Page 67 of Ruthless Serenade

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Maron

I pull up in front of St. Mary’s Hospital.

The parking lot is eerily empty, but through the glass doors, I can see the lights coming from the reception area. I exit my Escalade and straighten my jacket before striding inside the building.

The receptionist glances up at me with a professional smile. "Good afternoon, sir. How can I help?"

I lower my voice. "I’m here to see a patient, Sharon Williams. She’s in the pediatric unit."

He looks down, then types something into the computer. "Of course, sir. May I have your name?"

I lean in closer to make sure nobody hears me. "Maron Korolev."

The receptionist frowns, and continues typing. He then shakes his head. "I apologize, sir, but your name is not on the approved visitor list for Sharon Williams. Are you a relative?"

"Sort of," I answer.

The guy raises an eyebrow. "Pardon me?"

I clear my throat. "I’m not a family member, but I still want to see her."

"I understand, sir. Since your name is not on the list, I’m afraid I’m unable to grant access."

"I don’t think you understand. I don’t need permission." I scan the room and pull out a hundred bucks from my wallet, placing it on the counter. "Maybe this will change your mind."

He looks around and slides the money under the guestbook. Then he sighs, and picks up the phone from the desk. "Paging Dr. Zanadan to reception…"

What the fuck is this guy doing? I’m practically burning holes through his skull with my glare. Who the fuck does this pencil-pusher think he is? My fists clench and unclench and I can feel my rage bubbling beneath the surface. I’m an inch away from vaulting over the counter and showing this prick what real fear looks like.

But then Sharon’s face flashes in my mind. This isn’t about my inflated ego or my pride. It’s about her. So, I plant myself in the waiting room, my leg bouncing with pent-up energy.

Minutes later, Dr. Zanadan sweeps in like he owns the place, all crisp scrubs and calculated authority. The receptionist babbles something at him, his eyes darting to me like I’m a ticking bomb. Zanadan silences him with a hand gesture, then turns to face me.

"How can I assist you, sir?" His voice is steady, but I catch the slight twitch in his eye. Good. He should be nervous.

I stand up purposely, towering over him. "I’m here to settle a patient’s medical bills. Sharon Williams. She’s in the pediatric unit."

"Oh…" He stares at me with surprise. "I understand now, sir. Let me…"

I move in close, catching a whiff of disinfectant on his skin. "All I ask in return is to see her."

Something flickers across Zanadan’s face, but he quickly recovers. Smart man. He nods, crisp and professional. "I understand, sir. Will you follow me to my office, please?"

For fuck’s sake!

I always hated bureaucracy, and these morons are making me hate it even more. But I keep my mouth shut and quietly follow him.

I take a seat in Dr. Zanadan’s office and watch him as he pulls up Sharon’s file. "Sharon Williams, emergency appendectomy. Her insurance covers fifty-three percent, which doesn’t include the hospital stay-"

"Cut the bullshit, doc," I snap. "Give me the number."

He blinks, then answers, "That would be four-thousand eight-hundred and seventy-two dollars, sir. That covers everything. All expenses for the operation and hospital stay."

"Right. Give me the bank details."

"Certainly, sir." He types something on the computer and turns the screen to me. "There you are, sir."

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