Taste of Danger

by Alexa Verde

  “James?” Amusement in Aidan’s voice caused her to look up.

  Heat crept up her neck. “I meant, Mr. O’Hara.”

  “Then it’s good that I have several minutes to spare. I’ll follow you to the hospital. I don’t want you to travel alone.”

  “Thank you.” She grabbed her purse.

  Aidan fastened the leash to Nowa’s collar. “The dog can’t go inside the hospital. I’ll take Nowa with me.”

  She bought food at the drive-through on the way. After parking near the hospital, she reluctantly left the gun in her car, as no weapons were allowed on the hospital premises. Soon she entered the tiny hospital, the bag with a hamburger and fries clutched in her hand. As she walked, she nodded at several nurses she knew.

  Her body hummed in anticipation of meeting with James, and she swallowed a lump of guilt. How could she be excited about seeing James when her father was in grave danger? Of course, she wanted to see James not only because he made her heart flutter. He was her connection to her father. But hadn’t she learned the hard way that no man could be trusted?

  Instinct made her tense. Something was wrong. She took a mental photo of her surroundings as if she was going to sketch it later, the way she did sometimes. Something felt out of place. What exactly didn’t belong in the picture?

  A tall guy with a wide torso, dressed in blue scrubs and with a military haircut, strode in front of her. Her friend Sophie worked in the hospital, and according to her there were only four male nurses at this hospital. All of them were short, unattractive, and no muscles to speak of, in short, nobody Sophie would date. This nurse was different. Soledad’s inner alarm sounded louder.

  His leather loafers looked rather expensive, as well as an impressive diamond ring on his finger. Sophie said she never wore massive rings with large stones, complaining that they interfered with pulling on the rubber gloves nurses were required to wear. Besides, what nurse would wear chunky, valuable jewelry while on duty?

  Cold ran down Soledad’s spine. She slid her hand inside her purse and wrapped her fingers around a can of hair spray. Not much help, but better than nothing.

  Of course, this nurse could be a new hire. She relaxed her grip on the can a little bit.

  She said a quick prayer and dropped the fast-food dinner at the nurses’ station. The guy in the blue scrubs entered room seven.

  Maybe she was paranoid. She’d look stupid, calling the police just because a nurse happened to wear expensive shoes and a bulky diamond ring. She held her breath as she watched room seven.

  The supposed nurse stepped out and entered room eight. Soledad blew out her breath slowly. Then he went to room nine, where he stayed for some time, probably taking care of the patient. A wave of relief flushed over her. So he was really a nurse.

  But it didn’t hurt to be cautious. She didn’t want to turn her back to him, just in case. She ran back to the main entrance, rushed outside, and made a beeline to the side doors. Out of breath, she entered the hospital and scanned the hall. It was empty.

  The guy in the blue scrubs stepped out from room eighteen.

  Their eyes met.

  Ruthless determination flashed in his dark eyes. She glimpsed a blade in his hand, which doubtfully served the purpose of cutting bandages.

  “You’re going with me.” He grabbed her arm, his fingers bruising her flesh.

  Her body shivered at the memory of the same painful grasp. “Let me go!” She twisted to break free, but it was in vain.

  What should she do?

  Run.

  Hide.

  Too late.

  Chapter Four

  Fear gripped her by the throat with icy fingers, making it hard to breathe. She shivered.

  Lord, please help me.

  She should’ve run and called the police when she had a chance. She’d made a stupid, reckless mistake. Should she call for James, who was in the room nearby? No, then he could be killed. Call for nurses? No, she couldn’t put them in danger.

  Gathering all her courage, she lifted the hair spray with her free hand and squeezed. The man gasped, let go off her other hand, and rubbed his reddening eyes. He hit blindly, and she jumped aside.

  She grabbed scissors from a nearby cart and struck at the guy’s bicep. He groaned, and the knife fell to the ground with a clank. The next second, his fist connected with her stomach. Pain exploded inside her, and she doubled over. Somehow, she managed to lift her head and move back, bracing herself for another hit.

