Behind him, the whoosh of the elevator doors opening again snagged his attention. He turned to find Heavenly stepping out. Head bent, she sniffled, then raised her gaze just enough to meet his. Her eyes were rimmed red, her nose a matching shade. Her cheeks were damp.
She’d been crying. What the hell?
Pushing off the wall, he ate up the distance between them and cupped her shoulder. Jesus, she was trembling. Then she blinked up at him with big tear-filled eyes. He didn’t know what had happened or who had hurt her, but obviously someone had to die.
“Talk to me. What happened?”
Heavenly scanned the cafeteria, then bowed her head and leaned into him as if needing his support. “Not here.”
Immediately, he slid an arm around her waist and led her around the corner to a small alcove near the janitor’s postage-stamp office. He maneuvered her into the corner, then positioned himself in front, blocking any passersby or nosy bitches from seeing her.
“We’re alone now. Talk to me.”
She looked up at him, looking ready to spill fresh tears. “I don’t know if I can stay here anymore. They hate me, and this is the worst thing they’ve done so far. It’s just…awful.”
They? Had Kathryn and her slut squad been up to their asshole antics?
“Who did what to you?”
“I don’t know exactly who, but I have a suspicion. I went to my locker to get my purse so I could meet you, but I found a”—she closed her eyes and shook her head—“a death threat.”
“What?” Shock doused him.
That was low, even for Kathryn.
“When I opened my locker, I f-found a Barbie doll dangling from a noose knotted around its neck. A note saying ‘Die Bitch’ hung from its leg.”
Rage flared, hot and unrelenting. It took all his self-control not to sprint into the cafeteria, slam Kathryn against the wall by her throat, and threaten her in return. If she were a man, his fist would already be planted in her face.
“Tell me you reported the incident.”
She gave him a shaky nod. “That’s why I’m late. I called Nurse Lewis. She came right away, removed the doll, and told me she would handle everything. But I can’t get that image out of my head.”
“Bridget will figure it out. Whoever did this won’t get away with it.” Beck intended to make sure of that. He scrubbed a hand through his hair and made a mental note to call the nurse administrator the second he returned to his office. “Tell me who you think planted the doll.”
“I don’t have any proof…but I have a feeling it’s Kathryn. For whatever reason, she hates me. I don’t know why. I haven’t done anything to her—”
“I have,” he cut in. “And she’s taking it out on you.”
“What?” Heavenly frowned. “Oh, she’s interested in you, and she saw us together the night after the gallery.”
Beck gave her a sharp nod. “She’s been hounding me to take her to bed. I’ve flatly refused. I’m sorry she’s making your life hell.” He gently brushed the hair from Heavenly’s face. “You said this was the worst incident so far. What else has happened?”
After a pained frown, she told him all the same pranks Bridget Lewis had apprised him of two months ago. Apparently, Kathryn had been quiet for a while. But her boss’s threats must have worn off, and he’d bet seeing him nearly kiss Heavenly had reignited Kathryn’s jealousy.
Still, Beck had to look at the silver lining. By opening up and divulging every devious trick the slut squad had pulled, Heavenly was giving him more of her trust. But he refused to tolerate Kathryn—or anyone—threatening his girl.
When Heavenly finished the litany of crap she’d endured, Beck wrapped her in his arms. “I’ll talk to Bridget. This shit will end, I promise.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry. It’s not your problem.” She winced. “I didn’t mean to drag you into it.”
Despite the anger searing him, he managed a tender smile. “You didn’t. It will be my pleasure to deal with her, little girl. Right now, why don’t we leave and grab a quick burger? I’m not in the mood to sit in the cafeteria with the bitches of east wing.”
She laughed through her tears. “That sounds great. Thank you.”
He took her hand and led her toward the parking garage.
“That’s a terrible name for them.” Heavenly bit her lip. “But it’s true.”
He was glad he could get Heavenly away from the hospital and make her smile. She needed it. Hell, Beck wished he could erase their vindictive shit from her memory, too. The fact he couldn’t chafed.
After a lunch spent resolutely not talking about anyone or anything related to the hospital, he escorted her back to the ER. As soon as he stepped into the unit, Kathryn’s stare all but singed him. The rebel in him wanted to pull Heavenly to his chest and kiss her in front of God and the entire staff, professionalism be damned. But that would only be detrimental to Heavenly’s career and encourage more retaliation at her expense.
“Text me if you find any more…surprises,” he whispered in her ear, tenderly cupping her elbow.
“I will. Thank you again for everything.”
“No thanks needed. Whenever I’m with you, the pleasure is all mine.”
With a sharp nod at the rest of the nurses, he glanced past Kathryn and pushed out the double doors.
Once in his office, Beck set up a meeting with Bridget Lewis that afternoon, who was all too eager to speak with him. Then he leaned back in his chair and tried to figure out how to keep his promise to Heavenly and stop Kathryn’s reign of terror. He had to bust that cunning whore before his girl shed another tear.
She’s not your girl yet, a voice in the back of his head poked.
No. He had to let her date that pompous prick of a PI until she could choose between them.
PI.
P. Fucking I.
“That’s it!” Beck slammed his fist
