Page 53 of Tainted Blood

“Well, let’s get this show on the road. It’s not like Dr. Fisher is going to wait forever for you.”

“I know. I’m so glad he’s giving me another shot, although I’m surprised he didn’t call me personally or send me an email.”

“He said that it had to be done in person. He didn’t want to make it formal until he spoke to you. I think he doesn’t want to make an ass of himself. Ego and all. He’s a doctor, after all. You know how they are.” She rolls her eyes like that’s not what we’re trying to be. I laughed and then climbed into the passenger side of her vehicle. We head to the gate, and I wave to the guards. “Ms. Vitale, did Mr. MacNamara approve your departure without your guards?”

“Of course he did. I wouldn’t leave without his approval. No offense, but I’m my father’s daughter. Besides, some of them are meeting me at the hospital.” I didn’t tell him it would be today just that I would go to the hospital without guards in the future.

“Very well. Ms. Vitale, you must be careful.”

“Of course, Nick.” He opens it and lets us go. I told a little lie, but I need a little freedom. I’ve questioned my father’s men before and he said there has never been a problem. My guards have never had to intervene. The issue with Jack being the only time they reacted to a situation which was a misunderstanding.

This is the first time I have gotten out of the house without a herd of security since Ian and I got engaged. It’s probably not the wisest move I’ve made, but I need to speak with the doctors without big goons hovering.

Besides, Ian’s dad doesn’t know Maggie’s car. The surveillance around the estate proves he isn’t lurking nearby. If anything, he’s watching the dock, which scares me more than anything because it leaves Ian vulnerable. “Thanks for picking me up, Maggie.”

“No problem, girlie. I'm so excited for you to come back to the program. You have totally been missed.” She looks through her rearview several times like she’s expecting to see something in it, and then says, “I'm surprised they let you come out—without supervision, I mean.”

“Oh I'm sure there's someone lurking.” That explains why she’s looking. It’s clear behind us. “Besides, I told Ian the other day that I was going to the hospital to speak with Dr. Fisher about getting my job back and that I needed to go without his guards because of all the drama that they caused the first time.”

“That's cool,” she mutters as if she’s not really listening.

She turns on the music to a low volume, which annoys me. It’s like, why bother? It’s like having a fly buzzing around your ear. Either you have the volume cranked up, or turn it off. I personally hate conversation in the car when we’re listening to music. She steals a glance and frowns. Maybe she can sense my annoyance, so I fix my face and try to appear less grouchy.

“How did you get so lucky to get that guy?” she asks with a bit of a temper. Where did that question come from?

“I'm not sure.”

She sighs and grumbles, “All the guys fall at your feet.”

“Excuse me?” I ask.

“Oh, nothing.” I drop it because I don’t want to pick a fight, but I may ask one of my guards to come and pick me up. I’ll shoot Claudia a text as soon as we arrive. I should tell Ian to get me, but I don’t want him to freak out over nothing on my first outing.

We’re about halfway there when she says, “I need to stop at my apartment really quick. I totally forgot my ID.”

“Are you serious?” I sigh.

“I’m sorry. It’s not going to take more than two minutes. I’ll be in and out.”

“Fine.”

It’s crazy, but we’re literally a block from her house. It’s as if she knew she forgot it and intentionally didn’t tell me so I wouldn’t demand we go in separate vehicles again. That was my plan from the start, but she said she wanted some time to hang out.

So she pulls up to the curb and then parks, jumping out of the car in a mad dash to her apartment building. I watch her walk up the steps, and that’s when I realize she didn’t lock the car. I’m about to hit the locks when someone opens the back door. “Ahh,” I screech, turning my head, and then I see it’s Jacob.

“Oh shit. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he says, putting his hands up.

“No biggie.” I try to act cool, but I’m anything but. Something doesn’t seem right. I take out my phone and shoot Claudia a message.Something isn’t right. Send help. No calls.

“It’s been a long time. How are you?” he asks.

“I’m good.” I try to steady my breathing. My blade is on me, so I can access it if I reach just right, but I’d rather just create some distance. It’s not like he’s doing anything to me. Maybe he’s just catching a ride with us.

“Maggie said you were. She said you were getting married to that thug that was supposed to be dying in the hospital. Did he force you to marry him?” he questioned with a venom so deadly, I’d swear he was part of a family as well.

“No. Why would you say something like that? I love Ian.”

“He’s not good enough for you.” He can’t be jealous. Jacob fucks everything that walks.

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