* 2023-01-15

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I'm trying hard to keep this PG16 but be warned that my stories contain mature subjects. There is graphic violence, coarse language, sexual situations/scenes, and triggers as my characters deal with past or present emotional, physical, or mental traumas.

The Arrangement

Chapter 06

Darien

I may not understand her calling, but I do understand her underlying need to look after others. That we might have more in common than I believed possible, surprises me. But what leaves me speechless is that we haven't bickered in the last few minutes. Instead, the air between us is easy and the conversation insightful.

The way she put my father in his place… The way she plans every move and considers every angle to gain the upper hand… The way she never fails to challenge or put me in my place… The way she offers sound advice when I feel like I'm drowning with chains and weights pulling me down… All these details compounded with the stress of the last ten minutes have me blurting out the most ridiculous idea ever.

"Thank you for giving me the answer then. Marry me?"

I'm not quite sure where that came from, but at her dumbfounded deer-in-headlights look, I take a moment to consider what I proposed.

To get out of this mess, out from under my father's thumb and machination, and free myself once and for all, I need a sound strategy. Her presence has made leaps where I've been crawling… I want to pick her head for ideas.

I've been stonewalled at every turn since I proposed the addition of the children's wing at last year's fundraiser. It'd be nice to get someone in my corner who knows how to get their way. And from what I've seen of Serena, she doesn't know the definition of being stonewalled or said no to. She'll think of ways to either circumvent or overthrow the opposition. Anything else is unacceptable in her books. Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions, I've only interacted with her on three occasions… But I just don't see another way out of the noose around my neck.

If I'm honest, I adored how she unnerved my father. It's not that I let him walk all over me, it's that I don't want to waste time dealing with his bullshit aspirations. I have my practice, the ER and I want to create the children's wing as a thank you to the town that looked after me and showed me the good side of life and the possibility of happiness. If it wasn't for vacationing here, and then meeting the guys, I'd probably be as jaded as my father or superficial as my mother.

Plus with her at my side, my father wouldn't dare to press the marriage with Beryl. Serena is a self-made woman, who runs a successful security firm in a domain dominated by men, and is associated with one of the most feared and respected law firms in the world. She represents all the things my misogynist father fears.

"Have you gone mad? What the fuck?"

She's shaking her head at me like I've lost my marbles… And maybe I have.

"Probably."

"Like I said before, the fuck?"

"You curse a lot."

"Get used to it."

"When did you become Tina's bodyguard?"

"One, I'm not a bodyguard and this isn't going to turn into a Whitney Houston movie. Two, I told Jack I'd handle the situation, and I did. I'll look after her until her situation is cleared. And before you ask, I'll inform you on the details once she's talked to her lawyers and I get clearance. Third, don't change the fucking subject! What the hell is wrong with you to ask a complete stranger whom you despise a question like that!?"

I didn't expect my question to frazzle her. But it clearly has… And while Serena always seems to analyze and plan ahead, my curveball has done something I only witnessed for a moment when I showed her to Keith's place. Something I wasn't sure she was capable of feeling. And that is unease. Curveballs destabilize her. I'm not quite sure why but the fact she's not running for the door gives me hope. The fact she's asking why has me planning my arguments like prepping for surgery.

But how to start? I guess honesty is a good place. I motion for her to sit down again. She folds her arms and glares me down but I insist.

"Please." She huffs, those arms bound tight, almost hiding her white knuckles. I wonder why marriage scares her, or if I'm completely off my target. It's hard to read her except for the few times her mask has fallen.

"I need to get back to Tina and my team. Make this quick."

"I have my rounds too... Fine. You want the truth, here it is. You've just dug a hole under my feet and dropped me in it without any way out. That children's wing was my idea. I pushed and convinced everyone on it. I got Beryl's parents to agree to fund most of it as it was going to be named after them. When I started on the project, Beryl set her eyes on me. Thinking I was ambitious. But that's the farthest thing from the truth. It's my way of thanking the town that adopted me, instead of my adoptive parents, and made me feel at home. There are a lot of sick kids that come in but we don't have the resources to treat them and then they have to do a three-hour trip to the nearest kids' hospital. This is my way of paying back." I take a long inhale as I lean my arms on my desk.

