Page 21 of Safe With Me

“Is that what you want?”

“I asked you first.”

He walked toward her. Cupped her cheek like she’d done to him last night. “I can’t get close to you.”

“You were pretty close last night.”

“I know. Like I said, I was out of line.”

“If you want me to be replaced, you have to say it out loud.”

“I—”

The door opened again, despite the closed sign. A man in a slick suit stepped inside. Pax crossed to him. “Can I help you?”

Just like in the movies, he slapped an envelope against Pax’s chest and said, “You’ve been served.”

The man exited before Pax could react. Steph crossed to him. “What would you be served for?”

“I—I don’t know. Unless…”

“Open it.”

She read over his shoulder. “Who’s Lance Kramer?”

“It says here he’s the son of…” He dropped the papers and they scattered across the floor.”

“Pax, who is he?”

His eyes were bleak when he raised his gaze. “The son of the woman whose surgery I botched.”

Reminders of her brother Tommy came to the surface. But she quelled them—for Pax. She reached down and scooped up the papers. “The amount is exorbitant.”

“Lawsuits for doctors are covered by a hospital’s malpractice insurance. The sum is usually high.”

“Pax, do you have any insurance?”

“No. When I quit the hospital it lapsed.”

Fear filled her stomach. “Do you have money to pay this?”

“I have cash in a 401K and some savings. But it won’t cover this.”

“Pax—”

“I have to call Jackson. He’s financing the clinic, but I don’t think he’s liable for when I worked at the hospital.”

Step took out her phone and clicked into Jackson’s number. She put it on speaker and handed it to Pax. “Jackson Kane.”

“Jackson, Pax here. There’s no easy way to say this, but I’ve been sued by the family of the woman I killed. I don’t know what to do.”

“Where are you?” His voice was steady and calm.

“I’m at the clinic with Steph.”

“Stay there with her. I’ll be right over.”

When she disconnected, he stared at her. “You don’t have to wait. Actually, you should quit. I don’t want you anywhere near the lawsuit.”

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