Chapter 28
“Deva, dammit! Does Aleksei even know of your plan to come here?” Lance hissed his question through clenched teeth as they walked through the Northwestern Hospital lobby. On the other hand, she was glad that Kai stayed silent. Sasha was waiting for them, her lab coat on, her glasses on the tip of her nose and her blond hair in a loose bun on top of her head.
Deva ignored the two men behind her and went to her cousin, taking her in her arms in a quick hug.
“I almost feared you wouldn’t show up.”
Sasha smirked. “Me? Pass up the opportunity to inflict pain on a man I despise? Not a chance.” And then, her eyes flickered to the men behind her. “Hey, Lance! Good to see you again.” And when she looked at Kai, her cousin gaped a little at the Hawaiian god. But Deva couldn’t blame her. “And you brought a friend. Hello, I’m Sasha.”
And Deva rolled her eyes as she saw Kai going into full flirtation mode. It was amusing seeing Sasha a little bit flustered by the imposing man’s attention. Even if Deva wished she would stick to the program, the reason why they were there was time sensitive.
“Any news about Mex?”
Sasha, still a little flushed, got back to business. “I pulled a shitload of favors for you, Deva. And even with that, we won’t get a lot of time.”
“Will you get in trouble, Sasha?”
The men remained close, and there was definite interest on their part to hear her cousin’s answers.
But instead of her smart-ass self, Deva saw a new side of her cousin. Darker, more serious with a hint of anger.
“I never regret my decisions, Deva. You know that. Whatever they may be. Now quickly. Follow me.”
The three of them followed Sasha through the maze of corridors, elevators and nurse stations.
As they reached the secured wing, Sasha used her badge to give them access. Deva looked around and saw a few guards at the nurse station. Although the rest of the hospital looked great, this wing was more luxurious, catering to a wealthier clientele. After two more turns, Sasha stopped before a door at the end of the corridor. Looking at her watch, she nodded.
“I’ve checked the schedule. After lunch and the visit from his treating physician, there is a 20-minute window before the next checkup. We have fifteen minutes. I’ll go first, to make sure he’s alone. In this type of room, there is a small, separate sitting room. Lance and Kai, you can stay there. And when I say we go, we go. No hesitation. Are we clear, Deva?”
Deva rubbed her palms on her jeans and nodded jerkily. Nervousness crept like before at the idea of confronting her father, but she had run out of ideas. So that was it.
“Let’s do this.”
“Deva, I think this is the worst idea of the year.” Lance almost tugged at his platinum blond hair in frustration. “And when Aleksei and Oz find out...”
Deva shook her head. “We need a lead, and we need one fast. I won’t be put under a glass bell by anyone, you know that. If you want out...”
The former Navy SEAL snarled which was so out of character, she almost jerked in surprise. “Don’t try to goad me, Deva. You’re not up for the challenge.”
Kai jumped in, as if impatient to make Lance lose his temper. “And maybe I am Navy SEAL. And as one Delta Force is worth two SEALs, if you want a go...”
Instead of responding to Kai, Lance only hissed and grabbed his arm, pushing the troublemaker into the sitting room.
Sasha peeked inside the room and entered, gesturing for Deva to follow her. On the bed, surrounded by a couple of machines, and his body in a pale blue hospital gown, there he was. Mex Johnson, her father. How inoffensive he looked now, Deva thought.
Her cousin examined his chart as Deva stayed near the door. Beyond it was two very dangerous men there to protect her, she had to remember that. And without a weapon, Mex was much less dangerous.
“Okay, he’s under with painkillers. I’ll stop the drip, and he should regain consciousness in less than a minute.”
“Do, it.”
As she was waiting, Deva noticed something dangling from the railing. Restraint cuffs. She would be a total idiot not to use them.
“What the hell are you doing?” Sasha had turned from recalibrating the machines to find Deva finishing tying her father down.
“Don’t tell me you disapprove, Sasha.”
“Damn, no. I approve. I just wished I had the idea first.”
