The nurse’s frown reappeared but only briefly before her face smoothed. “I completely trust Dr. Mastiff’s professional opinion,” Stacy echoed.
“Of course you do, Stacy. You only work with the best, and Dr. Mastiff is definitely the best. It’s why he is always put on the most difficult cases, because his patients respond beautifully to his medicine. His success rates are unmatched in this hospital.”
“His success rates are unmatched,” Stacy nodded. Her eyes were locked onto Meg’s. She blinked slowly.
Meg gave one last strong push of her will, moving her uninjured hand up to the nurse’s wrist, above the glove. The skin-to-skin contact, with the latex glove out of the way, intensified her will over the nurse.
“Cole Andrews is more than ready to go home. You will prepare the necessary documents and make his discharge happen as quickly as possible. You have to clear this room for truly ill patients. Cole Andrews no longer needs hospital care.”
“Cole Andrews no longer needs hospital care,” she echoed. “I’ll go prepare for his release.”
“Thank you, Stacy. We will begin packing his things.”
“Yes, of course,” the nurse mumbled and began walking out of Cole’s room.
“Oh, Stacy. I believe you’ll need Cole’s discharge papers,” Meg called after her, motioning to the abandoned clipboard at the foot of Cole’s bed.
“Thank you, yes. I need Cole’s discharge papers.” The nurse returned to grab the clipboard then turned back to the doorway. She was rubbing her temples slowly.
Meg held her ground until the woman closed the door behind her before she allowed the wave of dizziness to sweep her off her feet.
Creed’s strong hands caught her immediately. He had been watching Meg wield her advanced gift on the nurse and knew how exhausted she already was. He anticipated her weakened state.
“Meg, are you okay?” Dr. Andrews hurried to Creed who had lifted Meg and was holding her off the ground as though she weighed nothing at all.
“She just needs to rest,” Creed spoke softly and walked toward the vinyl sofa seat that could fold out to a micro twin-sized bed. He sat and kept Meg curled up in his arms protectively.
“That was incredible!” Evan was beaming at his unconscious sister. “Did you see her?” he asked the room rhetorically.
Everyone had watched Meg, all of them staying very quiet themselves so as not to disturb her concentration.
“She was already so tired. Why did she risk it by using her gift on the nurse?” Cole asked, a scowl deeply lining his still-cut up face. No matter what he’d said to Meg, seeing her so vulnerable and pale, wrapped in Creed’s arms, made Cole want to tear something apart with his bare hands.
“She did it for you,” Creed’s voice remained low and calm, but his blue eyes were piercing as he looked up to silence Cole.
“For me?” Cole asked, confused. “But she’d already gotten Mastiff to sign the discharge papers. Why push herself so hard to get the nurse to agree?”
“I’m thankful she did,” Dr. Andrews looked as if he had been praying with both of his hands pressed against his lips. Cole looked over at his father, expecting him to elaborate.
“I was unaware of this hospital’s protocol. It’s a good idea, to have a board of people who decide together whether a patient is ready to be discharged. As an ER doctor, I didn’t have to worry about that part of the red-tape, but it probably took place in my hospital, too.
“These days, the hospitals are trying to prevent litigation. The more people involved in big decisions, the less likely they or the hospital will be sued for malpractice.”
Evan was nodding in complete agreement, his eyes never leaving his sister’s small frame. He was absolutely in awe of her gift and was thinking about the effects it must have on her body to exude so much mental energy. He was even wondering if the nurse rubbing her temples was a side effect of having been “influenced,” as Meg called it.
Cole was frowning.
Theo reached out and held his son’s good hand. “She risked her own health to be sure the nurse wouldn’t call to question the signed papers. She knew the nurse was planning to take her concerns about discharging you to another doctor which would have made things very complicated for us.”
Cole just shook his head. “She was really just trying to protect the secret of metahumans.”
“No, Cole,” Creed nearly growled. “She was trying to protect you, but you’re too oblivious to notice.”
Meg began stirring in Creed’s arms.
