Drew
It had been a long time since I’d had anything to smile about, and even longer since I’d laughed. But hearing Hunter ask Levi that morning why he was looking at me had done the trick.
Levi was good with Hunter. I’d known for a while that my son needed a strong man in his life, a role model. There were a couple of scientists who worked with me who were friendly enough to him, but none of them seemed to have any real interest except for Rich Barnes. He had two young boys himself, and he was always bringing Hunter some clever little gift.
Still, Rich had his own family, and the other guys just weren’t kid people. I’d hoped to one day start dating, but between my work for the pharmaceutical company and taking care of Hunter, I just hadn’t gotten around to it.
Levi, however, seemed to be a natural, and he was sure easy on the eyes. I thought about his black T-shirt stretched over a well-defined chest, narrow hips with jeans that hung low, and his bare feet. What was it about a man barefooted in denim that was so damn sexy?
“What are you thinking about so hard over there? Your face is all flushed.” Lydia was grinning from ear to ear, her gaze shifting to me in the car.
“Nothing.”
“Uh-huh. Sure.” She chuckled softly to herself as she made a left turn. “So, is there a Mr. Bellamy in the picture?”
“Nope. No time.”
“And Hunter’s dad?”
“I have no idea who he is. Hunter’s mom was my best friend in the world, more like a sister to me than anything else. She had a terminal illness and had used a sperm bank in order to have a child before she died. Zoe had expected to have a few years with Hunter, only the pregnancy was far harder on her than they anticipated, and she died days after he was born.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.”
I sighed, amazed at how much her death still tore at my heart. They say time heals all wounds, but that’s a bunch of bull. It doesn’t. Makes it easier to cope with, yes. But the gash in my heart from Zoe’s death would never fully heal.
“Zoe was amazing. So strong. So brave. She knew it was risky, but she was bound and determined to have a baby before her life was cut short.”
“And you stepped up to raise your best friend’s son?”
“I did. She asked me the day before she died. I didn’t hesitate. And Hunter became mine. I love that kid as if he were my own flesh and blood.”
“Do you ever think of having more kids? Getting married?”
I shrugged. “I guess so, but there hasn’t been much time. Plus, being held captive by a crazy man for six months hasn’t really helped that plight much. And I’m not sure what man would be interested in a woman who helped create a virus that could kill thousands of people within days of contracting it.”
“You can’t blame yourself for that. There wasn’t much choice to be had in the matter.”
“No, perhaps not. But that doesn’t help the guilt.”
Lydia parked in front of a nondescript brick building, and we got out to go inside. The clinic was set up similarly to a hospital, with a central desk in the middle and rooms lining the halls on each side.
A man sat at the desk, tanned skin, dark eyes and hair with a touch of salt and pepper to it. He stood when we entered, and walked around the desk, his hand outstretched.
“You must be Dr. Bellamy. I’m Dr. Esteban Ayala, Lydia’s father.”
I shook his hand. “Please call me Drew, and it’s very nice to meet you, Dr. Ayala.”
“And you must call me Esteban. Lydia tells me you might be able to help us create a cure to this terrible disease.”
“Yes; I have the formula for the antidote, but I’ve not actually put the compounds together yet. I didn’t want to risk it falling into the wrong hands.”
“Good thinking.” Dr. Ayala turned his attention back to Lydia. “I was just about to make rounds, and then I’ll head home.”
“I’ve got it, Dad. You’ve been here all night. Go home and get some sleep.”
Dr. Ayala acted as if he wanted to protest, but Lydia put her hand up. “I mean it. You’re no good to anyone dead on your feet.”
He nodded and gave her a quick hug. “Thanks. I’ll see you tonight.”
When he left, Lydia walked around the desk and grabbed an extra white coat from the closet behind it. She handed it to me.
“Not really necessary, but patients tend to expect the coat.” She smiled. “Okay—you ready to get started?”
I was a little nervous, but I didn’t know how to explain that to Lydia, so I simply nodded my head. I’d seen all these patients under much different circumstances. I’d whispered apologies in their ears for weeks, but they’d been empty comforts considering I was pumping them full of a virus that could kill them. They knew it, and I knew it. I wasn’t sure what kind of reception I’d get on this side of the bunker.
