Chapter 2 - The Quiet Man Everyone Feared
Damian’s doctor examined Tessa in a private office above the restaurant.
The room had no family photographs, no personal decorations and no windows. It felt less like an office and more like a place where unpleasant conversations were kept away from witnesses.
Dr. Elias Grant shone a light into Tessa’s eyes.
“Follow my finger.”
“I know how this works.”
“I heard you were a nursing student.”
“Half a semester from graduation.”
“Then you know interrupting the doctor is annoying.”
Tessa followed his finger.
Dr. Grant checked her cheek, cleaned the cut on her lip and placed a small adhesive strip near the corner of her mouth.
“No concussion,” he said. “Bruising, swelling and a small cut. You’ll be sore tomorrow.”
“I’m sore now.”
“That saves time.”
The office door opened.
Damian entered alone.
“Leo?” Tessa asked.
“With Marco.”
“Is he all right?”
“He won’t speak.”
Dr. Grant packed his supplies.
“He experienced a frightening event,” Tessa said. “Don’t force him to discuss it tonight.”
Damian watched her.
“Is that professional advice?”
“It’s common sense.”
Dr. Grant closed his medical bag. “She’s fine. Keep ice on the cheek.”
“I can do that at home,” Tessa said.
Damian stepped aside as the doctor left.
Tessa picked up her coat.
“Thank you for the medical care.”
“You lost your job because of my son.”
“I lost my job because my manager was a coward.”
“I can compensate you.”
“No.”
“You don’t know what I was going to offer.”
“I know what compensation means when a powerful man offers it in a locked office.”
Damian’s eyes narrowed slightly. “The door isn’t locked.”
Tessa tested the handle.
It opened.
She looked back at him.
“That was embarrassing.”
“Only slightly.”
She almost smiled, but the movement hurt her lip.
Damian noticed.
“You’re in pain.”
“I’ll survive.”
He walked to the desk and placed an envelope on it.
Tessa didn’t touch it.
“What is that?”
“Your wages for the next six months.”
“I worked for your son, not for you.”
“You protected him.”
“That doesn’t create a debt.”
“It does to me.”
Tessa picked up her bag.
“I don’t want money connected to you.”
“Why?”
“Because people don’t hand out six months of wages without expecting something.”
“I expect you to accept what you earned.”
“I earned one shift and no tip.”
“You were assaulted.”
“That is Trent Whitaker’s responsibility.”
“His father will prevent him from facing consequences.”
“Then that is a problem with the justice system.”
“It’s a problem I can solve.”
Tessa studied him.
“How?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“That is exactly why I’m leaving.”
She walked toward the door.
Damian spoke behind her.
“Your mother’s care facility called twice during your shift.”
Tessa stopped.
Slowly, she turned.
“How do you know that?”
“Your phone was in your apron pocket. Marco collected your things after you resigned.”
“You checked my phone?”
“No. The screen showed missed calls.”
“You had no right to look.”
“I didn’t unlock it.”
“You remembered the name?”
“St. Anne’s Cardiac Recovery Center.”
Tessa’s pulse quickened.
“Forget it.”
“Is your mother sick?”
“That is none of your business.”
“You’re three days late on rent.”
Her expression changed.
Damian’s gaze dropped toward the open mouth of her bag. A red notice was visible between two textbooks.
Tessa shoved it deeper inside.
“You seem to notice too much.”
“It keeps me alive.”
“It also makes people hate you.”
“I’m aware.”
She reached for the door again.
“Miss Navarro.”
“What?”
“Whitaker won’t leave this alone.”
“Neither will I.”
“You don’t understand the kind of influence his father has.”
“And you think I should understand yours?”
“I think you should be careful.”
Tessa laughed once, without humor.
“I don’t have the luxury of being careful. I have a pharmacology exam Monday, an eviction notice in my bag and a mother who needs medication she can’t afford. Careful is for people with options.”
Damian remained silent.
Tessa left the office.
She had nearly reached the staircase when she heard a small voice from the hallway.
“Miss Tessa?”
Leo stood near the wall in his navy blazer. Marco waited several feet behind him.
Tessa crouched.
“You should be with your dad.”
“I wanted to give you this.”
He held out the silver robot.
Its left arm was broken, and one wheel had snapped off.
Tessa took it gently.
“You want me to fix it?”
Leo shook his head.
“I want you to keep it.”
“I can’t take your toy.”
“It doesn’t work anymore.”
“That doesn’t mean it belongs in the trash.”
Leo stared at the robot.
“My mom gave it to me.”
Tessa’s voice softened. “Where is she?”
“She died.”
Behind them, Damian had appeared at the office doorway.
Tessa looked at him.
He gave no indication that he had heard.
Leo whispered, “Dad says broken things can be repaired.”
“Your dad is right.”
“He doesn’t fix things.”
Damian’s jaw shifted.
Tessa examined the robot.
“I have a small tool kit at home. I’ll try.”
Leo’s eyes lifted. “You’ll bring it back?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
Tessa glanced at Damian.
“I don’t know.”
“Tomorrow?” Leo asked.
Damian finally stepped forward.
“Miss Navarro has her own life.”
Leo’s shoulders sank.
Tessa hated the disappointment on his face.
“Tomorrow afternoon,” she said.
Damian looked at her sharply.
“Where?” Leo asked.
Tessa handed the robot back.
“I’ll meet you at a public place.”
Damian’s mouth almost curved.
“Still afraid I’ll ask for something?”
“I’m afraid your idea of a quiet café includes six armed men.”
“Only four.”
Marco coughed to hide a laugh.
Tessa pointed at Damian.
“That was almost a joke.”
“I’ve been told I have moments.”
“Rare ones, apparently.”
Leo looked between them.
“Can we go to the aquarium?”
Tessa raised an eyebrow. “A real aquarium?”
Damian answered. “Shedd Aquarium. Two o’clock.”
“That sounds less like a suggestion.”
“It was an invitation.”
“Try again.”
Damian held her gaze.
“Will you meet us at the aquarium tomorrow at two?”
Tessa nodded.
“I’ll bring the robot.”
Leo smiled for the first time that night.
Damian looked at his son, and the coldness in his face briefly disappeared.
Then Tessa’s phone rang.
She answered immediately.
“St. Anne’s?”
A nurse spoke quickly on the other end.
Tessa’s face lost color.
“What happened?”
Damian watched her hand tighten around the phone.
“When?”
She listened, then closed her eyes.
“I’m coming.”
She ended the call and rushed toward the stairs.
Damian followed.
“What happened?”
“My mother collapsed.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“No.”
“You won’t reach Indianapolis fast enough by train.”
“I have a car.”
“Where?”
“At my apartment.”
“That’s twenty minutes in the wrong direction.”
Tessa stopped.
He was right, and she hated him for it.
Damian held out his hand.
“Give me the address.”
Tessa looked toward Leo.
The boy was watching her with frightened eyes.
She lowered her voice.
“This does not make me part of your world.”
May you like
“No,” Damian said. “It gets you to your mother.”
After one painful second, Tessa gave him the address.
