“Sorry, man. I didn’t mean to boss your ass around. I’m sure you have other assignments—”
Lloyd held up his hand. “No, we’re good. I just want to make sure Eden’s sister and brother know she’s in the hospital. Knowing them, they’ll want to come see her. I’ll give them a head’s up on your upcoming nuptials, though,” Lloyd finished with a grin.
“They’re both in Chicago?”
Lloyd nodded. “Have been for a few months.”
“And how do you know her brother and sister?” Hudson asked, beyond confused as to how Lloyd could possibly be connected to Eden’s family. A family he hadn’t realized existed. Well, the sister he knew about only because she’d mentioned her in passing, but she had a brother, too? Why hadn’t she bothered to mention either of them when they’d been together?
“Long story,” Lloyd said, then moved the curtain and entered Eden’s makeshift room.
Once Hudson found a private area in the hallway off the waiting room, he called Rachel. After giving her an update, he asked if she knew how Lloyd was acquainted with Eden’s family.
“Oh, that’s right,” she began. “You were gone when everything happened with Celeste and John.”
“Kain? Yeah you told me they’d met while he was working a murder case in Wisconsin.” Then it hit him. After putting sixteen and twenty-four together he said, “Holy shit, Celeste is Ian’s daughter.”
“That’s right, super sleuth. And Eden and Celeste are sisters.”
*
With the scent of fresh blood lingering on the maintenance uniform, Pudge entered the house as quietly as possible. Light from the TV screen flickered on the darkened wall of the family room. Uncertain as whether or not Mama still slept, and not in the mood to have the glorious kill ruined by her bitching, Pudge slipped down the hallway to the bathroom.
Once the door had been locked, Pudge dropped the backpack, shrugged off the heavy wool coat that hid the bloodied uniform, then stared at the reflection in the mirror. Twisting from side to side, Pudge smiled. “We made more of a mess than I’d planned.”
worth it worth it slice dice worth it
“Yes, and when the agency calls to replace Nurse Gretchen, I’ll tell them we’ve already found a new nurse.”
good good good bye dr dread hello nurse nancy hello
“Nurse Nancy?” Pudge grinned. “Clichéd, but the name does have a nice ring to it. Nurse Nancy it is,” Pudge finished, and began removing the uniform. Once naked, Pudge eyed the mirror. “I had fun with you this evening.”
fun i want to have fun with you tonight pinch your nipple pinch
Pudge did as ordered, and sucked in a deep breath. “So good. So very good.”
more more harder more harder
Pinching harder, Pudge’s knees buckled with arousal. “I need sex,” Pudge groaned.
Killing excited Pudge. More than an adrenaline rush, feeling the life seep from their victims’ bodies had become an aphrodisiac.
Foreplay.
With each cut made into Nurse Gretchen, Pudge’s body had throbbed with the need for sexual release. Her blood had reminded Pudge of a lubricant, the knife’s blade, the way it slid in and out of Gretchen’s flesh, of a sexual tool.
bend bend over bend over and show your ass
Pudge’s face grew warm at the seductive command. “Let me finish cleaning myself first. Then I have to check on Mama.”
sleep sleep let mama sleep let me love you
Arousal coiled through Pudge’s core. Need and desire fueled Pudge to work quickly. Within minutes, any remnants of the maintenance worker had been washed away. Pudge left the bathroom wearing a towel and, carrying the bloodied clothes, quietly headed for the bedroom. After stowing the clothes in the “Dr. Dread suitcase,” Pudge slipped into a pair of flannel pajamas, then tiptoed to the family room to check on Mama.
Mouth dangling open, Mama lay on the hospital bed, snoring. The entire room reeked of shit, which meant Mama’s colostomy bag needed another changing.
