Chapter 14 #2
Adrienne and Gerald looked like they were doing mental math, calculating billable hours and settlement figures.
Diane Hart pressed both hands to her face. Her shoulders shook and gasping sobs filled the conference room.
“Mrs. Hart.” I kept my voice low, gentle. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I know you’re looking for answers, some closure. I’m just not sure that this process is going to provide the kind of comfort you’re looking for.”
Rachel put an arm around Diane’s shoulders and helped her stand. Diane’s purse fell to the floor. “We’re done here,” she said, bending to pick it up. “Thank you for your time.”
She guided Diane toward the door. Rachel paused at the threshold, her hand on the door frame. She looked back over her shoulder, her eyes landing on Vincent.
“You’ll be hearing from us.”
“I’m sure we will,” Vincent said, his tone as pleasant as if they’d just discussed the weekend weather.
Dr. Rice turned to Cole. Two spots of bright color remained high on her cheeks. “Dr. Vaughn, I would have appreciated advance notice of this tactic.”
Cole shrugged. “And I would have appreciated the hospital not positioning me as the fall guy for a death I couldn’t prevent.”
“No one is positioning you—”
“Dr. Rice, let’s not insult each other’s intelligence.”
Vincent stood, closing his briefcase with a decisive snap that made Adrienne flinch.
“You expected Dr. Vaughn to show up without legal representation, hoping he’d fold and accept some form of responsibility so you don’t lose a donor.
You underestimated him and you underestimated me, and I take that very personally. Don’t do it again.”
He looked at Cole. “Got time for an early lunch before my jet takes off?”
Cole stood, buttoned his suit jacket, and followed Vincent to the door. Before he left, he glanced back at me. Our eyes met across the room and an understanding passed between us—relief, gratitude, or the acknowledgment that we’d just survived something together.
The corner of his mouth twitched as if he really wanted to bless the room with a smile. Then he was gone.
Dr. Rice turned to Adrienne and Gerald. She sighed. “Thoughts?”
“He’s an arrogant piece of work, but he’s not wrong,” said Gerald. “If we pursue this angle, we’re exposing the hospital to significant liability and publicity.”
“And if the Hart family doesn’t let this go?” Adrienne asked.
“Let them file,” Gerald replied. “But if we throw Vaughn to them, Cross will eviscerate us.”
Dr. Rice stood and gathered her things. “I need to speak with the Chairman and CEO. Let’s regroup later.”
She walked out without looking at me. Webb followed her.
Adrienne and Gerald packed up their briefcases and left.
I sat alone in the conference room, staring at the empty chairs, my heart still racing.
And I was delighted at the show.
* * *
I made it back to my office before Dr. Rice ambushed me.
She entered without knocking, blowing past Rowan. The door hit the wall hard enough to rattle the framed certificates. She closed it behind her with a deliberate slam.
“I need to know why you sent that man in to attack Mrs. Hart and her attorney.”
I set down the pen I’d been using, clasping my hands on the desk. “I did not send anyone anywhere to do anything. I prepared materials for Dr. Vaughn to use in his defense, as per your instruction. What he did with them was his decision.”
Her nostrils flared. “Don’t play games with me, Harper. You knew he was bringing Vincent Cross to that meeting.”
I swallowed, then quietly admitted, “Correct.”
“And you didn’t think that was relevant information to share with me, with Legal?”
“Dr. Vaughn’s decision to retain counsel is his business, not mine. My job was to—”
Dr. Rice leaned in, slamming her palms flat on my desk. “Your job is to protect this hospital’s interests. Not to arm a physician with materials to use against us.”
“I didn’t arm anyone with anything.” I stood, my eyes meeting hers across the desk. “I provided Dr. Vaughn with the same documentation I provided to you and Legal. The timeline, the protocols, the medical justifications. Everything I prepared was factual and objective.”
“You helped him build a defense.”
“That is what you asked me to do, Liz. I sent those documents to you and you blessed them.”
Dr. Rice stared at me. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Ms. Sutton. From where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve decided to protect Dr. Vaughn at the expense of this institution.”
My hands curled into fists at my sides. “From where I’m standing, it looks like this institution is trying to sacrifice a competent surgeon to appease a connected family. I will not be part of that.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t get to make the decision about what you’ll be a part of, Harper.”
“Then fire me, Liz.”
Dr. Rice sucked in a long breath and straightened. Smoothed down her skirt. “Excuse me?”
“If you think I’m not doing my job, if you think I’m compromised, then fire me. But I’m not going to step aside while you railroad a skilled surgeon for doing exactly what he should have done.”
