Page 25 of The Killer Who Kept Me

“Em, if it’s all right with you, could you, with my help, remove your shirt?”

“My shirt, why?”

“It’s called palpation. I’d like to feel around your stomach area, liver, spleen, and even check your ribs for abnormalities. I would also like to touch along your neck as well. If you’re more comfortable, lifting your shirt also works.”

Oh…“Can I say no?”

“You absolutely can. I’m merely checking you out. If you fell down the stairs, there’s a chance there are other injuries.”

He’d been so kind to me, I’d feel like an asshole if I said no.

“Can I ask you a question first?”

His smile was sweet. “Of course.”

“Will this stay between you and me?”

“The exam?”

I nodded. “Thing is, you’re going to see things once I lift my shirt. If Saros finds out, well, he’s already so angry.”

Paulo’s mouth thinned, and a crease formed on his forehead. “This isn’t a regular doctor-patient situation, Em. Mr. Tancredi is going to want to know my findings. But what I can do is explain to him that you wanted to keep it private. I have a feeling he’ll honor that.”

I could say no—that option was there, and it was what I likely should have done. Instead, I consented.

Paulo lifted my shirt and his touch was gentle, didn’t hurt so bad over tender spots. He didn’t shower me with questions about every scar or bruise. After he was done, I finally looked up at him. There was pity in his eyes, but there was no hiding that he was upset either.

“You need rest, Em. Hydration, some good meals, and some physical therapy. Simple things. I’ll work up a plan, but it’s not to start until you’re walking well on your own.”

He pulled up a chair. “Em, I’m going to tell you something.”

“Oh, okay.”

“About ten years ago, I’d just finished my residency and was feeling amazing. I was going to be a surgeon and fulfill all my dreams. That night I went out to celebrate. I was with my friends and as we left the bar, we chose to walk home. We shared a small house—wasn’t much, but it worked. We’d turned the corner when a car came screeching down the road. He was drunk andplowed into us. We were sluggish due to our own drinking and nowhere near as fast as we could have been.”

This story was heartbreaking, and I had no idea why he was telling me.

“I lost all three of my friends that night. I barely survived.” He held up his left hand, and I noticed he had a tremor. “My surgical dreams ended. I slipped into the darkest depression, literally not caring if I’d live or die.”

“Oh, Paulo, I’m so sorry.”

“It was a long time ago; there’s a point to this story.” He chuckled nervously. “One night, I was halfway through a bottle of Jack when Saros Tancredi walked into the bar. He was with Cosmo and Benny, laughing having a good time, and then he noticed me. Came my way and said, ‘I know you, you were a doctor at the hospital the night my aunt’s appendix burst. You saved her life.’ I couldn’t believe he’d remembered that.”

“Oh, wow, that’s…I don’t know what that is, actually.” I laughed.

“Saros quickly realized something was up and pretty much pulled me into the fold. I may not be the surgeon or doctor I’d ever dreamed of, but Saros gave me purpose.” Paulo tenderly rubbed my knee. “He wants you to find yours as well.”

“Isn’t he like…a mobster? Why is he so kind?”

Paulo’s head flew back and the loudest laugh fell from his lips, eliciting a smile from me.

“Oh, Em, Saros Tancredi isn’t a kind man. He’s a monster in the eyes of everyone who crosses him, and a killer to those who deserve it. If he pulls you in like he’s done for me, he’ll burn the world down, shield you with his body, and make sure every one of your enemies is nothing more than ashes.”

In some part of my mind, I knew the type of man Saros Tancredi was. Ramsey had talked about him a lot—the things he’d done, how he’d risen to the top. Ramsey often said Saros’sthrone was made from the bones of all who’d stood against him. It was just hard to see that darkness when Saros was carrying me up to the bedroom and doing all this nice stuff for me.

“Why is he doing this for me?”

Paulo grinned. “For all Saros’s faults, he treats people with the respect they deserve. You saved him and returned to your own nightmare instead of taking the offer he gave. I can’t tell you for sure why Saros did what he did, but you’re special, Em.”

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