SECRETS: Passion, Deceit, And Revenge (Beauty 0f Life Book 8)

by Laura Acton

  So upset upon glimpsing his unmoving form, she nearly came undone and raced to his side. She had almost let the cat out of the bag about their relationship. And truthfully, even after receiving a blood infusion, he remained pale enough to be considered one of the undead.

  Her eyes narrowed as Dan kept his eyes closed. What is he doing? His actions and reactions remained challenging to interpret. His mind indeed stepped to a unique beat.

  Jon strode over to Dan’s bed, watching him as Loki’s muttering slowed and stopped. Relieved Dan woke and spoke, Jon reined in his temper, keeping it in check as he said, “Don’t think keeping your eyes shut or your prank revelation is gonna keep you safe from what I’m going to say to you.”

  A soft, deflective chuckle emitted from Dan as he opened his eyes. Nope still there. Sealing them again, Dan said. “Nah, didn’t think it would, but can your lecture wait until the unicorns riding unicycles leave? Your words might bear more impact.”

  Unbidden, Jon chortled. The rookie got under his skin in the strangest ways. “So, you’re pumped full of the good stuff.”

  “Either that or it’s real.” Dan gave everyone a lopsided grin.

  Dr. Fraser entered wearing a smile, having been outside the room checking Dan’s chart, he overheard. “Sorry, Dan, Dr. Ulysses, the urologist, is new and didn’t double check your pain management plan. The chief surgeon had a stern talk with him, and it will not happen again. I tried to sedate you for the duration, but now that you’re awake you may well be in for a bit of a wild ride.”

  Jon patted Dan’s leg. “Okay you’re safe for a while, but we’ll talk soon.”

  On that note, Nick said, “Alright. We will be by to check on you two later. Rest now. Let’s go, Ray that includes you.”

  Bram started to leave with the others but halted. “Loki, your mother will be here about one to deliver the lunch she is making you. Kellie’s driving her.”

  At the door, Ray conveyed, “Your ma said you wouldn’t be eating out for a long time. She’ll be packing all your meals, so you don’t end up sick again.”

  Loki grinned thinking about his ma and shut his lids as sleep claimed him.

  Dr. Fraser pulled the curtain between the patients to provide some privacy and waited until the room cleared before addressing Dan. He shared with him the full details of his physical condition and apologized for being less than truthful with him before Christmas, promising never to do so again.

  After the doctor finished, Dan asked, “When can I leave?”

  A broad smile broke out on Malcolm’s face. “Let’s play it by ear. If all goes well, only a few days. So long as you promise to follow all my instructions.”

  “Deal.”

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Tenth Floor Hallway – 6:10 a.m.

  Lexa halted at the restrooms. “I’ll see you all later. Need to make a pitstop before I head home.” She ducked into the bathroom to wait for the guys to enter the elevator, intending on going back to steal a moment alone with Dan. To pass the time Fraser would spend doing his exam, Lexa splashed water on her face and combed damp fingers through her messy, wavy hair, attempting to appear more presentable.

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1033 – 6:20 a.m.

  Lexa tiptoed into the room past Loki who was fast asleep, lightly snoring. Happy the fabric partition between their beds had not been pushed back, Lexa moved to Dan’s side of the room which was near the window. Dan appeared to be sleeping too, but she now understood looks could be deceiving with him. Her suspicion was proven right as he opened his eyes.

  “Hey, thought everyone left.” Dan grinned. “But I’m glad you came back.”

  Moving to his side, Lexa did what she had yearned to do ever since he was wheeled out on the gurney. Her fingers gently carded through his hair. His sigh and the way he leaned into her hand indicated to her how much he enjoyed the motion. “You scared me. Don’t do that again.”

  Blue eyes peered up at hazel ones, as Dan confessed, “Scared myself.” He clamped his eyes shut. “Oh, man. Wish the unicorns would go away.”

  A giggle escaped Lexa. “Keep them closed if it helps.”

  “It does. Shouldn’t you be going home? You can’t be tired on shift.”

  “I’ll leave in a bit. Glad you fessed up for us. Brilliant idea to claim we pranked him. Though now we’ll need to keep an eye out for his revenge.”