Pudge didn’t want to clean up shit, not now, not when they could disappear into the bedroom and have sex. “Damn her. Damn the helpless bitch.”
leave her come with me come for me
“In a minute,” Pudge whispered. “Let me take care of Mama. If she wakes up, I don’t want any interruptions.”
mmm so smart so smart
Ten minutes later, Pudge had changed Mama’s colostomy bag, and had even left a fresh sandwich, new bag of chips, can of soda, and more snack cakes on her tray. Now in the bedroom, Pudge undressed, then, propped on elbows, lay on the bed in front of the mirror. Legs spread, sex reflecting back, Pudge shivered with arousal.
sexy so sexy let me love you love you
“Mmm,” Pudge moaned. “Too bad it’s just you and me. I wouldn’t mind trying a threesome again.”
toy edens boy toy play with boy toy
Positioning to all fours, Pudge turned and eyed the mirror again. Ass high, Pudge imagined Eden Risk’s sexy boyfriend naked and in bed with them, and groaned with pleasure. “Yes,” Pudge hissed. “Even if we have to strap him down, we’ll make him ours.”
now now make him ours now
Pudge rolled from the bed, then retrieved the dildo hidden between the mattress and box spring. “Soon,” Pudge began, and climbed onto the bed again. “I promise you Eden will be dead by the end of the week, and my gift to you will be her boy toy.”
promise promise precious promise
Pudge inserted the dildo and released a low groan. “Mmm, yes. I promise. Now hush and love me.”
*
“Did you hear who was admitted tonight?” Laurie, the receptionist from the OR, asked.
Michael Morrison continued to review the chart the on-duty anesthesiologist had given him. He could care less which celebrity had been admitted to St. Mary’s. Located in the heart of Chicago, the hospital was no stranger to local politicians, actors or sports legends.
“No, but I have no doubt you’ll tell me,” Michael said with a smile. While he had no interest in hospital gossip, he’d worked at St. Mary’s Medical Center for fifteen years, first as a nurse, then as a nurse anesthetist, and genuinely liked his coworkers. Laurie, like many others from the hospital, had attended his daughter’s funeral. These people had also been staunch supporters afterward, when the heads of the hospital had tried to make him take a leave of absence. He’d understood why the administration had suggested he take time off of work. Hell, even some of his coworkers had needed counseling after they’d witnessed his ex-wife blowing her brains all over his daughter’s casket.
Because of his superb record with the hospital, and a glowing report from one of St. Mary’s lead psychologists, he’d remained on duty. Months after Eliza had committed suicide though, and after Michael had lost his fight against the plastic surgeon group from Cosmetic Solutions and Med Spa, he’d realized he’d need to take justice into his own hands. He’d needed a plan to execute the punishment no court system in this country would ever allow. As a means to his revenge, he’d decided to become a nurse anesthetist. With the slight career change, he’d been able to remain at St. Mary’s, had been allowed access to the necessary drugs, and given the opportunity to view multiple surgeries. His coworkers would never suspect that while he’d viewed surgeries, he’d created new means of torture to practice on the patients who would eventually visit his private OR. Not that he’d needed new ideas. He’d discovered through his plan of vengeance that he had quite the imagination.
Laurie held the coffee mug between her hands. “Well, if you don’t want to know…” She shrugged.
“You’re not going to bait me this time,” Michael said with a wag of his finger.
“Fine,” she began, “Then I guess I won’t tell you that one of Chicago’s hottest reporters was admitted earlier this evening.”
While his heart rate skyrocketed, he pretended to go back to reading the chart. “I guess you won’t,” he said, playing along. He could easily check the
hospital records to discover if the reporter happened to be Eden, but he’d rather have Laurie give him the information. If all hell broke loose, and people began checking, they would be able to see his computer activity. No paper trails, real or electronic. He hadn’t finished with his death wish list.
He just hoped to God nothing had happened to Eden. The unknown person he’d seen lingering around her townhouse had him worried. No one lurks around another person’s home—cloaked by darkness and dressed like a burglar—unless they’re up to no good. Besides, he liked Eden. In some ways she reminded him of Eliza. Always pushing to be perfect, and unwilling to accept her own personal flaws. When she’d caught his attention with her Beauty Pageant Queen Bees series, she’d gained his respect. He’d witnessed her kindness. Watched her work hard to serve justice for the little guy. Hell, she even rescued disfigured animals. Anybody who liked animals was cool in his book. After all, look how he’d been taking care of the coyotes.
