“Claire, glad you finally woke up.” His oily voice slithers through me.
“You kidnapped me, you asshole!”
“Seems the drug didn’t diminish your fire.”
“What the fuck are you thinking?”
“Nor your snark.”
“How long have I been missing?”
“Hours, and I must say your boyfriend didn’t disappoint. At this time, the entire country is aware of your disappearance. Pays to have friends in high places.”
Mathis, oh my God. He has to be going out of his mind.
I make a run for the door to find it locked. “Let me out of here!”
“Afraid I can’t do that. You have a very important job here, Claire. I’d go as far to say a critical care job.”
At the term critical care, I stop shaking the door handle and turn back to him.
“What are you talking about?”
“I knew the first time I met you that you had a special skill set. I heard you were a taken woman but didn’t see that as a problem. Nothing ever stands in my way. Then that fucking cunt Lora had to open her mouth and blab. Mistake on my part. It made my job of getting to know you a lot harder.”
His words are low, controlled, and scary as shit. He comes my way, and I plaster my back to the door, willing it to support me.
“You’re gutsy, feisty, full of sass, and I’ve spent the last few months fucking those women and picturing you. Wasn’t ideal, but a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.” He shrugs nonchalantly. “But now you’re here.” He reaches to tuck my hair behind my ear, and I recoil, my stomach revolting.
“You brought me here to rape me?”
“Rape you?” His eyes glimmer, and his smile grows evil. “No, Claire, that’s not my style. Although, if you decide you want to fuck, I’m willing.”
My insides quiver, and my fight to survive instincts kick in. I slap him as hard as I can, his face whipping to the side. My palm connects partially with his lip that splits, and a trickle of blood bubbles up. He steps back, reaching in his pocket and producing a handkerchief that’s monogrammed. Wiping his lip, he continues to smile.
“Like I said, feisty. Lucky for you, it turns me on.”
“You’re repulsive. You’d have to kill me before I’d willingly sleep with you.”
His body stills, the smile slipping. “Don’t tempt me, Claire. Killing you won’t bother me. It’d be a waste, but not out of the question.”
“Who the hell are you?”
“The better question is who I’m not. I’m not the brown-nosing kiss ass I’ve pretended to be the last few months. My mission was to find the best Pediatric Oncology nurse in this city and a doctor who could perform miracles. I did that, and now you have a job to do.”
My eyes fly around the room, his words sinking in. The wall on the far side of the room is stocked. Supplies I recognize line the shelves. A refrigerator is tucked in a corner. Rows and rows of drugs fill a cabinet, and realization comes crashing down.
“You stole it all?”
“I didn’t. I pay people to do the grunt work.”
“Why?”
He steps out of my space, yanking my arm and bringing me to the large panoramic window. His finger touches a button on the wall, and the drapes part, exposing a gaunt young boy in a hospital bed. He’s hooked to two IVs dripping what I recognize as a morphine drip and medicine line.
A small cry escapes at the same time my hand flies to my mouth. “What’s wrong with him?”
“He has leukemia the same as Josh. He’s your new patient.”
I pivot to him, my anger boiling. “I can’t treat him. I need a doctor and a treatment plan.”
“Lucky for you, I’m resourceful. I acquired all of Mathis’s notes for Josh. We’re going to follow the same protocol.”
“But you’re not a doctor!” I scream, my voice echoing off the tile floors and walls. “He needs a hospital.”
He snaps his head, his eyes now black and terrifying. “No, I’m not a doctor, but I’m your best bet to help save his life. So you understand, you’re going to be working with me closely. You’ll have everything you need.”
“Why me?”
“Because he is my family and family gets the best.” There’s a hitch in his breath, the first sign of compassion since walking in the room. This is the person in his life that turns his eyes warm when he looks at the children with cancer.
“Who are you?” I repeat.
“You can call me Stefan, and when we are in his presence, I demand respect. If you disappoint me, you will not like the consequences.”
