Chapter 5
Even though I had the past two days off from work, which I was thankful for after what happened on my last day there, I was still apprehensive about returning.
What did my peers and managers say while I was gone? I detested that my life would have been the topic of gossip, especially what happened when I was a kid.
The last thing I wanted was for others to know or remember me as that kind of person.
However, my run-in with Scorpion guaranteed it had been spread wide and far.
A few of my colleagues had texted and asked if I was alright, but I knew they were hunting for information rather than caring.
The only one who was sincere was Emma.
She assured me she was there for me if I needed to talk. I thanked her and reassured her that if I wanted to talk, she’d be the one I’d come to.
I hadn’t gotten much rest while off, and it was hard to concentrate on my usual errands and chores.
Not only did I relive the altercation and the night of the terrible accident, but I kept thinking and dreaming about Scorpion.
After the accident, I’d been terrified, and I wanted to hide from everyone.
My parents had been less than understanding.
The only thing they did was refuse to allow the police to release my name or to let me talk to Santiago or his club.
Guilt had eaten at me.
There was another reason I was devastated, but it wasn’t one anyone knew about.
Recalling it made me cringe.
The Horsemen were well-known figures in our town.
It wasn’t unusual to see them out and about, sometimes alone but mostly in groups. I’d seen Scorpion and Santiago numerous times. They seemed to be together a lot and having fun when they were.
Most of the time, there were women around flirting and throwing themselves at them.
It didn’t matter that they were standing on a public street.
The ladies flocked to the guys.
I’d watched them from afar. Part of it was a fascination with bikers. However, the more significant part was that I found myself attracted to Scorpion. Something about him drew me like a moth to a flame.
I knew I was underage, and he’d have nothing to do with me, but I could dream.
That dream died on a dark road in the Anastasia State Park.
It died the night his best friend was almost killed.
I knew it would probably be impossible to apologize enough to earn forgiveness from any of them, but I wanted to try. My parents prevented me from visiting Santiago in the hospital or afterward.
Somehow, after I was told I wouldn’t face criminal charges, the Horsemen, Santiago, and his dad discovered who I was.
I was forced to endure their condemning looks and hateful eyes every time we met in town.
It worsened when they were told that pursuing a civil lawsuit would likely gain them nothing.
I’d overheard my parents talking about it. I tried to stay home as much as possible, but couldn’t always avoid it. For example, I had to continue to go to school. God, that had been torture. I was vilified.
But the thing that hurt the most, what cut to my soul, wasn’t how the club acted or the people in town and at school.
It was how Scorpion reacted.
Sure, he gave me the identical hateful glares and mutterings as the others, but he did more than that.
He found ways to make my life hell. It was done slyly and continuously. It had been unbearable. If we hadn’t moved when we did…well, that wasn’t worth recalling.
It took all my strength and backbone to walk into the ICU at the start of my shift.
The usual staff were there—the night nurses about to leave, and those of us starting.
I was subjected to stares and whispers, but pretended not to see or hear them.
Report was given to us. I almost felt terrified when I discovered Santiago was still in our unit. He should’ve been moved already. His wounds had been healing well. Has something changed while I was off? Stop, Paige. He’s not your patient or your concern. Forget about him, I lectured myself.
Of course, I wasn’t assigned to him when report was over.
I was given the two patients as far away from Santiago’s room as possible.
I knew why Emma did it, but it still rankled.
I threw myself into my work. I made sure I was extra attentive to my patients. Whenever someone needed help, I gave it. Everything was going well, and I began to relax. As far as I’d noticed, no one had been in to see Santiago. I should’ve known thinking that would taunt fate to mess with me.
Things went off the rails right after lunchtime.
Trays were being picked up, some staff were on their breaks, and the call lights went off left and right.
Everyone wanted something and was impatient.
I was on the opposite side of the hall from Santiago’s room, but I could see whenever his call light was on. It killed me to ignore it. I noted it had been on for a long time. I was about to find someone to help him when I heard yelling. It took a moment to figure out it was coming from his room. I stood there momentarily until I heard him yell louder, and he used the word help.
The nurse in me couldn’t leave him in what might be a hazardous circumstance.
What if, by going to get someone, he sustained harm? I rushed around the unit to his room.
Barely knocking, I ran inside.
I gasped. He was on the floor next to the bed. His tray table was knocked over, leaning against the chair that visitors used. Everything on it, including his laptop, was on the floor. How hadn’t anyone heard it crash? I ran and crouched next to him.
“Santiago, try to lie still.
Don’t move until I assess you.
I need to make sure you didn’t break anything.
