Dames was so intimidated by the sheer force of Harrison’s presence that his wide eyes welled up with tears.
Felicity rushed to comfort him. “Dames, you and Daphne are siblings. She’ll forgive you, I promise!”
She turned to Harrison, her tone light and teasing. “You know, I always thought Adrian seemed approachable, but his personality’s even colder than yours. Who’d have thought he’d risk his own life for someone else? That’s a rare sight!”
Drawing out her words, Felicity winked conspiratorially. “And I just saw Selene getting out of Adrian’s car. When did those two get so close?”
“Hey! Harrison, wait up!”
She hurried after him as he strode off, making it obvious he hadn’t been listening to
a word she said.
*
Inside the hospital, Adrian was wheeled into surgery.
Lying face down on the operating table, he shot a grin at the lead surgeon. “Make sure you add two extra zeros to the bill, Doc. I’m sending this one straight to Vaughn the bastard for reimbursement!”
The surgeon, a familiar face, sliced open Adrian’s shirt with practiced ease and chuckled, “I think you’re the real crook here. Want me to exaggerate your injuries a bit? Maybe make that woman who brought you cry her eyes out?”
Adrian folded his arms, resting his chin on them. “Nah, don’t go that far. I couldn’t stand to see her that upset, even if it’s just guilt.”
The surgeon snorted, playing along. “Since when did you start sweet–talking instead of biting people’s heads off? Let me check if a snake’s blood runs warm–hey,
looks like it does!”
Adrian shot him a warning glare, smirking, “You want a lawsuit on your hands? Three years without a license or a full department review. Take
your pick.”
The doctor snickered. “Careful, or I’ll stitch up your arrow wound in the shape of a–well, you get the idea.”
Outside the operating room, Selene stood anxiously with Daphne. Daphne’s eyes were red–rimmed as she stared at the closed doors, clutching Selene’s hand for
17:36
“It’s Daphne’s fault!” Dames shouted. “She’s the one who upset Dad! If my arrow hit her, she deserved it!”