I want to scream, shout, claw his eyes out, and stab him with any sharp item within arm’s reach. Then I peer at the pitiful young man in the hospital bed struggling for his life and know I can’t let him die without a fighting chance.
I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and dig deep to bury my hatred. “I need more details.” My voice is unrecognizable.
Stefan begins to spout off details of this young man’s medical history, and my heart breaks. He’s fifteen and originally diagnosed with meningitis eighteen months ago, treated at a low-income hospital and turned away. His medical treatment has lacked consistency, and he’s lucky to be alive. Once we cover the most recent diagnosis of stage three leukemia and the recommended plan, my eyes are stinging.
“What’s his name?” I whisper, staring through the glass.
“Carlos. His nickname is Rocket. When he was well and played community ball, he had a rocket arm.”
“I’ll call him Rocket,” I declare, thinking of how much Nick would love to meet this boy.
We stay quiet for a few minutes, my mind racing, but one thought keeps pressing at me. “You have money.”
“I do.”
“You say he’s family, he deserves the best. Why was he treated at a low-income facility?”
“My family was resistant to accept my help, until now.”
“Isn’t it illegal to turn him away? He should have patient rights.”
“Let’s just say I finally took control of the situation and did what needed to be done.”
“You mean like impersonating a medical intern and kidnapping me?”
His lips curl up in a wicked sneer. “Question time is over. Are you ready to go in?”
I shake my head, wanting to do this right. “No, I need my scrubs. They are in my black backpack that’s missing. It’s important he meet me as a nurse. It’ll help gain his trust upfront and not confuse him.”
“Understandable.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch him typing something into his phone, and less than a second later, the door behind us opens. I don’t look to see who arrives, but my scrubs are handed to me.
“Where do I change?”
“Bathroom is to your right.”
I leave without a word, changing quickly and tossing my hair into a makeshift bun. My thoughts stray to Mathis, my parents, the girls, and how crazy they must be. I’ll find a way to contact them, but I know my job right now. Meet this little boy and try to help him.
“How are you feeling?” I gently re-tie the hospital strings around Carlos’ neck and toss the soiled swab in the trash.
“Meh, not too bad.”
“Whoever did your port did a fine job.”
“Mom thought so, but Stefan disagreed.”
“Why is that?” I try not to sound too curious.
“I got a fever. The area surrounding the wound became swollen and painful, and it was sore.”
“That all sounds pretty normal.”
“That’s what my oncologist told them, but Stefan was furious.”
“He cares about you very much.”
“Mom says that’s what big brothers do.”
My body jolts at this revelation. Carlos just gave me another missing puzzle piece to why Stefan kidnapped me. Once he told me this boy was family, he never elaborated, and I didn’t ask. Too much information risked humanizing the bastard, and I didn’t want t
o take that chance. But it also didn’t stop my curiosity from running wild. Since the subject is open, I decide to push further.
“Did you have any treatments with this oncologist?” I know the answer to this but want to keep him talking.
“When they finally diagnosed me correctly, we had three. After my last treatment, I got really sick. My blood counts didn’t recover for a while, so we had to wait for any more treatments. Stefan blamed the doctor, convinced he was going to kill me. He became obsessed with finding a new oncologist that specialized in my area. He disappeared for a while then showed up five nights ago and moved me here.”
“Moved you from where?” I swipe the thermometer over his forehead, the reading normal.
“I don’t think I’m supposed to say.”
“Okay.” I place my fingers on his wrist and watch the seconds on the wall. “Your pulse is a little elevated. You sure you feel okay?”
Pink flushes on his tan cheeks, his eyes drop, and he mumbles to his lap.
“What did you say?”
He peers back to me and the pink reddens. “I said it’s because you’re really pretty and smell like coconut.”
My heart lurches, and I grin down at him, releasing his wrist. “Such a charmer.”
“My brother thinks so, too. He likes you.”
My mind spins searching for a way to shut this down without hurting his feelings.
“But I know you don’t feel the same,” he’s quick to add.
“Why do you say that?”
“Anytime he’s around, your attitude changes. You grow quiet. The light dies out of your eyes.”