I followed Lydia to the first room down the hall. She smiled big as she walked in. “Hello, Mr. Morgan. How are you feeling this morning?”
The man lying in the bed was Joel Morgan. He was twenty-five years old and had been approached by Santos Casas, The Saint, at a tryout for stunt guys. It was a ploy the Cabs used to find viable young test subjects. Apparently, they’d used the movie role in order to take Ivy as well.
I knew from conversations with him that his parents had died recently in a terrible car crash, and he and his twenty-one-year-old brother lived in their home. He was a good guy and just trying to make it in the world, when Santos and Rubio duped him into thinking they had a job for him on the set of a movie.
“I’m okay, I guess.” The boils on Joel’s body were festering, which meant the virus was speeding up again. We needed to get the antidote made and administered today.
I stepped from behind Lydia, and Joel’s eyes found mine. Fear paled his handsome face, and he tried to scoot back on the bed.
“No. No—I thought I was safe.” He looked at Lydia, pleading in his eyes. “You told me I was safe. What’s she doing here? She’s the angel of death!”
Lydia lifted her hands and moved closer to Joel, but he jerked away from her touch. “Dr. Bellamy is here to help. She wasn’t working for those men on her own. They had her son. She’s a victim, just like you.”
Joel snorted and shook his head. “She did this to me. After she injected me with something, I started to get sick. It’s her fault.”
He was right. And he was scared. I touched Lydia’s arm. “It’s okay. I’m just going to step out.”
Lydia nodded and stayed behind to calm Joel down. I couldn’t blame his reaction. It was my fault he was feeling so miserable. My fault he was on the edge of death, waiting for someone to push him over.
A few moments later, Lydia emerged from the room, shutting the door gently behind her.
“I got him settled down. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. And it’s not his fault. I didn’t see the patients every day, but I saw them enough. Maybe I shouldn’t be here. I can work on the antidote from my lab at home.”
“There’s no time for that. Joel’s vital signs are all over the place. We need seven doses of that antidote today.”
“Is Ivy coming in?”
“Did someone say my name?”
I turned to find a beautiful young woman walking towards us. She had light-brown hair and hazel-green eyes. She was tall and thin, but she looked so much better than when I’d seen her last. Healthy and glowing.
“Just in time. We need to get your blood drawn so we can start processing it and prepare it for the antibodies.”
Ivy stopped when she was close to me and looked me over. Then she did something I didn’t expect. She smiled, so big and so genuine, it pricked my heart, a heart I thought had been hardened over the last six months. “Drew.” Her arms wrapped around me, and she pulled me in for a hug. “Thank you.”
Emotion welled up in my eyes, choking off my voice. “Why are you thanking me?”
“You saved my husband. You were kind to me. I understand now why you did what you did.” She placed a hand on her belly. “I’d do anything for this little bean, and I haven’t even met him yet.”
“I heard the news. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. If it weren’t for you and your intervention in Oscar’s life, this baby would be growing up without a father. So, thank you.”
I shook my head. “You shouldn’t be thanking me.”
“Nonsense. Now, come along, vampires—it’s time for me to make my donation.”
Lydia and I worked through the day, not even stopping for lunch. Fortunately, her husband Cruz brought something by for us along with a cell phone, as Levi had promised. We took turns eating, and I called Levi once I had a chance.
“Hey, it’s Drew. Thank you for the phone. I’ll repay you once I can access all my accounts.”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
“How is Hunter doing? Is he behaving?”
Levi chuckled softly. “Yeah, he’s been great. He looks like he’s about ready for a nap.”
“I don’t think he slept much last night. He tossed and turned for hours.”
“He mentioned he’s been having bad dreams.”
I sighed, pain lancing my heart at all my little boy had been through. It wasn’t fair.
“I was afraid of that. When this all is finished, I’ll get him some counseling.”
“I think that’s a good idea. Did you want to talk to him?”
“Yes, please. If he’s nearby.”
