Chapter Two

Sabrina made it to the lounge before the tears fell. Her nerves had been on edge from facing the big man guarding Mr. Holt’s door. His voice had been soft and placating. Hell, he even offered to get her a coffee, but his size had her trembling. On top of that, Mr. Holt had decided to halt all treatment. Sabrina hated when patients gave up, but it was their decision. She saw daily how much the chemo and radiation took out of her patients, but not having experienced it personally, she had no right to argue with them. Not when they were older and tired, like Jonathan.

His employer, Rafael Stone, had sat stoically while Jonathan told Sabrina of his decision. She didn’t have to be empathic to know how badly Mr. Stone was hurting. The haunted eyes belied the calm outward faç ade. She was glad Mr. Holt’s sister hadn’t been in the room upon his announcement. Sabrina could only imagine how that conversation was going to go. On more than one occasion, Priscilla had been physically removed from her brother’s room, and Dr. Mooneyham had even given her a mild sedative one of those times. Seeing the two siblings together made Sabrina think of her own brothers and sister.

Sabrina had no idea what it would be like to have a sibling hurt so badly on her behalf. Maybe Jasmine would be sad. Sabrina had kept in touch with her and her brothers as much as possible while they were growing up in different homes. They’d lost contact the years Sabrina was in college and then med school. By the time she was finished, Jasmine had gone to college as well, getting her degree in social work. Sabrina was proud of her sister, wanting to help children who had lost their parents or been kicked out of their homes.

Terrence had gone to college, and last Sabrina spoke with him, he was living in California working for a pharmaceutical company. Jerrick had joined the military, but Sabrina and the others lost touch with him once he enlisted. Both Jasmine’s grandparents had passed away, but before they died, they hadn’t heard from Jerrick in years. The four siblings had been lucky after their mother disappeared. Sabrina had been worried the boys would have to go into the foster care system, but the Wilsons had moved heaven and earth to keep the three siblings together. Sabrina often wished she'd been with them, but whenever she had that thought, she felt guilty. Her own grandmother had given Sabrina what she could monetarily, even if it was more out of familial obligation. Never once did her grandmother tell Sabrina she loved her.

The door to the lounge opened, and Sabrina swiped the tears off her face. Sabrina was surprised to find Dr. Mooneyham standing there. “Sabrina, my dear. Are you all right? ”

“Yes. Just…” Sabrina sighed. “It never gets easier, but you probably know all about that. ”

“I do. Listen, I wanted to talk to you about something. When you have a few minutes, please come find me in my office. ”

“Of course. I’m finished with my rounds, so do you want to meet now or tomorrow? ”

“That’s up to you. If you aren’t too drained, we can talk now. It might help take your mind off Jonathan. ”

“How did…? Never mind. Let me grab my things and I’ll meet you downstairs in, say, twenty minutes? ”

“I’ll be waiting. ” The chief of staff left her alone in the lounge, and Sabrina blew out a breath. She was curious as to what Joseph wanted to talk to her about, and if it would help take her mind off Mr. Holt, she was all for it. After making sure she didn’t look like a racoon, Sabrina retrieved her purse from her office after inputting some notes into her computer then headed downstairs.

It had been a couple years since she’d been inside Joseph’s office, but it hadn’t changed much. The only thing she noticed different was the addition of some photos. She took one of the plush, leather chairs opposite his desk and relaxed as much as she could. Sabrina had no reason to be nervous, but being called to the office without being told why was enough to give her pause.

“I’ll make this quick to ease your worries. I will be retiring soon, and I’m hoping you’ll be interested in taking my place. ”

Sabrina sat up, her hands on the arms of the chair. “You want me to be chief of staff? ” Sabrina never would have imagined that was what he was going to discuss with her.

“Do you have a better candidate? Sabrina, you’re one of the best doctors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. You’re smart. You are dedicated. But above that, you care. I need to pass the hat to someone who has the patients’ best interests at heart, not someone who’s going to run the hospital like a business. ”

“Isn’t it a business, though? ” As chief of hematology and oncology, Sabrina knew what it took to oversee a department. For the last several years, she had run her group like a well-oiled machine, but did she want to be in charge of all departments?