He’s perceptive. I should probably try to curtail my resistance to strangle Stefan when he’s around.
“Sit up for me. Let’s do some reflexes.” I change the subject. “Wiggle your fingers, rotate your neck, and then flex your arms.”
He does what I ask, flexing his arms hulk style with the last action.
“You look like a superhero!” I dance in a circle excitedly.
“You look like a fairy,” he jokes, pointing to my new scrubs with flying fairies. They are part of a new wardrobe waiting for me the first night I returned to my room. Pajamas, t-shirts, yoga pants, a variety of scrubs, and underwear a little too sexy for my liking. Knowing Stefan chose them makes my stomach sour, but I have no choice but to wear them.
“I am a fairy of good news. I think we should walk around.”
“I’m ready.” He pushes up.
“Hold up, killer. I need to disconnect a few of these IVs.” I clamp the lines and unscrew the clasps. The heart monitor beeps noisily once disconnected, and before I can turn it off, a section of the wall slams open. Stefan rushes in with a crazed expression.
“What’s going on?” he roars.
“Rocket and I are going for a stroll to check his strength,” I explain, moving the sheets to the side and seeing the flannel pajama bottoms under the hospital gown. My nose stings at the Miami football logo print fabric.
“Is that wise? He just finished a chemo treatment.”
“Which means he may feel the effects later this evening. I’d like to get him out of bed for a few minutes. It’s good for the circulation and the spirit.”
“Yeah, bro. Got to keep that circulation and spirit pumping,” Carlos teases.
“Let me help you get him up.” Stefan closes in on his other side.
“I got this.” Carlos plants his feet on the ground and lifts up steadily.
He’s been able to get back and forth to the bathroom, but that’s all the walking we’ve done. Today, I want to test his endurance with a longer distance.
“Where to?”
“This is a large area, so let’s start with circles around the room,” I suggest.
Carlos crinkles his eyebrows and focuses on his brother. “That sucks. Stefan, can’t you let us into a hallway or something?”
I whip my head to see Stefan’s lips in a thin line as he stares at his brother. Apparently, I’m not the only one feeling imprisoned in this place.
After a few seconds, his face softens, and he nods. “Sure, buddy, but I’m going to stroll with you. Let’s go this way.” He goes to a keypad on the wall, punches in a code, and another section of the wall opens.
The hallway in front of us is the exact opposite of the one I’m used to. The one leading to my room is stark white and bland, whereas this is painted in a soft grey with large pictures lining the walls. Carlos seems familiar with it, flashing me a smile over his shoulder before he takes off.
“His posture and balance are good for someone basically bedridden the last four days,” Stefan comments as we follow behind.
“Mmmhmm,” I reply, taking in the abstract artwork on the walls. Since I was kidnapped, I’ve been limited to my room, the hallway, the lab, and Carlos’s custom hospital room. There have been no clues to where we actually are. I suspect it’s a secluded house or hidden facility, but can’t be sure. The only people I’ve come into contact with are Stefan, Carlos, and Bob, who escorts me to and from my room and delivers my food. There has to be a lab technician and a cleaning person somewhere in the mix because, each morning, the lab results are waiting for me, and Carlos’s room is clean and sterile.
My head is spinning knowing there are secret panels leading to rooms and hallways that may help me escape.
“Where did you come from?”
“When?”
“When the heart monitor sounded, you came from behind the wall.”
“I’ve set up a residence back there to be close to him if he needs me.”
“I thought that was my job.”
“You’re doing exactly what I brought you here for. Unless he needs something I can’t provide, your nights are for you to rest.”
I half-laugh, knowing the last few nights I’ve laid awake thinking of my friends and family and trying to telepathically send messages to Mathis that I’m okay. Since all my electronics were stripped and my room is bare of a television or radio, I have a lot of quiet time on my hands. Even the books and magazines provided have lost interests.
“I could move you closer if you’d like to share my bed.”