"By firing Beryl and probably ruining her reputation, her family will pull back the funds and their support. The work has already started, how will the hospital afford to pay for the addition and equipment, not to mention all the new personnel and specialists? The only way out to smooth this over will be for me to marry that woman because that's the ultimatum they'll set before me to save face. But none of that matters if the hospital is sued! The scandal will ruin our reputation and we'll not only lose face, but we'll also lose a lot of backing. As you can see, we're one of the best in the country because we work hard to make this place not only efficient but a place that puts people's health first. That means getting the best equipment, the best teams, and supporting our workers. You might know that few medical centers can boast that, but that's the advantage of being small and having the right people behind us… Or had… Because your lawsuit is going to destroy all the work we've put into this place."

I could keep going. I could say more… But she's giving me a peculiar look. Sitting back, I fold my hands over my abs and compose my next arguments.

"You've worked so hard and yet you allowed a narcissistic woman on your team. You're the one who put a ticking bomb in your carefully laid plans. I'm just the executioner, the match. It was inevitable."

"That may be, but I'll not go down without putting up a fight and making sure that wing is built."

"And your solution is to ask me for marriage," she laughs in my face.

Her laugh breaks my tension because when she puts it like that, it does seem ridiculous. But I don't have much time before everything starts to fall apart.

"Yes." I chuckle along before giving my last go. "You don't know the definition of no, not possible, or can't help you. You calculate, anticipate, and plan for one result, and that's to get your way." I watch her smile fade as she sits up straighter. "You don't take anyone's bullshit and you know exactly which buttons to push. You also care about the well-being of others more than they'll ever be able to tell. Plus, you've got contacts and resources that I can only dream about. I know exactly how to run the ER, how to handle emergencies, and stay calm about next-to-impossible surgeries or locating the right treatment for patients. I don't know how to handle all the bureaucracy and finances… But in under two minutes, you gave me leads on how to save this situation…"

"That still doesn't explain your crazy idea!"

It's starting to get adorable that she can't accept my proposal like it's on an equal level with say, the plague.

"I need a way out of Beryl's and my father's chains. And I need a way to keep this hospital and the new wing going."

"That's a ridiculously large order to put on your shoulders. Running a hospital is a team effort. Isn't that what you said."

"Yup, but the Beryl fiasco is on me. I shouldn't have snapped at her. I should have been clear from the get-go. I should have dealt with my father. All this falls on my back. And at this moment, getting you on my team seems like my only option."

Serena takes her time examining me, from head to chest and back, before meeting my eyes. "Why not just accept her offer? She is beautiful, loaded and you'd make pretty babies."

It's the second time in one day I'm getting asked that question, and it's like something snaps in me.

"Because I won't be shackled in a loveless marriage to a woman I can't stand like my parents!"

That annoying smirk reappears on her face. "So you'd rather offer to get shackled up with someone you hate instead?"

I didn't realize that our interactions would make her think I hated her. When it's far from the truth. She intrigues me, she challenges me and hell, I'm attracted to her more than I should be. But I'd rather be shackled up with someone with some moral semblance than a ladder climber. Instead of bearing all that out, making myself vulnerable, I take the easier route.

"It's because I know you can't stand me and won't expect to stay tied to me. A fake capable fiancé is my only solution. Just for a couple of months. Until the wing is done and I've found better benefactors. And Beryl with her damn family sets their sights somewhere else."

That smirk never wavers but it doesn't reach her eyes. Something flashes in it but it's too quick for me to catch. Serena rests her arms on the chair's sides as she leans forward.

"What do I get out of saving your ass?"

Fuck… Now it's my turn to curse. I was so worked up with my arguments, I didn't think about what I could offer her in return.

