Page 20 of Shadows of Recovery

“Better now.” He chuckled. “I handled some stuff for the Institute, and then the hospital took me prisoner for a bunch of administrative glad-handing.”

“What’s going on with the Institute?” Sophie opened the refrigerator and grabbed the lettuce and other salad fixings.

“We are having some admission issues. Kay Birdham, the psychiatrist in charge of new patients, hasn’t effectively screened some of them.” He cocked his head.

“What do you mean?” She looked at him carefully.

“Kay and I used to be a couple. My dad, who is on the board, still thinks the world of her. It’s the only professional conflict between us. I wish he realized this isn’t personal.” Tristan stopped stirring the sauce and turned to face her.

“Our past relationship is complicated. Despite our breakup, Kay maintains a close relationship with my dad. This puts me in a difficult position.”

“Does your dad know we are a couple?” Sophie chewed her lower lip.

“Absolutely. He knows we’re living together. The entire Institute staff knows. Kay and my relationship ended five years ago. I’m hoping this mistake will open his eyes.” He pulled her against him. “Kay, on the other hand, is fully aware of the influence she still holds with my father.”

She curled into his embrace. “I still can’t believe I didn’t realize where I was after our first night together.”

“I took you home through the back gate. It’s closest to the house.” He kissed her on top of her head. “I wanted to maintain your privacy.” He shook his head. “I wanted to maintain my privacy.” He paused. “You were the first person I brought to my home since Mimi.”

“You never brought Kay here?”

He shook his head. “We went to her place or a hotel. I didn’t want her getting too involved with the Institute or leaving any trace that could complicate things down the line. Things did get complicated.”

“You brought me here…” Her eyes widened.

“I brought you here to keep you safe.” He stared at her. “I never imagined that we would make love together. My breakup with Kay was messy. I didn’t handle our relationship the right way. Things were very complicated.”

“Tristan, the sauce!” she cried as the sauce bubbled over.

He turned the burner down. “I fell into a relationship with her. After I shipped home from Afghanistan to bury Mimi, I was close to either returning, or my commitment was close to expiring, and, frankly, I was in no state to help anyone.”

He began to plate the pasta. “My family wanted me in New York. I was content to walk around this house, living in a Vicodin bottle. Still, I managed to begin building the Institute. Kay was one of the first hires. She was a gifted psychiatrist. I’d like to believe she still is. I should have told you this sooner, but it still holds a degree of embarrassment for me. I want you to know everything about me. Sophie, I don’t want to keep any secrets from you.”

She returned to finish the salad. “Me too.” She needed to tell him about Damon Whitlock.

“Can you forgive me?” Tristan asked, a look of regret in his eyes.

“Do you still have feelings for her?”

“No,” Tristan said with conviction.

“We’re good.” Sophie smiled.

* * *

Inside their beautiful rustic home,Tristan poured her a glass of red wine. "And your day?" He sat across from her at the table. “You let me go on and on about Kay.”

"Talking about Kay was important. My day was not as much rough as it was disconcerting.” Her hands wrapped around her glass of wine.

He leaned forward, concern etched on his face. "You’ve been quiet since I picked you up, Sophie. What's going on? You can tell me."

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Leaning back in her seat, she stared at the glass in her hands. "We had an elderly patient come in with severe respiratory distress. He has six sons, and the youngest, Damon, was a bit much. He was very insistent, very intense. There was something about him that put me on edge."

Tristan watched her closely. He reached out and gently took her hand. "What happened? Why did he bother you so much?"

Sophie looked up, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and anger. "I realized Damon was the man from the bar. The one who drugged me."

Shock and rage flashed across his face. "What? Are you sure?"

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