“He is. I wanted to tell you before I give him the phone. I have to leave the office today, but Piper, Cade’s wife, is going to stay here with him. It’s pretty important, or I wouldn’t leave.”
“I understand. Of course. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll try to leave here as soon as I can, but I don’t know when that will be. I think we’re close.”
“We’ve got him covered. Take your time. Okay, here’s Hunter.”
I heard Levi telling Hunter that his mom was on the phone and then the squeal of delight that made my mommy’s heart melt.
“Mommy! When are you coming home? I miss you.”
“Hey, baby. Are you having fun with Mr. Levi?”
“Yep! He taught me a bunch of ninja moves.”
“He did? That’s awesome, buddy. I’m going to be here for a little while longer, but I’ll be home for dinner tonight, okay?”
“Okay. I miss you, mommy. Are you sure you’re coming back?”
A knife to the heart.
“I promise you.”
“Okay. Here’s Mr. Levi.”
“I love you!” I shouted, hoping to catch him before he gave the phone away. A throat clearing sounded on the line, and I knew I hadn’t been successful.
“Um, sorry. That was meant for Hunter.”
Levi cleared his throat again, and when he spoke it sounded as if there was something still lodged there. “I figured. Okay, well, um, I’ll see you tonight then.”
“Uh, yeah. Thanks.”
Boy, were we eloquent.
“Bye, Levi.”
“Bye, Drew.”
I stared at my phone for a moment, and when I looked up, Lydia was grinning from ear to ear.
“Did you just tell Levi you loved him?”
“Shut up.” I rolled my eyes and slipped the phone into my white coat pocket. “I meant to tell Hunter, but he’d run off and handed the phone to Levi.”
“And how did Levi take that?”
“Weirdly.”
Lydia lost it, throwing her head back in laughter. “I figured.”
I took my place by her side and worked in silence for a few minutes before she spoke up. “What made you decide to go into science?”
“My best friend’s disease. My plan had been to be a pediatrician from the time that I was young. Zoe wanted to be a mother, a dancer, a wife, a marine biologist.” I laughed. “She was always changing her mind. But not me.”
“So, why the switch?”
“I went into science to help find cures for rare diseases, but instead, I found out real quickly who I really worked for.”
“Who’s that?”
“Pharmaceutical companies. Instead of cures for debilitating diseases, I was developing vaccines or meds that control symptoms. Vaccines are important, so I realize that is a small contribution, but I never worked with patients or made any real headway with actual cures for rare diseases.”
“Well, you’re making a difference here today.”
“Only because I created the mutated virus in the first place.”
“You think you’re the only one with the ability to do this? What if it had been someone else in your place? That virus would already be widespread. People would be dying, and we’d all be scrambling to find a way to end it.”
Lydia continued to work as I thought about what she’d said.
“Look, Drew. I know it sucks. And I’m not just trying to make you feel better. If it hadn’t been you driving this ship, it would have been a lot worse. I thank God that you were the one Vicario chose for the job. You had a conscience. A desire to heal people, not harm them. You slowed the disease down for those patients in there, giving them a fighting chance. You did that.”
I knew she was right, but it was hard to pierce through the armor of terrible guilt and shame I was wearing.
“Thanks for saying that.”
“I mean it.” She squeezed my hand and went back to work.
“Have you ever considered going back and getting your medical degree?”
“I have, but I have Hunter. It would be impossible to go back to med school while being a single mother and living on one income. I thought maybe when he was out of high school, perhaps I could go back. But I’m not sure I’d have time.”
“You should go back. It’s not too late.”
“I think it may be.”
“Nope. As long as you’re alive, it’s never too late.”
It took hours and several trials to get the antidote just right, but we finally had what we thought would work. We separated it into dosages, and I nearly passed out with exhaustion. The last few months had been filled with long days and sleepless nights, and there didn’t seem to be an end in sight, even though Hunter and I were safe.
“I’ll administer the antidote to the patients. Meanwhile, why don’t you rest in my office? There’s a comfortable couch in there, and I know from experience, it’s the perfect place to take a quick nap.”
