Page 12 of Unfettered

She shrugs one shoulder. “This one was actually his decision. It was the right move. There’s no way I could have done what was required at the mansion, even with a fully-stocked medical wing. From what I gather, we’re looking at potential amputation of one or both legs. It’s better to have that done in a controlled environment, like the hospital. And Doc knows a very good trauma surgeon, one I’ve worked with before, so it was easy enough to set up.”

I snort and raise an eyebrow at her. “So, in other words, you’re pissed off that Doc will use a hospital when he deems it necessary, but he refused to listen to you when Lio’s life was on the line.”

Her glare is brutal, but as my quasi sister-in-law, it doesn’t do anything except bounce off me. With exaggerated patience, she replies, “I may have decided that going to the Bratva was a solid decision, for multiple reasons.”

“And one being Doc.” I cross my arms, unsure how to feel about that. Keegan is not thrilled he’s losing his sister when they’ve finally reconnected, not to mention Lio’s response. I’m surprised Sandro is holding up as well as he is, facing the loss of Sarah.

Sarah massages her temples as she sighs. “Look, there are a lot of reasons. For one, there's the fact we’re having to hide in my office because we can’t trust the Senator not to send his minions to pick us up if we were in the general waiting room. Switching to the Bratva, while it's not safe, it offers me a different challenge. And yes, while I respect Doc, you have to remember that us surgeons—well, doctors overall—have egos. I’m certainly not going to sit there trying to prove my worth time and time again.”

“That, and you find the Russians hot,” I retort quickly, teasing her. Her slight blush, and the way she looks anywhere but at me, gives me even more information to pass along to her brother.

Oh, this is going to be a shitshow if she ends up with someone from a rival Organization—allies or not. Lio and Keegan do not understand that Sarah is a grown-up. I wonder if I can get a heads up before they find out, so I can have popcorn ready…

Clearing her throat, she glances at her watch. “Has there been any updates from anyone?”

“Changing the subject will not save you from further inquisition,” I say wickedly, before checking my phone again. With a sigh, I shake my head. “No, nothing. The only thing I have is that Jude, Antonio, and Nicolo are being watched heavily as they want to be here.”

“Too dangerous. I can hide you in my office, but several people? No, that wouldn’t work. Not to mention, with the Senator likely looking for payback, this will be a place he’s monitoring.”

“I know. But I do have sympathy for what they’re going through. Even if there’s nothing they can do from here. Do you have any idea how long it’ll take?” I yawn, my body still tired from everything we’ve been through.

She shifts her focus back to the computer, typing fast as she frowns. With a vicious curse, she pushes the keyboard away. I lean forward in the chair, desperate for news.

“It should be wrapped up soon, according to the notes being inputted. It’s…not good.” She cringes, dropping her eyes from me. “I need to talk to Doc… I know he wants to get Nario out of here immediately, but…fuck. Shit, who do I call?”

I jump to my feet, resuming my pacing as Sarah mutters. When the door suddenly bursts open, I stiffen, ready to take on whoever it is. Instead, I pale at the sight greeting me.

“You are in a restricted area. I ask that you remove yourself immediately.” Sarah’s voice is glacial, but I notice the way her fingers tremble as she stands. Another man enters the room and she immediately relaxes, but I don’t. Not even when she addresses him more civilly. “Robert, what is the meaning of this?”

“The Board of Directors was notified that there have been…discrepancies.” He’s an older man, and his pale blue eyes flit over me to focus on Sarah. “As such, an inquiry was started. You are currently under investigation for misappropriation of funds and failure to report required information to law enforcement.”

“I have never messed with any of the finances at this hospital!” Sarah’s vehement denial glosses over the failure to report, and from the unhappy twitch on Robert’s face, he caught it as well.

He shakes his head in exasperation. “Regardless, our hands are tied. It was flagged by the officers, and I saw that you had badged in. Now, I have no clue who this gentleman is, but that’s a HR violation of its own. You know that. He’s not wearing a badge, nor has he checked in with security.”

“I’m merely catching up on some work, and this is my brother-in-law. I was unaware of any policy change regarding him needing to check in. That must have been implemented after I started my leave.”

Robert sighs, unamused by Sarah’s steady voice. “Let it go. You were a good administrator. I don’t buy your excuses, and it’s not up to me anyway. The entire board voted. You are suspended pending the final outcome of the internal investigation. I need your badge, and then I believe this gentleman will be escorting you out. Your…brother-in-law can leave on his own or I’ll have security throw him out.”

“Very well.” She unclips her badge and hands it to him. She turns to the other man in the room, raising her eyebrow. “Do you have a warrant for my arrest?”

“I do.” The officer presents her the paperwork and she reads it closely.

Fucking hell, Keegan is going to be pissed. “I’ll have a lawyer meet you there, Sarah.”

She doesn’t bother to acknowledge me and merely icily responds to the officer. “You may escort me to the precinct. As for you, Robert… Expect a call from my personal attorney. I’m not the only one who signed paperwork, or who kept receipts…"

His face pales, but he says nothing as the officer escorts Sarah out. Robert hesitates before gesturing for me to precede him. “Do I need to call security?”

“No, I’ll leave. But if I can give you some friendly advice? Sarah’s brother is just as fun as she is about these things… And even more protective.”

If I thought Robert was pale before, it has nothing on the sickly gray he turns after my statement. Still, I walk calmly toward the exit, glad I drove. I have no idea how I’m going to report this, or how the fuck we’re going to get an update on Nario. But first, I need to leave without being ambushed myself. If they were here to pick Sarah up, I doubt they were expecting me. I’m not going to give them time to figure out a plan to take me too…

What good is being a Voice for the Council if I’m too powerless to help one of the people I claim to love?

Rather than waiting for news at home, I should be at the hospital, there for the moment Nario is out of his surgery. Not only that, Nicolo should be there for him. As hard as staying back is for me and Antonio, I can’t even fathom what my beautiful Star is feeling without the other part of him. They may be two different people, but it’s always been clear they’re a package deal. One twin without the other…it’s something I don’t believe either of them could survive.

And my poor Bel Fiore… He’s lost so much already, been through so much insurmountable pain. This is another chip in his already damaged armor, and there’s nothing I can do except be the pillar they both need.