by Aliyah Burke
His boots made very little noise as he walked across marble floors, spotless marble floors, after his host. The lights gleamed, and he searched for the sign of anyone else. There had to be more people in here.
Down a softly lit hallway, he was led into a bright room where two people lay on stainless steel tables, blood streaming from wounds. Mind kicking into medic gear, he swiftly approached. “All I can do is patch them. You’ll need a real doctor in here to do more delicate work.”
“I’m not a nice man. These two die, so do you.”
“Guess I should get to work, then.” He reached for a pair of gloves and snapped them on, stepping toward the more severe of the two.
After cauterizing one leg and patching the other man up, Tate turned to find a young woman there, holding a drink as he removed the bloodied gloves. She wore a strapless bikini top and a short sarong. Black braided hair framed her heart-shaped face. She didn’t hold his gaze long, dipped her head, and offered out the drink once more.
“Thank you,” he said, accepting the offer.
His back and neck hurt from standing over the two bodies. He wasn’t cut out to be a doctor or nurse. Holding the drink beneath his nose, he tried to see if there was anything in it. He couldn’t detect anything and took a slight sip. Water with a light hint of lemon in it.
She blinked once then walked away, just as silently as she’d arrived. He returned to the two unconscious men.
“Did you save them?”
“They’re alive, for now, but you need to get them to a hospital. Like I told you, I’m not a doctor. I’ve done nothing but put a Band-Aid on a bigger wound, and if it comes off too soon, they will die.”
“You think it wise to tell me that?” He stepped up beside Tate.
“I think it’s stupid to lie to you. Besides, if they do die, I don’t want you to believe I was hiding something from you.” He finished his drink.
“You are either very brave or very foolish. I’m not yet sure which.”
“Can I go back, now? I have another patient I have to check on. I don’t want to disappoint Dr. Schovanec.”
He crossed his arms and scowled. “I gave my word. I will have someone take you back.”
Seated in the truck, Tate was tense as they moved along. He wasn’t sure what to make of all this. Warlords rarely let people go. Hence, why they got the name warlord. Also odd for two brothers to be on opposite sides from one another. As they raced over the landscape, he realized he still didn’t know the man’s name.
αβ
Her fingers gripped the sheets, hard enough to bleed the crimson color from them. Her hair was loose, hanging around her sweat-dotted face. Throat raw from her cries, yet more escaped as the man behind her surged forward, filling her again. Back and forth he thrust, filling, withdrawing, and filling again.
It was too much, yet she still needed more. He stretched her to the border of pain, but all she experienced was the most intense of pleasure. Fire flowed through her veins as she ascended to the pinnacle of her journey. He threaded a hand in her hair, tugging to give a slight bite of pain.
His words didn’t make sense, jumbled, deep, but the sex it made her envision heightened the situation. Sex upon sex.
He pulled again, drawing her head back farther. The hand on her hip tightened, clenching tight, holding her secure. Making her feel cherished. Wanted. Needed.
She turned to look at him, desperate to see the emotion in his eyes, wanting to see if it’s like what she felt. She dragged her gaze up his naked torso, over the powerful muscles and up to his face.
Intense electric blue eyes peered back at her. Heated with flames straight from the belly of a volcano. His hair fell forward over his forehead, and she licked her lips, wanting to taste him. Her lids fluttered as he pushed forth once more.
“Watch me,” he commanded, voice low and addicting.
“I want… I want… Fuck,” she uttered.
Words failed her. She couldn’t formulate a single sentence. She squeezed her eyes shut then opened them, again. Who knew staring at this man could do so much to her insides.
“I have what I want, Albany. And, after this, I’m telling you, I’m all in.” He delivered several more powerful strokes that had her shivering in the aftermath. “I want it all with you, everything. The good, the bad, and whatever the fuck else that comes along.” Even more thrusts. “Tell me you understand.”
She wasn’t sure she did, but she nodded anyway.
“No, tell me my name. I want you to say it.”
Formulate the words. Speak them aloud so he can hear them. The mantra ran over and over in her mind.
Her lover withdrew until just the tip of him remained inside her. “I can’t hear thoughts. I want the words falling from those lips of yours. I’ll tell you, again. I want to hear the words.”
“I understand.” It took her three tries to get the sentence out.
“My name,” he ordered. “Tell me.”
“Tate.”
Albany gasped and jerked up in bed, sweat running down her face in rivulets. She swore and swung her legs over the bed and got to her feet. “This is not something that I need to be dreaming. Christ, I can’t afford to be infatuated with the man whose sole purpose of being here at my clinic is to use me as a cover.”
Her lips twitched. She wouldn’t mind being his cover. Lying over his hard body. Or under it, either way would be fine for her.
“This can’t possibly be happening,” she muttered. Padding to the chair, she grabbed some clothing from her bag then made her way to the shower where she got ready for her day. The halls were silent as she walked to the front of the hospital. Making her way to the break room, she began a cup of coffee.
“Can’t really call it a break room, more like a break station.” It was just a small table against the wall holding an old coffee maker, sugar, and some powdered creamer. The percolator barely worked, but as long as it continued to brew her a cup when she needed it, she would keep it.
