A Soul Redeemed

by Dakota Black

  “Such as?” Was the nurse’s lower lip quivering?

  “Such as injuries that couldn’t be caused by explosions or fires.”

  “What are you insinuating?”

  He looked up toward the ceiling. “Not my place. I’m just babbling. I think I’m just exhausted.” Nervous laughter pushed past his lips.

  Babbling? Not a single man who lived and breathed the military spoke without thinking. This, she knew well. She studied his pensive face, the way his complexion seemed ashen. “Well, we’re here to take care of the crew. I’ll need the full status on every man in this hospital. Can you manage to do that by morning?”

  “Yes. I can do that.” Relief crossed his face.

  “Okay. I’ll drop by later and check on Roger as well as the others. No one is getting discharged tonight. Let them know then you can leave. Okay?” Veronica wanted time alone in the facility, not only to acclimate herself to her new environment. She also wanted to check on any blood or other tests taken. There had to be some trail leading to the cause of Roger’s extreme injuries. Let alone the man’s terror. For now, he was resting comfortably.

  Sam nodded. “Pace yourself, doctor.”

  The words were said almost as if issuing a warning. “Don’t worry. I’ve been through a hell of a lot worse.”

  “I can only imagine. I’ll arrange for the patients to get some food and let them know they’ll be staying at our wonderful facility one additional night.” He grinned.

  “Thank you.”

  “You bet. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

  Smiling, she waited until he left before cursing under her breath. Roger had been minutes away from dying. Rubbing the back of her neck, she stretched and noticed the time. She hadn’t eaten in almost twenty-four hours and her stomach was rumbling. Along with the rough trip in, she was completely drained.

  She eyed the computer and raised a single eyebrow. Why would the previous nurse have left? Perhaps they hadn’t been cut out for the job, but anyone getting into this kind of environment would have certainly done some investigation. She chuckled at the thought. How much homework had she really done prior to saying yes? Glancing over her shoulder, she walked toward the state of the art system and ran her hand over the keyboard. No expense had been spared in the computer itself.

  After hitting the space bar, she was presented with a normal Window’s screen and the usual icons. She sat down and moved the mouse, attempting to find any kind of medical software. There was nothing on the dashboard and after a check through the systems, she discovered what had to be the software being used. The mouse clicks brought up a secured screen, password protected. “Huh.” Why wouldn’t Sam have been forthcoming with the password, especially after the incident with Roger? Forgetfulness, she didn’t buy.

  She spent a few minutes searching through some of the other files. Nothing stuck out as being out of place. Whatever information she hoped to garner would have to wait. Another check on Roger at least gave her a sigh of relief. He was doing well, resting easily. As long as his vitals remained strong, there should be no additional concerns. She closed the door and could hear voices coming from the room housing the men. The moment she started to walk inside, the tone of two of the men turned angry.

  “We have to get out of here.”

  “Yeah? Well, you’re the damn reason we’re in here.”

  Veronica pulled back, debating walking in. Her gut told her to leave it alone, at least for now. Whatever cloak and dagger issue was going on was none of her business. If her patients didn’t suffer, she’d leave the politics alone. Still, as she walked out of the clinic, she remained on edge. There was a darkness about the rig.

  Once the door was closed, she leaned against the wall, her entire body shaking. A heavy burden had been placed on her shoulders and she’d never felt so out of her element in her entire career. Time for a hot shower then food. She’d feel better in the morning, or so she hoped.

  The floor plan was a maze, forcing her to go in three different directions before she managed to find her room. A simple turn of the knob and she realized the door was locked. “Shit.” No one had given her a keycard. She slapped her hand on the door, groaning out of frustration. Nothing in the last few days had been easy.

  “Do you need some help?”

  The voice was a deep baritone, powerful and clipped as if her presence was a nuisance. “A key to my room.” When she turned around, she swallowed hard. The man standing in front of her was exactly the epitome of what she anticipated. His eyes were full of anger, his expression more of a grimace. At well over six feet, she would call his appearance menacing. However, she detected no harm. “Is that something you can help me with?”

