Page 67 of The Doctor's Twins

“I know what you’re thinking, Peyton. You can talk to me, you know.”

“The truth is, Ben, I don’t know if I’ll ever be truly content anywhere. You deserve to know that. I don’t know if I can live with the guilt of depriving you of a happy, relaxed life.”

“You’re talking about Mateo, aren’t you?”

“Yes. He’s never going to give me up. I know too much.”

“What if he wasn’t an issue anymore?” I asked.

“What do you mean?”

“What if Mateo goes away forever?”

“I don’t like the way this conversation is going, Ben. You promised me you wouldn’t do anything foolish.”

“I’m not saying I will. I’m merely suggesting that it’s a possibility.”

Peyt0n started nibbling on her lower lip. She didn’t say anything, but I knew she was stressing about me.

I turned to her and took her gently by the shoulders so she could face me.

“Mateo isn’t the only one with connections, babe. I have access to military men who will do whatever I ask of them, given the situation.”

“I couldn’t carry on if anything happened to you, Ben. The loss will be too great.”

“Nothing is going to happen to me. I promise. Please, allow me to make a few calls. Just calls. No heroics.”

Peyton’s eyes teared up. I wiped away the wet trail a wayward tear had left behind when it spilled down her cheek.

“Okay,” she whispered.

“Okay,” I echoed and held her close to my chest. “I want to give you your dream, Peyton. I want you to realize all the dreams you’ve ever had. They are beautiful dreams.”

Peyton threw her arms around my neck and sobbed. I recognized the need for release, so I simply held onto her until she stopped.

Afterward, I made love to my precious Peyton in front of the log fire. It was beautiful because it was raw with emotion. I vowed to myself then that I would do anything and everything in my power to ensure that she never had to shed another tear of regret again.

The weekend flew by, as do all things that feel as if they are too good to be true. Peyton and I drove back to the city on Monday and by Tuesday we were back at the salt mines. My patient list was full, so I didn’t see much of my love for a good few days. Catching babies and looking after women’s reproductive health kept me on my toes.

But, all the while, I kept one person in my thoughts. Mateo Garcia. I was going to get to that fucking murdering psychopath if it was the last thing I ever did. Even if I had to fly to Mexico and do it myself.

Fortunately, it would come to that. I had plenty of connections who would be more than happy to root out a piece of shit like Mateo. The man was a skid mark on the underpants of society. I could think of nothing more deplorable than a man like him, and I would not rest until he was either someone’s bitch in prison, where he belonged, or six feet under.

Enjoy your freedom, Mateo. It won’t last long. I’m coming for you and I’m going to rain down hell’s fury upon your murderous head.

19

PEYTON

“Ihave a week off and I’d love to see you, Pey,” Alyssa said one morning while we were chatting on the phone. “It bugs me that I know nothing about where you live or what Ben is like. Can’t I come and visit you?”

“Lyssa. You know how I feel about that. What if Mateo is watching?”

“Come on, Pey. It’s been months now and we’ve seen neither hide nor hair of him. I’ll be careful, I promise. I’ll even dress as a weirdo so he, or whomever you think is watching me, won’t recognize me. P.l.e.e.e.a.s.e.”

I couldn’t help giggling at her silly voice. I supposed she had a point. It had been almost six months since I escaped his claws, and no one had seen or heard from him. Plus, I really missed my friend.

“Okay.”

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