She stirred sugar into the liquid then carried it out the front entrance where she propped a shoulder against a post. No time like the present to get some questions answered. Albany enjoyed the rich aroma as the sun crested the land. While she drank, she withdrew her phone. Scrolling through the list, she located the one she sought then pressed the button.
It rang three times before a laugh-tinged voice filtered over the line. “How’s things over in Cameroon, Albany?”
“Wonderful, Autumn. You know how much I love being in Africa. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. So, what’s up?” The music in her background turned down a bit. “Finally calling to get a new coffee pot instead of that old rattletrap you currently have?”
“Hey, now,” she said in mock disapproval as a smile tilted her lips. “I’ll have you know it still works.” Occasionally.
“I’m surprised you’ve not picked something up from it. Hasn’t it exploded, yet?”
“No, my pot’s a trooper. Although the noise it made this morning is a warning I shouldn’t ignore.”
“It’s been making noises since you purchased it all those years ago; how is this morning any different?”
“Point taken. And while I can’t lie and say an espresso or a mocha wouldn’t be great some mornings, I’ll take what I can get.”
“You do realize that, if I fly to Cameroon merely with the purpose of getting you a new coffee pot, that’s going to be one expensive pot.”
“Well,” she chided playfully. “You would get to see me, as well, you know. Some would consider it nice to see family.”
“Makes me think you believe I actually like you, cousin.”
“I’m your favorite. You’ve said that a million times.” Albany drank some more coffee.
“I also drank a lot before.”
“True, your brother really wasn’t pleased with you polishing off all those bottles of his cooking sherry.”
Laughter filled her ear. “Damn chefs. Really, though, what’s up
?”
The time had come for Albany to ask, and she found herself hesitating. It wasn’t a secure channel, and she had no wish to blow Tate’s cover, but she needed to know how good his intel was. His weapons and Sat phone were top of the line so there was impressive bank or resources behind it.
“I’m in the hospital at Lomié so not near the items, but when I got my new assistant, Tate, he came with a shipment of meds. Ones we really needed, and I was wondering if you could contact the company and get me the name of who sent them. I’d love to do a thank you to them.”
“Sure thing. What’s the company’s name?”
“Altur Pharm.”
“Of course. Guess it’s hard for you to do that with such spotty reception.”
As if on cue, her phone began losing signal. “Not easy, for sure. Since I’m about to lose signal completely, let me get going. Also, I’m always up for a new coffee pot.”
“I’m not the rich doctor. I’ll see what I can find out and get back to you. Take care of yourself.” The call disconnected.
She walked away from the hospital, shoving her phone into her pocket, needing to think. Located on the edge of the town, she had spent many mornings while she was here watching herds of antelope move by. This one was more of the same. The herd meandered as if they didn’t care they trailed by a city.
Certainly didn’t have this kind of view in Memphis. She strolled along and drank the rest of her coffee. I hope she got what message I was trying to convey. All she has to do is get the message to Tungsten, and they can check it out for me. The knowledge allayed her fears somewhat.
She occasionally did work for Tungsten Protective Services, mending up their injured, typically off the books. She was paid handsomely for her work and kept discreet about it. The owners of the company, Scott Harrington and Tyson Kincade, had approached her about joining permanently, a few times, but she preferred to be a doctor to those who couldn’t afford it. But she knew the men and understood they would come if she was ever in need.
Albany walked back to the hospital, met and talked with the staff then got ready for her first patient. She was heading back to her place tonight. Her week was up. Always bittersweet. She enjoyed it here but did miss her clinic.
“James picking you up?”
Another doctor, Henry Forsythe, walked up behind her.
“Hey, Henry. How’s it going? Yes, he’s taking me back.”
“Why don’t you stay here instead of going back out there? At least here you’ve got a modicum of protection. There’s nothing out there other than fighting sides.”
She squeezed his arm. “I know it’s not perfect out there, but it is mine. Besides, my clinic seems to be neutral property.” At least for the moment.
“If it was anyone else, they would not be so lenient.”
“I’m aware of that. And, honestly, I’ve no idea why they allow me to get away with it, but since they do, I’m there, and there I’ll stay.”
“Where are you off to after this?”
“Right now, I’m on my way to a broken leg, then I get to see about a pregnant girl.”
Henry frowned. “How old?”
“Not old enough to be in the condition she is, that’s for sure.” She smiled at him. “I have to go. Give your grandbabies a hug for me.”
“Will do. And, if you have time, do come for dinner tonight before you head back out.”
“I’ll see about it.” She waved and walked away. Albany had taken the pregnant client because she knew Henry would be upset. The child was his granddaughter’s age. Twelve. She entered her first exam room and smiled at the young man there, who did his best to smile back despite the pain he was in.
During the day, as she neared her time to head back to her clinic, there was on constant in her mind. Tate. The man who’d been haunting her dreams and making her wish for one night with him or a vibrator with a good number of batteries at hand. As much as she hated to admit it, he had gotten to her, on every level.
