Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
BLAKE
Someone opens the door while my arm is halfway to the bell. A woman, not much older than me, and dressed from head to toe in black. For a moment, I wonder if she’s one of us and beat us here, but then she speaks.
“Dr. Hyland?” She pulls the door and looks at me like I have something in my teeth. “You’re late.”
“Oh—I apologize. I—”
“Let’s go.” She steps aside and gestures for me to enter. No introduction. No pleasantries. The complete opposite from the house we just left.
I cross the threshold into a massive foyer. A huge crystal chandelier hangs overhead, its bulbs dim. The interior matches the exterior. Cold and quiet. It’s like one of those staged houses, except there’s no way in hell I’d be buying. You’d never know it was Christmas Eve in here.
She walks me over to a sweeping staircase that leads to the second floor. The front door closes with a thud, and I jump. “Mr. Patton was expecting you fifteen minutes ago.” Her voice is flat, emotionless. “Follow me.”
Damon is in my ear, barely audible through the comm. “I’m at the side entrance. It’s locked but I can get through. Give me two minutes.”
I don’t respond. She’d hear me and we’d be screwed. Knowing he’s close helps to steady my racing heart though.
She leads me down a long hallway lined with expensive art.
I wish I could make some kind of small talk.
Comment on the weather. Anything other than the echo of our footsteps on the marble.
It’s clear she doesn’t want to talk, and even if she did, I shouldn’t.
It’s too early to poke around for information.
We reach the staircase and start climbing. Every step makes me hyperaware of how loud my breathing sounds. The house is so quiet, it’s unnatural. There’s no life anywhere.
As we go, I make mental notes of everything I see. Exits and windows, rooms with closed doors. Where are they keeping the victims?
Damon’s voice picks up again. “I’m in. Heading toward you.”
My pulse quickens, but I keep it hidden except for the tension creeping into my shoulders.
Finally, she stops and opens a door. “Here we are.”
It’s a stocked exam room. There’s a medical table with stirrups in the center, cabinets to the side, and other standard equipment like an IV pole, a portable ultrasound machine, even a crash cart in the corner like they’re preparing for complications.
Everything else about this house seems residential… and then there’s this. A fucking exam room. They must have been preparing for this day for a long time. Either that or this isn’t the first time they’ve hired a resident for their “checkups.”
“Mr. Patton will be with you shortly.” She gestures me inside and leaves before I can ask a single question.
“I’m in a room on the second floor. An exam room. Alone, for now,” I whisper to Damon.
“I know where you are. You’re never out of my sight, Angel.”
I smile, feeling some relief. I may be alone in this room but I’ve never been truly alone.
I set my medical bag on the counter, keeping it positioned so I can reach the hidden compartment holding my taser quickly. My stethoscope goes around my neck, and I wash my hands in the sink against the wall.
“There’s only one other closed door. No guards,” Damon whispers.
Weird. I figured there’d be a bunch more rooms. “Maybe they’re all stuffed in one?”
I pull out supplies from my bag with shaky hands, arranging them on the counter like I’m actually preparing to do this job. Blood pressure cuff. Penlight. Gloves. It’s all so surreal. I know it’s my hands going through the motions, but I’m in another place mentally.
Footsteps sound from outside the door. Multiple pairs.
I turn just as the door opens and Harold Patton walks inside. It’s definitely the same man from the photo Leon sent me. Round face, thinning hair, uneasy smile. His eyes linger on me for a heartbeat too long and I clear my throat.
“Dr. Hyland.” He extends his hand. “Thank you for coming on such short notice. I apologize for the late hour.”
Reluctantly, I take it and shake, fighting the urge to recoil. “Of course.”
“I appreciate your discretion with this matter.” He pulls out his phone and starts tapping on the screen, darting his gaze between whatever he’s reading and my face. “As I mentioned to the other one, we’re going to need a thorough physical examination. My client has specific requirements.”
His client… Here we go.
“What exactly are you looking for?” I keep my voice neutral, clinical. It’s more difficult than I thought it would be. Every time we’re in situations like this, it’s hard not to picture Bailey when we first found her.