“Stop guys. No more arguing,” she murmured, her voice weak. Her eyes still didn’t open, but she did attempt to sit up a little more. Sitting so close to Creed was helping her regain her strength faster as she siphoned off her connection to him. He felt nothing when she drew on her empath connection with him, but she felt like a sunflower as the sun began to dawn.
“I’m going to start packing your things, son. The sooner we get out of here, the less likely we’ll need Meg to convince anyone else that you’re ready to be released.”
Cole watched Creed lean down and whisper something into Meg’s ear, burying his face in her beautiful, strawberry-scented dark hair. A soft smile slipped across her lips. Whatever he was doing or saying, it was helping her feel better—and Cole hated him for it.
Shaking his head, he forced himself to look away. “Dad, can you get me a wheelchair so I can get out of this bed?”
Chapter 25 The Protégé and The Skateboarder
True to her word, Stacy had Cole ready to be discharged within a half hour. During that time, Meg had recuperated enough so that at least she wasn’t as weak as a kitten in Creed’s arms.
“Listen, I’m going to take Cole home. Sloan has offered to stay with him while I come back and wait with you for your mom to come out of surgery.”
Meg looked over at Sloan, who caught her gaze and nodded reassuringly.
“It makes sense for me to help get your friend settled,” she shrugged. “That is, if you don’t mind, Mr. Andrews?” She asked formally.
Cole didn’t look up from the folder containing all the copies of his discharge papers and prescriptions and aftercare instructions.
“Cole, Sloan is talking to you.” Dr. Andrews nudged his son.
“Hmm? Oh, sure, that’s fine with me. Sorry, no one has ever called me ‘Mr. Andrews’ before.” Cole blushed.
Cole was concentrating on not looking at Meg and Creed. Instead, he locked eyes with the girl who was a doctor of some sort.
Theo, Cole and Sloan said their goodbyes, Theo promising to return after dropping Cole and Sloan off at the house. Margo’s surgeons had not sent word and everyone was starting to get measurably concerned, but realistically, it had only been two hours.
After carefully helping his son into the front seat of the minivan, he turned around to check that Sloan was buckled. “Sorry,” he shrugged sheepishly. “I look at you and see a little girl. Sometimes I forget you’re a brilliant doctor and biologist.”
“Don’t worry, Dr. Andrews. I’m accustomed to being treated like a child. I’m also accustomed to people feeling awkward around me once I open my mouth to speak,” she offered carefully.
“How old are you?” Cole asked bluntly.
“I am thirteen. My birthday is in December.”
“So is mine—on the thirteenth.”
“Hmm,” Sloan smiled.
“What?”
“Coincidently, my birthday is also December thirteenth.”
“Wow, what are the odds?”
“Well, we could look at calculating the probability, but…”
“I didn’t mean for you to whip out your calculator brain, Sloan.”
“Oh.”
“Sorry, my head is pounding. I don’t mean to be rude. Here you are helping my family and me. I should be saying thank you.”
“Yes, that would be socially appropriate,” Sloan answered stiffly.
Theo caught Cole’s eye as they pulled up to a stoplight. His
dad was giving him a look that read, “Well?”
“Oh, right,” Cole stammered. “Thanks for helping me.”
“You’re welcome,” Sloan responded smugly.
The silence in the car was getting a little awkward, so Dr. Andrews decided he’d try to break the ice. “So how long have you been a doctor, Sloan?”
“I studied from age eight to ten. When I was nearly eleven, I started clinical work at the Facility’s Research Hospital.”
“Wow, when I was ten I had mastered the kick-flip on my skateboard,” Cole offered with a grin.
“I don’t know what a ‘kick-flip’ is,” Sloan frowned.
“Oh, it’s this simple trick where you use your toes to kick the board over into a spin.”
“I really have no idea what you’re talking about,” Sloan said, shaking her head.
“Well, I’m in no shape to show you now, but when I get better, I’ll have to take you out skateboarding to show you what I mean.”
Theo sat listening to the exchange between his son and the child protégé and shook his head, amazed.