I know the floor is hard and cold, but hang on.” I spoke calmly, but inside, I worried.
He was panting and grimacing, but he acknowledged me.
I was surprised at his response.
“Hey, Dragon Lady, I’ve missed you.
Can you believe this shit? All I was doing was trying to reach the end of my table to grab my cell phone, and boom.
I tipped over.
Everything went flying, including me. I shouldn’t have had the other nurse lower my bedrail. Fuck! I’m worse than an infant,” he snarled in disgust. He was propping himself up with one arm and used the other to beat his fist on his legs. I grabbed it to stop him.
“Don’t go assaulting yourself.
If you do, that’s extra paperwork for me, and you know how I hate that.
Let me check you over, and we’ll get you into bed.
Then we’ll chat about what you shouldn’t do again.”
As I assessed him, I kept up the chatter.
In between, he’d answer my questions about whether he hurt, whether he could feel this or that, and so on.
I wanted to be as positive as I could that there was no further spinal injury before moving him.
Then we’d do X-rays, MRIs, or whatever else his doctor thought was needed.
My assessment findings didn’t show any significant injuries, which relieved me.
I had to tease him, but it was automatic for us.
“You know, this is not the way to get attention,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Hey, you know me.
I have all the tricks to get the beautiful ladies to my room and run their hands all over me.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
I couldn’t hold in my chuckle, which made him grin.
“Alright, Casanova, we need to get you back in bed, and then the doctor notified.
Since no one has come to answer that call light, I don’t think we’ll find anyone soon.
If you work with me, I can get you into bed.”
“Paige, I’m too big for you to handle me alone,” he protested.
“I’m not a waif.
I can handle more than you know.
Here’s what we’re going to do.
We’ll do it in stages. First, I’ll bring your wheelchair over, and we’ll use my arms and thick legs, along with your muscular arms, to get you into it. You told me about those workouts you do. This is your chance to show off. Let me see what you’ve got,” I challenged him.
And just like that, he was onboard.
I positioned his chair with the brakes locked precisely where it was needed in no time.
He straightened to sit up on his butt, then Santiago reached behind him.
As I crouched in front of him, I slid my arms under his upper thighs. As I lifted, he used his arms to push upward. I saw the muscles bulge as he did it. He wasn’t lying. He wasn’t a tiny man. It took effort, but in the end, we both had enough stamina to get him sitting in his chair. We were both a little breathless and sweating, but proud of ourselves. Getting him into the bed from here would be easy. But first, a short rest was needed.
I shut off the call light and came back to stand beside him.
“I can go see if someone is available.
You feel alright in the chair, don’t you?”
“I do, but why get someone? We’re almost done.”
“Yes, but I’m breaking the rules, Santiago.
I’m not supposed to be in here.”
“What do you think I’m gonna do? Scream to get the hell out and not to touch me,” he bellowed, demonstrating.
I was about to admonish him when a roar almost knocked me over.
I whipped around so fast that my feet got tangled in the footrests on Santiago’s chair.
I screamed as I fell to the floor.
I tried to break my fall without success. Scorpion barreled into the room to tower over me as I tried to gather my scattered thoughts. His face was red, and he was furious. I opened my mouth to explain, but he kept me from saying anything.
“You were fucking warned to stay away! You knew that coming near him would rain shit down on you.
You knew, and you still did it!”
“I —” was as much as I got out before I was crying out for another reason.
He suddenly leaned down and, to my astonishment, picked me off the floor.
I was stunned.
I wasn’t exactly a woman that men lifted and carried.
I was built bigger than that. Women who were skinny waifs were the ones who got that treatment. It didn’t mean that bigger women didn’t dream about a man doing it. And here I was, living the fantasy, but it was ruined because the man holding me hated me. I knew it was undoubtedly adrenaline giving him the strength to do it.
I heard Santiago sputtering in the background, but Scorpion didn’t pay attention.
Whirling around, he stomped out of his friend’s room with me in his arms.
He didn’t stop until he reached the nurses’ station.
Once there, he dumped me on my feet. He wiped his hands down his thighs as if to wipe away the feel of me on his hands. Talk about hurting.
“What in the world?” Emma asked as she raced to the station.
Scorpion pointed his finger at her.
“I told you people to keep her away from my friend.
I warned you what would happen if she didn’t.
And what do I find? She was in his room, and he ordered her out.
What the hell is your mental problem? I want to see the administrator. Talking to your director did no good. I want the top dog. Now!” he thundered.
Scorpion was too incensed to reason with or listen, so I kept my mouth shut.
After he calmed down and I explained, surely he would see I only did it for a good reason.