Keep your shit together.
“We need a full physical examination. Vitals, blood work, pelvic exam.” He scrolls on his screen, not looking at me as he speaks. “We’ll need confirmation of her overall health, fertility markers, any previous pregnancies or complications.”
Fertility markers. What the hell?
“And...” He pauses, finally meeting my eyes. “My client has requested that her IUD be removed during this examination.”
Is the room spinning? Or am I about to pass out?
“What the fuck did I just hear?” Damon says in my ear.
I can’t respond, can barely pull in a full breath.
“Removed?” I manage to keep my voice steady. “May I ask why?”
That smile stays put. It’s creepy as hell. “The wedding is tomorrow. Christmas Day. My client wishes to begin... attempting conception immediately. The IUD would obviously interfere with that goal.”
Wedding.
Conception.
What the fuck is going on here?
I wish Damon was in the room with me. This is nothing like what we’ve dealt with before. This is something else entirely.
“I see.” My mind is racing, trying to process and alter our plans. “And the patient… she’s consented to this examination? To the IUD removal?”
Patton’s expression shifts and a crease forms between his brows. “Not that it’s your concern, but Miss L has been made fully aware of the requirements. Her consent was given as part of the marriage contract her family signed.”
I’m speechless. This is a truly fucked up situation. I have more questions… How old is she? Who is this client? Most of all, why is this being done in secret? But Patton’s turned his back to speak to someone in the hall, most likely his employee in black.
When he turns back, he’s holding a thick envelope. “Payment is fifteen thousand, as discussed. Half now.” He sets it on the counter next to my medical bag. “Half upon completion and submission of the documentation.”
I’ve never looked at a stack of cash with such disgust before.
“One more thing, Doctor.” He moves toward the door again. “My client is a powerful man and he values discretion above all else. What happens in this room stays in this room. I trust you understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.”
It’s not a question. There never was one. The moment I accepted this job, it was an unspoken acknowledgement. Whoever this client is will be in for a fun Christmas surprise when the bride he purchased is MIA.
“Of course.” I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Patient confidentiality.”
He nods and plasters that creepy smile back on his face. “Excellent. We’ll bring her in now.”
He leaves, pulling the door shut behind him and I’m alone again.
“Blake.” Damon’s voice cuts through the comm. He’s barely holding it together. “What the actual fuck is happening?”
I turn away from the door, dropping my voice low. “It’s an arranged marriage. They want me to examine her like—fuck, like she’s livestock and remove her IUD so she can get pregnant.”
Damon’s uncharacteristically silent on the other end. I’m sure he’s just as shocked as I am.
“What do you want to do? This isn’t what we thought it would be. Do you—”
“We can’t just leave her here.”
“I know, but—”
“Her family signed a contract, Damon. She’s being sold off like property.” My hands are shaking now. “We can’t abandon her. I doubt she wants this.”
He’s quiet again, thinking. “Then we get her out. Stick to the plan… it’s just easier, I guess. One vic, no guards.”
“Exactly,” I say as murmured voices drift through the closed door. “Shit, they’re coming.”
I straighten and force myself into doctor mode. Professional and calm. Inside… not even close.
The door opens and the woman in black enters first with her hand wrapped around the arm of a young woman who looks like she’s barely holding herself together.
Behind them, there’s a man—maybe in his thirties, built like a house.
He positions himself just inside the doorway and crosses his arms. I spot the outline of a concealed gun beneath his shirt.
That’s not good.
So the whole no guards thing was definitely not accurate. I’ll need to warn Damon.
My patient is beautiful, with long dark hair pulled back, fair skin, and a face that screams innocence.
The white silk robe she’s wearing probably costs more than my entire wardrobe.
But when I look into her dark eyes, my heart sinks.
They’re empty and hollow. Like she’s already endured so much at her young age.
“Miss L,” the woman says flatly. “This is Dr. Hyland. She’ll be conducting your examination.”
