The Real Thing

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“Thanks.” Trinity walked around the woman’s desk and headed for Wendell Fowler’s office.

Less than a half hour later Trinity left Dr. Fowler’s office unsatisfied. The man hadn’t been any help. He’d even accused her of dramatizing the situation. He’d then tried to convince her that working in surgery on her days off under the guidance of Dr. Belvedere would be a boost to her medical career.

Feeling a degree of fury the likes of which she’d never felt before, she walked past Ms. Adams’s desk with her head held high, fighting back tears in her eyes. If Dr. Belvedere’s goal was to break her resolve and force her to give in to what he wanted, then he was wasting his time. If she had to give up her days off this week, she would do it. She refused to let anyone break her down.

Seven

Adrian leaned back in the chair behind his desk and stared at the phone he’d just hung up. He’d tried calling Trinity from a different number and she still wasn’t taking his calls. He rubbed his hand across his jaw, feeling totally frustrated. So they had kissed. Twice. Big deal. That was no reason for her to get uptight about it and not take his calls. This was crap he didn’t have time for.

It had been well over a week since that kiss. Ten days to be exact. He’d heard of women holding grudges but this was ridiculous. Over a kiss? Really? And no one could convince him she hadn’t enjoyed it just as much as he had. All he had to do was close his eyes to relive the moments of all that tongue interaction. It had been everything a kiss should be and more.

The text signal on his cell phone indicated he had a message. He pulled the phone out of his desk drawer and tried to ignore the flutters that passed through his chest when he saw it was from Trinity.

Got your calls. Worked on my days off. Belvedere’s orders. Spent last 10 days at hospital. Tired. Can barely stand. Off for few days starting tomorrow a.m.

Adrian sat straighter in his chair. What the hell! Trinity had worked on her days off? And it had been Belvedere’s orders? Adrian’s hands trembled in anger when he texted her back.

On my way 2 get you now!

She texted him back.

No. Don’t. I’m okay. Just tired. Going home in the a.m. Will call you then.

Adrian frowned. If Trinity thought that message satisfied him, she was wrong. Who required anyone to work on their days off? There were labor laws against that sort of thing. And if Belvedere had ordered her to do so then the man had gone too damn far.

There was a knock on his office door.

“Come in.”

Dillon stuck his head in. “I’m leaving early. Bailey’s watching the kids while Pam and I enjoy a date night.”

His cousin must have seen the deep scowl on Adrian’s face. He stepped into the office and closed the door behind him, concern in his eyes. “What’s wrong with you, Adrian?”

Adrian stood. Agitated, he paced in front of his desk. It was a few moments before he’d pulled himself together enough to answer Dillon’s question. “I hadn’t heard from Trinity in over a week and was concerned since I knew Belvedere had seen us together that night at dinner. She texted me a few moments ago. The man ordered her to work on her days off. She’s worked ten days straight, Dil. Can you believe that?”

Before Dillon could answer, Adrian added, “I’ve got a good mind to go to that hospital and beat the hell out of him.”

“I think you need to have a seat and think this through.”

The hard tone of Dillon’s voice had Adrian staring at him. And then, as Dillon suggested, he sat. “I’m sitting, Dillon, but I still want to go over to that hospital and beat the hell out of Belvedere.”

“Sure you do. But I’m telling you now the same thing I told you the day you came home after whipping Joel Gaffney’s behind. You can’t settle anything with a fight.”