  “Yeah, well, not much fun when people don’t believe you when you tell the truth. Needed to make it up to him.”

  “So you honestly believed your symptoms were only related to bad food?”

  His tone dejected, Dan nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Guess I should make up for not believing you.” Lexa leaned down and brushed her lips against Dan’s.

  Dan lifted his unencumbered arm and pulled Sexy Lexie closer to him, deepening the kiss. This type of making up was fine by him.

  Their interlude abruptly ended after a nurse said, “Sir, you can’t go in there. Visiting hours don’t start until nine,” and was followed by Boss’ voice, “I won’t be long. I forgot to ask my officer something important.”

  Dan’s eyes popped open. Unicorns danced around Lexa, but he focused on the panic in her eyes. Thinking fast, he said, “Thanks for asking. I hate hospital food. Something from Jarmal’s place would be great for dinner.”

  Her heart rate still running a five-minute mile, Lexa scarcely pulled herself together and stepped back as Boss rounded the curtain. Grateful for Dan’s quick thinking, she said, “Okay, I’ll swing by and arrange for something.”

  Halting, Nick’s surprise at finding Lexa there showed in his slacked mouth and raised brows. “Lexa?”

  “Hi, Boss. What are you doing here? Thought you left.” Lexa responded.

  “Could ask you the same.”

  Lexa cringed inwardly as she lied, “Recalled Dan won’t eat hospital meals. Popped back in with an offer to bring him something he likes.”

  His intuition spiking, Nick’s impression that Lexa and Dan were more than just friends niggled at him. The first time the notion came to him was in the Grand Citadel Hotel during the combined NRB interview after the gang war. He still had nothing concrete, but his worry that if they had not yet crossed the line, the potential loomed, which would be dangerous for the entire team.

  Unable to deduce anything more than innocent concern, Nick allowed a soft smile to show. “Did you forget Loki’s ma is bringing lunch for them? They’ll have enough to last a week.”

  A chuckle bubbled out, as Lexa spoke both truth and lie, “Mrs. Baldovino is an excellent cook. Must be more tired than I thought, I already forgot.”

  To redirect the conversation away from Lexa, Dan asked, “You told the nurse you needed to ask me something?”

  Nick turned his attention to Dan whose eyes remained shut. “Hallucination still there?”

  “Yeah, but at least the unicorns aren’t trying to eat me. I’m good so long as I don’t open my eyes.”

  Lexa’s face screwed up in confusion. “Eat you?”

  “Long story.” Dan didn’t want to share the plane crash with them.

  Nick grinned, recalling the sharp-teethed gumballs. “You mean like the hallucinations after you crashed into the china shop in Grandwood Mall?”

  “Sorta. Was thinking more like one-eyed purple people eaters, but … What did you need to ask me?”

  Eyes flicking to Lexa, Nick hoped to address this sensitive issue alone. So opted to start elsewhere. “I attempted to contact your parents. There is no answer at either the home number of the one your father supplied. Do you want me to try again later?”

  “No. Don’t bother.”

  Sharing a concerned glance with Nick before she turned narrowed eyes on her perplexing teammate, Lexa demanded, “Why? I’m sure they would want to know. Especially since the bombing made the newscast.”

  Cracking open his eyes, hoping no single-horned animals pranced around, relieved to find none, Dan peered at them. “Yeah, they would, if they were
anywhere close to any form of technology. My dad surprised my mom with a two-week vacation. They left on the third and won’t return from St. Lucia until the eighteenth.

  “I’m glad they don’t have access to TV, news, or phones. They haven’t vacationed together … well, I possess no memory of them ever taking two weeks to themselves. I’m okay, and I wouldn’t want them cutting their holiday short because of me.”

  “Should we call Becca?” Lexa asked.

  “She’s back in France. I’ll call Scott later.”

  Nick broached his real question in a round-a-bout way. “Dan, with the annual review, you’ll have an opportunity to update your emergency contacts and the person who makes decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. I can bring you the forms if you wish to make changes.”

  Unsure if this was a burden Boss didn’t want to bear Dan averted his gaze as he contemplated if he should alter his contact. Returning to Boss’ warm and understanding hazel eyes, Dan recalled the day he asked if he could put Nick’s name down. He inhaled and released the air gradually.