"In return, I can keep an eye out for Tina and make the arrangements she needs…"

"You'll do that either way. It's in your DNA, Doctor." The way she intones doctor has me grinding my molars. She's going to test my patience like nothing else. But I have to do this. It was my idea…

Whom am I kidding? I have nothing to offer her in return. All I'm thinking about is how to get what I need… Grab the lifeline I didn't know I needed.

"Name your price."

Again, she's startled enough to sit back. Her smirk's gone.

Good.

Before we can finish the conversation, my pager, cell, and landline ding. She gets up, and opens the door to head out but stops.

"I'll give you my answer tomorrow. Either way… Who'd believe it?"

As she closes the door, I ignore the calls and check my pager, grab my lab coat, and head to the emergency to check on the athlete patient whose having post-surgery complications. On the way down, I wonder about her question. Who'd believe my fake engagement to a stranger? Because I don't want to focus on what she'll ask in return… I don't. I'm not dreading it at all. Or how fucked I am.

Serena

Heading to Tina's room, I rub my temples. Doc and my step-aunts are officially in the dog house. Not only have I met one unpredictable event after another since starting this forced vacation, but I just got proposed to! It was by far not the way I thought it'd ever happen… Not that it was ever going to happen…

I don't bother to knock as I enter. Thankfully, there's no Beryl in sight and Jack is talking to a nurse by the other open door.

"Cresc, Darien has put in the request to move her to a private room. As she's out of critical care, they can move her right now… But she doesn't want to cooperate." Jack is trying hard to be accommodating and helpful, not push the girl around as she's been through enough. But I'm not a practitioner of tenderness. I've been raised on tough love and that's exactly what I'll give her.

"Everyone out, I need to talk to my client." That has Tina's eyes bulging. The nurse and Jack glare but I won't budge on this. "Not a request or up for discussion. Out!"

As soon as the two leave, Amy and Lita exit the opposite doors to stand watch.

"What the hell is going on?" The teen's voice shakes, she's at the end of her rope. I'm not surprised, I shouldn't have allowed Beryl to stay. But it was calculated. To get Tina to cooperate. Cracking my neck, I grab the chair and sit right by her bed, keeping my voice low.

"Molly has informed me of your situation. She's dealing with social services as we speak. She's doing everything she can to find the best outcome for you. I don't think she'll allow you to be put in the system. So trust in her. She has her lawyers working on it. For the moment, my team has been hired as your private security. To keep not only that bitch away but whoever poses a danger to you. Now, I know you've been through enough, so I won't press on what happened to you. But once you're settled in the new room, and yes, you will go to it as soon as I open that door, for security reasons, and you've rested, we'll talk about it. For now, I'll handle everything, just follow my lead."

The girl's eyes fill with tears. I wipe them away and shake my head. "Once we've got you in a secure location, you can let it rip, okay." She nods, taking deep breaths to steady her emotions. When she nods again, ready, I open the door to let in the frustrated staff and glaring Jack. Guess he doesn't like to be kept out of the loop. Not my problem.

We follow the staff as they transport her in a wheelchair to the top floor, into a corner room. Lita and Mina offer to take the first shift as lookouts as Jack waits to take us to the chalet before heading back to the station.

As Rei follows behind his cruiser on dirt roads and Ami snores away, my thoughts are running again at lightspeed. I need to get to the bottom of what happened to Tina and see what Luna and Molly's started for the girl. Not to mention plan our security rotation and see how long this gig will last. Then I got to get the cabin up to our security and living standards. And make sure to find some outlets for all the girls…

I'm not touching the last issue. Not even with the ten-foot pole, not until I've cleared everything else. Tonight, I'll have enough time to tackle that…

"Fuck! You got to be shitting me…"

Well, Keith was right… It's nothing more than a hunting shack. I grind my jaw, debating if it's even worth exiting the car.

"No way." Rei looks like she's going to shoot Jack as she glares at him out the window.