Only Cole would think to teach a medical genius how to do tricks on a skateboard, he chuckled to himself, and for the first time since he got the phone call the night of the accident, he felt optimistic about his son’s emotional well-being.
By the time Dr. Andrews got Cole in his bed at the house, the two kids were entertaining themselves marvelously. Who would have thought those two would be friends?
Theo shook his head in amazement as he refilled Maze’s food dish and absently scratched the coyote between the ears before he grabbed his keys and headed back to the minivan. He sighed deeply, relieved and thankful for Dr. Sloan Mor. Now he could go concentrate on Margo. They hadn’t had a chance to talk about matters since she’d arrived home. They had just been functioning in survival mode. But they had both said some terrible things to one another and were due for a deep discussion. Maybe not today, he thought, but soon. And if he were honest with himself, he didn’t know how he should feel about everything.
First things first, he reminded himself. First we get Margo well; then we worry about how we’re going to get past all this. He pursed his lips together at that last thought, because in the end, he knew that’s exactly what he wanted. He wanted to move past the argument they’d had before she left to Germany and start over. He just wasn’t sure how Margo felt about things.
Soon, he told himself. We will all have to have this talk soon. Now, I need some answers from her surgeon.
Chapter 26 Brothers
“The surgery went as well as we could have hoped. Now we have to wait and see if Dr. Winter regains movement or sensation below the injured site.”
“When can we see her?” Meg asked.
“She’s still waking up from the anesthesia. As soon as she’s coherent, I’ll have a nurse come get you, but please, no more than two people back there at a time.”
Dr. Andrews nodded, understanding. Meg and her brothers didn’t like being told they couldn’t all go see her at once.
“We have to follow hospital rules, guys,” Theo leveled his gaze at Meg knowing the others would follow her lead.
“Stupid hospital rules,” she mumbled.
“Hey,” Alik looked pointedly at Danny then back to his sister. “Language!” he scolded with a smirk dancing at the corners of his mouth.
Meg rolled her eyes, but had to smile at how adorably protective Alik was over the little boy flopped over his massive shoulder, sleeping deeply enough to leave drool marks on Alik’s blue shirt. It was pretty sweet.
An hour later, the family was allowed to take their turns to briefly visit Margo in recovery. During the drive home, everyone was somber. Margo had looked as pale as the sheets on which she lay. The children knew things were serious, but they hadn’t realized how much they were holding out hope that this surgery would “fix” her until they saw how frail she looked afterward.
Alik had insisted on staying at the hospital to keep vigil over their mother.
“Just like old times, eh brother?” Evan asked, patting Alik on the shoulder. Danny had just awakened and refused to leave Alik’s side. Even when Meg offered to hold him and sit next to him in the car, his little blond ringlets moved with the shaking of his head.
“I don’t mind if he stays with me,” Alik offered. “He’s a pretty cool guy.” He looked down at the little boy clinging to his shoulder like a baby monkey and lightly slugged the baby’s shoulder. Danny grinned ear to ear at Alik’s compliment. His bright-blue eyes danced with happiness.
“Okay you two. No partying in Mom’s room. She needs her rest,” Meg teased. “Can I have a kiss, Danny?” she asked leaning in to offer her cheek to the little boy. This was a new trick Danny was learning. He first puckered his lips into the cutest duckbill then leaned over to Meg and made a loud wet, smacking sound leaving a big wet spot on her face.
Meg giggled, delighted in Danny’s affection. Her efforts to help him heal from the traumas of his life at the Facility were really paying off. He was forming attachments with not just herself, Alik and Maze, but the other members of the family, too.
That little boy is such a sweet blessing, Meg thought as they made their way out of the hospital doors and out to the minivan. She turned around to look back at her brothers one last time and saw Alik teaching Danny how to wave his little hand goodbye. Meg’s heart swelled with love.
It’s probably a good thing for Danny to be there to cheer up mom.
Meg knew her mother felt love at first sight for the little boy.