  Dan thought about his mother’s CFS and how stress often exacerbated her symptoms and the fact his father was out of the country a significant portion of the year. He considered his cousins, Scott would be his choice, but he had so much on his plate with his career and twins on the way.

  “If it isn’t too much to ask, I’d like to keep things as they are. I don’t want them bothered for minor things like this.”

  “Minor?!” Lexa barked as she gripped his hand. “You could’ve died. How the hell is that minor?” The wide-eyed expressions of Boss and Dan served to slap her in the face, making her realize her reaction was over-the-top.

  She dropped Dan’s hand like a hot-potato, clamped her mouth tightly, and crossed her arms as worries raced through her mind. Did I just screw up? What did Boss read from my actions? Please, please, don’t let him figure out our secret. I must be more careful, but dammit, Dan drives me nuts sometimes.

  Nick’s radar went up again. He agreed with her. Dan’s definition of minor in no way reflected reality, but her outburst was out of character for her. Keeping an eye on them seemed much more warranted now. Taking control, he moved his gaze back to Dan. “I agree this is not minor. Another definition we must sort out. That said, you don’t need to change your contact if you don’t want to.”

  Dan nodded. “Thanks.”

  A nurse marched into the room with consternation written all over her face. She tapped her foot as she eyed the two visitors. “My patient requires rest. You may come back during regular visiting hours. Now, please leave.”

  “We are going. See you later, Broderick. We’re gonna discuss what is considered minor and what isn’t. And if you don’t agree with me, I’m gonna bruise your bicep.” Lexa pivoted and hurried from the room, hoping to escape talking with Boss, but realizing the impossibility.

  “Take care. We’ll swing by later. Perhaps Lexa will be cooled down by then.” Nick started to leave but stopped when Dan replied.

  Dan grinned. “Probably not. I tend to tick her off without even trying. And Boss, thanks for agreeing to remain my emergency contact. I meant what I said. My mom doesn’t need to worry about every little scrape I get into.”

  Nick only nodded then turned and left the room.

  Demigods and Demons

  12

  January 7

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1033 – 9:30 a.m.

  Jennie Hermann checked on her two patients. Both sleeping restfully, she went about documenting their vitals. She listened to the radio newscast about the bomb at Kolff Research last night and was surprised when she came on shift to find she would be caring for the two heroic officers injured in the incident.

  She hated kicking out the teammates earlier, but she was a firm believer they required quiet and rest. To that end, she zealously kept an eye out for anyone endeavoring to violate visiting hours. Including the man who tried to enter their room an hour ago. He had not been too pleased and hurried off as he pulled his cap lower on his head and muttered something in Spanish. He didn’t bother to wait for the elevator and slipped into the stairwell.

  Jennie stopped and smiled at the handsome Italian man. Overhearing the TRF officers’ conversation, she learned of his extraordinary technical skills and abilities and of his willingness to risk his life, like the heroes of legend, for the city and his trapped teammates. Dante Baldovino is a heroic guardian of Toronto like Aeneas was a defender of Rome. With his aquiline features and a physique of Greco-Roman wrestler, he resembles the demigod whose sons founded the great city.

  She resisted the urge to reach out and brush the lock of black hair from his forehead. A soft sigh emitted from Jennie as she moved away from the honorable warrior wishing she could … well, kiss him.

  Abandoned Warehouse – 10:15 a.m.

  Ramon entered the warehouse and frowned. Unhappy with the way things were being handled, he stomped in and plopped into one of the chairs dotting the interior. He turned his gaze on the current leader and said, “We need to shoot him and be done with all this crap. Indirect isn’t the way we operate.”

  “Shut up, Ramon.”

  Ramon growled, “Rat, no real names. Ever! Or you will be a dead rat.”

  Cowering, recognizing his error, Luis backed off. “Sorry, Panther.”

  Rising, Pitbull said, “While Machete’s in prison I’m in charge. We will do precisely as my older brother directs. We make the traitor pay for the deaths he caused until Machete is released. Then and only then will he die. Machete wants the honor of killing him for himself.” Turning to Panther, he asked, “So what did you find out at the hospital?”