"Have some faith ladies," Jack calls as we get out of our camouflage Jeep. I try… I really try to give him the benefit of a doubt… But it's next to impossible. The outside of the wood structure looks flimsily built. A shack…Even if it's two stories high… I doubt it can even hold its weight in a rain storm… How did it ever survive the winter? "Stop frowning and get your butts in here. I have to get back to work."

I follow the girls inside but don't quite make it in as they freeze in the doorway. I push past them only to freeze also. 'Damn!'

The outside and inside are two worlds apart. The high cathedral ceiling with the big circular window lets in natural light and makes the place look more spacious than it is. The downstairs is all open-concept except for what I assume is the single bathroom, which is going to be a pain to share for five girls!

The walls are all white except for the back wall that's in the same wood panels as the beams and moldings. The small kitchen is contemporary, boasting a black onyx counter and stainless appliances. Just as at the bar, every single piece of furniture is hand carved. The place still has some renovation tools, paints, and supplies laying around, but it's a far cry from the outside look.

"We made the outside look delipidated on purpose. Fewer chance people would break in," Jack explains at our stunned silence.

"Liar," Rei challenges as she kicks off her boots to check out the living room. Jack folds his arms, his eyebrows raised quizzically. "You made it look like that so people wouldn't invite themselves over."

"Hacking deductions?"

"Didn't have to. You're easy to read." The glare he's sending her way as she peeks into the bathroom reminds me of Darien's. Weird...

"Is this your personal retreat or another place you hide with your buddies?" Amy asks as she sprawls herself on the suede couch and moans out loud as she sinks into it. "Heaven. Dibbs!"

It's the first time I crack a smile in the past hour, the tension finally easing out of my stiff muscles.

"We hide out here during tourist season," Jack answers but that doesn't explain much. "Come on, let me show you upstairs. It's not finished, but I think you'll be able to make do. You'll need to get yourself linens, towels, and sleeping bags or whatever, but the kitchen is fully stocked."

"We'll take it. Is thirty grand enough for the next two months?"

I almost run into him on the curved stairwell as he looks back at me as if I've grown horns or something. "That's a lot of money to be throwing around…"

"Well, we haven't had a chance to waste our earnings, so don't worry about it. Plus, with that money, when we're gone, you can finish this place off, right?" I pass him and check the bunk beds.

They're simple but comfy enough. The walls are just screwed in drywall panels and the floor has nothing but plywood. There are two closets on the top floor and a beautiful view down the mountain through the huge circular window, with nothing else. If the girls get bored, they could always finish this place up… If Jack lets us.

"I'd say five is more than enough. Do you remember how to get down the mountain?"

"Yup. We'll be fine. What about internet and cell reception?"

"Yes to cell reception. We're not completely off the grid here. But I've made it a point not to get wi-fi."

"Recluse," Rei gibs from downstairs.

"Opinionated," he calls back down to her. I could watch these two argue for hours, but I don't get my distraction fix as he throws me the keys. "Take care of it if you need it. Oh, the guys and I might come up some Saturday nights or Sundays during the high season. We'll bring beers and steaks as a peace offering."

"What if we don't want company?"

"Sucks to be you." Jack shrugs and heads out.

I lean on the upstairs railing and look at Amy sprawled on the couch and Rei rummaging in the cupboards, counting everything. "We good?"

"I'll set up perimeter," Rei answers as she heads to the Jeep to get her gear.

When I sit on the couch, Ami moves her head into my lap so I'll rub her aching temples. "As much as I don't like this bullshit vacation. And all the unexpected coming our way. And no, I don't trust these guys… It's the least stressful stuff we've dealt with in ages…" After a long moment of silence, she peeks up at me. "We're good. And thank you for yesterday. It was surprisingly… fun."

"You beat his ass, didn't you?" I can't help smirking down at her coy smile.

"Was there ever a doubt?"

