Two other nurses give me apologetic looks for having to deal with Victor.
Do they realize he’s with the cartel or just feel bad that I’m the new girl and I get the patients they don’t want to deal with?
I grab Hannah’s arm and pull her into another hallway, out of sight of the bodyguard. “How often does the cartel bring their men here for care?”
“They’re cartel?” Hannah’s eyes widen. “I thought he was just some scumbag drug dealer from a gang. It’s the first time I’ve seen him, but the bodyguard, he’s practically a regular. Maybe once every few months, they bring in someone who's been shot or stabbed and needs surgery. We all draw straws to decide who gets to deal with them.”
“And I’m the new nurse on the unit, so I got picked?” I’m not the least bit offended. I deal with thugs and thieves often enough in my line of work. Smiling weakly at Hannah, I don’t want her to think I’m upset with her. “It’s fine. I can handle him.”
“The bodyguard or the patient?” Hannah asks. She gives a nervous laugh and fiddles with her hands in front of her.
“Both. I’ve encountered my fair share of ogres.”
She chuckles, and the tension eases out of her shoulders. “Okay, good.”
As it nears lunch, I head down to the cafeteria to grab a quick bite to eat.
Stepping off the elevator, two men are arguing. One of them is Mikhail Barinov. The other is Carlos Sanchez.
The cartel and the bratva.
I skirt past the commotion and head into the cafeteria, out of sight. I’m not sure, but Mikhail may have spotted me. Even so, I’m not getting in the middle of two men butting heads and throwing threats at one another.
The two men stir quite a commotion, bringing in several onlookers, and finally, I hear the heavy boots of security forcing the two men to break up the exchange.
I pay for my food and grab a seat at a nearby table. I can see the chaos through the glass window. There aren’t very many open options for available seating, and while I’d rather hide in a corner and not be seen, the only chance I have to do that is to take my food upstairs to the unit.
“Madisyn!” Mikhail shouts my name as the security guards intervene.
His gaze is deadlocked on me.
Even if I wanted to hide, where would I go? Under the table?
I exhale a heavy sigh and stand, leaving my tray of food unattended while I step out of the cafeteria into the hallway where the two men are bickering.
Victor is being escorted out the front door.
Mikhail doesn’t seem to be as agreeable with leaving.
“Sir, we’re going to have to ask you to leave,” the security officer says.
“Madisyn! She can vouch for me,” Mikhail says.
I step around into the hallway, wishing that I could be invisible.
No such luck.
“Do you know this gentleman?” the security guard asks.
Mikhail’s eyes are franticly searching mine, silently begging me for my help.
“Unfortunately, I do. “