Chapter 2 - The Name on My Hospital Badge
At Massachusetts General, everyone suddenly knew my patient.
They just pretended they didn’t.
Doctors became unusually polite.
Security doubled near the trauma unit.
Administrators appeared without being called.
Rafe noticed everything.
“So this is how hospitals treat everyone?”
“No,” I said. “Most patients don’t arrive with six men wearing thousand-dollar suits.”
“Five.”
I glanced through the glass.
“There are six.”
“The sixth isn’t mine.”
I stopped.
Rafe’s expression sharpened.
“Malcolm.”
The door opened immediately.
“Yes?”
“Gray suit. Vending machines.”
Malcolm disappeared.
I stared at Rafe.
“You identified someone through frosted glass?”
“I recognize my own people.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It keeps me alive.”
June entered wearing a small bandage near her hairline.
“I’m officially fine.”
Rafe looked her over.
“Doctor cleared you?”
“Yes, Dad.”
“June.”
“I’m twenty-nine.”
“And?”
“And you’re impossible.”
She turned toward me.
“You’re the nurse from outside.”
“Emma Hayes.”
June smiled.
“Emma Hayes. The first woman I’ve ever seen order my brother around without immediately regretting it.”
Rafe frowned.
“She isn’t ordering me around.”
I pointed toward the bed.
“Lie back.”
He lay back.
June grinned.
“Absolutely incredible.”
“Go home,” Rafe muttered.
“No.”
“June.”
“Emma?”
I looked at her.
“Yes?”
“Is bossiness hereditary?”
“Unfortunately, that’s outside my specialty.”
June laughed.
Rafe almost did.
Almost.
Then Malcolm returned.
“Gray suit belonged to hotel security.”
“Confirmed?”
“Yes.”
Rafe relaxed slightly.
I checked his monitor.
“Your scans look good. No major vascular damage. You’ll need observation.”
“How long?”
“Overnight.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“I have work.”
“You have a hole in your shoulder.”
“I’ve worked through worse.”
“That sentence isn't helping your case.”
His eyes dropped to my badge.
“Emma Hayes.”
Something about the way he said my name made me uncomfortable.
“What?”
“Combat nurse?”
“Former.”
“Where?”
I hesitated.
“Overseas.”
“How long?”
“Four years.”
“And now emergency trauma?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because civilian patients complain less.”
June choked on her coffee.
Rafe actually laughed.
It was brief and low, but real.
Then my phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
I ignored it.
Again.
Unknown number.
Rafe noticed.
“You should answer.”
“I’m working.”
Third call.
I silenced it.
Rafe’s gaze remained on the phone.
“Someone persistent?”
“Collection agency.”
June looked sympathetic.
Rafe said nothing.
That should have been the end of it.
But the following morning, when my shift ended, Malcolm was waiting near the employee exit.
I stopped.
“No.”
“I haven't said anything.”
“You’re Rafe Calder’s security chief waiting beside my car. Whatever you're about to say, no.”
He held out an envelope.
I didn’t take it.
“What is that?”
“Mr. Calder’s appreciation.”
“Absolutely not.”
“It isn’t payment.”
“Then what is it?”
“Open it.”
Inside was a handwritten note.
No money.
No check.
Just six words.
For treating me like everyone else. —R
I looked at Malcolm.
“That’s it?”
“Were you expecting diamonds?”
“I was expecting something illegal.”
Malcolm smiled.
“You disappointed?”
“Relieved.”
I folded the note.
Then noticed something else inside.
A business card.
Rafe Calder.
No company.
No title.
Only a phone number.
On the back, another sentence had been written.
If you ever need someone difficult.
I laughed despite myself.
Then my phone rang again.
Unknown number.
This time I answered.
“Emma Hayes?”
“Yes.”
“This is Charles Bennett from Northbridge Financial. We’re calling regarding your father’s outstanding medical debt.”
My smile disappeared.
“How much?”
The number he gave me made my stomach drop.
I closed my eyes.
Across from me, Malcolm’s expression changed.
He had heard enough.
“Don’t,” I warned him.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Don’t tell Rafe.”
Malcolm hesitated.
Then nodded.
That should have reassured me.
May you like
It didn’t.
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