Savage Peril: Military Romantic Suspense (Stealth Security Book 6)

by Emily Jane Trent

  The outpatient clinic at the Greater Los Angeles Veteran’s Administration was a multistoried beige concrete building. It wasn’t a place Gunner preferred to hang out, but he had no choice that day. Sometimes, his ankle acted up, despite the stretching routine and wrapping it.

  When the pain became more than nagging discomfort—and escalated to a hindrance to his mobility—Gunner made a visit to the hospital for a cortisone injection. One injection handled the issue for a long while, so he didn’t have to go through this often.

  He pulled into the parking lot, found a space on the second floor, then headed for the entrance to the clinic. The sterile environment didn’t do much for him, but he would be in and out quickly. If the doctor wasn’t running behind, this shouldn’t take long at all.

  The waiting room was fairly full, which wasn’t promising. Gunner signed in and took a seat, then stretched his leg out to flex his ankle. It wasn’t long before the nurse called him back, and he followed her down the hallway to an examination room.

  “The doctor will be with you shortly,” the nurse said after escorting him to the room.

  Gunner sat down, hoping he wouldn’t wait long. Maybe it didn’t hurt that bad after all. He could swing by the drugstore and get something to deal with the pain. Instead, he stayed put because he had already tried the home remedies.

  The chair was uncomfortable, so Gunner stood to read posters tacked to the wall. Then there was a tap on the door before it opened. A gorgeous woman stepped inside. This medical appointment was certainly looking up.

  “Hello, I’m Doctor Waters,” she said. “Gunner Cantrell?”

  Gunner took in her beauty. Gazing down at her, he judged her to be just over five feet tall. She had blond hair twisted into a clip, and eyes as blue as the sky. The lab coat didn’t do her justice, but he didn’t miss her slender but shapely figure.

  “You can sit on the exam table, if you like.”

  Gunner hopped up there, willing to do much more than that. What he would like to do, he had better not say. But he was sure that the doc noticed his interest. “You’re not the usual staff doctor. If you were, I’d be coming in here a lot more often.”

  The doctor gave him a smile that melted his heart. “I own a pain clinic in Santa Monica, but I volunteer here. It gets pretty busy, and I like to help out.”

  “What’s your first name?”

  After a slight hesitation, she said, “Lori…which puts us on a first-name basis. So, how’s that ankle?”

  Gunner knew the routine, so he told her about the pain and a bit of the history. Meanwhile, he didn’t take his eyes off her. Although she handled it well, she had to be aware of the attention.

  “I’m going to give you a shot, like the doctor did a few months ago,” Lori said. “I’d like to tell you that it won’t hurt, but…”

  “No problem,” Gunner said. “I’ve had worse.” He felt different around Lori, but he couldn’t say why. She was a doctor, albeit a beautiful one. But there was something about her. Then he noticed that she looked sad.

  “Did something happen?” Gunner blurted out his thought, in his usual style. He was used to being blunt and found the social graces awkward—but he wondered if he had blown it. Maybe Lori would think that question was too personal for a first appointment.

  Lori furrowed her brow, making Gunner want to run his fingertip down her forehead. “What do you mean?”

  “You look unhappy, that’s all,” Gunner said. “I wonder why.”

  Lori looked at the clipboard and scribbled a note. “You’re pretty direct.”

  “I’ve been told that,” Gunner said. “I shouldn’t pry. After all, we just met.”

  Lori looked into his eyes, and Gunner’s heart skipped a beat. “My father died recently. I was very close to him. I suppose I don’t hide my grief well.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about your father.”

  The rest of the appointment, Gunner chewed on that news. While Lori prepped his ankle, he thought about her. She wasn’t much younger than he was and shouldn’t be burdened with grief. A death in the family was difficult.

  Gunner wished he could do something to make Lori feel better. His protective instincts kicked in and he wanted to shield her from difficulties—only he didn’t know her. The inclination to ask her out had to be suppressed, as it wouldn’t go over well.

  Lori held the syringe. “Ready?”