And we needed to check Santiago out to be sure he had no internal injuries.
Emma’s hand shook as she picked up the receiver on the desk phone and placed the call.
Others were all gathering to watch the spectacle again.
My face was beet red, and my desire to sink into a hole grew.
I could hear Santiago yelling from his room. He was bellowing Scorpion’s name, but his friend was too pissed to respond.
The chatter was growing.
More people joined the mob watching.
As Emma talked on the phone, I found a pen and a piece of paper.
I hastily jotted down what Santiago needed and what happened. When she was done, I slipped it into her hand. Luckily, Scorpion didn’t see it. She grasped it but didn’t read the note. She was talking to him.
“Sir, please wait in the waiting room.
The administrator will be with you shortly.”
“I’m not going anywhere.
She stays within my sight,” he snapped.
“Scorpion!” Santiago shouted from his room.
I thought Scorpion would go to him, and he turned as if he would, but the doors to the ICU opened, and in ran the hospital administrator.
He was sweating.
He came straight to Scorpion and began to bow practically.
He said words to pacify him, but I didn’t think they’d work. Before I knew it, I was escorted to the administrator’s office. Scorpion was my jailer, watching so I didn’t run. I was lucky he didn’t manhandle me. I still had bruises from the last time he grabbed me.
On our way there, we were met by two security guards—I knew these ones.
They gave me a surprised look.
I tried to smile, but I couldn’t pull it off.
I wasn’t sure if they were here to control Scorpion or me. If it was the former, they needed more men.
Linus and Colby were full-time guards.
The ones last time must have been their relief.
We were ushered into Mr.
Gill’s office, and the door was shut. His assistant was at her desk, watching with wide eyes as we passed. I dropped into a seat when Mr. Gill pointed at them. Scorpion remained standing while Mr. Gill joined me. Linus and Colby stayed against the wall, but close by.
“Okay, now we can sit and talk.
Tell me what the problem seems to be,” Mr.
Gill said.
“Did your Director Montel tell you about what happened a few days ago with this nurse and my friend, Santiago Luna?” Scorpion immediately asked.
“Yes, I’m aware.
And Director Montel assured me that it was handled.
She said Nurse…” he paused.
“Paige Worthy,” I stated.
“Yes, that Paige Worthy would have no contact with your friend.
I don’t understand why it’s an issue again.
You were informed that Nurse Worthy would continue working on the unit.”
“True.
Although I disagreed with that, I accepted it.
But it was with the understanding that she had zero contact with him.
I just came into his room to find her there, and he demanded she leave. She had no business being there. I warned Director Montel that you wouldn’t like it if she broke that rule,” Scorpion warned.
“May I say that everything Scorpion said is true about the agreement, and I didn’t violate it for any other reason than—” I tried to explain, but was cut off.
Story of my life, anymore.
“Ms.
Worthy, I’ll speak to you momentarily.
First, I need to hear Mr.
Scorpion out,” Mr. Gill said.
The way he said it and the look on his face told me this wouldn’t turn out favorably for me.
They weren’t interested in why I did it, only in punishing me.
My fear was morphing into something more dangerous.
Why did I always end up the one fucked over? I swore I left this behind me, and no one would do it to me again.
“I promise you that we do not want any problems with the Horsemen.
We take our patients’ security and comfort seriously.
I am sincerely sorry that Ms.
Worthy broke the agreement. No excuse makes that acceptable,” Mr. Gill assured Scorpion.
“I think you’d take this more seriously and take greater care in your background checks to ensure you don’t hire unsavory people to care for your vulnerable patients.
Our lawyer will find this very interesting.” Scorpion smirked.
He knew he had Gill by the balls.
This statement snapped Mr.
Gill further to attention.
He was no longer sitting.
“W-what would it take to keep this from becoming a legal case? The hospital doesn’t want that kind of publicity or reputation.
Once tarnished, it’s hard to regain people’s faith,” Gill stammered.
I knew what was coming even before Scorpion uttered it.
“If you fire her and swear, in writing, that she’ll not be reinstated here, it would go a long way toward us not bringing legal action against anyone.
If we were to do that, not only would we sue the hospital, but you, Ms.
Worthy, and Director Montel would be named co-defendants.”
Tears tried to sting my eyes.
He truly hated me.
I didn’t deserve this.
But since when did I get what I deserved? I should’ve never come back here. I’d forever be haunted by that goddamn night. I clenched my fists so tight that my nails bit into my palms. It hurt, but was the only way to hold back the tears. I refused to let them see me cry.
It was quiet for several moments before Mr.
Gill answered.
“I believe that this can be sorted.
