“I wouldn’t lower myself,” Kathryn spat. “She’s a waste of time—mine and yours. Listen, why don’t we forget about the wretch’s locker? You and I can go grab some lunch. After all, a big, strong man like you should keep his strength up, especially for what I have in mind. I know someplace private we can go so I can rock your world.”
Heavenly felt her jaw drop. “Is she for real?” Then she turned to Beck. “Does that actually work?”
He scoffed. “Not on me.”
“Oh, baby. Do you need a real man to pay proper attention to that soft little kitty of yours?” Heavenly heard the megawatt charm in Seth’s voice.
“Oh, I’m going to be sick,” Heavenly muttered under her breath.
“My kitty loves to be petted.” Kathryn giggled. “And I’ll bet you know how to stroke me just right.”
Beck grimaced. “I’m going to be sick, too.”
Seth chuckled. “I think you’re trying to distract me, baby.”
“Why would I do that?” Kathryn asked coyly.
“You tell me.” Seth’s tone suddenly took on a hard edge she didn’t recognize.
No one else had stepped into the room, so that must be Seth’s voice…but she’d never heard him use that much force or command when he spoke.
At the sound of it, a tremor skittered through Heavenly.
“Your voice is manly,” Kathryn swooned. “It makes me…wet.”
“Is that right? Then let’s hurry this along,” Seth murmured, his voice turning inviting once again. “Open that locker.”
“Technically, I can’t. It’s against hospital rules.”
“It’s all right. It’s not like you’re breaking in. I’m giving you permission.”
“Really?” She sounded intrigued. “Did they give you the combination? I mean, I’d need that. I don’t know it. Of course.”
He chuckled. “Oh, you’re too smart to let something as silly as a few numbers get in the way of getting into that stupid girl’s locker. You’re better than her, after all.”
“I-I shouldn’t.”
“Do it,” Seth whispered. “For me… Did I mention I have a really talented tongue?”
Heavenly cringed. That shouldn’t hurt, but it did. “I can’t listen anymore.”
Beck gripped her shoulders and made her look him in the eye. “Stay strong.”
She wanted to…but she remembered Seth’s amazing tongue all over her most sensitive flesh. Gosh, she couldn’t forget it any more than she could forget Beck’s hands on her. Or either of their mouths hungrily devouring her own…
Suddenly, Bridget Lewis appeared and eased in close to Beck, who placed a finger over his lips for silence. The no-nonsense nursing administrator nodded, then sent Heavenly a reassuring smile before listening to the nauseating drama.
“Now you really have my attention…” Kathryn perked up.
“All you have to do to find out for yourself is spin three little numbers on that girl’s combination and open one itty-bitty door.” Now Seth sounded cocky. “You know you want to… In case you were worried, I’m told any potential triggers on the locker doors have already been disabled.”
“Oh?” Kathryn giggled. “And you won’t tell?”
“Why would I? Hell, I might even applaud you.”
Heavenly listened intently. After a pause, she heard a soft ting of metal, indicating that she’d opened the locker door. So that bitch had somehow gotten her combination? A wet, squishy splash that Heavenly didn’t understand followed. Then Kathryn let out an ear-piercing scream.
“Oh, my god! Oh, my… What happened? You told me the locker was disabled!”
“Oops.” Seth laughed.
“You fucking liar!”
“But at least I’m a good one. I can spot a bad liar from miles away, and you’re the worst.” Suddenly, his voice dropped again, turning cold and unforgiving. “You’ve been terrorizing Heavenly.”
That accusing growl peppered goose bumps all over her body.
“You’re blaming me?” Kathryn screeched. “How dare you?”
“How dare you harass and threaten her?”
“You have no proof.”
“Wanna bet?”
“I’m reporting you to security.”
“Please do. In fact, call them now. I’ll wait until they get here. Then I’ll tell them you opened a volunteer’s locker without permission.”
“You can’t prove that.”
“Actually, I can. I have the video evidence on my phone.”
Heavenly sent Beck a shocked stare. “How did he get that?”
“Seth and I planted a recording device in your locker two weeks ago, with Nurse Lewis’s permission. Kathryn needed to be stopped. It was the only way we could catch her in the act.”
“You and Seth?” Worked together…for me?
Something dangerous fluttered in her chest.
A pained expression lined Beck’s face as he dragged a knuckle down her cheek. “Don’t you know we’d do anything for you, little girl?”
“Are you a cop?” Kathryn gasped.
“No. I’m your worst nightmare. You played games with the wrong woman. I’m going to make sure you pay.”
With an indignant howl, Kathryn ran out of the supply room, wiping away dark red liquid—was that blood?—from her eyes. Heavenly gasped and snapped a glance at Beck, who laughed at Kathryn.
“Stop right there, Nurse Hitch,” Bridget Lewis barked.
“Help. Look what’s happened to me!” Kathryn demanded as she sent Bridget a pleading stare. “I’ve given four good years to this hospital and I don’t deserve to have tainted blood all over my—”
“You bullied a volunteer who did absolutely nothing to you. That’s not acceptable.” Nurse Lewis turned to the security guards. “Walk with me while she gathers her things, then escort her to the door.”
“The door?” Kathryn screeched.
“Yes, Nurse Hitch. You’re fired.” Bridget dismissed her and headed toward the lockers.
Beck gave Kathryn a mocking little clap.
She turned a seething glare on him. “You’re in on this?”
“You bet your ass I am. Couldn’t happen to anyone more deserving.”
Kathryn narrowed her eyes, glaring at Beck with malice. Heavenly almost stepped back at the pure hate in her expression.
“You set me up just because you wanted to protect your girlfriend’s tender little feelings?”
“Actually, you’ve been miserable to almost everyone in your unit, Nurse Bitch. Or rather, Hitch. But you’ve been especially awful to Heavenly.”
Seth stepped out of the locker area with a broad smile and twinkling eyes. “Hi again, angel.” Heavenly’s heart skipped as he quickly ate up the distance between them, then turned to Kathryn. “We set you up because you’re a helpless, hopeless, hot mess who’s desperate for attention. Well, you got it.