  The shot didn’t hurt as much as Gunner expected. His heart ached more for Lori than his body hurt from the needle. There was something special about her. It wasn’t only her beauty. She was capable and intelligent, qualities that Gunner liked in a woman.

  But what was he thinking?

  Gunner wasn’t looking for a relationship. He would like to take Lori out, that was all. And boost her spirits if he could. But it wasn’t in the cards. She finished up then walked toward the door. “You can go, Gunner. Call if you need more help with that ankle.”

  Lori paused, and Gunner sat there like a lump. Then she disappeared, probably out of his life for good. It was a bummer, but there wasn’t much he could do. Running after her in the VA and asking for a date wasn’t going to win her over. And Gunner was a bit light on charm; he lacked finesse.

  As Gunner put his shoe back on, he regretted not pushing the issue. He should have talked to her more, asked how her dad died. The opportunity had passed. It wasn’t like he didn’t have dates. Women seemed to gravitate to his strength. But he didn’t want a date—he wanted Lori.

  Gunner couldn’t fathom what had gotten into him, but all the way back to the office, he couldn’t stop thinking about Lori. It wasn’t only that she was sad. There was much more going on under the surface. He wished that he knew what it was so he could help her. Yet it wasn’t his business, and he would be smart to stay out of it.

  Lori Waters wasn’t a woman to date and forget. Gunner could get attached to her. He already was, and he’d met her less than an hour ago. But that wasn’t what he wanted. He wasn’t relationship material; he’d only disappoint her.

  Gunner had to let it go. He would go back to work, and hopefully, Travis would have a new client for him. If he was lucky, it would require long hours and tremendous focus. Then he wouldn’t have a chance to think about Lori.

  Chapter 3

  Lori shut the exam room door, leaving Gunner alone. She took a deep breath before moving on, trying to regain her composure. The attraction was strong, making her wonder if she’d concealed her reaction to him.

  As Lori walked down the hallway, she attempted to subdue her emotions. It wasn’t often that she responded to a man like that. But he was a hunk, that was for sure. At over six feet tall and built solid, Gunner was an intimidating figure.

  Yet Lori found him sexy. It was more his attitude than his looks. Those pumped muscles, strong shoulders, and rock-hard chest caught her eye.

  He had been a Navy SEAL, so he was expected to be physically fit. But Gunner had qualities beyond that. He had been curious, so asked why Lori was sad. That was very perceptive of him, not a trait she was used to in a man. Yet she had been reluctant to reveal too much. The more she spoke to him, the greater the chance that her feelings would be obvious.

  That could be embarrassing. Lori was a doctor, so was duty-bound to keep things professional. The doctor/patient relationship was sacred; she had a responsibility to make it safe for a patient. Then a random thought occurred to her.

  Once a month, Lori volunteered at the VA, so Gunner couldn’t be a regular patient. She hadn’t seen him before, and might not see him again. That was a depressing thought. But it wouldn’t be against any rules to get to know him, as long as she wasn’t his regular physician.

  Lori couldn’t fathom where her mind was going. There was no guarantee that Gunner had any interest in her, other than concern about her happiness. And she had just met him, which meant that she should forget the encounter.

  For the rest of the morning, Lori treated patients, trying to give each her best—although h
er mind was elsewhere. When the shift ended, she went to the ladies’ room to splash water on her face and look in the mirror. She couldn’t recall when a man had stirred such desire.

  She dried her face and clutched the towel, thinking of her engagement and how it had been odd for her. Although she had clung to the notion that she wanted to marry Matt, the chemistry had been off. Despite a list of reasons why Matt was a good choice, she hadn’t been in love.

  That had been difficult to admit, but it was true. Lori had no business getting involved with any man so soon after her failed engagement. Clearly, she didn’t make good decisions. Giving in to her attraction to a patient had disaster written all over it.

  But good sense didn’t overpower Lori’s urge to see Gunner again. On her way to the parking lot, she envisioned how virile he had looked. In response, her skin tingled and her cheeks warmed. The memory was nearly as powerful as the encounter.