  He looked her up and down before nodding. “Dr. Easton. I came to find you at the clinic to hand you this.” Walking closer, he held up the plastic card. “Coded for your security. I suggest you never leave this unattended.”

  Accepting the card, she felt he wanted her to read between the lines. The sentiment was much like the rigger from before. Security. “Do we have incidents of crime on the rig?”

  He said nothing for several seconds then crowded her space. “There are many dangerous elements on this ship. You should keep that in mind.” He turned sharply and started to walk away.

  “Is that a threat?”

  Stopping short, he exhaled before tilting his head. “Merely an observation, Doctor. No matter what you’ve heard, this is a different world here. Playing with fire could get you burned.”

  Veronica blinked several times before she was able to react, sliding the card into the slot and rushing inside. Whatever the reason she was given a warning, she knew better than to ignore it.

  One thing was very clear. She wasn’t wanted on this rig.

  Chapter 5

  Nash pushed away the half-eaten food and studied the various crew members as they laughed and talked, eating dinner as if they hadn’t been through a horrific ordeal. The resilience was commendable but for him, odd. He’d been around enough crews that by this point, they’d be going stir crazy, picking fights as well as drinking themselves into a stupor at night. The evening would be spent familiarizing himself with every man and their background. Camden Dane would no doubt want a full report soon. He’d bought himself another 24 hours before the required report, but he realized the man’s patience would wane.

  Sipping on his coffee, he raised an eyebrow the moment the doctor walked in. He’d heard about the condition of the crewman, knew she’d had to perform emergency surgery. Could he say he was impressed? At this point he’d remain neutral. Her resume was impressive enough, but serving in close quarters on a rig in the middle of nowhere had a different set of challenges.

  He noticed she’d changed, now wearing a pair of jeans and t shirt, her hair pulled into a ponytail. She was certainly beautiful in an unassuming way. The thought giving him a chuckle, he finished the coffee, longing for a large shot of whiskey. He’d brought enough with him to soothe the beast within.

  From where he sat in the corner, he was able to observe the way most of the men reacted to her interruption. Only a few remained talking, most undressing her with their eyes. They’d been on the open sea for far too long. If the woman wasn’t careful, she’d have a tough time garnering their respect.

  When she ignored their looks, only acknowledging those who said hello, he was impressed. She could at least hold her own. Nash pulled out his phone, checking his emails. He certainly wasn’t here to be her friend. As he thought, Camden had already left him a message, the email short and to the point. He was to call in the morning. What the hell was he supposed to tell the powers that be? At least he could get the various parts ordered, removing the roadblock. The rest would take some time.

  “Superintendent Waters. Do you mind if I join you?”

  Nash lifted his head and gazed into the greenest pair of eyes he’d ever seen. He hadn’t paid attention before or cared for that matter. “Free country.” He noticed she rolled her eyes
before sitting across from him. He expected to see a salad or chicken perhaps as her dinner selection. The cheeseburger and fries gave him a single smile.

  “What?” she asked, the single word more of a demand.

  “Are you always such a hard ass?”

  “Only with arrogant jerks.” Her words filtered throughout the room.

  Nash didn’t react but others did, chortling at her brazen attitude. Exhaling, he shot the closest offenders a nasty snarl and leaned over the table, lowering his voice. What he hadn’t been prepared for was the intoxicating scent of her light perfume. His cock stiffened, making his position at the table damn uncomfortable. “I have a job to do on this stagnant piece of steel. I take what I do very seriously. I’m not here to make friends or give a shit about anything but the command I was given. You’re here as support and I expect you to do your job.”

  “Whoa…” a hushed voice whispered followed by a chortle.

  He refused to have her demean him in front of his men.

