Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
S ilence. Blissfully quiet. Providence sighed. It was possibly the first moment of peace she’d had in her office in days. The week was a shit show—literally. A steady stream of patients had been in her waiting room from the time she’d reported for duty on Monday morning. A nasty stomach bug was making the rounds. She’d swear half the base was shitting or vomiting, and too often it was in the garbage cans in her waiting room.
Conspiracy theorists would think the base was under a biological attack, but it was just bad luck. All it took was one unlucky sailor to spread it to everyone else.
Providence closed her eyes and rested her head against her office chair. It had to be close to lunchtime, and the tension headache continued to throb. Not even the two acetaminophen pills had helped. If she had time, she’d schedule a massage. Maybe a bottle of bourbon—either would be welcome right now.
There was a mountain of patient files waiting for her to update. Headaches sucked. At least she wasn’t worshipping the porcelain god in the bathroom. Grabbing her glasses from the desk, she opened the first patient file, grabbed her microphone, and started dictating.
“Hey, you got a minute?” Tempest knocked on the door as she leaned in the doorway.
“Sure. Unless you’re going to puke on me.” Providence lifted an eyebrow. She closed the patient file and leaned back in her chair.
“Nope, at least not yet. I’ve been working from home all week and I told Josh if he’s around anyone who catches that nasty shit, he needs to get a room somewhere.” Her smile had evil written all over it.
“You’re not a very sympathetic partner, are you?”
“No, probably not. Right now, all I can think about is saving the flowers. The last thing any of us needs is to get sick. We’ll have to be ready when the shit hits the fan. "
"I know. Should I mess up my nails and go for another manicure? Then at least I’d be able to check on her.”
“I understand why you want to, but you need to be careful. Stick to your usual behavior or that asshole will get even more suspicious. You know he’ll take it out on them.”
Providence sighed and rubbed her temples. “This is a nightmare.”
Tempest sat in a chair across from Providence. “We’ll get them out. Did you get the GPS tracking set up okay from the instructions I emailed?”
“Yes. It’s working, I think. They don’t move around a lot. I’m not good at figuring this out, but I put the app on my tablet, too.” Providence pulled her iPad from her tote, turned it on, and pulled up the GPS tracking app. “Here, take a look. They’re at the salon now, but the phone isn’t with her. It’s been pinging at this location since I started the app. Do you think she hid it where they’re staying?”
Tempest looked at the tablet and enlarged the screen. “I’m not sure. We’ll give it a few days and see if it moves. She might have had to ditch it if she thought they’d find it. Or she didn’t charge it and the battery died. We’ll need to check out this location.”
“Shit on a shingle. I didn’t think of that.”
“It’s not like we had a lot of options. I’ll drive by there on my way home. If we’re lucky, we’ll find a white van at or near the property. It’s not the best part of town either, but that would make it easier to hide them.”
“I guess driving my baby there wouldn’t be a good idea?” Providence asked.
“Oh, fuck no. That bright red car would be like a neon sign calling all the dirtbags.”
“Who’s calling dirtbags?”
Tony’s voice startled them. Providence exchanged a glance with Tempest, who quickly shutdown the tablet.
Tempest stood and saluted. “No one, just telling Providence to watch herself driving around in her hot little car. How are you, Commander Knox?”
“I’m good. Sorry to surprise you. But I was hoping to steal Dr. Sheridan for lunch.” Tony slid the picnic basket out from behind him with a smile. “Do you have time? I know you’ve had a week from hell. But your nurse Laurie said you have a few hours free.”
Providence couldn’t resist his smile or the need to escape. Lunch away from her desk sounded absolutely perfect.
“I think I can arrange that. Especially if you have something sweet in that basket.”
“I need to get back to my office. I’ll text you later, Providence.” Tempest said and then nodded her head at Tony. “Sir.”
Tony stepped into her office and placed the huge picnic basket on one chair and sat in the other. He looked good enough to eat. She should be immune to men in uniform after all these years, but nope. He took her breath away no matter what he was wearing.
“Where are we going to have the picnic? Not in here, I hope.”
“Definitely not. You need a break from this place. I bet you didn’t even know I stopped by yesterday to see you. A different nurse met me in the hallway and said you had patients stacked up in the waiting room barfing their brains out.”
“Holy hell. Please tell me she didn’t. Son of a bitch, and to a superior officer, too? I need to write her up. Nancy has been a pain in my ass since I got here, and only does enough to get by. I swear she only enlisted to nab a husband.”
“Well, damn. She sounds like a wonderful person to have around when everyone is barfing their brains out. But does that mean you weren’t swamped?”
“Oh, I was. It’s one of the worst stomach viruses I’ve seen in years. You’re lucky you’re not sick, too.”
“I have a good immune system.” Tony smirked. “But hey, don’t worry about it. It’s really okay, sweetheart. How about we get out of here? And to answer your earlier question, I thought we’d walk down to the beach and get some fresh air.” Tony strode around her desk and reached for her hand.