Everyone was quiet during the trek back to the minivan in the Dallas hospital’s parking lot. Spring was quickly warming into an early hot and humid Texas summer. It was the kind of sunny day that required sunglasses. Usually Farrow would love to watch the thick puffy clouds as they drifted across the blue sky, but today her thoughts were elsewhere.
Theo moved to the driver’s side door while Meg climbed into the front passenger seat. Evan clamored into the back, leaving the door ajar for Farrow.
“You coming?” Evan called to the girl who held her hand by her lips, her eyes staring back at the hospital.
“You know, I don’t think I am.”
“Are you okay?” Meg turned in her seat to look at the beautiful metahuman.
“Oh, sure,” she said dismissively. “It’s just that I think I want to stay with Alik and Danny, if that’s okay with you,” Farrow looked around the van but her eyes stopped on Meg’s waiting for her approval.
“I think the boys would like to have your company.” Meg nodded reassuringly.
“Sounds fine with me,” Dr. Andrews replied. “If you’re ready to come back before Alik’s shift is up, just call, and I’ll come back to get you.”
“Thank you Dr. Andrews,” Farrow smiled shyly as she reached out to shut the door of the minivan.
Meg couldn’t help but read Farrow’s emotions as she watched her former would-be assassin jog excitedly back up the hill so she could spend some time with Alik.
“I think Farrow may have a little crush on Alik.” Theo turned to Meg with raised brows as though revealing some huge secret. Meg couldn’t help but chuckle at the clueless doctor.
“Maybe Alik has a crush on Farrow,” Meg offered with a smile and an innocent shrug of her shoulders.
“You think?”
“Well, I am the empath.”
Theo’s surprised expression was too much for Meg. Even as the van’s air conditioner tried desperately to blow cool air against the stifling Texas heat, Meg burst into laughter at Theo’s naiveté.
Chapter 27 Donovan vs. Kenneth
“Let me get this straight,” Senator Donovan Arkdone seethed, “everyone escaped, again? Even after they came into your precious Facility? Right under your nose, Kenneth?”
“You have no idea the lengths I’ve gone through to have those assets returned and exact vengeance on that wretch who dared steal them from me!” A piece of torn flesh wagged from the corner of h
is jaw, a droplet of blood was nearly ready to free itself from the tip.
Arkdone stood in the master suite of one of his many luxurious homes, his cell phone pressed to his ear. This house was on the West Coast and had a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. He was watching the salty waters lap on the pebble beach like claws of a giant beast desperate to climb out of the depths but too weak to accomplish anything of any real significance.
He glanced at the mirrored wall to his right and turned to admire himself while he let Kenneth Williams rant for another few minutes before calmly pointing out what both knew to be absolute truth.
“I have been more than patient allowing you to use your tactics to exact revenge and recompense. You have failed time and again, and I’ve lost patience with you.” Arkdone’s voice was so low it was nearly a rasping whisper. “I have plans for those metahumans myself. They are mine now.”
“You can’t do that, Donovan!” Kenneth seethed.
“I have given you thirteen years, Williams. I’m done waiting for the return on my initial investment,” Arkdone growled back. “You failed for the last time. You will not question me, Dr. Williams. The wheels are already turning and you, my dear old friend, must sit back and watch me dine on your enemies.”
“We are colleagues, Donovan. You can’t trump me!” Hysteria reached two clawed hands into his throat causing him to sound strangled.
“It’s already done. My decision is final and, unlike you, Doctor, once I decide something, it damn well gets done right the first time.” Donovan’s voice was shrewd, calculating and incendiary.
Kenneth paled, his bloody jaw snapping shut in his instant panic. That droplet flew to paint a piece of paper on his desk blackish red.
The phone hung loosely in his bloody, skinless hand.
“I will, of course, want compensation for my losses,” his voice trembled with anger. He knew his dear old colleague and understood him well enough to fear his stone-cold retribution.
“Compensation?” Arkdone laughed loudly the echoes of which landed on Williams’ livid shoulders. “You’ll be fortunate if I decide not to trigger the Monarch sleeper I’ve had working at your precious Facility all these years,” the Senator responded coolly before hanging up on Dr. Williams.
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