Page 20 of Deadly Intentions

“I’m not leaving.” Donny stiffened. “Catarina, it’s time we called your brothers.”

My stomach turned over with remorse and guilt. It was time to rip the band aid off and own up to my mistakes. “Fine. But what are we going to tell Alex?”

“The truth.” Donny sighed. “I know he’s a cop, but if we give him some of the truth, hiding what we need will be easier.”

“Hiding what you need?” Harley blinked in confusion.

“Harley, there are things that have happened you don’t need to worry about. But I will tell you, Dr. Brooks is not someone you should trust.” I stepped toward her. “He’s involved with a man suspected of drug running and illegal dealings. I think…” I paused, mulling over my next words. “He’s supplying Fentanyl to Javier, the man I saw him with, twice. Once in his office and once when I was on my date with Alex.”

Donny growled at the reminder, his arm snatching me against his body. Harley half laughed at his reaction but quieted down for me to continue.

“Alex mentioned being here because of some big drug case he’s working in Reno. Apparently, he was sent here as part of a joint task force to isolate the main supplier. He picked up John Doe’s case, thinking it might be related. It’s not.”

“How can you be sure?” Harley probed.

“Because the man laying behind me was kidnapped and tortured by another man in Vegas. His being here is merely coincidental. Donny’s right. I need to call my brother. Michael Brighton is the man we’ve known as John Doe. He went missing months ago after my family became involved with a monster.”

“A monster who is dead.” Donny’s words made me gasp.

“What?” I pinned him with my eyes. “He’s dead?”

“Yes.” Donny sighed. “Matias Silva located him a month ago—shortly after you left. Vincenzo and Massimo flew to Chile. They’d hoped to get Michael’s location, but Dmitri knew telling them wouldn’t change his fate. He is no longer a threat to you or your family, Catarina.”

“Oh my God.” I nearly collapsed. “My brother must be beside himself. And Rachel?”

“Pregnant.” Donny watched the emotions filter across my face when he shared that tidbit of information.

“I’m going to let Dr. Brooks know he needs to come here to see you. I’ll explain a family member has identified the patient and you are with him.”

“That’s perfect, thanks.” Donny nodded toward her as she unlocked the door and stepped out, giving us privacy.

“She’s pregnant? I… I didn’t know. I left without thinking about what I was leaving behind. My intentions were to have a normal life. I didn’t mean to create more pain or death.” I closed my eyes and let the tears I’d been holding at bay trickle down my cheeks.

Donny reached out and swiped the trail of moisture burning a stream of regret down my skin. “Stop. You aren’t responsible for any of this, Cat. Michael is in that bed because of a sick man. The man you killed is dead because the doctor, who I suspect works with a drug lord, involved you in his shady dealings. Intentions, no matter how innocent, can turn deadly in the blink of an eye.”

“But my family is still hurting. Even after Dmitri’s death. And all this time, I was blind to what was right in front of me because I didn’t want to think about who I was. For weeks, Donny—Weeks. Michael has been all alone in this hospital bed.”

“He hasn’t been alone, baby.” Donny pulled me into his arms. “He’s had you.”

A knock at the door had me stepping out of Donny’s embrace. I wiped at my tears, trying to make myself look presentable just as Dr. Brooks walked through.

“Miss Cook said I needed to come speak with you in here. Apparently, you’ve determined the patient’s identity.” He looked suspiciously at Donny and me. “And you are?”

“Dr. Brooks.” I stepped between the two men. “This is Donny Russo. As crazy as this sounds, Donny is my fiancé and came to surprise me. We had a falling out when I moved here, but that’s not important. What is important is the man laying behind me. You see—" I took a breath. “A friend of the family went missing a few weeks before I moved here. We thought he had been in an accident while he’d been traveling.” The lie rolled off my tongue. “When Donny got here today and saw me in the room with him—" I pointed to Michael’s still form. “—he knew immediately who it was.”

“A friend of the family? How is it you didn’t recognize him yourself? You’ve been caring for him for weeks, Miss Aniston.”

Donny bristled at the use of my fake name.

“He wasn’t recognizable under the bandages. Even when I changed them out, his face was too badly beaten. It wasn’t until Donny made me really look at him, did the familiarity hit me.”

“And the Detective? Has he confirmed his identity?”

“I haven’t called him yet. I was about to do that when Nurse Cook informed me you were looking for me.”

“Well. It appears this takes priority. What I needed can wait. Let me know what you find out.”

He turned and stormed out of the room.

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