Page 20 of Wistful Whispers

“No. You probably fucked both of them in the stairwell,” Bryce scoffs. “Come on, McGloughlin. Everyone knows what’s going on.”

I take a slow sip of my coffee without answering. His words take me by surprise, though. Is it true? Are my secret extracurricular activities not so secret?

“You’ve always been the charming one. The golden boy.” He leans forward slightly. “Charismatic shit only works for a while, son. I must tell you, I’m concerned. You’re gonna fuck up your career before it begins. Please decide what kind of surgeon you want to be.” He shakes his head. “No one’s going to take you seriously with the way you’re carrying on.”

Carriedon. I swallow the irritation rising in my chest. Aside from Cecily, it’s been nearly two years.

There’s something heavier in his voice. Foreboding. Like my casual flings are a personal annoyance to him.

I lean back. “Are we here to discuss my personal life?”

“No. We’re here because I got served.” A vein pops out on Bryce’s forehead..

I stare at him for a beat. “Miranda? Should I be worried?”

“You ask ifyoushould be worried when I was sued for malpractice a couple weeks ago? Fuck me, McGloughlin.Probably. Her parents moved fast. Hired a woman named Marcella Delgado from Finney Cooper, the biggest firm in town.” He spits her name out like it’s a curse. “She’s ruthless and plays dirty. Apparently, has never lost a case. My lawyer warned me I’m going to get dragged through the mud.”

“Shit. What can I do to help?” My mind races. Do I tell him I already know about the lawsuit? Would it piss him off to know I’m already preparing for the worst?

He exhales, rubbing his temple. “Look. I tried to keep you out of it. Unfortunately, I’m not sure she’ll leave you alone. The goddamn woman is determined to make my life a living nightmare, and anyone else who was in the OR with me.”

“How?” Hell. This is worse than I thought.

Something in his voice changes. Something I don’t like.

“Well, like I said. I was trying to keep you out of it. Yesterday, I was deposed. She was a fucking bitch,” Bryce seethes. “Fat. Smug. Nasty piece of work. Thinks she can outsmart me?Please.”

I go still. Bryce doesn’t notice—he’s too caught up in his own anger.

“Chubby little pit bull,” he sneers. “Trying to pin something on me she doesn’t understand. You know how some women are. They get a little power to make up for the fact they can’t get a man.”

He lets out a low, humorless chuckle.

My stomach turns. I knew Bryce had an ego. I knew he had a temper. This is something else—my instincts at preparing for the worst were spot on.

“Do they have a case?” I press my lips together.

Bryce waves a dismissive hand. “One hundred percent bullshit. They’ve got nothing. I stand by every single move I made.”

My mind reels. He made the decision to keep going…

His eyes darken. “So should you.”

I stare at him. For the first time since I met Bryce Caldwell, I don’t recognize him.

“So, have you been contacted?” He watches me closely.

I hesitate because I’m confused. Should I tell him I’ve hired counsel? Can I trust him?

“No.” I decide to play my cards close to my vest. Because the truth is—no. I haven’t been served yet. Technically, I know nothing. No subpoena. No lawsuit. I haven’t been involved in any legal capacity. “How can I help?”

“Lay low. Stay out of trouble.” He stands and claps my shoulder. “Focus on your work. For God’s sake, don’t fuck hospital staff in the stairwell. Stop giving people ammunition to use against you because it’ll look bad on me.”

Selfish prick. Whatever happens next—I have to take care of myself.

I nod slowly, looking up at him. “Will do.”

Bryce exhales, looking briefly relieved. “Good. We need to be on the same page here.”

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