  Panther put his shoes up on the table. “Not much. A nurse prevented me from entering the room. I’m not sure who ended up hurt. Wish we could’ve gotten more explosives. Do you think Smellie will talk?”

  “No. He is aware of the death sentence he faces if he opens his mouth. And that we’ll wipe out his entire family.” Pitbull sat on the edge of the billiards table and stared off in thought.

  “The stuff from Runming’s brother didn’t do much. We needed something stronger.” Two-shots said as he twirled a revolver around his finger.

  “All in due time. How is your work going?” Pitbull shifted his gaze to his charismatic brother. He only needed to smile, and women fell at his feet.

  Two-shots grinned. “Fine. Thersea has no idea of the real purpose. She is so easy to manipulate. Though, she needs a couple of months. Hard to hack into the systems without leaving any trace.”

  “What’da we do until then?” Rat’s beady eyes gleamed.

  “I thought of a few ideas, but we need not rush. Machete won’t be out until Two-shots’ plan executes. For now, we go about business as usual.” The others nodded as he racked the balls. “Who wants to play?”

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1033 – 10:30 a.m.

  Nose in the corner, tears running down his face unchecked. Miserable as the verbal lashing persisted, he wished to fade into nothing. I’m not good enough for him. He hates me for living. I’ll never be the son he wanted. The unexpected strike to his back made him scream in pain as he fell to the floor and balled up, his eyes squeezing tight wondering if his father would hit him again. Venturing to open them, he cried out again, unable to stop the baseball bat. He ruined everything.

  Startled awake by a sound, Dan’s eyes scanned the area as his ears strained to discern the source. Detecting the origin, he turned and stared at the curtain.

  When another whimper sounded, Dan cautiously pushed himself up, swinging his legs off the mattress. Understanding he was violating doctor’s orders to remain in bed for twenty-four hours, he didn’t give a damn … a member of his new family needed help. Gripping the IV pole for support, he gingerly moved toward the privacy partition, pulling the draping back.

  He found Loki curled up in his bed, with his arms protecting his head as he whined and moaned. Concern skyrocketed. “Loki. Hey, b
uddy. What’s wrong? Need me to get the nurse?”

  Shuffling to Loki’s side, Dan rested against the bedside as he reached out a hand. Touching his teammate’s shoulder, he jiggled him lightly. “Hey, Loki.” Comprehending Loki was dreaming and not awake, he shook harder. “Wake up. Loki, you’re dreaming.”

  When confused brown eyes fluttered open, Dan adopted a friendly grin. “You alright?”

  Peering at Dan, Loki’s world righted itself. He was no longer in the corner of the family room being punished by his stepfather. His hand moved to the cut on the side of his head and touched the gauze as he unfurled, pulling the blanket up to cover his bare butt.

  “Should I press the call button?” When Loki only stared at him, Dan queried, “Do you need more pain meds?”

  “No.” Loki’s eyes dropped trying to figure out what triggered that memory. His gaze landed on Lucille’s gear. He chewed his lower lip as a tear slipped out. Brushing the smooth metal, he understood why now.

  Dan recognized grief. His grip on the pole increased as his body strongly protested standing. He glanced around and found a chair. With slow, deliberate movements, he pulled the seat close to Loki’s bed and lowered himself into the plastic chair. “You want to talk, Loki?”

  “Had a bad dream,” Loki said without meeting Dan’s eyes.

  “Thought I’m the only one supposed to have nightmares. Can I help?”

  Lifting his eyes, Loki wiped away the tears. “I’m fine.”

  Dan cocked his head to the side and pinned Loki with a questioning mien.

  Realizing his word choice, Loki only nodded. “Yeah, fine is the right term.”

  “Wanna talk? I’ll listen. If you don’t, that’s okay, too.”

  Loki blew out a breath. If he wanted to earn Dan’s trust, he needed show he trusted Dan. He shared some of his past with Lexa, and he had not died of shame, so … he took another breath. “Lucille is not the first robot I lost. When I was twelve, I worked real hard to build one for a school competition. The day before projects were due, I was having trouble with getting the gears to move correctly. All the pieces I used had been scrounged up.”