Chapter 91
[ 468 words ]
Chapter 91:
“Good,” Jarrod warned, his voice cold and absolute. “Maintaining your cover is smart. But remember, this is temporary. After tonight, you will no longer need to hide.”
Caroline didn’t answer. She slammed the heavy door shut, turned around, and started walking fast toward the hospital, her sneakers hitting the pavement in a rapid, desperate rhythm.
The freezing morning wind bit into Caroline’s cheeks as she walked the three blocks to the hospital. By the time she pushed through the heavy glass doors of the main entrance, the flush of the earlier morning was completely gone. Her face was a mask of cold, professional indifference.
She walked down the sterile hallway, the smell of bleach and rubbing alcohol replacing the heavy scent of cedarwood. She pushed into the locker room, stripped off her civilian clothes, and pulled on her blue scrubs. She took the heavy, encrypted military phone from her pocket and shoved it into the deepest corner of her locker.
She locked the metal door with a sharp click, took a deep breath, and walked out to the main nurses’ station.
The morning shift change was pure chaos. Monitors beeped loudly. Nurses rushed past with clipboards.
𝖨𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗌𝖾 𝗋𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗈𝗇 𝗀𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗌.𝖼𝗈𝗆
Caroline walked up to the high counter to grab her patient charts.
Brenna suddenly popped up from behind a stack of files, a massive, secretive grin on her face.
Brenna reached under the desk and pulled out a pristine white paper bag. The logo of Washington’s most expensive, exclusive French bakery was stamped on the front in gold foil. She slammed the bag down onto the counter right in front of Caroline. Next to it, she placed a tall plastic cup of iced shaken espresso, condensation dripping down the sides.
“Boom,” Brenna whispered loudly.
Caroline stared at the expensive food, her eyebrows pulling together. “Did you win the lottery, Brenna? A single croissant from that place costs twenty dollars.”
Brenna rolled her eyes and leaned in close. “I didn’t buy it. The incredibly gorgeous Dr. Julian Croft dropped it off ten minutes ago. He specifically said it was for you.”
Caroline’s stomach instantly tightened. The name Julian triggered a massive alarm in her head. She remembered the terrifying, violent jealousy Jarrod had displayed in the SUV just days ago.
She immediately pushed the white paper bag back toward Brenna.
“I already ate,” Caroline lied smoothly. “You take it.”
Brenna slammed her hand down on top of the bag. “Are you crazy? You cannot reject a gift from an attending physician. It makes you look like a total ice queen. Just take the coffee, at least.”
Caroline stared at the iced espresso. She hated owing Julian anything. She hated the complicated mess it created.
While she hesitated, a cold, heavy sensation prickled the back of her neck. Her operative instincts flared. She was being watched.
Down the hallway, standing near the supply closet, were Melanie and Tammy.
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