Providence let him pull her up from the chair and out of her office, locking the door behind her. “Thank you. This is a wonderful idea.” Providence squeezed his hand. When she tried to let go, he laced their fingers together.
They passed a few other nurses on the floor and a couple of other doctors, who gave her a questioning look, but she didn’t care. Like Tony had said on Saturday, they weren’t breaking any rules. Anyone that didn’t like it could fuck right off. Besides, a beach picnic was just what the doctor ordered.
“ I didn’t know we could come out this way. It’s beautiful,” Providence said as she watched the waves rolling gently up the beach.
“If you love it now, you’ll have to see the sunrise. It’ll take your breath away as the sun rises over the horizon. I’ll have to bring you one morning.”
“Ooh, that does sound amazing. I’ll even bring the coffee.”
“It’s a date.”
Providence giggled. “And when are you planning to take me on this date?”
“Hm, good question. How about your next day off?”
“That’s possible. I’m scheduled to be off for the weekend again, but with everyone being sick, who knows? Or I might have to work extra hours to cover someone. People are dropping like flies around here. But I have afternoon plans.” Providence wanted to kick herself. Now he’d want to know what plans, and she wasn’t ready to share their covert operation.
Tony opened the wicker basket and pulled out a large plaid cloth that he spread over the sand. “Okay, we’ll figure it out. Have a seat, sweetheart.”
Damn. She shouldn’t love it so much when he called her that. Thankful that she’d worn her slacks, she lowered herself onto the blanket without flashing him.
“I didn’t know if you liked sweet tea, so I brought unsweet, too.” He lifted two thermoses and plastic cups from the basket.
“I’m from Mississippi. Which do you think I drink?”
Tony chuckled. “Sweet, just like you. But I didn’t want to assume.”
“Corny, but smart.” Providence couldn’t stop smiling. Her face would probably hurt later. “What else do you have in there?” She leaned forward to peek into the basket, but he pulled it away.
“Nuh, uh. No peeking. Have some patience, doctor. Good things come to those who wait.”
“If I wait too long, I may swoon from hunger.” Providence amped up her accent, then put her hand over heart.
“You’re too funny.” He chuckled as he pulled a large bowl of fruit salad, plates, plastic utensils, and two wrapped sandwiches out of the basket. As he handed her a sandwich, he said, “I hope you like roast beef and provolone.”
“It’s actually one of my favorites. You shouldn’t have gone through so much effort, but it’s amazing.” Providence would have eaten whatever he’d brought, but she couldn’t believe he’d put this all together for her.
“I don’t know what’s going on in that beautiful brain of yours. I don’t think I’d like to know either. But if you think you’re not worth every moment of my time, you’re terribly wrong. You deserve to be spoiled.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, sweetheart. Just eat. Relax. No passing out on my watch.”
Providence smiled and shook her head. Tony leaned closer and tucked her hair behind her ear that had escaped from her bun in the breeze.
Her cheeks heated seeing the passion in his gaze.
“Eat.”
She moaned around her first bit as the sharp flavor of the cheese and horseradish and the almost sweet flavor of the tomatoes exploded on her tongue. “Mmm. This is so good.”
“I’m glad you like it. But I wish it was my kisses making you moan.”
Her cheeks heated from embarrassment. Trying to hide, she turned to gaze at the ocean. The last thing she wanted him to see was how much she wanted to kiss him, a proper kiss, not the brief taste he’d given her Saturday night.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’ll do better.”
“You’re fine, no, better than fine. I love that you did this for me. I just feel awkward, like I don’t know what to do or say. Give me an operating room on a ship, or a bunch of puking sailors and I’m all over it. Intimacy is hard.”
“There’s no rush. I meant what I said, but I can’t help my attraction to you, my desire for you.”
Providence’s breath caught in her throat. No one had ever spoken to her like this. If Tempest hadn’t promised he was a good guy, she’d think he was after something. Not that she had anything to offer. And damn, the man was gorgeous. He could have anyone.
“Whatever you’re thinking. Just stop. I told you I was interested, and you agreed to give us a chance, right?”
“Yes, and I’m not changing my mind.” She put her lunch aside and reached for him. She didn’t understand why he wanted her, but why not enjoy it until he changed his mind?
His blue eyes flared with heat as she kneeled, then pulled him closer for a kiss. She slid her hand over his cheek and inhaled his scent. The hint of spice surrounded by fresh ocean air was enticing. When her lips met his, heat raced to her core. Then he cupped her face in his hands and deepened the kiss, sending her pulse rate sky high.
Her lips parted, and his tongue slid inside, rubbing against hers. Her hands grabbed onto his biceps to pull him closer. When he broke the kiss so they could catch their breath, she groaned. Wanting more, so much more.
“You take my breath away.”