My pulse thrummed in my ears and her perfume was giving me a headache as we stared at each other across my desk.
“You’re walking a very thin line.”
“Oh, I’m tap dancing on it.”
She turned, stalking to the door in heavy, angry stomps, yanked it open, then paused. “Vincent Cross embarrassed this hospital this morning. Embarrassed me. That doesn’t ever happen again. Are we clear?”
“Crystal.”
The door slammed shut hard enough to make my desk lamp shake. I dropped into my chair and tried to breathe. My hands wouldn’t stop trembling.
What the fuck did I just do?
My phone buzzed against the desk a few minutes later, bringing me back.
Cole:
Hey. You good? What’s the mood around there?
I typed back with fingers that felt floppy.
Me:
Rice just threw a holy fit in my office.
Worth it.
Cole:
Shit. I’m sorry.
She should be coming at me, not you.
Me:
Like I said, worth it. How are you?
Cole:
Feeling good. Vincent’s a beast. Gonna send my dad a bottle of something expensive to say thanks. Want to join us for lunch? We’re not far.
I smiled despite everything.
Me:
He earned it. Enjoy your lunch with Vincent. I’ve been ignoring so much shit on my desk. Rowan will have my ass if I don’t get in gear.
Cole:
Can’t have that. I got plans for that ass later.
Heat crawled up my neck and my nipples tightened under my blouse. My eyes darted to the office door. Still closed.
Me:
We’re flirting right now? Is that what we’re doing?
Cole:
I am never gonna stop flirting with you. You sore from last night?
I grinned, my tongue slipping between my teeth as I typed while basking in the memory of the night before.
Me:
I am. In the *best* way.
Cole:
I like knowing you can still feel me. Like I left my mark.
My thighs clenched. I licked my lips and returned his message.
Me:
I cannot do this right now, Dr. Vaughn.
Cole:
You started it.
Me:
How did I start it? I was talking about work…
Cole:
You mentioned ass. Brought yours to mind. Couldn’t help it.
Cole:
I have a pick-up basketball game tonight at 7 in the RMC gym. You should come watch. See what these surgeon’s hands can do.
Me:
I’ve already experienced what those hands can do. Intimately. Had my legs shaking, body quaking.
Cole:
And I’ll show you again.
Me:
Mmmmm. I hear you talking. Will you be wearing tiny, revealing shorts and a tight ass shirt?
Cole:
Maybe. You trying to see something?
Me:
Maybe.
You looked so good in your suit today. Couldn’t concentrate on Vincent’s threats when all I could think about was taking it off of you and getting on my knees…
Cole:
Not you reminding me about that mouth in the middle of the day in this family establishment…
Me:
You accused me of starting shit. Had to let you know what happens when I’m actually starting shit.
Cole:
Just thinking about that thing you do with your tongue.
Me:
I do a lot of things with my tongue, Cole. Which thing?
Cole:
All of them. Fuck. I need you bad right now.
I crossed my legs like that would do anything to suppress the thumping at the apex of my thighs. It did not. He was simply too good at getting me to this point with a handful of words.
Me:
Down, boy. Enjoy your lunch. I have a full day to get through.
Immediately, my screen lit up with his response.
Cole:
Yeah, take that pretty ass back to work.
Cole:
Over there being a menace in front of my salad.
Just know I’m taking you home with me tonight. We might make it through the door before I bend you over something.
My bottom lip crept between my teeth, a gasp escaping as I read his message. This was another pleasure I’d never indulged in with a lover before—most were the ‘get it in and get out’ type. They weren’t into teasing, titillating, working up to the moment.
Cole was so good at working up to the moment.
Me:
My place is closer. In case you want to bend me over something much sooner.
Cole:
I want you in my bed. Where I won’t be afraid your neighbors will pound on the wall.
I laughed at that.
Me:
My neighbors would never!
Cole:
I want to wake up with you. The way you like to wake me up.
My breath snagged in my chest. Cole did not like for me to get up and go home like I was a late-night thirst quench. He also refused to be a quick and dirty lover when he came to my home. I’d told him I had no more room on my roster and he took that personally.
I read the subtle push buried in his desires and knew there was nothing playful in his intent.
Me:
I’ll come to your game. Your team better win.
Cole:
You ain’t fuckin’ a loser. See you later, gorgeous.
I set my phone down, my face hot, my body already humming, and it was just barely noon.
* * *
Cole was on the far side of the court in black shorts and a faded maroon Xavier t-shirt darkened with sweat. His calves flexed as he moved, staying low. When the player tried to drive left, Cole cut him off.