Page 104 of Brutal Truths

I don’t bother giving him my full attention, just a glance over my shoulder. “I’m listening.”

“Never underestimate a Del Markov.” His menacing gaze sends a shiver of fear down my spine. “We strike when you least expect us. You found her once, but you won’t find her this time.”

Chapter 31

Isabel

Dr. Boyd is a highly skilled cardiologist. He moves like nothing can shake his focus, his decisions immediate, each step flowing into the next. There’s no rush in him, no wasted motion. Before I register how quickly we’ve worked, Trent is stable and the procedure done. Under forty minutes from start to finish.

It’s the kind of efficiency you get with experience.

He’s older than he looks, in his mid-forties. He works at this hospital because his father has heart issues and he wants to be closer to look after him. Ethical or not, he wasn’t about to let him die of a heart attack because the next nearest cardiologist was hours away.

“Good job, Dr. Lopez.” He praises as we walk out of the OR. “Have you ever considered cardiology as your specialty?”

The shift in temperature hits my skin as we step into the scrub area.

“Not really.” I turn on the water and watch the suds disappear down the drain. “I’ve always wanted to travel the world and offer my skills to those who don’t have access to care. General surgery felt like the better option.”

“Makes sense,” he says, drying his hands. “But there are a lot of people in those situations who could benefit from a top-notch cardiologist. You could train under someone for a few years, build the experience you need. I’d sponsor you in a heartbeat.”

He laughs at his own joke, the tension of the procedure finally easing from his shoulders. “Just something to think about.”

“I will. Thank you.” And I will. He’s not wrong. There are too many third-world countries where they don’t even get the chance to survive something like this. They go without care they can’t afford, and I could change that.

He heads off to check on Trent, leaving me to finish up. I take a few extra seconds, needing the quiet before I follow. I should check in with Aiden to see if he’s heard anything from the others.

When I step out of the prep room, I round the corner and run smack into a wall that shouldn’t be there, forcing me back inside. “What the hell?”

Aiden’s hand clamps over my mouth before I can say more. “Shhh.”

My heart kicks hard against my ribs as I stare up at him, lowering my voice instinctively. “What’s going on? Why are you back here?”

“Drake is working with Rurik.” The words come out low, controlled, but the exhale that follows gives him away. “He said something that made me think you were in danger. I needed to check on you. Now I’m not leaving your side until we find that prick.”

A thought crosses my mind, and I feel the color drain from my face. “Grams. Where is she?”

Aiden closes his eyes, as if he’s trying to avoid telling me, but doesn’t leave me hanging. “We don’t really know.”

“What do you mean you don’t fucking know?” It comes out louder than I mean it to, but who can blame me? My grandmother is missing.

“Drake took advantage of the situation and left while we were busy with the shitshow in the kitchen.” Aiden’s jaw tightens. “I’m not convinced that wasn’t the plan. I mean, I don’t think Rurik expected to get stabbed in the leg by your sister’s sidekick, but I think he was meant to distract us long enough for Drake to get into position.”

“Except Bear fucked him up, putting a stop to that. He had no way of letting Rurik know.” I draw in a breath, forcing myself to think past the panic trying to take over. “Grams recognized him.”

“Recognized him how? I’m sure she’s seen him before. Drake’s been Trent’s personal bodyguard for almost twenty years. Been a member of the Doyle family his entire life. Looks the same as he always has, just older.”

“No, that’s not it.” I shake my head, trying to hold onto the memory before it slips. “When she looked at him, she was… spooked. It didn’t register then because I was trying to get out of the hold he had on my ankle. But now, I can’t shake it.”

Aiden steps back and leans his body against the sink. “The theory we were playing with earlier about the gun.”

“Drake!” I gasp, realizing where he’s going with this. “But how did he get into the penthouse?”

“Is Trent awake?” Aiden straightens and grabs my arm, already moving. “We need to ask him about that night.”

“He’s in recovery.” I grip his forearm, squeezing hard enough to get him to turn and look at me. “We can’t get him worked up. His heart can’t take that. We need to keep him calm.”

“Do you want to find your grandmother?” His voice doesn’t rise, but the weight behind it does. “Or are you more worried about him? Because I don’t give a shit about Trent. He’s the reason we’re in this fucking nightmare to begin with. It’s time to learn the truth about what really happened that night, and I’m telling you—he knows more than he’s saying.”