Page 20 of Tainted Blood

I move my gaze away from him so I don’t have to face his angry eyes. As I ignore his laser-focused gaze on me, I spot two women heading toward Ian’s room, but only the backs of their heads. I do my best not to be jealous, but my heart doesn’t agree with me. Dr. Fisher yanks me by the arm and drags me toward the small waiting room, closing the door behind us.

“Ms. Vitale, your behavior in there has just cost you your position,” he says, not waiting a full two seconds after we enter the room.

“What?” I ask, completely flabbergasted.

“You heard me. We can’t have our students fraternizing with criminals. It reflects poorly on the program and the hospital.”

“I…I can’t believe this. I’m the best student you have, and you’re letting me go because I met Mr. MacNamara at a club and haven’t seen him again until today.” It’s more information than I need to share and less than what happened between us, but it’s none of his business what happened between Ian and me.

“It’s clear he has other ideas, and we don’t need that kind of trouble in here. I’m going to have to ask you to leave immediately. You’ll be removed from the program, but the college will have to determine your eligibility after receiving my report.” He opens the door, waving his arm for me to go first.

I walk out of the room, and he lifts his arm above my head and waves over the security guard. “Please escort Ms. Vitale to get her belongings from the locker room and then out of the hospital.” My shoulders raised and my body tensed as my temper heated up. A different person just washes over me and the sweet med student that I’ve been just evaporated. The young New York Mafia princess invaded my bones. Sinister thoughts of punishing him flood my brain.

I want to tell him that he fucked with the wrong woman because my father isn’t going to appreciate it, but I remember that I’m not a part of that life. I take a deep calming breath and let it out. It’s one thing if I screwed up on my own merit, but my acquaintances cost me my career, and my father won’t like to hear it.

By the time I arrived at my car with my few belongings, which were a change of clothes along with toiletries inside my duffle bag, I had lost my composure. Unable to hold back the tears, I press my forehead on the top of my Mercedes.

My entire career and education are down the drain.

There’s a tap on my arm and I jump back with my keys in hand, ready to stab someone in the eye, only to find one of my father’s men standing there. My eyes meet the affable Andre. “Your father is on the phone,” he says gently, seeing me upset.

“Princess…” my father answers.

I cut him off right away. “Why the hell are your men here? I thought I asked you to send them home.” I found them following me months ago and found it annoying because I’m an adult and feel like it draws more attention to me.

“Sweetheart, just because you ask for something doesn’t mean it’s within my power to grant it.”

“You can’t tell them to go home?” I challenge his bullshit. He laughs as if what I just said was funny, but I’m too pissed to see it that way.

“They are always there, sweetheart. I’m worried about you. Andre said that you’re crying, and I can hear it in your voice.” Of course I have to have the most observant and loving father. There isn’t anything he misses. I love and hate it at the same time, although I could be unfortunate enough to have Ian’s dad.

“I was just kicked out of the program,” I confess through my tears.

“Why? Did you accidentally kill someone?” he asks. I suppose it’s a valid question.

Andre’s eyes don’t leave me as I answer, “No. It’s because I know Ian MacNamara, who is a patient.”

“What the fuck? I don’t give a fuck if you were married to that mick, that’s not a logical reason to send you packing.”

“Well, apparently they don’t want trouble. And apparently knowing a mobster is trouble,” I teasingly scoff. My dad chuckles lightly because if they only knew the truth I wouldn’t have been selected at all.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. Do you want me to deal with it?” I knew he’d offer, and I’m sure he’ll know my response.

“No. It would only prove his point. He didn’t want that kind of atmosphere in his hospital. He made it clear that he wouldn’t mind if Ian was dead.”

“Are you fucking serious?” My father snarls on the other end as if his favorite baseball team has lost.

“Don’t even think of it,” I warned him. If anything happens to Ian because of me, I’ll never forgive myself.

“I wouldn’t start a war with the MacNamara Family,” he responds with a mixed tenor, and I can’t tell if he’s being serious.

Out of nowhere, I hear commotion behind me. “What the fuck are you doing with her?” Jack says, approaching us. Andre immediately reacts to protect me. Jack lands a punch on his jaw.

“Dad, I have to go.” I end the call and move closer to the two men.

I shout, “Stop it, you idiot.”

“He’s going to kidnap you,” Andre grumbles, itching to reach for his piece as both men actually listen to me. I’m sure something is going down, but I’m not sure if it’s positive.

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