Chapter Four
Tate wiped the sweat from his brow as they finished the fencing around the compound containing the clinic. The blood had been increasingly drawing wild animals. So, they needed to protect the patients and the few children who lived near in the huts close by.
They’d been working on it for three days. Ever since he’d been dropped back off from attending the victims at the mansion. Not exactly a fencing he would have expected to put up, but it’s not like there was a hardware store up the street he was allowed to grab some chain link fence parts and slap it up. Luckily, they did have some items that were working.
Off in the distance, dust kicked up as a vehicle neared. His heart thudded harder, and he swore as his hand slipped, allowing a splinter to shove up deep into his flesh. Focus. Damn it, don’t be thinking about Albany and keep my mind on the task at hand. Three damn days and I get through fine, but the mere thought that she may be almost back, I injure myself.
He’d been worried about her. Missed seeing her. There was something about her that made him want to hold her, protect her, kiss her. Put his mission aside for one night and indulge in the passion he witnessed simmering below her surface.
“Be right back,” he called, staring at the hand and the blood welling up in the cut along his palm.
He jogged to the entrance of the clinic and ducked out of the brilliant sun. Making his way back to the room where supplies were stored, he waited for his eyes to adjust. Easily thirty degrees cooler in the shade, he made a mental note to drink more water. He’d just finished flushing out his cut and was about to begin bandaging it when he froze.
“I hear you were injured, and took a trip to The Mansion.”
She was back. He took a deep breath, only to frown over the strong scent of antiseptic. Glancing over one shoulder, he raked his eyes over her form. Fine and safe.
“Welcome back, boss.”
She strode closer, her ponytail swaying with each assured step she took. Albany beckoned, and he stared. “Hand. Let me finish.”
“I’ve got it.”
“I’m sure you do, but I’m here.” She took his hand in her strong grip and drew it nearer to her body. She was close enough now he could smell her. The intoxicating fragrance of lilacs. “Doctor’s orders.”
“You’ve got me, Doc.”
“Wouldn’t that be nice,” she muttered.
Tate wasn’t sure he was supposed to hear it, but he had, and he ran with it. Leaning closer to her heart-shaped face with those damn plump lips he longed to nibble on, he whispered, “I think it would be sensational.”
While her grip on him remained steady, he couldn’t dismiss the whimper and flutter in her pulse. She wrapped his hand, expertly tying off a small knot in the gauze to keep it in place. When she released him and went to step back, he turned his hand and gripped her wrist, anchoring her in place. Her brown gaze flew up to his, and he bit back a groan of his own. Her eyes were such a clear brown; he’d never seen anything like it. Part of him wanted to compare it to something, but he couldn’t quite come up with the proper comparison.
“Have dinner with me tonight.”
She parted her lips and slid nearer yet. “We always have dinner together.”
“I don’t mean with everyone else; I mean you and me.”
Her eyes grew wider as she moved them from his gaze down to his lips and back. He wanted to gather her up close, wrap his arms tight around her, so he could feel every inch of her body along his.
“I don’t think it’s a wise idea.”
“Why not? Is there someone else?”
“No, but it’s not smart.”
“One reason why?”
“I make it a rule not to get involved with people I work with. And you, well, you…you’re…”
“I’m what?” He wasn’t sure he liked the direction of this discussion.
“Here for other things,” she muttered as if there were other ears listening in.
“And if I say meeting you is about that othe
r thing I’m here for?”
“That’s business; I would have to meet.”
“Good, I’ll be going to your hut now but meet me in your office after we eat.” He dipped his head to her ear. “Anyone ever tell you how much you smell like yellow lilacs?” Then, he walked away, back out into the sunlight so his body temperature could cool down after being in such close proximity to Albany.
As the sun began to set, they finished the final bit of the fence. He had to admit, he felt better knowing she was behind the barrier at night. Yes, he knew better than to assume that would totally stop a warlord from coming in or, hell, just shooting an RPG through it to her hut, but for some reason, it helped. They all ate outside the clinic, dining on meat roasted on skewers and fufu.
Later on, after the darkness had taken over the land and the fence had been shut, he said goodnight to the children and headed back in the building to do a final check on the patients. They still had the boy whose mom and aunt carried him there; the women were being treated for malnutrition and dehydration as the boy recovered from his surgery.
He just finished checking the stock and stepped back in the main room of beds when Albany walked through the door. She’d put her hair back to pigtails and had another one of her cute shirts on.
This one had the old Batman and Robin, when Adam West played the Caped Crusader. Below the duo, it read, Some days, you just can’t get rid of a bomb! –Adam West
He wasn’t sure where she got them, but they made him smile. Out here, in the middle of nowhere, despite the fact she was doctoring in a land where there were warlords on either side of her, she still managed to bring some of her to the table. He admired that in her. Tate waited for her to finish talking to the women. He’d noticed she spoke numerous different dialects.
An impressive lady, for sure. Her last stop was the boy. She sat by his bed, whispering and nodding before tucking the blanket up to his arms. Before she left him, she brushed a kiss over his forehead. She turned the lights off as she made her way to the office. Tate followed, shutting the door behind them.