I hope you understand that legally, I do have to follow certain steps in a situation like this involving an employee.
That means I have to suspend Ms.
Worthy pending the outcome of my investigation. Once that’s been completed, her termination can be done. Ms. Worthy, I highly recommend that you do not fight this in any way. If you do, I’ll have no recourse but to be truthful to others who check your references, and this may require a report to the licensing board.”
As Scorpion stood there smirking at me, and Mr.
Gill gave me no support, I knew I was finished.
Fuck this.
If they wanted to fire me and take my license, I might as well give them something tangible to do it for. I came to my feet. I faced them with my chin lifted.
“Go ahead and do what you want.
You will, no matter what I say.
As for blackballing me and having my license stripped.
Well, I have one thing to say about that.”
“What’s that?” Mr.
Gill asked.
“Fuck both of you.”
I saw the shock on Gill’s face and thought there was surprise on Scorpion’s, but I didn’t care.
I marched to the door.
Linus was there, and he opened it for me.
He gave me a tiny smile. I gave him one back, then walked out. I went straight to the unit and to where my things were. Emma came rushing in.
“What happened?”
“I’m being suspended and then fired to keep the Horsemen from coming after the hospital and everyone.
My license might even be revoked.”
“They can’t do that! You were only helping him.
He told us what happened.
He’s been demanding to see his friend.
I swear we’ll put a stop to it.”
“Emma, even if you could, don’t,” I dully said as I cleaned out my locker.
“Why not?”
“Because I wouldn’t come back to work for people like them.
I think it’s time for me to consider where I should move.
Coming back here was a mistake.”
She tried to dissuade me and not to give up, but I shut her out.
I tried, and look where it got me.
It only took five minutes or so to gather my things.
As I left the locker area, a few of my peers were at the station. They were giving me shocked looks. I walked past them and out the door without a word.
It took all I had to get to my car and drive away.
I waited until I was clear of the hospital before I pulled over and let it out.
I screamed, beat the steering wheel, and imagined it was Scorpion’s face.
Then I cried. I lost track of how long I sat there. Eventually, I calmed enough to know I needed to get home. I had no time to waste. The sooner I got out of St. Augustine, the better. Fuck Scorpion and fuck the Horsemen.
Scorpion:
My fury was slightly dampened by surprise as Paige Worthy stood and told us fuck you before walking out.
She exited as if she were a queen.
If she weren’t responsible for what happened to my friend, her attitude and the rest of her would be worth checking out.
She had fire, attitude, and a body that was just my type. Too bad that was impossible.
After she left, Gill was left speechless.
Finally, when I cleared my throat, he jerked.
“You two may leave.
I have a few more things to talk to Mr.
Scorpion about,” he said to the two security guards.
They nodded. I swear the glances they cast my way were ones tinged with disgust. Once they were gone, Gill didn’t hesitate to cover his ass.
“I promise that her insubordination only makes it easier to fire her.
I’ll talk to her supervisors and the director to see her other write-ups.
Give me a few days to get everything in order and have my HR and legal departments give the thumbs-up.
Once I explain what happened, they’ll have no problem authorizing it.”
“And your threat to report her to the licensing board?” I asked.
Even as I did, something inside me seemed to say Don’t.
Why would I care? Was my conscience rearing its head?
“Well, yes, I can do that.
However, getting her license suspended or revoked will be hard if we can’t show that she harmed a patient or didn’t adhere to her professional guidelines on the care she can or can’t perform.
I only mentioned it so she wouldn’t run to a lawyer and claim unlawful termination.
I find that if you threaten someone’s livelihood, they tend to back down,” he said smugly.
There it was again, that funny feeling inside.
Trying to ignore it, I focused on Gill.
However, the longer I was near him, the less I liked him.
Now that he thought he was in the clear regarding the club, he was strutting a bit.
“For all your worries and problems, we’ll waive Mr.
Luna’s portion of his stay that insurance doesn’t cover.
I understand he’ll likely go home with home health.
Please let us help arrange it with a company we recommend.”
“We’ll ensure he gets a reputable one, although your agency will certainly be considered,” I told him automatically, but I wasn’t sure I’d want one he recommended.
He talked some more from there, but I tuned him out.
I was anxious to get back to see Tiago.
I wanted to know what Paige was doing in his room and what she did.
I was finally able to shake Mr. Gill. He was like a tick. Once he sank in, it was hard to get rid of him.
I hurried back to the ICU.
When I entered, it was oddly quiet.
I didn’t see anyone at the desk, so I went straight to Tiago’s room.
The door was shut. I knocked and then opened it. I found him in bed, and to my surprise, Diablo and Butcher were with him. They all wore grim expressions. I entered and shut the door.
