Chapter 5 - The Nurse They Tried to Silence
They moved Rafael through a staff service corridor in a wheelchair.
He hated every second of it.
“Stop trying to stand,” Elena whispered.
“I’m fine.”
“You almost fell ten feet ago.”
“The floor moved.”
“The floor did not move.”
Dominic walked ahead.
Marco covered the rear.
No weapons were visible, but Elena had no doubt the two men were prepared for trouble.
They reached the rehabilitation wing.
Dominic stopped.
“Elevator ahead is compromised.”
“Stairwell?” Rafael asked.
“Too exposed.”
Elena looked toward a door.
“Physical therapy storage.”
Dominic frowned.
“That helps us how?”
“There’s a freight lift through the hydrotherapy corridor.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’ve worked here three years.”
Rafael looked at Dominic.
“Follow her.”
For once, nobody argued.
Elena led them through the darkened wing.
As they reached the freight elevator, voices approached from behind.
Dominic pushed the button.
Nothing.
“Come on.”
Elena hit it again.
The doors opened.
They entered.
Just before they closed, a hand appeared between them.
Marco shoved the doors.
The hand disappeared.
The elevator descended.
Nobody spoke until they reached the basement.
Then Rafael asked, “Who knew that route?”
“Hospital staff,” Elena said.
“Good.”
Dominic stared at him.
“Good?”
“If they knew everything, they would’ve been waiting.”
They emerged into the loading area.
Two black SUVs sat outside.
Rain poured beyond the awning.
Elena stopped.
“I’m not getting into some mystery mafia car.”
Rafael looked exhausted.
“Elena.”
“I have standards.”
Dominic stared at her.
“You just escaped a hospital lockdown with Rafael DeLuca.”
“And I would like to know where I’m going.”
“My house,” Rafael said.
“No.”
Marco actually turned away, hiding another smile.
Rafael stared at Elena.
“No?”
“You need medical supervision.”
“I’ll have a doctor brought in.”
“One I approve.”
Dominic raised an eyebrow.
Rafael nodded.
“One you approve.”
“And hospital-grade monitoring.”
“Fine.”
“And physical therapy.”
Rafael looked offended.
Elena folded her arms.
“Pink resistance band included.”
Marco coughed.
Dominic turned away.
Rafael pointed at the SUV.
“Get in.”
Elena did.
Three hours later, she stood inside an enormous lakeside estate staring at a private medical suite that looked more advanced than half the ICU.
“You already had this?”
Rafael was transferred into a bed.
Dominic answered.
“Rafael has lived an interesting life.”
“That is one word for it.”
Rafael closed his eyes.
Elena checked his pulse.
“You’re exhausted.”
“I’m listening.”
“You always say that now.”
“Because apparently it matters.”
Before Elena could answer, Dominic’s phone rang.
He walked away.
Then returned.
“Bell surfaced.”
Rafael opened his eyes.
“Where?”
“Police station.”
Elena stared.
“He turned himself in?”
“Not exactly.”
“What happened?”
“He called a federal investigator.”
Rafael’s expression sharpened.
“Why?”
Dominic looked at Elena.
“He claims he can identify the person who ordered Rafael’s sedation.”
“And?” Rafael asked.
“He’ll only talk if Elena is there.”
The room went silent.
Rafael immediately said, “No.”
Elena said, “Yes.”
“No.”
“He asked for me.”
“Which is exactly why you’re not going.”
“He may be terrified.”
“He may be setting a trap.”
Elena stepped closer.
“Rafael, I’m not your employee.”
“I know.”
“Then stop issuing orders.”
“I’m trying to keep you alive.”
“And I spent six months doing the same thing for you.”
His jaw tightened.
“That was different.”
“How?”
“You didn’t know the danger.”
“I do now.”
Rafael stared at her.
Elena lowered her voice.
“If Bell is ready to tell the truth, we need it.”
“We?”
“Yes.”
Something shifted in his expression.
“You said we.”
“Don’t make this weird.”
Dominic looked between them.
“I hate to interrupt whatever this is.”
“There is no whatever-this-is,” Elena said.
Rafael said nothing.
Dominic continued.
“Bell says the order came from someone Rafael trusted.”
Rafael’s attention returned immediately.
“Name.”
“He refuses to say it over the phone.”
“Then bring investigators here.”
“He won’t leave protective custody.”
Elena sighed.
“I’m going.”
Rafael reached for the bed rail and forced himself upright.
His legs trembled when he stood.
Elena rushed toward him.
“What are you doing?”
“Going with you.”
“You can’t walk.”
Rafael took one shaky step.
Then another.
His face tightened with effort.
Elena remained beside him without touching him.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Probably.”
Third step.
Fourth.
He reached her.
Breathing hard, Rafael looked down at her.
“For six months, you walked into danger without knowing it.”
Elena’s eyes remained on his.
“So?”
“Now I know.”
He extended his hand.
“You don’t go alone.”
May you like
This time, Elena took it immediately.
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