My reflexes gag at the suggestion, and I bite my tongue to keep from replying. I’ve been able to keep my cool for this long, showing him the respect he demanded. Don’t want to lose my temper now, especially not with Carlos five feet in front of us.
“How are you feeling, Rocket?” I try my best to sound cheery.
“Great, Claire, I think I can feel my circulation pumping better already.” He looks over his shoulder, teasing me with a goofy boyish grin.
“Don’t be cheeky.” I give an awful English accent, which makes him laugh.
“Awful! You’d make a horrible Mary Poppins.”
“Hey! That’s offensive. I’d be a genius nanny, and I’d rock the pea coat and hat.”
Carlos hits the end of the hallway, which is another door I suspect is locked, and turns around. His eyes light up, and his goofy grin grows warm. “Yes, I’d bet you’d be a genius nanny and rock the silly coat and hat. Don’t you think, Stefan?”
“Sure, Rocket, Claire would be great at anything, and she definitely would rock the silly coat and goofy hat.”
Dammit. The sweet boy is killing me. My hatred for his brother blisters inside, but I can’t deny their bond.
Carlos’ color changes, and we both rush to his side, supporting him. “You okay?” My hand feels his forehead, and he’s not warm.
“Yeah,” he barely whispers.
“How about Stefan gets your wheelchair for the return trip?” I raise an eye over Carlos’ head to Stefan.
“I’d prefer the walker.” Carlos shifts his body weight to my side, and Stefan takes off.
He surprises me by standing on his own, taking his weight back, and looking me in the eye. “I know who you are, and I know why you’re here. I’m going to help get you back to your boyfriend and family. Don’t worry.”
“H-h-how? W-w-wh
at?”
“Each night, Stefan and I watch television shows in his room. Last night, your picture flashed on the screen. There are a lot of people looking for you, worried to death. I’m going to get you back to them.”
Tears burn my eyes, and conflicting emotions swirl inside. “Rocket, you let me take care of you. I’ll be okay. Don’t do anything dangerous.”
“My brother is a deadly man, but he loves me.” His statement confirms my suspicions that Carlos knows his brother’s evil side.
“That’s obvious.”
“Do you think you can help me?”
“I’m going to do everything I can to take care of you.”
“I’m going to help you. All we have to do is give him hope, Claire, and I’ll figure out a way to get you back.”
Nothing more is said as Stefan returns with the walker, and Carlos brushes him off. “Sorry, it was a dizzy spell. I’m good now.”
“You sure?” He glances at me skeptically.
“I think he’s fine. Why don’t you give me the walker and you take his side back to the room? I’ll follow behind.”
Stefan nods, doing as I suggest and taking his brother’s elbow. They talk softly, but I can’t miss the concern in Stefan’s voice. I hate myself for allowing my anger to thaw. But, the truth is, in the short time I’ve spent with Carlos, I can understand how easy he is to love. Love, devotion, and family bonds mixed with desperation can make people do crazy things.
My stomach flits and flutters with the newfound knowledge that I’m not alone.
I have an ally.
Chapter 20
Mathis
The throbbing pain in my chest intensifies watching the picture of Claire on the television. My eyes are glued to the screen, tuning out the reporter repeating the news about her disappearance and lack of leads in the investigation. Thanks to Shaw’s network of associates, Nick’s status and popularity, and general love from the public, this has been the top story for the last six days. Every time the weight of the story slips, social media goes crazy again bringing it to the forefront.
We’ve kept the reason for her kidnapping to a small circle of people, so our communication to the media is funneled through the police. The name Stefano Martinez has been kept under wraps due to his ties with underground crime, drug trafficking, and a variety of other suspected corruptions. He is a leader amongst the Latin Kings in south Florida and a very wealthy man. According to the Florida Bureau and DEA, in the last few years, he’s been slowly disappearing, going deeper and deeper underground. He’s built an impenetrable network to keep up his reputation and business, but he’s removed. There hasn’t been one law-breaking offense tied to him in two years, until now.
Heartthrob (Bennett Brothers Series) Page 21