Chapter 266
Sunlight poured through the hotel restaurant windows as Thomas leaned in, voice low.
“Dr. Snow took a private jet home last night.”
Adam didn’t even look up from his tablet, just nodded once. Irene caught his eye across the table, hiding a small smile behind her coffee cup. Neither looked surprised.
By the third morning of their routine–Irene at the hospital with García while Adam handled business before joining her later- Adam’s phone buzzed during breakfast.
“Emergency meeting.” He frowned at the screen. “Regional integration issues. Can’t delegate this one.”
Irene gathered her bag. “If today’s check goes well, García should be in the clear. Don’t worry about it.”
“Wait for my message before leaving the hospital,” Adam said, his eyes sharper than his casual tone suggested.
“I’m a big girl, you know.
“Promise me.” Something in his voice made her pause. “Some areas here aren’t tourist–friendly.”
The intensity in his gaze sent a flutter through her chest. “Fine. I’ll wait.”
Minutes later at the hospital, monitors beeped steadily as Irene checked García’s latest results, Carmen, his fiancée, hovering nearby.
“Everything looks good,” Irene pointed to the screen. “Him still being asleep is actually a good thing–gives his brain time to rest and heal.”
Carmen squeezed her shoulders with relief. “What would we have done without you?”
After three days of waiting room conversations and shared coffee, their unexpected friendship felt natural. They’d already swapped numbers with promises to stay in touch.
“Just doing my job,” Irene said, packing her equipment. “I should head back now.”
“Let me call you a car.”
Irene checked her phone. Meeting running long. Wait for my update. Almost done.
“Adam’s picking me up,” she said, tucking the phone away.
Carmen’s lips curved knowingly. “Just doctor–patient, right?”
“Exactly,” Irene said, heat creeping up her neck.
“Sure, keep–telling yourself that.” Carmen laughed, then sobered. “Be careful outside, okay? Some areas aren’t great, especially for foreigners.”
Outside the hospital, the afternoon sun beat down as Irene waited, admiring the glass facade. Her phone buzzed: Another 30 min. Thomas coming to get you.
No rush, she replied, spotting a café across the street.
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Chapter 266
She’d barely taken three steps when four guys surrounded her out of nowhere, moving like they’d practiced this. Irene’s body tensed as she looked for a way out.
“Dr. Sterling.“. The leader’s accet mangled her name. “You’ll come with us now.”
“Who the hell are you?” Her voice came out steadier than she felt.
His smile never touched his eyes. “Someone’s paying good money to meet you. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
Heart racing, Irene lunged sideways, but a rough hand clamped over her mouth before she could scream. She fought back, slamming her heel hard into one man’s knee. He dropped with a howl.
“Fucking bitch!” he spat, clutching his knee.
The others tightened around her. One twisted her arms into a hold that sent pain shooting up to her shoulders. Her phone slipped from her pocket, clattering to the pavement.
“The phone!” one barked. “Kick it away! No tracking!”
A swift kick sent it skidding toward a storm drain.
Pedestrians noticed but kept their distance, intimidated by the men’s professional efficiency. Within seconds, Irene was forced into an unmarked van that peeled away from the curb, tires screaming against asphalt.
The city scenery blurred outside the van windows as they drove. When they finally stopped, Irene saw a run–down apartment building far from downtown. She was yanked outside, the smell of trash hitting her as she stumbled onto broken pavement.
They pushed her up several flights of stairs and into a smelly apartment. The room was nearly empty–just a dirty mattress and a few broken chairs. Dirty windows let in weak light that showed dust floating in the air.
“She’s pretty,” the leader said, eyeing her like merchandise. “We could have some fun before the delivery.”
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