Amy might not be much of a people person and a total socially awkward geek, but there's no one I've ever met smarter than her. The girl used to memorize encyclopedias as a kid… For fun! It's nice to know that she's finally amused by something other than a screen.

I hug her and leave to call Amara to give her an update, leaving out the Darien issue, at least for now. Then I spent the rest of the afternoon planning out this new assignment with Luna and Amara, while Rei and Amy settle the groceries, and set up the perimeter, and Wi-Fi.

As Rei and I head back to the hospital, Amy passes me the dinner she's cooked in Tupperware and one of her laptops. When I finally pass the food to Lita a half hour later, she shakes her head cringing. "You know Amy always overcooks everything because she can't focus on just one thing! Rather starve for another hour and make myself something."

"I'll wait for your food too," Mina cuts in which earns her a glare from Lita and a grumble of make your own damn food.

"Anything?"

"Other than every male nurse in this hospital hitting on Mina? Suicidal, the lot! But, Nah. Nothing to report." Lita snatches the keys from Rei as she heads to the stairs. I offer Mina an innocent shrug, so she takes her annoyance out on my hair by rumpling it as she heads off also.

Amused, I enter the room only to find Darien with Tina. Ignoring him, I offer the food to the kid. She eyes it skeptically. "Your choice, Kid. It's this or the hospital food. Pick your poison."

I laugh out loud this time as she snatches the container right out of my hands and digs in with the fork she was poking the hospital food with.

"How's her condition," I ask as she ignores us watching some reality show on the TV hanging from the ceiling.

"She didn't sustain any serious internal damage, thankfully, and her stitches are holding. But she still needs the ivy and lots of food and hydration after the blood transfusion. Did you find out what happened?" He doesn't look up at me as he scribbles on his pad, keeping his voice low so only I'll hear.

"Nope. That's why I'm taking the night shift. I'll let you know if I find out anything. Did anyone try to see her?"

"Nope. Which is… I don't like it. How could a parent just ignore their child after what happened to her?" He finishes writing, closes his pad, and looks at me. I keep my face blank at his sudden concern. "You should be resting too. How's your wound?"

"Amy changed the bandages before I came."

"I'll drop by at the end of my shift to check on it. See how the infection is going." Before I can protest, which he probably knows I will, he leaves.

'Smartass.'

"All right. You might like killing your brain, but I'm not going to suffer through listening to melodrama and whining all night." I turn the TV off, push the food to the side of the roll table, and set up Amy's laptop. Opening her movie folder, I play my favorite classic.

"Are you seriously going to make me watch an oldie?" the teen protests her mouth full of food.

"One, manners. Finish swallowing what's in your mouth before you speak, or it's a slap to the back of your head next time. Two, Pride and Prejudice is not old, it's a classic! You'll thank me later."

Propping my feet on her bed, I get comfy as Rei walks in and groans. "Oh hell no! I'll keep watch outside until the fluff is over."

"Not a romance fan?" the kid grins when Rei leaves.

"Rei? HA! Hell no! Give her drama or suspense, even mystery, but romance? I'm not sure she has a romantic bone in her body. She's all fire and ice and nothing in between."

"You guys are tight…"

"Yea… Life gave us shit hands. We've tried to make the best out of it. Blood ties aren't always as tight as they're supposed to be… But sometimes, life puts people in our path who become closer than family. Maybe Molly can be that for you if you give her a chance?"

"We come from two different worlds…" she protests quietly.

"And? Friendship doesn't come with a price tag. All you need is honesty, trust, and understanding. Now shh, I wanna watch the movie."

"Fine!" The kid settles back on the bed before giving me an appraising look. "How many times you've watched this?"

"Enough to remember every single line by heart." The girl laughs literary in my face, and just to get her to laugh more, I prove it by acting out the lines.

Halfway through the movie, the teen sits up and looks at me seriously. Good. She's ready. I push pause on the movie and as soon as I lean back, everything tumbles out of her mouth. I force my breathing to steady because I feel a murderous rage overtake me at some of the anecdotes. By the time she's done unburdening herself and crying, she falls into an exhausted sleep. Standing up, I tuck her in, wipe her eyes, and whisper that she's safe now.