“Right.” She tapped her nails on the coffee mug. “So I guess I won’t tell you that Eden Risk is on the third floor recovering from dehydration.”
He stopped and looked at her. “Eden Risk?” he asked, playing dumb. No one needed to know he’d researched her, and knew her better than she knew herself.
“You know. The investigative reporter on Channel 5 News.”
“Oh, that’s right. I’ve heard of her. Sorry, I usually watch Channel 3,” he said.
“Well, you’re missing out. Eden is awesome.”
“Hmm, you don’t say?” Michael hid his relief and pretended to review the chart. While dehydration could be bad, and lead to complications, being a victim of an unknown assailant would be worse. If his patients hadn’t been ripped to shreds by coyotes, they could certainly vouch for that fact. “Well, I have to run. Try not to gossip too much,” he said to Laurie. “I’ve got a surgery in an hour and need to check on a few patients before I begin prepping. Page me if you need me.”
Leaving Laurie behind, he made his way to the break room. Blessedly alone, he allowed his thoughts to race.
Eden Risk.
In the hospital.
On many occasions, he’d been very close to Eden without her knowing. He could do this again. After all, she lay in a hospital bed on the floor below. Drumming his fingers on the table, he considered his options, then came up with a plan.
After slipping on a pair of Latex gloves, he tore a piece of paper from a notepad lying on the table, then began to write. Minutes later, he folded the paper, then slipped it into his pocket. He poured coffee into a Styrofoam cup, grabbed his chart, then left the room. As he traveled down the hallway, he nodded to coworkers he knew, then once alone, opened the door to the stairwell. No one would think anything of him traveling to other floors. Side effects from anesthetics were not uncommon, and part of his job was to check on patients recovering from surgery.
When he reached the third floor, he made his first stop. A woman in her mid-forties lay sleeping in the hospital bed. He checked her vitals, reviewed notes on her chart, then turned to leave. The flower arrangements lining the window caught his attention and he stopped.
With an idea in his head, he left the room, and continued to make his rounds. Twenty minutes later, he collided with a man, who looked like a biker, exiting a patient’s room.
“I’m sorry,” Michael said with a smile.
“No problem,” the man responded, and continued down the hall.
Michael continued as well, then stopped short when he chanced a glance into the room the man had just exited.
Eden.
Now he knew which room was hers.
Now he could carry out his plan.
Minutes later, with a small bouquet he’d stolen from another sleeping patient’s room, he checked the hallway, waited a moment to make sure all was clear, then slipped into Eden’s room. She remained sound asleep. He set the bouquet on the window ledge, withdrew the note from his pocket, then tucked the paper between the flowers.
When he exited the room, he quickly made his way down the hallway. The elevator next to the stairwell entrance chimed. As he entered the stairwell, he saw the man he’d run into earlier exit the elevator. Michael closed the door, waited a few seconds then opened it, and peered down the hallway…just as the man entered Eden’s room.
*
The humming and beeping drove her crazy.
Groggy, but annoyed, Eden yawned and opened her eyes. Alarmed, she pushed herself up, and scooted her legs to her chest. A pinch to the top of her hand forced her to stop. She glanced at her hand, at the I.V., then looked around the room.
Hudson sat in a chair in the corner, sleeping, his laptop closed and resting on his thighs. As she continued to gaze around the room a rush of memories filled her mind. Throwing up, Pina Coladas, the Aryan, and the E.R. doctor. The way Hudson had held her in the car during the drive to the hospital, and the sweet kiss he’d given the top of her head.
Considering she hadn’t vomited in a while, she assumed the flu bug had finally completed its mission. Although weak, and a little tired, she felt good. Not good enough to plow through a sixty minute workout, but good enough to leave and enjoy the comfort of her own bed.