“Is everything alright? Are you okay, brother?” I asked Tiago.
He scowled at me.
“No, it fucking isn’t alright, nor am I alright.
Sit the hell down and shut your mouth.
You’re going to listen to me.
And since I can’t chase or beat you, I called Diablo and Butcher to be here to do it for me,” Tiago snarled.
His hostility stunned me.
I leaned against the sink across from his bed.
Butcher and Diablo were seated in the two chairs.
“Okay, I’m listening.
I can tell you’re upset.
Please tell me why and what I can do to help.”
“You haven’t been listening for days, Scorpion.
Since you saw Paige and recognized her, you’ve been running around like a maniac.
You’re so ready to crucify her.
The only one who should have that right is me. I’m the injured party, not you. I’m the one who has to live in a goddamn chair! But do you see me screaming for blood and making threats toward her? No. Why? Because she doesn’t deserve it. The Paige I’ve come to know is caring and sweet. She’s a good person, and despite what happened all those years ago, she’s not someone I hate. Like I told you before. Sometimes shit happens. If it hadn’t been her that night, it could’ve been someone else or happened on a different night.”
As he paused, I leaned forward, shaking my head.
“Tiago, she was explicitly told not to come near you.
Why was she in your room? I heard you telling her to leave.” I was confused.
“You heard me remark that I wouldn’t if she expected me to say that.
As for why she was here, it’s simple.
I called for help.
No one came. I tried to do it myself and ended up falling out of bed. I was on the floor, and no one was coming. I yelled for help, and Paige came even though she wasn’t supposed to. She was afraid I was hurt. Between us, we were able to get me into my chair, but only after she thoroughly assessed me. We were resting before moving me to bed, and then she planned to call the doctor to tell him what had happened and to see what tests he wanted me to do. She offered to get someone else to finish with me now that I was safe because she wasn’t supposed to be here. Fuck, Scorpion, you came roaring in here like a lion ready to eat her. She fell. Is she alright? Did she get hurt? You toted her out of here so fast I didn’t get to ask her,” he added.
Unease and something close to shame poked at me.
I couldn’t answer him, and it didn’t sit well with me.
The Horsemen didn’t hurt women.
Not unless they deserved it. And I was starting to wonder, did Paige deserve it? Was there more to the story than any of us knew? Tiago had always been a good judge of character. Why was he so thoroughly on her side? Was I wrong?
“Man, I didn’t ask her.
She seemed to move fine and wasn’t limping when she left the administrator’s office,” I said lamely.
I heard Butcher snort, and Diablo’s expression darkened.
“I know what you’re going to say, and I deserve it.
No matter what, I should’ve ensured she wasn’t hurt.
I let my temper get the better of me,” I admitted.
“Which isn’t like you, Scorpion.
Your temper burns hot, but only comes out when someone deserves it.
Hell on wheels when we need you.
I agreed to take precautions with Tiago until we investigated Paige Worthy more closely. There’s something about this whole thing that doesn’t smell right. We’re all protective of Tiago and know he’s your best friend, but it’s more than that driving you,” Diablo said. He was staring intently at me.
“Scorpion, you need to let go of the guilt,” Butcher said.
I didn’t say anything.
Tiago did as he frowned.
“Why would he feel guilty? Do you mean about how he’s been with Paige?”
“No, I mean, he’s so ferocious in his defense of you and going after her for what she did because he feels guilty about that night.”
I hated that anyone had guessed it.
I wondered how long Butcher had known.
The way Diablo was nodding, it didn’t seem like a surprise to him.
“Why the hell would he have to feel guilty about that night? He wasn’t the one who ran me off the road,” Tiago protested.
“No, but I was the one who let pussy come first instead of riding with my best friend! If I’d gone with you, you might’ve never been on that road.
Or I could’ve seen the car and gotten us out of the way. Or—”
“Jesus Christ, are you kidding me? There’s nothing you could’ve done.
So what, you went after the girl? We’d left each other many times if the chance came up to get laid.
Why would that night be any different?” Tiago asked incredulously.
“Well, those other nights didn’t rob you of the life you wanted! They didn’t keep you from your dream of being a Horseman.
I got patched in, and you were left out.
You talk about how you’ll have to live vicariously through me because you’ll never have a wife and kids,” I shouted.
Waves of guilt overwhelmed me as I dropped my head and closed my eyes.
“I’ve never thought that it was your fault, and it’s not true, Scorpion.
No one else thinks it either,” Tiago said softly yet firmly.
I couldn’t look at them, or they’d see the tears in my eyes.