Page 35 of Smoke and Shadows

“Think again, sweetheart. Now, shut up.”

Marissa’s eyes narrowed at him. Viktor smothered a grin and stepped out of the Charger to take a gander at the chaos happening a couple of blocks up, where Marissa’s vehicle had been burning. “Stark.”

Nathan turned to him.

“Take care of Ms. Cole’s vehicle. Use one of our official covers to tidy up the paper work on that car.”

Nathan nodded and took off at a jog.

Marissa exited the Charger, but visibly steadied herself, gripping the roof of the vehicle.

“That’s it,” Viktor muttered. “You need a doctor. Forget Langley.”

“Don’t be silly,” Marissa said weakly, her eyes glazed over. Viktor was already rounding the vehicle. “I got blood on your precious car,” she added inanely before she took a crash.

Viktor caught her before she hit the asphalt. She was barely conscious, if not a bit loopy.

“How did I end up down here?”

“Let me see. Concussion?” Viktor said. “Possible blood loss?”

“No need to be sarcastic,” Marissa grumbled, snuggling closer to him.

“Oh, my God, what happened?” Olsen asked when she noticed Viktor bundling Marissa into the front passenger seat.

“My guess? Her adrenalin wore off,” Viktor replied. “I’m taking her back to HQ and having Henderson take a look at her. You got this?”

Not waiting for Olsen to acknowledge his question, he got into the car and drove off.

7

Dwarves were poundingher skull with a pickaxe, as they maliciously refused to give her water. Marissa’s eyes popped open, thankful to discover that it was all a dream. But her mouth remained cottony and she found it a bit disconcerting that Dr. Henderson was peering down at her.

“How many fingers?”

“Three.” Marissa braced herself up on her elbows. “What’s the damage?”

“Surprisingly, inconsequential,” Henderson told her, ticking off boxes on a clipboard. “Considering what you’ve been through; a mild concussion, a few stitches, and bruising. You’re a lucky woman.”

Marissa could argue his opinion. Her joints felt out of whack. Her leg was burning where the bullet clipped her, and her hands felt raw.

“Few seconds more in your car, I could’ve been doing an autopsy on a charred body.”

“You’re a laugh a minute,” Marissa muttered and winced when she took in her attire—a hospital gown. “Um, is there something else I could wear?”

“Are you planning on going somewhere?”

“Yes. Back to work,” Marissa retorted.

“As your doctor, I strongly advise against it. But I’ve dealt with your kind long enough to know that you won’t listen anyway.” He handed her the clipboard. “Just sign under AMA.”

“Covering your bases, Doc?”

Henderson sighed. “I have to, especially with you clowns mucking around and acting like you’re invincible. Pierce is the worst offender, followed by Lockwood. Used to call them Disaster and Mayhem when they worked together.”

“I’m surprised Viktor didn’t top your list.”

Henderson paused. “Come to think of it, I don’t remember treating him.”

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