Page 71 of The Doctor's Twins

“Ooph! Didn’t see that one coming, you naughty girl.”

“What do you think of Alyssa?” I asked again.

“She’s lovely. I can see why you and she are so close. She’s a genuine human being. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how much she loves you. She made it crystal clear that she’d rip out my spine if I did anything to hurt you. And I believed her.”

I laughed at the thought of Alyssa holding a finger in Ben’s face, threatening him. She would have been more subtle, obviously, but I imagined her message came through loud and clear.

“I think her protective nature has kicked up a notch or two since the Mateo disaster. My whole family has been on high alert, I’m afraid. She means well.”

“Don’t misunderstand me. I didn't mind her candor at all. It makes me like her more, actually. At least I know whose side she’s on.”

It was Saturday, so Ben didn’t have to go to work. I, on the other hand, had to show my face at the hospital or they’d kick me into touch.

“I wish I didn’t have to work today,” I moaned when I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed.

“I know. I’m going to miss you. Don’t worry about Alyssa. I’ll take her on a tour of the city, you know, touristy stuff.”

“You don't mind, babe?”

“Hey, I think it’s a good way of staying on her good side,” he smirked. “I need all the points I can gather.”

“You have more points than you’ll ever need, but that’s a very kind gesture. Thanks, my love.”

“You’re welcome.”

I had a quick shower, got dressed, and left for work, leaving Alyssa behind to sleep in, and Ben to catch up on some reports. It was a good day. No one died.

Alyssa’s visit flew by in the blink of an eye. I cried my eyes out when Ben took her back to the airport. He was extra sweet to me once she’d gone—he taught me a few extra karate 101 moves to distract me.

Not that my training got me to an expert level. Not with all the sex it seemed to initiate whenever he got me on my back in the dojo. But, hey, I wasn’t complaining.

My life was perfect. Well, almost.

20

BEN

Peyton was on a high. The week she’d spent with Alyssa had done her the world of good. I tried my best to distract her once her best friend had left, but, honestly, I knew there was only way the love of my life would ever be truly happy. I had to do something about Mateo. He needed to disappear from the picture. Altogether.

But, how? How would I manage the Herculean task of bringing Mateo to justice in a place where he seemed to be protected from all sides?

Peyton and I had spoken about it when we were away at the ski weekend, but I hadn’t done anything about it. I realized after Alyssa had been and gone that the time to make good on my promises was at hand, so I called a friend of mine who served alongside me in the armed forces.

“Doc! How are you?” Sam greeted me when he answered my call.

“Hey, Sam. All good. How’re they hanging?”

It was a little joke we shared. Sam very nearly lost his left testicle one night in an enemy attack when a bullet grazed his nether regions. Thankfully, I was on call and able to prevent him from having to suffer involuntary neutering.

“Swinging happily, thanks, Doc. To what do I owe the pleasure, Ben?”

“Are you free for a drink sometime this week? I have a little undercover project for you.”

“Sounds intriguing. I’m in. How about tomorrow night?”

“Great. I’ll send you a pin location.”

“Good to hear from you, Ben. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

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