  Lori had to get a grip. Gunner had been a nice break in her routine, but no more. He was gone and that was the end of it. She could dream about him, as there was no harm in that. But the chances of seeing him again were slim. If she was smart, she would be sure not to take a shift at the VA on a day that Gunner had an appointment. That was the only way.

  Lori prided herself in having control, but she hadn’t encountered attraction like this before. It felt like swooning for a heartthrob in a movie or falling for a book boyfriend. Only Gunner was all too real. She’d best stay away.

  *****

  Before returning to the clinic, Lori met her best friend for lunch. She had met Jessie Scott in med school and they had been close ever since. It would be good to get together and have a friend to talk to. Since her father’s death, Lori hadn’t done much socializing.

  They met at a Taiwanese café that wasn’t far from Jessie’s office. The honey-walnut shrimp was delicious, and Lori’s mouth was already watering. Maybe the morning had stirred more than desire; she was hungry. She had her appetite back.

  Jessie called out, and Lori spotted her across the parking lot.

  Her friend was dressed for business. Jessie was a dermatologist and operated a thriving practice. Her specialty was skin care and anti-aging. She also treated skin cancer, and Lori saw her yearly for a routine check. Also, her friend recommended beauty products.

  “Hey, Jess, good to see you.”

  Jess walked over, her long brown hair bobbing in a ponytail. She gave Lori a hug. “It’s been so long. We have a lot to catch up on.”

  Lunchtime was busy at the restaurant, but Lori managed to get a table for them. The place wasn’t fancy. It had white walls, parquet flooring, and laminate tables with plastic chairs. The food was the draw, and the restaurant buzzed with activity.

  The waitress came by to take orders, then a Lori smiled at her friend. “It’s nice to have a break.” Lori noted Jess’s glowing skin, requiring little makeup. She wore eyeliner to accent her dark brown eyes, but not much else.

  “I brought you something,” Jess said, handing over a tiny floral bag. “You have to try that. It’s a sample. You’ll love it.”

  Lori peered inside the bag.

  “It’s a moisturizer that makes your skin so soft,” Jess said. “It’s a brand you’ve used before.”

  The drinks arrived, and Lori put the bag aside to take a sip of iced tea. “What’s new with you?”

  “I’ve added another dermatologist to the practice,” Jess said. “The clientele has grown, and I need to care for my patients. The new doctor is a plastic surgeon, so will fill a much-needed specialty.”

  “That’s great to hear,” Lori said. “What about Allen and the kids?” Jess had been married for ten years and had two adorable daughters. Her husband worked in the financial district with investment bankers. Lori didn’t know the details, but he provided well for his family and was a great husband.

  “The girls are really involved in school,” Jess said. “You remember when you were in grade school?” She paused. “Yeah, me either, but trust me, there are a lot of activities. My husband helps with the driving and even picks them up after school when I don’t get off in time.”

  “I envy you,” Lori said. “It must be nice to have a partner you can count on.”

  “I am lucky,” Jess said. “But you’ll get your chance. I understand Matt didn’t last?”

  “Nope, not my type after all,” Lori said. She immediately thought of Gunner but held back on bringing that up.

  “That’s too bad,” Jess said. “He is an eligible bachelor, good looking and all.”

  “He has a lot going for him, I suppose,” Lori said. “But you don’t really know a man until you break up.”

  “That’s an odd thing to say.”

  “During the engagement, Matt turned on the charm,” Lori said. “I should listen to my gut feeling more often. It didn’t seem right, but I accepted that it was my issue, not his. I was too picky and needed to do my part to make the relationship work.”

  “You weren’t even married yet.”

  “True, but it felt like it sometimes.”

  The meals arrived, so they took a few minutes to focus on food.

  Jess lifted her glass to signal the waiter to refill her Diet Coke. “How are you doing, anyway…besides the broken engagement? I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since the funeral.”

  “I’m not handling it very well,” Lori said. “But I’m sure that losing a father is traumatic for anyone.”