  James appeared from his room, dressed in leather pants and a jacket over his bandages. The fake nurse turned toward the hurried steps. James punched him in the solar plexus, causing the man to stagger back.

  The reprieve allowed her to pull herself together. Her heart thudding in her chest, she grabbed the knife from the floor and slashed it across the attacker’s chest.

  “Help!” she shrieked. “The nurse is bleeding!”

  Quickly, James captured her hand, dragged her inside the room, slammed the door shut, and shoved the side table to it. Heavy footsteps thudded outside and mixed with screams. Probably half of the hospital was gathering around the fake nurse.

  James pulled out disposable gloves from a container, took the bloody knife from her hands, and rushed to the window. He pulled up the window frame and cut the mosquito screen with the knife. Then he dropped the knife into a bag for hazardous waste and slipped it into his pocket.

  Trembling, she followed him. “Okay, you jump first. I don’t want you to accidentally fall on me.”

  “You definitely know how to get a man’s attention.” He climbed out the window, favoring his left hand.

  Pounding on the door spurred her on. Heartbeat thundering in her head, she flung her legs over the windowsill and leaped. She landed right in his arms. Her breath hitched at his proximity.

  His muscles bulged, and his face betrayed none of the pain he must be feeling in his shoulder now.

  “My car is parked not far from here.” She gestured in the direction of the parking lot.

  He put her down, and they sprinted toward her vehicle. She was out of breath by the time she reached it. She jumped inside her car, her chest heaving. She turned the key in the ignition, and the motor revved to life.

  James made the 911 call as her little sedan flew along the streets, the fastest she’d ever driven.

  “It’s okay to slow down. Nobody is chasing us.” His breathing was surprisingly even. The fast escape and danger didn’t seem to affect him at all. Unlike her, he was probably used to it.

  Her insides were still shaking as she glanced in the rearview mirror. “Good. I’ve never tried to… What do you call it? Lose a tail.”

  Thank you, Lord, for saving us.

  “You surprised me. You were very brave back there.” Respect resonated in his voice.

  She’d surprised herself, too. But she shrugged nonchalantly, trying to hide how pleased she was by his compliment. “I’m not just a shy bookworm.”

  “By the way, I meant what I said. You really do have beautiful eyes. They say the eyes are the reflection of the soul. If so, you must have a beautiful soul.”

  Her heart fluttered. As she slowed down while turning a corner, she reminded herself he probably had an arsenal of compliments. “Have you always been such a smooth talker?”

  “Admiring beauty doesn’t make me a smooth talker… I’ll have to return to the hospital to sign release documents and pick up my gun. It’s locked in a safe there. And we’ll need to give the knife to the police. They should be able to get the guy’s DNA.”

  “The police station is right down the street.” She gestured to her right.

  She pulled up to the police station. They surrendered the evidence and took turns giving statements. Aidan gave the discouraging news that the guy in the blue scrubs had escaped. The Rios Azules Police Department was too small to have an artist on staff, so the chief asked her to make a sketch of the attacker, though it wasn’t exactly protocol. She agreed, glad to be useful.


  It was late afternoon by the time James and Soledad made it back to the hospital. After the doctor’s chastisement for his escape, James received a final exam of his wound and a fresh bandage.

  “Prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medications were faxed to the Rios Azules Pharmacy,” Dr. Clarke said, looking at Soledad instead of James. “Please make sure he takes them and comes back twice a day for the bandage change.”

  “I’ll do my best.” Soledad hid a smile.

  “I don’t need pain medications,” James said.

  If Soledad didn’t know Dr. Clarke better, she’d think the doctor muttered, “Those macho men” under her breath.

  James signed the discharge paperwork and got his valuables, including the gun.

  At the exit, he stepped outside first and scanned the street before gesturing for her to follow him. They reached her car quickly.

  A white paper was stuck behind her wipers, and she stopped in her tracks. A ticket? But why? She snatched the paper and opened it.