  Veronica took a sip of her water and eased the napkin into her lap. She also leaned over the table until their faces were only inches apart. “You don’t have to worry about the concept of a friendship or anything on a personal level between us. However, I do require cooperation as well as information from time to time. For that, I’ll make certain that I keep your overworked, underpaid team in the best shape that I can, given the somewhat crude and inadequate medical supplies. If that’s something you can do, then we’ll get along just fine.”

  The line was drawn in the sand and instead of being incensed, he remained turned on, a reaction he couldn’t afford. He gave her a single nod and pulled back, allowing her the win. “What happened to the crewman?”

  “Roger? His name is Roger Calloway. Honestly? I don’t know for certain.”

  The answer surprised him. “But I heard you operated on him.”

  “News travels fast,” she said, keeping her voice low.

  At least two of the crew were paying attention to the fact they were talking. “I do care about this crew and their welfare. The crap that’s gone on shouldn’t have occurred and wouldn’t have if I’d been here months ago.”

  She laughed as she wrapped her hands around the burger. “I’m so glad you’re full of self-confidence. That will certainly help with making their lives easier.”

  Nash clenched his teeth. “You mentioned inadequate supplies. What do you need? I’ll make certain that you get exactly what you’re looking for.”

  “I appreciate that. I’ll make a list. What I need first is to be able to get into the computer system.”

  “I can make that happen in the morning.”

  “Thank you.” The comment said curtly, she took a bite of her burger.

  “Why are you here?”

  She took her time swallowing and wiping her mouth before answering. “No doubt the same reason you’re here. A job.”

  “Your resume is impressive. You could go anywhere you want with your credentials. People that accept a position like this are usually hiding.” Nash noticed the way her right eye twitched.

  “I’d say that was none of your business. I applied and was hired. That’s all you need to know.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Doctor.” The words slipped from his mouth and he knew she’d pick up on his anxious tone instantly.

  Narrowing her eyes, her facial expression became conflicted. “Are you trying to tell me that there are some things going on that shouldn’t be, Mr. Waters?”

  Huffing, he wished he hadn’t said a word. He didn’t need anyone else raising red flags. The same two people remained interested in the conversation. He made mental note of their faces. “I’m not saying anything except I will get to know every member of this staff. How did you learn about this rig?”

  “An ad online. I have no hidden agenda here, Mr. Waters. I signed on for a year. The money is good and will allow me to… to carry on with my life as a doctor the way I’ve always wanted. I’ll do my best to stay out of your way.”

  He studied the way her lips pursed every time she was angry or annoyed, the long lines of her neck and her strong shoulders. Even the t shirt she was wearing couldn’t hide her ultra-feminine qualities. She was stunning, sexy and he sensed there was much more underneath her cold persona. His thoughts drifted, pulling him into his dark desires, the need to dominate and control her, both in and out of bed. Clenching his fist under the table, he resisted stroking his groin. Not here. Not now. “Candor. Refreshing.”

  She laughed in earnest and picked at her fries. “You’re a hard man, Mr. Waters. You’re the kind of man who refuses to allow anyone to get close. Hiding is a fascinating word.”

  “Nash. You can call me Nash.” He gathered she was psychoanalyzing but had a feeling the act was much more personal. The close quarters could prove to be interesting.

  “All right, Nash. If we’re keeping this on a totally professional level, I would like to go over the conditions of the men in the morning. If that’s acceptable to you.”

  “Of course. Any time after nine-thirty. I’m certain you’ll be able to find my location. Enjoy your dinner, Doctor.” He rose to his feet.

  “Veronica. You can call me Veronica.” This time the words held a seductive tone.

  Nash looked down and could just see a hint of her cleavage, the swell of her breasts. Sucking in his breath, he gave her a respectful nod before grabbing his tray. As he walked away, he was forced to admit that he wanted her in his bed. There was also more. One way or the other, he was going to own her.

  “I’m going to fuck you hard, right here and you will obey every request I command.”