“In a sense, yes. But the business end is for the CEO to handle. My job is to oversee the other chiefs and make sure the patients are taken care of first and foremost. You manage your department better than any of the chiefs we have on staff. You may treat it as a business, but you do it with care and compassion. If one of your doctors isn’t available, you’re always there to take up the slack. Your department is the only one which hasn’t received a complaint filed since you’ve been head of your department. I know what it takes to run this hospital, and I believe you are the best doctor for the position. I don’t need your answer right away. Take time to think about it. I’m not one to pry into my staff’s personal life, but as far as I know, you don’t have a partner at home to discuss your decision with. ”

“Is that part of your reasoning in choosing me? I don’t have someone at home; therefore, I’m going to be here all the time like I am now? Because if so, I don’t plan to stay single the rest of my life. If the position is going to require longer hours than I already have, that’s not a selling point. ”

“No, you being single has nothing to do with my recommendation. Even though it wasn’t what I meant, it was insensitive of me, and I apologize. If anything, I know once you find someone to share your life with, you’ll be more than capable of managing a home and work life. ”

Sabrina was stunned. She’d always admired the doctor, but she never knew he held her in such high regard. “May I ask you a question? It has nothing to do with this, but I’m curious. ”

“About? ”

Sabrina clasped her hands in her lap. “The men who come to visit Mr. Holt. Who are they, exactly? ”

Joseph rested his elbows on the arms of his leather chair and steepled his fingers under his chin. “You know Rafael Stone is Jonathan’s employer. The others are either members of Rafael’s family or those he holds in high regard. The Stones are hugely responsible for reviving this city over the past thirty years, and they have many they consider family whether by blood or not. Those are the men coming to visit Jonathan. They also consider him and Priscilla family. Is there someone in particular you’re wondering about? ”

Sabrina didn’t want to delve into her personal life, not when Joseph was considering her to take his place, but it seemed he knew these men well. She didn’t have to admit to what happened in her past. “They’re all so… intimidating. ”

“Yes, they are, but they’re protectors. I can assure you of one thing; Rafael would trust any of them with the life of his wife and unborn son. And now that you’re part of Jonathan’s life? You’ve automatically been added to the list of those under their protection. ”

Sabrina sat up taller, scooting to the front of her chair. “Protection? Why would I need protection? Are they some kind of mob? Am I in danger? ”

“Oh, heavens no. I only meant you’re one of theirs now. Let’s say you’re driving home after work one night and your car breaks down. You could call any of the men and they’d be there and have you home before Triple A even shows up. I can see by the incredulity on your face you don’t believe me, but I have no reason to lie. These men consider me family since my daughter and niece are married to two of them. I know them, Sabrina. I know the kind of men they are. They’re the good guys. The ones depicted in romance novels. The ones other men could only aspire to being. ”

Sabrina relaxed back into the seat and did her best not to roll her eyes. That would be both immature and unprofessional. “That’s ridiculous. I’m nothing more to them than Mr. Holt’s doctor. ”

“I promise you are much more to them than that. Don’t let their size intimidate you. Surely you have seen Frey and Abbi? ”

“Yes. I’ve met them a couple times. ”

“Have you noticed how Frey is with his wife? How he looks at her? Touches her constantly? He’s one of the largest of their Clan, and he would rather die than let something happen to Abigail or their children. All the men you’ve met are the same way. I promise you have nothing to fear from them. Especially Deacon. ”

“Deacon? ”

“Yes, the black male who seems to fancy you. ”

At least now she had a name and could stop calling him “the man”. “Wait. Did you say clan? ”

Joseph grinned, shrugging one shoulder. “Eh. It sounds better than tribe. Let’s just say there are a lot of people the Stones consider family, and whether you want to believe it or not, you are now one of them. ”

Sabrina needed to direct her boss away from the topic at hand before she laughed at him. “It sounds far-fetched, but I’ll take your word for it. You haven’t steered me wrong in all the years we’ve known each other. ”

“Excellent. Now, why don’t you go on home and get some rest? I know today was trying for you with Jonathan’s decision. ”

“I will. Thank you for the recommendation. It means the world to me. ”

“You’re most welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow. ”

Sabrina’s head was spinning as she left her boss’s office. She felt better about the man – Deacon – now that Joseph had vouched for him as well as all the others who visited Mr. Holt. But being considered one of their own? That was nonsense. As soon as the cancer took its final toll on the man’s body, she would never see his family again. Unless…

No. Sabrina wasn’t the type to ask a man out. But he had already offered to get her coffee. She could always take him up on his offer, just a day or two later. Couldn’t she? There was something about Deacon that drew her to him, besides his good looks and soft demeanor. No. She shouldn’t think about getting involved with a man now. Not when she had to consider Joseph’s offer to take over as chief of staff. If she was even approved by the board. There would be multiple candidates, and some of her colleagues were more than ready to step into Joseph’s shoes. Some who wouldn’t be happy if Sabrina were to get the position. She wasn’t going to worry about that now. Joseph didn’t mention how long she had to decide, but since it wasn’t immediately, she had time to give it some thought.

