Page 17 of Flame's Fight

“This hospital has a pharmacy, right?” He asks, confirming my suspicion.

“I can’t…” I start, but he grabs my arm in a painful grip.

“You will, or I’ll give the video to the store owners and suggest they report the theft to Officer Wagstaffe directly.”

I yank my arm out of his hand and turn to leave, but he grabs my phone out of my pocket. He hits the screen a few times, and I hear a ding coming from his phone. “I’ll send you the list in a few minutes. I’ll tell you when and where to drop off the goods.” He says, handing me my phone back.

I glance over to Deion, who is still sleeping. I don’t look at my tormentor as I leave the room. Well shit, what am I going to do now?

Outside the room, I lean against the wall and close my eyes. My ears are ringing from the sound of my world crashing around me so I don’t hear Ghost until he’s standing in front of me. When he grabs my arms, I let out a squeak. Ghost’s eyes grow wide. He turns those eyes to the door next to me and narrows them. “Did they hurt you?” He demands and shifts toward the door.

“No.” I tell him, placing my hand on his arm. “No, I’m fine. Deion’s bodyguard was there, and he startled me. That’s all. I feel like an idiot. Really, I’m just embarrassed.” I tell him, trying to smile.

The look he’s giving me tells me he doesn’t believe me, but at least he’s no longer moving to confront them. I walk with him down the hall back to Flame’s room.

“You sure you’re alright?” He asks me and I nod.

“I’m fine. Just tired. It’s been a long day. I’m headed to the cafeteria and get some coffee. Can I bring you anything?”

“Coffee would be great.” Ghost replies. “Unless it’s shit.”

I laugh. “Only if it comes out of the machine or the break room.” I tell him. “The cafeteria coffee is decent.”

“Decent? Wow, you know how to sell it.” He says and I laugh again.

“Brooke?”

When I turn, I see Tanya walking towards us. I’m standing so I can see Ghost’s reaction and I half expect his eyes to pop out of his head and his tongue to fall to the floor like in the old cartoons. I snicker, which earns me a side-eye from him.

“Tanya. What are you doing here so late?” I ask her. “Visiting Deion?”

“Yeah, I had a late session and thought I’d say goodnight before heading home.” She replies, giving Ghost the once over.

“Tanya, this is Ghost. Ghost, Tanya.” I introduce them. “Ghost is one of Flame’s brothers. He’s guarding Flame in case Trask shows up here.” I explain.

Tanya smiles at Ghost. “Really? How sweet of you! I know Deion has someone with him as well, just in case.”

“You said you had a late session. What do you do?” I ask Tanya.

“I’m a physical therapist.” She replies. “I do some work here in the hospital and at a care facility a few blocks over.”

“Really?” I ask. “I’ve never seen you here before.”

“No, the hospital position is new. I just started right before Deion got shot. Will probably work with him on his leg. I’m not looking forward to it.” She grimaces. “I have a feeling it will be a test on our relationship.”

“I wonder if you’ll be working with Flame.” I muse. “He hasn’t regained feeling in his legs yet, but he just woke up today. So hopefully the swelling will go down and we’ll see some improvement soon.”

“I’ll grab his case.” Tanya says. “I feel like I owe him.”

She says goodbye before entering Deion’s room.

I turn to study Ghost, who is staring at the door as if hoping she’ll turn around and come back out.

“Are you really thinking of hitting on the chick dating a gang leader?” I ask him.

Ghost shrugs and looks at me. “Probably not, but a guy can dream, can’t he?”

I laugh and head for the cafeteria. I’ve forgotten about my problem until my phone pings and I see the list of drugs. “Fuck.”

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