  Veronica folded her legs under her and pulled the glass of wine to her lips. Admitting she wished Nash had taken her aside, even dragging her into his room had floated to the surface more than once. What would the man be like in bed? Rough and tumble? No doubt. He would refuse to take no for an answer. She licked around the rim of her glass and stifled a moan. What in the hell was wrong with her? Remaining aroused, she took another sip then a gulp. The tangy liquid only proved to be additional fuel. This had to stop.

  She’d rushed to her cabin, locking the door and changing into the only feminine thing she’d brought, a crimson teddy. The silky material gave her a sense of who she was. That is, if she’d given herself time to think about the woman buried so deep inside. Nash had caught onto the fact she was hiding with no more than a few minutes of conversation. Not only was she shielding her emotions, she was running from her problems instead of facing them head on. She should have told her parents what she was going to do with her life. Now, here she was in an environment that she knew nothing about with men who definitely didn’t want her here. The decision had been impetuous.

  Then, there was the most infuriating man she’d ever met in her life. Still, she’d been thinking about little else but Nash’s intense personality, the way he challenged her every word. She fanned her face and closed her eyes. The vision remained. Naked and on her knees, Nash stood over her, his index finger under her chin. In his other hand was a whip. Shivering, she rubbed her arm. She had no business thinking about sex at a time like this. She had patients who needed her help, one remaining in serious condition. The poor crewman needed her full attention.

  Besides, Nash was arrogant as hell, formidable and… Damn sexy. She bit her lip, her entire body quivering including her pussy. There was no good reason to be attracted to him. At all. Even if she submitted, there would be no romance, no soft moments of passion shared. You crave domination, a firm hand. The little voice had begun to nag her, chipping away at her resolve. She sighed and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get him out of her mind. Submission. She could have stayed with Derek if she wanted to submit in any fashion. No. She was stronger than this.

  Frustrated, she jerked out of the chair and began to pace, thinking of all the reasons she needed to keep a professional distance, and there was a solid dozen. Let alone, he didn’t seem to like her a
t all. That wasn’t entirely true. She’d seen the mask as it slipped away, revealing his blatant hunger, if only for a few seconds. Fortunately, they were in close quarters and the last thing that could happen was a sexual event on the rig.

  But what if?

  A laugh bubbled past her lips and she eased the tips of her fingers down her neck to the slender spaghetti strap. She swirled her finger back and forth across the lace covering the top edge, longing to be able to share her cravings with a man. Nash. No, this was insane. She couldn’t think of him this way. He was technically her superior, the man in charge.

  “Ugh!” The single word echoed in the dense space. She’d been drawn to Derek because of his controlling mannerisms and at first, she’d adored the almost obsessive attention. She was far too intelligent to believe Derek could take care in the relationship. The last event had told her everything she needed to know. What about her needs? Only Lori knew her inner secrets, the darkness that had always clouded every relationship. From the time she’d had a boyfriend in high school, she’d attempted to mold the man into what she wanted. No one would fill those shoes.

  Veronica finished the remainder of the wine and slipped into the twin size bed, pulling the covers over her head. Every part of her remained on edge, her thoughts all over the place. Roger. Why was he so terrified? Why was he so sick? The puncture wound had been an issue, yes, but not enough to cause the reactions she’d witnessed. Then there was the fact Sam didn’t seem to be bothered about the man’s condition. What if she hadn’t come on board? Would Roger have died of internal bleeding? Shock?

  She tossed back and forth, creating more mysteries than answers. Had Camden Dane been completely honest with her about coming on the rig? Why had the last nurse left? She toyed with calling Camden, confronting him with her concerns. What good would that do? Her very candid comments could get her fired. Then where would she be? Wrestling with the covers, she jerked them up then yanked them down, kicking her feet out. The previous superintendent had been fired. That much she’d overheard from the crew members. She hadn’t even been told this during her meeting with Rush. Too many closed doors.