With the blinds drawn, she couldn’t tell whether it was morning or night. Had she spent the night in the hospital? She glanced at the clock on the wall. Was it nine in the evening or in the morning? Her poor babies. Brutal probably needed to go potty, and both animals would need to be fed.
Before she threw herself into a panic attack over the dog and cat, she shook her head and thought long and hard. Hudson would have made arrangement for the animals. He knew how important they were to her, and whether he’d admit it or not, she suspected he liked them, too. She leaned back into the pillows and smiled as she remembered thinking the same thing before falling on her ass and Lloyd coming into her bedroom.
Wait, why had Lloyd been in her bedroom? Where had Hudson…?
Knowing exactly where he’d been, she eyed the sleeping man. She’d bet anything that Hudson had gone to see Evan Pope, and had left Lloyd to babysit her. God, and she’d made such an ass of herself in front of Lloyd. She didn’t care about looking like a fool in front of Hudson. He’d never been the judgmental type, especially with her. Well, except when they were discussing—or rather, arguing—their relationship. Then he had no problem telling her where she’d gone wrong. Now that she thought about it, just before her last major puke session and her nap, he’d told her he had needed to tell her the truth about... something. Their past relationship? Himself?
He’s right there. Ask him.
But did she want to know? Did she really want to know how he felt about her? Before the DVD arrived, she had her life in order. The Network job was hers. All she had left was to sign the contract, which she’d planned on doing next week. Damn, she’d almost forgotten about the trip she’d scheduled to New York City. She’d also forgotten about the realtor she’d planned to use to sell the townhouse. Shit, Celeste had planned the grand opening of her new bakery next week, too.
Considering she had a sudden case of the stupids, she realized she needed her smart phone to review the following week’s upcoming events. With the killer sending her DVDs, the last segment of her series coming up in a few days, becoming sick, and…Hudson, she hadn’t been as on top of things as she liked. Probably because all she kept thinking about the past couple of days was having Hudson on top of her.
In her.
Behind her.
Between her legs.
“You’re awake,” Hudson said.
Cheeks burning from Hudson catching her deep in wicked thoughts, she mustered a smile. “Finally,” she responded. “How long have I been here?”
“Not long. We brought you in around four this afternoon. How do you feel?” He set the laptop on a nearby table, then stood.
“Good,” she said, and watched him approach. Even with all that hair, and dressed like a thug, she couldn’t help herself from wanting him.
/> Naked.
In her bed.
Sliding into her body.
He touched her cheek. “You look good. I’m glad to see color returning to your cheeks.”
If only he knew why. What would he say, or do, if she told him this particular truth? That she’d been blushing because instead of worrying about her health, or the case for that matter, she’d been thinking about sex?
“What did the doctor say? I can’t believe I’ve been admitted for a flu bug.”
“The flu wasn’t the problem. Well, it didn’t help.” He shrugged. “The real problem is that you don’t eat.”
Her face grew hot again. This time it had nothing to do with thoughts of sex. Only moments ago she’d considered Hudson a nonjudgmental person. She suspected that was about to change. He’d brought up her eating habits before. Even when they’d been dating he’d commented on how little she had eaten. In her opinion, strict eating habits were better than bulimia. She controlled what she ate, and control had always been important to her. At one time in her life, during a long ago night she’d spent half her life trying to forget, she’d been left without the power to control what happened to her body. Never again.
“My eating habits are none of your business.”
“Yeah, they are.”
The I.V. pinched her skin as she crossed her arms over her chest. “What I put between my lips is not your concern.”
He dropped his gaze to her mouth. “I can suggest something you could put between your lips.”
Thoughts of taking him into her mouth caused a throb between her legs. “Pig,” she muttered, despite her desires. Until she knew where they stood, she refused to let him know how much she—or rather, her body—had missed him. “I can’t believe you would even think about sex when I’m lying in a hospital bed.”
“Dirty girl,” he said, and sat on the edge of the bed, his hip touching hers through the blanket. “I never said anything about sex.”
True. Damn it. “You insinuated it, though.”
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