"Can I kill him?" Rei asks as soon as I walk out.

"You heard?"

"Door was ajar." This is why Rei is best at infiltration, she's a freaking ghost sometimes. You can't even sense her unless she wants it. AND she doesn't miss anything.

I try to ease my expression before I scare all the personnel. "No. At least not yet. Stay with her. I need to call Luna ASAP."

Heading into the stairwell, I make sure I'm far from any camera and no one is around as I fill the lawyer on everything the kid's been through… Mrs. Luna stays stoic, she always does. But Mr. Artemis is verbal to the point I have to move the cell away from my ear. I bet he'd come right through the phone to strangle the bastard who hurt Tina if he could. The irony is as aristocratic and refined as the man is, he's the one we've learned to curse from.

"I need to get back to her before she wakes. Yup. Got it. I'll wait for your call. No. I'll make sure no one even thinks to raise their voice at her. Understood."

"Interesting promise." I jump as I turn to glare at Darien. How did the man manage to sneak up on me sitting on the stairs? "Sorry. Doctor's touch? … When I need a break, I come up here and make sure no one hears the door."

"Why not your office?"

"They'll barge in anyways…"

"When you lose a patient?"

He hesitates before he nods. "Come on. I'll check on your wound before I head out."

"Amy will…"

"I thought we were past the arguing for arguing sake."

"Never," I quip but get up, keeping my flinch to myself. With all of today's distractions, I didn't pay much attention to the injury. Or the fact that I've been probably running a low fever. And the last thing I need is to be scolded like a child.

I follow him to an adjoining room where he has all the equipment set out. "How much of my conversation did you hear?"

His hands freeze over the gauze as he turns slowly to look at me. "I opened the door just as you were describing what he did to Tina and then I couldn't make myself leave."

So he only knows about this incident. Good. I wouldn't trust the steadiness of his hands if he'd known how many years and what kind of abuse that kid's been through.

"I think it's best if that's all you know. Depending on what the lawyers say, I'll fill in Jack on the rest. But not you. I need you to be impartial when you treat her or talk to her."

"It's much worst than I imagine, isn't it?" I nod but don't elaborate. "I don't like this but I won't argue… If you guys hadn't stepped in, I don't think any of us could have pulled that girl out of..."

"How long were you in the system?" I change the subject.

"Until I was six."

"I would have thought your parents would have wanted to adopt a baby?"

He laughs, but it's empty. Bitter. But he doesn't explains, just waits for me to sit down.

"On the bed, with you. Lie down, I want to examine it properly. You sure you don't want to get it scanned?"

I grumble but lie down and shake my head.

"So Pride and Prejudice, huh?"

Instantly I feel my cheeks begin to redden but I push that shit reaction down. So what if he saw that I was playing a rom-com? Could have been for the girl's benefit! Schooling my expression, I turn to the window and ignore him.

"Fine… Did you think of my proposal?" he asks as he probes around my wound at the infected skin. My glare now focuses on his face but to no avail, he only smirks.

"No. Wasn't on my list of priorities today." His grin drops as he studies me. Sighing, he continues to check the wound. "Can you roll up your shirt so it doesn't keep sliding back so I can work unobstructed?"

I guess I must have hit a nerve. Or maybe the guy's still worried about the lawsuit and how to deal with it. As I roll my baggy shirt up to my bra and tuck it under me so it stays in place, he curses out loud. Shit, yea. I forgot all the bruises on my stomach are apparent today after yesterday's fight. The guy had got some good shot on me before I incapacitated him.

"They'll heal in a couple of days. Don't worry, nothing's broken."

His jaw is clenched to the point I'm worrying again if he's going to damage his teeth. And yet this time, it wasn't because of the buttons I pushed. That's disappointing. It's fun to see him lose it.