Providence smiled shyly. “You do the same to me.” Sliding further away, she sat down and picked up her plate. Even if it was the last thing she wanted. Spending the afternoon kissing him as the tide rolled in sounded like perfection. But they had obligations. As her stomach growled, they laughed. Time to be an adult.
“I know we have to get back to work, but trust me, I’d love to do nothing but stay here and kiss you until you can’t think straight.”
“I don’t think it would take much effort. I’m halfway there already. But you’re right, we need to finish up and head back. I’m sure I’ve got a ton of patients waiting, and if not, there’s enough paperwork there to keep me busy until tomorrow.”
“And I’ve got briefings all afternoon. It sucks being responsible, doesn’t it?” He grinned.
“Yeah it does.”
“Speaking of that. I know you and Tempest, scratch that, all of you are up to something. I heard enough to make me worry it might be dangerous. Want to tell me what’s going on?”
Providence swallowed. The delicious sandwich turned to sawdust in her mouth. She wondered if he’d overheard at least part of her conversation with Tempest.
“We’ll be fine. It’s not a big deal. Just working on saving some flowers.” Not sure how much he knew, she hoped her explanation would be enough.
“Nice try. But you don’t need to use a GPS tracker on flowers. I’ve run enough missions to see the signs.”
“It really doesn’t concern you. Besides, it could be a problem for your career.”
“Just mine? What about yours? Or Tempest’s?”
Fuck a duck . Even as she shook her head in denial, she knew he was right. It didn’t mean she wanted to tell him, either. Only walking away right now could stop her confession and even thinking about doing that made her heart ache.
“How about you let me worry about that? I’m more concerned about you or the others getting hurt or worse. C’mon, sweetheart. Who knows? Maybe I can help.”
“Fine. You won’t like it, but there’s no going back now.” She expected him to object, but he sat quietly and waited for her to continue.
“I think the women at my nail salon—the technicians—are victims of human trafficking. We’re working on a rescue to get them away from their handler, or whatever the rat bastard is called.”
Tony stayed silent at first. Providence could almost see his brain trying to work things through.
“Okay.”
“Okay? Just, that’s it?”
“Yes, even if I didn’t agree with what you were doing, I wouldn’t try to stop you. Tell me the rest of it now. The details. What makes you think they’re being held against their will? Do you have any proof?”
Providence took a drink of her tea as she ran through all that they knew for sure and what she’d surmised. Then she checked her watch. She probably had about fifteen minutes before she’d have to be back at her office.
“I found the salon by accident just after coming here. It’s over on Pacific. The manager is John. There were six women who worked there the day of my first appointment. Now there are five. They hardly speak to the customers, and if it seems like they’re getting chatty, John yells at them in Russian.”
“How do you know it’s Russian?”
“I know a little, enough to usually understand what he’s saying to them. I’ve never let on though.”
Tony nodded and squeezed her hand, where it rested on her thigh. His touch eased some of the stiffness in her shoulders. “Sorry for interrupting.”
“It’s okay. So…I kept trying to talk to my nail tech—Mary. But he kept too close a watch over everyone. It didn’t seem right to me. One evening, I drove over and parked in the lot across from the rear entrance of the strip mall to see what happened after closing. I’d done some research, and kind of knew what to look for. Sure enough, I was right. A large white panel van idled behind the building. A few minutes later, the rear door of the salon opened, and John herded them into the back. Then he climbed into the front passenger seat, and they left.”
“Please tell me you didn’t follow it?” Tony looked like he’d swallowed his tongue.
“No, of course not. I’m not an idiot. I know my car doesn’t blend in. But I still didn’t know if something hurtful was going on.”
“Thank God. I’d have had to put you under around the clock surveillance.”
Providence snorted. “Like that would ever happen. I can take care of myself.”
“Fine. Is that everything?”
“Nope. When I arrived for my next appointment, John was outside talking to someone in a limo parked outside of the salon. I couldn’t see in. I tried, but the glass was tinted almost black. But it gave me a chance to speak with Mary.”
“Wait. Did you get the limo’s license plate?”
“No, unfortunately, I didn’t think about it until later. I was in a hurry to get inside and try to get answers. And I did. I don’t know what they have over the other women, but they keep Mary’s daughter separated from her to keep her in line. They only let her see her daughter for a few minutes a week. And then, only if they say she earned it.”
“Fuck.” Tony ran his hand through his brown hair, then stood and started pacing around the blanket.
“It gets worse. She also told me that the woman who’d been there the first day had done something and men came and took her away. No one has seen her since. I didn’t know what else to do. The authorities wouldn’t believe me. There’s only circumstantial evidence and hearsay. Besides, who knows if they’re involved? That’s when I told Tempest, Grace, and Harmony. I need to save Mary and her little girl. I can’t leave any of them there.” Tears welled in Providence’s eyes. She tried to hold them back, but one spilled down her cheek, and she rushed to wipe it away before Tony noticed.