Miss L doesn’t meet my gaze. Her face stays angled at the floor and her jaw clenches.
“Coleman will remain in the room for security purposes.” The woman’s grip tightens on Miss L’s arm before releasing her. “You will cooperate fully with the doctor. Do you understand?”
She gives a small, tight nod.
“Excuse me,” I interrupt. “I wasn’t told there’d be a guard present? This is a breach of—”
“It’s a non-negotiable.” She grimaces as she stares down Miss L again. “Trust me, you’ll be grateful.”
Whatever that’s supposed to mean.
I don’t get a chance to ask. She’s out the door as Damon’s in my ear. “There’s a guard in there with you?”
The only response I can give with Coleman’s eyes on me is an upbeat hum. I take a slow step toward L, keeping my hands in front of me, making myself look as non-threatening as possible. With whatever she’s gone through, I’m sure she’s not quick to trust.
“Hi, my name is Blake.”
Her eyes flick up to meet mine for just a second before dropping back to the floor.
“I know this is difficult,” I say, keeping my voice soft. “But we’re going to get through this together, okay?”
I get nothing. No reaction. Understandably.
Behind me, the guard shifts his weight, and I see her visibly tense.
“Miss L,” I try again. “Can you tell me your first name? I prefer to use names when I work with patients.”
It takes a moment, but she finally whispers, “Lexi.”
“Lexi.” I force a comforting smile, although she’s still looking down. “That’s a beautiful name.”
Coleman clears his throat. “We don’t have all night, Doctor.”
I ignore him, focusing on Lexi. “Why don’t you have a seat on the table and we’ll start with some basic vitals? Blood pressure, heart rate. Simple stuff.”
She moves toward the table like she’s facing her execution. Climbs up. Lies back. Stares at the ceiling. Her fingers tap against the smooth vinyl table.
I pull on gloves, and while I’m over there, take the taser out of my bag and arrange it next to my other tools. Better to be prepared.
“Okay, just about ready.” Grabbing the blood pressure cuff, I step beside her. “I’ll just listen to your heart first.”
I press my stethoscope against her chest. Her heart is racing. I’m sure she’s terrified.
“Lexi,” I whisper, quiet enough that hopefully the guard can’t hear. “I’m not really here to do this. I’m here to help you.”
Her eyes widen, but she stays silent.
“My partner is in the building,” I continue, pretending to check her lungs now. “We’re going to get you out. But I need you to trust me.”
There’s hope in her expression. It only lasts a second, but it’s there.
Then her gaze shifts past me, to Coleman by the door. Then to my equipment on the counter where the taser sits in plain view.
I see the exact moment she makes her decision.
Her body tenses beneath my stethoscope.
“Lexi, don’t—”
She’s already moving faster than I expect from someone who looked so defeated seconds ago.
She shoves me hard, I stumble backward, knocking into the IV pole, and she launches herself off the table.
Her hand closes around the taser.
“Hey!” Coleman moves from his position by the door.
But Lexi’s desperation makes her quick and reckless. She spins and hits Coleman with the taser before he can reach for his weapon.
Fifty thousand volts.
He drops like a stone, his body convulsing on the floor.
Then she turns to me.
Our eyes meet, and something passes between us. I don’t know if it’s recognition of the same panic, the same dread coiling in our guts. Her breathing is ragged, matching mine. Her pupils are blown to black globes.
“I’m sorry,” she gasps, while tears stream down her face. “I’m so sorry but I have to… This is my only chance—”
I hold my hands in front of me. Pleading. “Lexi, wait—”
In one stride she’s in front of me, jamming the taser into my side.
Lightning cracks through my ribcage, igniting every nerve ending at once. My jaw clamps shut, my teeth grind like bone on bone. My limbs… I lose control. They’re useless, no longer a part of me. The world tilts, and darkness creeps into the edges of my sight.
I’m falling.
I know I should brace myself for impact. But I can’t.
Crack.
The side of my head smashes against the marble and the last thing I hear is Damon’s voice in my ear, guttural and frantic. “Blake! Blake, hold on… hold…”