Page 5 of The Chance

Nikkie Jean Alvaro owned the entire hospital. And people were gossiping about her, Caine—and Aubrey right now. She had been afraid Nikkie Jean would blame her. Apparently not.

Aubrey relaxed a little. It made things… awkward. But… “Nikkie Jean. Please call me Aubrey. I am so sorry for… the rumors.”

Shelikedthis woman. It was hard not to. Nikkie Jean was all of five feet tall, and pure nonstop energy. She always looked a bit out of place next to her six-foot-six tank of a husband. The Alvaros adored each other. Aubrey loved watching how gentle he was with his wife and five children.

It gave her hope. Thereweregood men out there. Caine Alvaro was living proof they did exist. He was big, and frightening, and a little wild-looking, but that man was one of the most compassionate she had ever met. The kindest. And willing to help anyone who needed it. In an instant.

“I am used to being gossiped about. Remember theSnotty Garlicarticles when we were first getting together? Those were seriously ridiculous. Makes what is being said about Caine here seem like nothing. It looks like you need a hand.” Nikkie Jean didn’t wait for permission. Aubrey didn’t even try to protest. This was her ultimate employer, after all. And… everyone knew Nikkie Jean’s history—the woman understood trauma on a personal level. Just like Aubrey did. Nikkie Jean studied her arm quickly. “Ouch. Those look bad. I hope you reported the person who did this.”

Aubrey shook her head. “It would be too complicated right now.”

“Your choice, and I totally respect that. But I hate to tell you this, I think two are infected. And a third is getting started.”

“Amoxicillin isn’t working. I think I may be a bit resistant to it.”

“I hate when that happens; I’ve been having trouble with cephalexin lately myself. I’ll have a nurse catch you with a dose of that new stuff Caine has been talking about. You good with trying it?” Nikkie Jean asked. “Being our very own BCGH guinea pig? I don’t think anyone has actually prescribed it here yet. FCGH has, though. Yesterday.” A look of concern went over Nikkie Jean’s face then. “Caine’s aunt, actually. We’re starting to see good results, and it got FDA approval last month.”

Caine’s aunt, a cop with the TSP, had been injured in a hostage situation almost two weeks ago. Aubrey had heard from Caine that she was still fighting a bacterial infection that was particularly resistant to antibiotics—MRAB. He’d discussed the antibiotic with her before, as well.

“I’m good with it.” She’d reviewed the literature recently. She was okay testing herself. And Caine was very cautious with new meds—he wouldn’t allow them to be tested at BCGH if he didn’t think they were safe. “And thank you. I was having trouble seeing the back laceration.”

“No problem. Anytime. We ladies have to stick together in this world. Some of the men… can be real buttheads. And the women—even worse, I swear.”

“No kidding. Some, but not all. I keep reminding myself of that.”

A particular redheaded man popped into her head. Chad Fields had been all about checking on Genny that next morning. Genny’s ankle hadn’t been seriously injured; everyone had known that. But the man was hovering.

Aubrey also suspected he was on the hunt. Genny was his prey. Genny hadn’t decided if she was going to get caught yet or not.

Aubrey finished up in the restroom about the same time as the other woman.

Nikkie Jean made it to the door first. Then she turned back to Aubrey, a serious expression on her face. Aubrey tensed.

“I’m not going to ask questions, but… I know someone has hurt you. Recently… and before. You might consider visiting W4HAV. You’ll find others like us there. A support system. Resources for women at every stage of the journey of healing. Something to keep in mind. We all can use a friend now and then. If that’s not something you are interested in yet… and you want someone to talk to… I’ll listen. And it will remain just between us, okay?”

Aubrey just nodded, overwhelmed. The woman was… sincere. It was written on her face. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“We all have secrets. But sometimes we need to get them out there. So we can begin to heal. Remember that. If I hadn’t, I’d probably not be here today.”

But letting go of her secrets was something Aubrey had never been able to do. She didn’t know that she ever would.

5

Guthrie and Chadwere walking down the hall toward the elevators three days after finding those gorgeous creatures in his family’s living room when they came around the corner and found… Dr. Justin Michaels.

Well, well, well. Finally.

Guthrie had been waiting for days to find this guy. But Michaels had been out of town on a family emergency of some sort. He was back now. And Guthrie was a man on a mission.

It took every bit of restraint Guthrie possessed not to shove his fist down the man’s throat immediately.

For what Michaels had done to one gorgeous creature in particular.

He had been waiting for this moment for days. Every time he saw Aubrey in the ED. Or remembered what had happened to her. Or what the asshole had done and said to her, to his sisters… Oh, yes, Guthrie had been waiting for this moment for days.

Michaels greeted them as if he wasn’t the bastard they knew him to be now. Was the guy that stupid?

Guthrie had badgered his sister Greer to let him and Chad see the video of what had happened. He’d never forget howAubrey had put herself in front of Genesis theinstantthe threat had turned in Guthrie’s sister’s direction. Without hesitation.

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