldn’t, but I would. Setting my shoulders and lifting my chin, I tell him, “I can do this. It’ll be fine.”

He stares at me for a moment, assessing. Then he presses a soft kiss to my forehead. “Alright, sweetheart. I’ll be right out here waiting. And when you’re done, we can stop by your favorite bakery on the way home. Pick up some of those cookies you’ve been talking about.”

How did I go so long without him?

As I walk back to Dr. Regan’s office, my mind is filled with very non-PA things. Like eating those cookies in bed, naked, after Niall and I make love. Setting up the bookshelves in his spare bedroom to display my books and the comic books I convinced Niall to pull out of storage. Sneaking peeks at wedding dress Pinterest boards.

Not that I’m expecting anything. Just out of curiosity.

But I have to set those thoughts aside as I knock at the door to Dr. Regan’s office. Now’s the time to prove I’m still a capable physician assistant ready to get back on the schedule, not a love-struck woman with hearts in her eyes.

I’ve barely stopped knocking when the door opens. Dr. Regan—Hector, he always tells the staff to call him, but he’s my boss and it feels awkward to call him that—beams at me, and says, “Jade. I’m so glad to have you back.”

“Me too.” I try to give him my most competent, definitely not on the verge of a breakdown smile. Not that I am, but he doesn’t know that. All Dr. Regan knows are the basics—I was abducted, escaped, and had to stay in a safehouse until the people who took me were captured. If I were him, I’d be concerned about my mental wellbeing.

“Come in.” He gestures for me to come inside, then shuts the door behind us. “I’m sure you want to keep this private,” he explains with a kind expression. “Not to have people walking by and listening in.”

“Thanks.” I smile at him as I take one of the seats in front of his desk. “It’s not that it’s a secret, exactly. But?—”

“I understand.” Dr. Regan runs a hand through his salt and pepper hair. On the way to his desk, he stops to adjust a picture frame that’s hanging slightly askew. “I was so upset to hear what had happened to you. To think…” His brows pull into an unhappy V. “That anyone would want to hurt you, Jade. It’s unthinkable.”

I’m not sure exactly how to answer that, so I settle on, “It’s still hard to believe sometimes. But I’m doing okay. Better than okay. Which is why I’d really like to come back to work soon.”

Still standing, he gives me a probing look. “Are you sure? Not that I don’t want you back; you’re my best PA. But do you feel like you’re ready?”

“I’m sure.” It might be too much information, but I tell him, “I’m talking with a counselor. And I have a strong support system. I’m absolutely confident I’m ready.”

A strange expression crosses his face. “I don’t know, Jade.”

My chest goes tight again. Is he going to say no? Will I need to find a new job?

He moves closer and puts his hand on my shoulder. “I don’t want you pushing yourself. You’re a special woman, Jade. And?—”

His smile slides into something more sinister.

A flicker of a thought.

Something’s wrong.

Run.

Then it’s too late.

Something stabs into my arm.

What—

Pain. Agony.

My muscles won’t work.

Everything burns.

Tiny dagger-teeth cling to my bicep.

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