Page 72 of Revenge & Ruin

Or the second time, once we’d arrived at the bunker and, Doctor Malloy made me wait outside while her heart monitor was screaming for me to do something, anything to save her. But all I could do was sit there and try not to tear myself apart.

Even now, knowing that she’s safely behind that door, already halfway to a full recovery, that feeling lingers.

“Is there anything else, sir?”

I look up to find Doctor Malloy watching me carefully over the rim of his glasses.

I’ve known the man since I was a teenager. He used to patch up Rocco and me after ill-advised scraps and the time he dared me to jump off the compound roof—resulting in a fractured arm and a very bruised ego.

These days, his age shows in the silver of his hair. It’s likely he’s anticipating some kind of retirement in the next few years. One that I would happily grant him without hesitation.

“Your discretion,” I answer as I pull away from the door.

“Always, sir,” he replies simply.

I sigh. “You can drop the formalities, doctor.”

“Then you should call me Henry.”

“Henry,” I smile dully. “You’re sure she’ll be all right?”

“The last of the drugs should be out of her system within the next few hours. With a bit of rest, she’ll be back to normal tomorrow.”

“Right.”

Doctor Malloy nods and picks up his bag and jacket, as if making to leave. However, he stops before heading toward the door.

“You saved her life, Teo.”

“I spared her life.”

He gives me an odd look. “She’s alive because of you. In my line of work, there isn’t much difference.”

“Don’t say that like it’s a good thing. She’s an enemy of the Guild.”

“Enemy or not, that was no way to die.”

I let the words hang in the air for a moment. “You saved her. I won’t take credit for being in the right place at the right time.”

Henry looks like he might protest, but I cut him off. “Again, I must emphasize your discretion, especially with other members of the Guild. If people find out that I’ve kidnapped her….”

“Rescued her.”

I shoot him a glare. “If they discover she’s missing, you will want to be well out of the destruction zone. I suggest a holiday.”

Henry smiles a little sadly and goes to leave. “As you wish, sir.”

Finally alone in the bunker with nothing but my thoughts to torment me, I glance once more at the monitor that displays Isabella’s room.

She’s lying back down now, curled in on herself, sheets gripped between her palms with her eyes closed. Is she still crying? I get the sudden itch to go in and check.

But what else is there to say to each other?

Before I can do anything astronomically stupid—at least, more stupid than what I’ve already done—I grab my car keys and head out after the doctor.

I’ve always found walkingthrough the Guild’s compound to be testing.

As a teenager, making it across the main hall or even some of the more popular corridors was a game of agility and vigilance. Men twice my size and age found it amusing to test my reflexes or try to rattle me in some way.

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