It was later than usual when she exited the elevator into the parking garage. Sabrina was one of the lucky ones who had a reserved spot. She’d long ago learned to wear sensible shoes, and her soft soles made no noise as she strode across the concrete. Cars on upper decks rolling over the metal joints echoed around her. Honking from the street met with doors closing and people talking. The air wasn’t yet steamy in the New Atlanta early evening, but it would be getting that way soon.

Sabrina clicked the unlock button on her key fob, and the headlights blinked as the alarm sounded. When she was about ten feet from her car, an aluminum can skidded across the concrete. Having thought she was alone, the hair on Sabrina’s arms stood on end as if she’d touched a raw electrical wire. She turned to see if someone was behind her, but there was no one there. There had to be, though. There was no wind blowing to have pushed the can along the ground. Hurrying, she got her door open, and she slid into the leather seat of her sedan. Once safely inside with the door locked, Sabrina looked in her rearview mirror.

Shivering, she started the engine and backed out of the spot. When she put the car in drive and accelerated forward, she took another glance in the mirror. In the corner, the shadow of a man slipped behind a concrete pillar. “It was another doctor. That’s all. ” At least that’s what she tried to convince herself.

Drago bit the end of an unlit cigar while staring out the passenger window of the SUV. He’d tossed Arden the keys, because if Drago got behind the wheel, he would have played demolition derby with the humans on the road. After finding his mate murdered, Drago spent a week hunting the Goyle responsible. When he finally caught up with the male, he’d been holed up in an abandoned warehouse. The other Gargoyle didn’t have a sword with him, probably having rushed from the hotel where they’d been staying. It wasn’t a fair fight, but killing Drago’s mate hadn’t been fair either. Before he took the male’s head, Drago asked why he’d felt the need to kill to the human woman. The male, like an idiot, shrugged and said because he could. Drago shrugged his own shoulders and swung his sword with all the rage he held inside. He’d tasked a couple of his followers with cleanup. Even though the warehouse was abandoned, they didn’t need some homeless human stumbling upon a decapitated Gargoyle.

Audrey had given Drago a purpose outside of defeating the American King, if only for a couple days. Now that purpose had been taken from him, and there was nothing left but rage. It simmered below the surface waiting to be unleashed. Arden drove silently, letting Drago stew in his turmoil. He only spoke when Drago gave him direction or asked yes or no questions. They needed money. He still had some of what Kallisto had sent, but assembling an army was costly. The Greek Goyles had pledged their loyalty to him. All except the one who was no longer with his head. If he asked them to do something illegal or immoral, they would.

If he was going to go up against the Stone Clan, they needed swords. They couldn’t fight against other Gargoyles and win without them. Swords of the caliber they needed required cash. Finding someone to forge them wasn’t impossible, but finding someone who could forge the number of weapons they needed who wouldn’t ask questions was. Most of the Greeks had managed to travel abroad with their own, but some had not. Those Unholy who were taking to the new drug well – the Reborn – also needed to be armed. Drago required funds for more of the serum as well as weapons. He’d received a call from Trexon only minutes before with the good news about the success of the latest experiment.

It was imperative the newly arrived Greeks had ways of making money outside of regular jobs, and Drago knew a way to accomplish that. Kavin and Burk, along with quite a few Gargoyles from Greece, were doing well in California. Kavin had managed to get in with a security firm who took jobs which weren’t legal. Mercenaries for hire. It suited the Gargoyles perfectly for the time being, and those who had come from Greece who were willing to work were fitting in well.

Drugs were a messy business, one Drago wasn’t interested in. People, however, were a different story. For whatever reason, most Gargoyles were not only naturally fit but handsome as well. With nothing more than a look, both women and men gave themselves over to a night with the males. At least that was what Drago had experienced in his long life. Human trafficking was a lucrative business. Even Alistair, with all his money, had been involved in the trade. Over the last thirty years, with governments focused on rebuilding, the fight against such things had fallen through the proverbial cracks. Drago was ready to take advantage of the less than stellar job the American police did in tracking down those who bought and sold humans.

It was another reason for having a base of operations on the Eastern seaboard. Moving humans quickly was imperative to success, and the man they were going to meet needed someone who could provide humans in a timely manner. Drago had to be successful for his ultimate plan to succeed. He glanced in the side mirror at the large, paneled truck following along. Instead of showing up at the meeting empty-handed, Drago was going to show Mr. Collins he and the Goyles were more than capable of delivering the merchandise.

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