  Her knees buckled. She’d have hit the ground if he hadn’t caught her. She handed him the note.

  IF YOU WANT YOUR FATHER TO RETURN TO YOU ALIVE, FIND THE TREASURE. YOU HAVE THREE DAYS. IF YOU INVOLVE THE POLICE, YOUR FATHER DIES IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU FAIL, YOU’LL PAY WITH YOUR LIFE.

  James glanced over the note, then hugged her tight. She drank in the strength from his embrace. What had she gotten herself into? She was in the middle of something she couldn’t even understand.

  She shuddered. “How did they find us? You said we were not followed.”

  “They probably figured we’d return to the hospital for paperwork and my weapon.”

  “I don’t want to die. I don’t want my father to die, either.” Her shoulders slumped forward, a heavy burden weighing on them.

  “I won’t let anything happen to you,” he whispered in her ear.

  The fresh scent of his aftershave and his closeness wreaked havoc on her senses. In the powerful hold of his arms, strong even after he’d been wounded, she longed for male protection.

  She lifted her head. James stared intently at her and leaned toward her. Was he going to kiss her? Her pulse skyrocketed, and a wave of anticipation went through her body.

  But he was a womanizer who’d leave Rios Azules as soon as she was out of danger.

  Gathering her willpower, she eased out of his embrace, even though her entire being screamed against leaving the protective — and exciting — hold of his arms. Disappointment registered in his green eyes, but they quickly took on a neutral expression.

  “We have a pressing matter at hand.” She fumbled with her keys, dropped them, and picked them up.

  “Of course. Pardon me if I wasn’t entirely professional.” His voice was polite, but she listened closely enough to catch a trace of disappointment there, too. “We should surrender the note to the police.”

  She shook her head. “The note says no police involved. Well, more than we already have.”

  He frowned. “Let’s get in the car and figure out our next steps.”

  She slid into the driver’s seat while he took the passenger seat, his jaw set tight. Was he used to easy victories and expected her to be such, as well? If so, he had another thought coming. She started the engine.

  “I know several safe places. Let me take you to one of them,” he said.

  “Hold on.” She drove out of the parking lot onto the street. “I was going to tell you this in the hospital, but didn’t get a chance. When Aidan searched Eliseev’s vehicle, he found a box with my name on it.”

  “What was inside? An old book with Russian fairy tales?”

  “Good guess. It had bookmarks at the beginnings of three of them.” She took the turn leading to the pharmacy. “No letter, though. I checked my spam folder several times. No emails from Eliseev, either.” She parked near the Rios Azules Pharmacy and turned off the engine.

  “I’ll pick up the meds. Please stay in the car and lock the doors. Pay attention to your surroundings.” He disappeared through the pharmacy’s door.

  Maybe always being on guard was second nature to him but not to her. She looked around the parking lot, different thoughts battling in her mind.

  Lord, what should I do?

  Should she run and hide, as he’d suggested, as she’d been used to since her childhood? Or look for the treasure to help save lives?

  Distressed, she leaned against the chair. She needed the Danger Girls badly. But she couldn’t drag them into this mess, and three of them were far away regardless. James, however, was right here with her, if only due to his promise to her father. If she couldn’t use Aidan’s help because of the note’s warning, she needed someone else’s. James was a PI, not the police. And the note said nothing about not hiring PIs.

  She’d have to find a way to persuade him to help her in the search instead of tucking her away in some safe place. She couldn’t run and hide anymore. Not when other people’s lives were at stake.

  A feeling of peace entered her.

  As James appeared in the doorframe, her heart jumped as always in his presence. Did the chance of spending more time with him have something to do with her decision? She hoped not.

  He took the passenger seat, and she drove off again, this time in the direction of the outskirts, heading to her place. The note’s warning urged her to pick up the book and start working on the clues as soon as possible.

  She glanced at him as she navigated the familiar streets. “If your offer is still standing, I’d like to hire you. But not to protect me. I want to find the treasure.”

