Page 68 of Relentles
It had been a long fucking day. He needed rest. His mind needed to stop spinning.
Rebel had always loved the saltwater fish tank, so he headed toward the elevators where it was the main showcase in a seating area with a sofa and table, near an emergency exit. The spot was also one of the few places he could smoke without going outside. It cost him extra donations, but what the fuck ever.
Hortensia General predated the club’s formation. Somehow, Big Joe got the board of directors in his pockets, a perk Christopher sincerely appreciated. They’d even been nice enough to place an industrial ashtray filled with white silica sand.
As he pulled his pack of cigarettes out of his cut, the elevator doors opened, and Torie walked out. It occurred to him that she wasn’t on duty when he saw Jo.
At first she didn’t notice him. She was digging in her purse, barely paying attention to her surroundings. If he felt like being bothered, he would’ve pointed out the dangers of inattentiveness. But he didn’t. He hoped she passed by without noticing him. He averted his gaze, so she wouldn’t feel watched and pick up on his presence.
Goddamn, that was a fucked up thought. After all she was doing for Jo, he could at least offer a warning.
Lighting his cigarette finally clued her in. She stopped and stared at him.
“Hey,” she said, walking to where he sat.
“Hey, Torie.” He drew in on his cigarette, the cherry glowing in the dimness.
“You need to see Jo? I can call and see if I can get clearance for you.”
Releasing smoke away from Torie and flicking ashes over the ashtray, he smiled at her. “Already saw her.”
She, of all people should know, he didn’t need clearance. When Megan had been in the hospital, he’d all but taken over and she had a special wing.
“I-I thought you had special privileges while you were here because of how sick your wife was and how you almost lost Jo.”
He shrugged. It wasn’t her business.
“I must’ve been finishing up my report and briefing the nurse coming in for night duty.”
Not knowing what to say, he smoked.
“You can’t smoke in a hospital.”
“I can smoke right here inthisfuckin’ hospital.” Grinning at her shock, he held his cigarette between his thumb and index finger. “And I’ve smoked other fuckin’ places in this motherfucker. As long as oxygen isn’t near and I’m not around patients, I’m fine. Badges might want to keel the fuck over.”
Giggling, she plopped next to him.
She was mighty fucking close to him. He didn’t have the energy to slide over. He took another drag of his cigarette. “Jo okay?” he asked around plumes of smoke.
“My shift’s over, Outlaw,” she said around coughs.
He rested his cigarette between his lips. “I guess you gotta go home sometime, babe,” he said, the cigarette hanging from hismouth wiggling at the whoosh of his words. He reached over and flicked away more ashes.
“My son is missing me, although he’s asleep now. Unfortunately, I’ll be at work again by the time he wakes up in the morning.”
“The board keeps three eight-hour shifts per day for all the departments, instead of the two twelve-hour shifts. It’s that way for family time and for staff to rest up and think clearer.”
As much as Megan was there, he’d demanded they keep the day, evening, and night shifts. He didn’t want tired motherfuckers looking after his wife.
“I’ve been working double shifts,” Torie said. She lowered her lashes. “To look after Jo and to earn money for Christmas.”
Although he needed her more than ever to look after Jo, she had a kid, too.
“If the hours too much, they can be adjusted. I’ll see that you keep your same pay.”
“Wow! That would be…okay. Thank you!”
“Ain’t no problem, babe.”