  “Yes, but still…I know you were very close to him,” Jess said. “I adored your father too. He was a good man, devoted to the clinic and to his family.” She dabbed a napkin over her mouth. “It was so sudden. That has to be harder to deal with.”

  It occurred to Lori that her friend might have insight into the mystery of her father’s death. Dermatology wasn’t only about beauty and anti-aging. Jess dealt with conditions such as skin inflammations, infections, and even hair loss. There was one aspect of her father’s condition that Lori had nearly forgotten about.

  “Maybe you can help me,” Lori said. “I told you about my father’s symptoms and how I was sure he had a virus. But the coroner mentioned something.”

  “What was it?”

  “Hair loss,” Lori said. “My father had no baldness, only a receding hairline. But after he died, one odd condition was noted. There was a patch of hair missing on the back of his head. His hair had fallen out.”

  “That doesn’t fit with a virus,” Jess said. “There are many reasons for hair loss. Thinning hair can be genetic or caused by stress. To determine the medical cause, I’d have to do a blood test and examine scalp tissue under a microscope.”

  “I wish I’d known about the hair loss sooner,” Lori said. “When I spoke to my father during his illness, he didn’t mention that—maybe due to embarrassment. Only…”

  “What are you thinking?”

  “I worked with my father and saw him daily,” Lori said. “I would have noticed. Except at the end he was ill, so he stayed at home. I spoke to him but hadn’t seen him in about five days.”

  “It’s possible the hair loss wasn’t a gradual thinning,” Jess said. “There are other reasons for hair loss, like an allergy or a reaction to a medication.”

  “Those items were listed as a possible cause of his sudden respiratory failure, too.”

  Jess looked thoughtful. “Since you’re asking…”

  “Yes, what?”

  “There is one cause that is less common than an undiagnosed allergy,” Jess said. “Toxicity…that can cause hair loss.”

  Lori couldn’t believe that she hadn’t thought of that. “You’re right. If my father breathed or ingested a toxic substance, that could have caused an acute reaction that resulted in respiratory failure.”

  “Right, poison would do that,” Jess said. “But why would your father have come into contact with a substance that was deadly?”

  The discussion renewed Lori’s interest in investigating the circumstances surrounding her father’s
death. Poisoning might be an extreme theory, but something was amiss. There was a piece of the puzzle she was missing, and she intended to find out what it was.

  *****

  Lori returned to the clinic in time to see her afternoon patients. For a few hours, she focused on her duties. After the last patient, the nurse asked to speak with her. Sarah Phillips had been with the clinic for years, and Lori trusted her like a friend.

  Sarah was an attractive woman in her thirties. She was a dedicated member of the staff, and Lori was glad to have her. While the administrative staff finished the remaining tasks and prepared to close the clinic, Lori went to her office with the nurse.

  “It’s good to have you back from your trip,” Sarah said. “We can manage for a while without you, but it isn’t the same.”

  “I understand,” Lori said. “It’s especially difficult for all of us without my father.”

  “Very true,” Sarah said. “You are in charge now, so I suppose I’ll be coming to you with any problems.”

  “Of course.”

  “Well, that’s why I wanted to talk to you privately,” Sarah said. “It’s about the supply orders, particularly the drugs and injections.”

  “Did our suppliers deliver?”

  “It’s not that,” Sarah said. “I’m reluctant to bring this up, but there have been inconsistencies. I usually unpack and store the supplies. I keep track of our usage and place orders when we need to refill.”

  “There’s a problem with that?”

  “I mentioned this to Matt when you were away,” Sarah said. “But he was touchy on the subject. I assume he didn’t mention this to you?”

  “No, he didn’t, or I would tell you.”

  “Some orders have been excessive,” Sarah said. “Matt is my supervisor and seemed to feel that I was making accusations. I definitely was not.”

  “You can share your concerns.”

  “Where is the excess going?” Sarah said. “I hate to be so direct, but we need reorders at the usual intervals. Yet we are ordering in larger quantity, plus some items that we haven’t needed before. I’m baffled by it and felt obligated to make you aware.”