"Why didn't you tell me about the bruising yesterday?"

"You sweet talk Max like that too?" I tease to break the tension. He jumps back with a horrified disgusted look that has me laughing so hard I have to grip my aching stomach. "I meant do you snap at Max when he gets all bruised up?" He looks away embarrassed. "Fuck, you do! You scold him for getting injured!?"

"Yes, it's my thing! I don't like seeing people hurt," he still avoids looking at me but at least I can see the anger eased out of him. Instead, he just probes the rest of my fucking injuries. And I want to snap at him that yes, I already checked them all, and no, I don't need a reminder of how many I got because I could feel every goddamn one all day! But I keep my mouth shut. He's still a stranger and though the conversation between us feels easier, it's not enough for me to be completely open with him.

"Child trauma or something?" I ask, against my better judgment, because I'm curious. It's not every day I meet another foster kid.

"I plead the fifth." And the door is shut in my face but as I'm not forthcoming either, I can't blame the guy.

After a long stretch of silence, as he applies new antibacterial ointment on my wound and starts to cover it, my stupid mouth opens of its own will. "This is part of the job… The part that sucks…"

"What else do you not like about your work?" Fuck, why did I say that… I wasn't looking for more conversation. But as I consider his question, I'm surprised how easily a list unfolds of all the things that annoy me about my line of work. It gives me pause… And maybe Doc was on to something, not that I'm ready to admit it yet.

"Everyone has a list of things they hate about their job. There's no such thing as a perfect and stress-free job."

"Jaded much?"

"Nah, just honest. Bet even you have things you don't like either about being a doctor. Let me guess!" He shakes his head at me and walks away to wash his hands before leaning against the other hospital bed as I sit up.

Darien

Keeping up with Serena is like following a tennis game. The way her mind works keeps me on my toes. She goes deep, then light, off-subject, and then pokes fun at any and every opportunity. If I wasn't so frustrated by the bruises that I didn't remark yesterday, I'd be amused.

She should be resting. Even Max knows to take it easy after a match or injury. Instead, she's taken on a new security gig, set up house at the chalet from what Jack texted me, and is doing another all nighter. Not what her body needs at all after yesterday's injuries. Plus her skin is warm, too warm. She's running a fever as unfortunately the wound is infected. And I wish she'd take some meds for both the infection and fever, but remembering yesterday's conversation, I know it's useless to push for her to take them.

"You hate dealing with the endless paperwork. Hospital gossip! And the bureaucracy!" She studies me and gets serious. "You hate it when you can't help or cure people. And what you hate the most… It's to lose people. Because it makes you feel helpless."

Damn, it's good I'm leaning on the bed. No one's read me that fast or accurately.

"Your fever is going to get worse if you don't get some rest tonight. Why don't you switch with one of the girls since you won't take any meds or listen to my advice."

The hard look she sends me tells me I haven't fooled her and that she knows I'm avoiding confirming her suspicions. But two can play ball.

"Tina just confided in me. I'm staying in case she wakes up."

That answer shows me exactly the kind of person Serena is. And damn, if it wasn't for her job and that she's a pain in the arse who pushes my buttons at every opportunity and treats me like an idiot, I'd think she was the perfect woman. But I don't get to delve into that as she gets up and leaves.

Leaving me hanging. She still hasn't answered my proposal. And I have the administration, and staff, not to mention my father and Beryl's family hackling me and breathing down my back.

If she refuses… I need to find another option… I refuse to get shackled to that kind of life. Taking out our group chat, I text the guys and ask them to come over to my house. Keith has enough employees to cover but I'm not sure if Max or Jack are on night shift. But I need Zack's law knowledge, Jack's strategies, Keith's insight, and Max's steadfastness more than ever. I can't stand asking for help, but I don't know what else to do at this point.

* Hahaha! Of course, I didn't have her answer in this chapter! Had to keep you guys guessing! Will she or will she not agree? How will everyone react!?