Chapter 41 Javi
Glancing around my new office, I wrinkle my nose in distaste.
I’m definitely going shopping. There’s a metal filing cabinet (ugly), a dark walnut desk that looks brand new but is lacking all personality, and a good office chair—not that I’ll be sitting in it much.
The computer… Really, I expected better. Isn’t Hollis a tech guy?
But still, there’s no artwork. Hell, not even a fake plant.
White walls…so boring and unoriginal. It’s fucking horrible here.
But that’s fine. I’ll just charge them extra for decorating.
I’m not going to see subjects in a sterile room.
I hope they have something better for the therapists I plan on recruiting…
Sighing, I lock my folders in the file cabinet, sliding the key in my pocket, next to my favorite knife. I have a couple on me at all times, but the one I carry in my pocket is special. It’s from my first vengeance kill, and was a gift from Ely when I passed my psychological evaluation.
I exit the room they’ve given me in the medical wing, unfortunately, and go to hunt down the other doctors working here.
I want to get started on my subjects today, and that means supplementing my knowledge with their professional recommendations and debriefing.
Granted, the fuckers are probably wrong about, well, everything, but I understand the need for professional courtesy.
I can at least pretend to listen to their bullshit.
I find Dr. Sarah Ranlen standing outside a room, charting. Taking a moment, I stare at her, my mind reciting various facts, like her past traumas, her relation to Keegan, the fact she’ll be leaving soon, and that she’s the one doctor Lio trusts. Hmm. But really, I only have one question.
“How do you stand those heels?” The question slips out, but I don’t try to take it back. I’m actually quite concerned for her health. You would think a doctor would know better…
Dr. Ranlen turns toward me, raising a very well-manicured eyebrow as she examines me with cool gray eyes.
Most would likely be intimidated. It makes her a good hospitalist, I’m sure.
But hell, I have to stop myself from laughing.
She’s like an unruly kitty going against me.
If she’s not careful, she’ll end up finding out just why curiosity kills the cat.
“Dr. Javi Graves?” she drawls while holding out her hand. I shake it, happy it’s a solid handshake, not limp like too many others in the profession. “And as for how I stand it…carefully. But they make excellent tools if idiots want to make an enemy out of me.”
I’m impressed, which is rare. Her razor thin smile matches the pointiness of those heels, and yeah, I can imagine she’d be able to do some damage.
I'm still not sure it’s worth it, but being around such excitable personalities, it makes sense that she’d choose such an innocuous looking weapon.
I’m kind of sad to lose her to the Bratva after first impressions.
“I wanted to get debriefed before making introductions. Would you be able to do that or shall we gather Doc as well?”
Dr. Ranlen furrows her brow before sighing. “We should have Doc be part of it. He has a more comprehensive knowledge of Hollis, and well, Lio, at this point, is better under Doc’s care than mine. As Doc has pointed out, I’m too close to the patient.”
I wave for her to lead the way, feeling impressed by her willingness to heed Doc’s warning of being too close, and utter disdain for the fact she let ties affect a patient’s care. This is the problem with people. Always bonding. It’s a horrible habit they need to break, especially doctors.
We walk into a break room where Doc is reading a book. He glances up at us, annoyance passing over his face as he sighs and sets the book aside. I’m surprised by how tired he looks. With Sarah leaving, I hope they plan on getting him some extra support. Someone he doesn’t need to kill.
“Dr. Graves would like to be debriefed on our patients,” Sarah chirps as she sits down lightly on the couch.
“Just Javi, please.” I smile. I hate formality. Even if I’m up to my elbows in someone’s guts, or deep inside their psyche, I would much rather be on a first name basis.
Sarah merely nods, but waits for Doc to kick off the meeting. I notice there’s not an extension of an offer to be informal with her. Hmm. Curious.
Doc sighs, massaging his temples. “Alright. We have Allesandro, who seems stable on the medication regimen that Sarah and I have him on. While he’s no longer on suicide watch, we are both closely monitoring the situation.
Hollis…has a lot of trauma. He’s a cutter with a history of suicide attempts as well.
He seems to be responding to the medication, but dislikes the side effects, mainly the tiredness.
I haven’t been willing to change it at this time. ”
I grunt at his severe look. It makes sense Hollis would struggle with that side effect. It’s sadly a common one for most psychiatric drugs. Hopefully, he explained it takes about two weeks to adjust to the medication. Still, I make a mental note to review it.
“Do you have his clinical history, and any medications he’s tried in the past?”
“They don’t exist,” Doc says. “However, I’ve pieced together what I can. It’s in his folder.”
“Very well. And Lio and Roman?”
They exchange glances and Doc sighs. “Lio is currently being monitored as an active suicide risk. He is insanely lucky that he has no damage to his tendons, and his hands seem to be moving fine. However, we want to review it carefully with any scar tissue build up. As for medications, we’re currently treating with antidepressants and anxiety medications. He’s required sedatives a couple times…
“As for Roman, he is not receiving care at this time, aside from patching him up and recovering from the torture. I highly doubt he’d be open to any psychiatric care with what Tennant went through…”
Scoffing, I shake my head. “I’ll have that situation taken care of within a week.
That’ll hopefully gain some good will that not every mental health professional is corrupt.
I’d like to be looped into the lawyer the Amatos use, but we can set that aside for after rounds.
Regardless, Roman is getting help. I don’t like the reports I’m hearing about him refusing to see people or eat. ”
“I concur,” Dr. Ranlen says softly. “I’ve heard you have quite the ambitious plan for helping people.”
Snorting, I roll my eyes. “It’s not ambitious. It’s going to happen.”
“While the Martellis are not as resistant to therapy, you are in for quite the challenge with the Amatos…” Dr. Ranlen warns me.
“Good. Challenges keep me on the top of my game. And if Doc dragged me out of my normal life, then I’m sure as hell going to make it worth it for me.”
She smothers a smile, but I caught it. Doc, however, I’m worried about. The conversation seems to have worn him down further. Perhaps I need a word with his Daddy…
“I wish you luck,” Dr. Ranlen replies. “If we’re finished, I need to look in on Ignacio. I want to follow up with Jayden on how he’s doing.”
When neither Doc nor I have anything to add, she’s out of the room without a word. I tap my fingers against my lips, curious as to how strong of a doctor she is… From Doc’s laugh, he can read my intentions. I shrug and he slowly stands up, heading toward the door.
“Follow me and I’ll introduce you to Lio first. I’ll track Hollis down while you’re visiting with him.
But a word of caution… I know you’re eager to play around with these people’s minds…
but be careful not to fuck with them too much.
By now, I’m certain Hollis and Leandro know all about your hobby, and everything else.
Put on too much pressure, too fast, and it won’t turn out well. ”
“Ah, Doc, you do care.” I smile at him. “But don’t worry, I’m well prepared for any consequences.
Things won’t get better right away. You know that’s not how it works.
I have to lance the sore to draw out the poison.
But I’m always careful with my subjects…
After all, I’d hate to lose any so early on. ”
Doc stops and stares at me. I give him my most innocent look, and he grumbles something under his breath before leading me to Lio’s room. A twinge of excitement runs down my spine.
Treating someone’s psyche is almost as good as an orgasm…
After all, I’m playing around inside someone’s head, where others don’t get to go—and shouldn’t.
I’m definitely glad Ely ensured I passed my evaluation from when I was younger.
This is going to be my most challenging, but fun experience yet.
I wonder how long it’ll take before someone tries to stab me…