  A muscle in his jaw flexed. “Why would you want to risk your life?”

  “Hopefully, I can find a way to exchange the Fabergé egg for Eliseev’s life. Maybe he can still try some new treatments. And… I run summer art classes for disadvantaged kids. Some of the parents go to the same church I do. Two days ago, I received a call from the mother of one of my students — the most talented one. She was crying. Her son needs surgery, a very costly one. I sent an email to parishioners, asking for prayers. My friends will run a fundraiser. But if I have the chance to help her son by coming up with the funds, I should at least try.”

  His brow furrowed. “You’d put yourself right in the middle of danger. And without Sergey’s help and guidance, the chances of finding the Fabergé egg are not good. It would be better for you if you disappeared for a while.”

  “You think I’m just a klutzy librarian?” She narrowed her eyes. “I believe in God. If God decided to bring my father into my life, my chances are much better than you think.”

  “I’m used to relying only on myself.” His voice was strong and sad at the same time.

  “That must be a difficult life.”

  “Okay, you win. We’ll figure it out. Together. But stay on guard. The kidnappers might try to kidnap you, as well.”

  She winced but forced herself to concentrate on the road.

  “On the bright side, they probably won’t attempt to kill you until you find the treasure,” he said.

  She gripped the wheel so tightly her knuckles became white. “That’s the bright side? I love your optimism.” She made the mistake of glancing at him.

  “Thanks. Oh, you’re being sarcastic.” He sent her a charming smile.

  And just like that, her insides turned into mush. She groaned inwardly. Maybe it was a good thing the kidnappers only gave her three days. She didn’t think she could survive longer in James’s company without falling head over heels for him.

  “On the other hand…” he started but cut himself short.

  “On the other hand?”

  “If your father reveals the treasure’s location, they won’t need you anymore. They’ll probably try to kill us immediately.”

  * * *

  James studied Soledad’s beautiful profile as he rubbed his aching shoulder. He resisted taking painkillers, needing a clear mind, but it wasn’t easy to tolerate the pain.

  She was taking the news
better than he’d expected from a shy small-town librarian. She didn’t cry, scream, or act in any way hysterical. Maybe she was taking it too well. If she’d been more scared, he could persuade her to stay at a safe house, and he could protect her much better there.

  He checked the rearview mirror. So far, there was no tail, and he allowed himself to relax a tiny fraction.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  She didn’t answer.

  “Soledad?” He raised his voice. Maybe she was more shocked than he’d thought.

  Finally, she glanced in his direction as they reached the outskirts of Rios Azules. “I was praying. I believe in God’s will. On my side, I’ll do my best to find the treasure. I’m grateful that God put you in my path to help me.”

  Now was probably not the best time to mention that while kidnappers might need Soledad, they had no use for James. He’d have to be very careful not to get shot.

  She parked and killed the engine. “You know, yesterday was only the second time I used that gun,” she said sheepishly.

  “When was the first?” he asked.

  She hesitated. “When I had to point it at my cheating boyfriend and tell him to get out of my place.”

  His jaw dropped. “Men should be careful around you.”

  “You’re not a cheating boyfriend, are you?”

  “I’m not anybody’s boyfriend. I don’t believe in commitments.” His parents had given him a good lesson. Neither of them had cared much about him or each other. “Would you have shot your ex had he refused to get out?” There were more layers to her than he’d thought, and he wanted to unpeel them all.

  For several moments, she kept quiet. “Fortunately, I didn’t have to find out. He left quickly. It wasn’t just about cheating. He broke my arm once. I wasn’t about to let it happen again.”

  Anger at the person who’d hurt her rose inside him. But James controlled his emotions as he walked around the car and opened the door for her.

  She got out of the vehicle in silence and unlocked the front door.

  He gestured for her to wait, made a quick sweep of the house, and checked the outer perimeter. While at it, he checked all the exits for a possible escape — or an intruder’s entrance. Confident enough it was safe for now, he waved for her to enter.