Lydia winked at me, and I couldn’t help but smile. It had been so long since I’d had any real friends in my life, and Lydia was definitely feeling like a new friend.
I lay down on the black velvet couch in Lydia’s office and was out within seconds. A gentle hand on my shoulder woke me, and I shot upright. It felt like just moments, but a quick glance at my phone screen showed I’d been out a couple of hours.
Lydia stood there with a huge grin on her face.
“It worked! Already every single person is feeling better. Vital signs are stable, and each patient is improving. You did it!”
I couldn’t help the tears that rushed to my eyes, and I threw my arms around Lydia’s neck.
“That’s amazing news! I knew it had the potential to work quickly, but I wasn’t completely sure.” Relief flooded my soul, filling me with something I hadn’t had in a very long time. Hope.
“Someone wants to see you.” Lydia squeezed my hand and motioned for me to follow her down the hall. When we came to Joel’s room, I shook my head.
“I don’t want to upset him again.”
She smiled sadly. “You won’t. He asked to see you.”
I braced myself for the recrimination from Joel that I totally deserved and ventured into his room. He was sitting up, his eyes much brighter than before, the boils already starting to scab over.
“Hi, Joel,” I offered as I neared his bedside.
His face broke into a smile, and tears filled his eyes. He reached for my hand, and I took his. He squeezed it tightly and held it to his chest.
“Thank you. You saved my life.” His voice broke as his body shook with the sobs he’d been holding in. I put my arm around his shoulders and hugged him tightly.
“You’re welcome. I’m so sorry, Joel, for my role in this. Lydia was right; I didn’t have much of a choice—but I still take responsibility for my hand in this.”
Joel shook his head. “It’s okay. I mean it. I forgive you.”
The words were exactly what I needed to hear—absolution for the sins I’d committed against this man. And suddenly, it was all too much. I pulled away and inhaled a sharp breath. I gave Joel a watery smile and rushed out of the room, murmuring to Lydia that I had to go as I rushed outside into the fresh air.
Tears that I’d held back for months finally broke free, and I sobbed, sinking down onto the steps of the clinic. I cried for Hunter, for what he’d lost—first his birth mom, and then months without me. I cried for Joel and the six other patients inside the clinic, for what they’d gone through, and my contribution to their pain. I cried for the patients who had never made it out of the bunker and other sites around the city. I’d had a role in their deaths. And I knew it would haunt me for the rest of my life.
Lydia found me minutes later, dropping down beside me and embracing me in a tight, one-armed hug.
“Are you okay?”
“I will be.”
“I have a feeling you needed that release.”
“It was a long time coming.”
“Ready to head home? I’ve got someone covering the clinic until Dad arrives. It’s been a long day.”
“Yeah, it has.”
Lydia and I retrieved our belongings and left the clinic. Neither of us said anything on the ride home. I was still too raw from all the emotions whirling inside me, and I was grateful that Lydia allowed me to just be silent with my thoughts.
We pulled into the parking lot just as the sun was setting in the sky, the big fiery ball peeking over the treetops. I shut the car door, noticing a black van sitting just outside the back door.
“Whose is that?”
“Ours. The guys had a tip today they followed up on. I haven’t heard from Cruz, but if they’re back already I’m hoping they have good news.”
I followed Lydia inside, through the gym area and into the offices. She used her ID card, scanned her palm, and opened the door for me to come in.
As I entered the offices, the air shifted and a gnawing sensation clenched my gut. Standing a few feet in front of me was Levi—but he wasn’t alone.
Angel Rubio stood next to him, his arms behind his back and a look of shock on his face. All-consuming anger shot through my veins, my face heating, my blood boiling, and my pulse ratcheting out a furious staccato.
“You!”
I was on the move before I could think. My hand shot out of its own accord, slapping Rubio across the face, the pain not even registering in my brain.
Shouts erupted in the room, hands pulling at my arms. Nothing deterred me from my quest, though. Fists flying, heart pounding, I took out the turmoil of the last six months on the only target I had.
“You bastard! What the hell are you doing here?”