Page 44 of Once A Crime Lord

“Time to go,” he said.

“After lunch, we’re supposed to take a group shot on the lawn,” she countered.

“You’ve been here long enough.”

The director of the hospital approached, beaming. He inclined his head respectfully to Gavin. “Mr. Pyre, you’ve done so much for our hospital. I hope you know how much we appreciate your contribution and all that you’ve done today.”

The director held out his hand. Gavin hesitated a second before he took it.

“We’re happy to help.”

“And you,” the director reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, “you are a godsend.”

She raised her brows at Gavin before she smiled at the director. “You’re so kind to remind my husband of that.”

The director laughed and waved his hand. “Would you like a tour of the new wing?”

Gavin opened his mouth, but before he could answer, she linked her arm through the director’s.

“Yes, I would,” she said and ignored Gavin’s low growl.

The director blinked when Blade and four guards rose. She patted the director’s arm.

“Precautions,” she said.

The director nodded hastily. “Yes, yes. I understand.”

Gavin followed them to the elevator. The director kept up a steady stream of polite conversation, but Gavin didn’t engage. The director tossed him worried glances, probably worried that Gavin wasn’t impressed by how they used his money. The director went into great detail about the state-of-the-art equipment and innovative floor plan. It was interesting to walk through the corridors and peek into unused, pristine rooms. She enjoyed the behind-the-scenes tour. The director pointed out the paintings on the wall donated by a local artist and led her into a hospital room. The aqua accent wall made the room inviting and soothing rather than clinical and detached. She walked to the window and looked out at the shopping center across the street and the red mountains in the distance.

“This is beautiful,” she said.

The director pointed out the bed sheets, which were a higher thread count than they had ever been able to afford.

“The Pyre wing is going to be many people’s home away from home.”

“Pyre wing?”

“You didn’t know it was being named after your family?”

Her family... “No, I didn’t.”

“We couldn’t call it anything else,” the director said jovially.

Gavin stood with his arms crossed in the middle of the corridor. She went to him and gave him a hug.

“Let’s go,” Gavin said abruptly.

“But—” the director began.

“I have business to attend to,” Gavin said shortly and propelled her down the corridor.

She was dimly aware of the director talking to Blade and the other guards as they trailed behind them.

“Rude,” she muttered.

“I have a lot to do today.”

“Like what?”

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