“Carlos sounded good, but it’s only a matter of time before his body reacts to the drugs. They’re pushing his treatments fast. The side effects are harsh. No matter what Stefano has done to equip his facility, and what medications he’s stolen, he’s not a doctor. That young man’s case is unique, and he needs a professional.”
“Claire can handle him, can’t she?” Grace asks.
“Claire can only do so much. The human body’s reaction to this form of chemotherapy is unpredictable. Let’s hope Carlos takes me up on my offer to help.”
“You can’t be serious, Mathis. Bartering yourself to the mercy of a madman isn’t smart,” Nick interjects.
“I’ll do anything to get to Claire. You said it yourself; Stefano Martinez is a madman. There’s no telling what he will do when his little brother begins showing signs of the side effects. You heard Carlos say they were meeting about his results. That asshole is not a doctor. He may like Claire now, but what happens if he blames her? Will he hurt her? He’s a time bomb.”
My statement hangs in the air as Bizzy and Nick exchange a knowing look. Both of them have experienced the harrowing side effects of cancer treatments and understand the desperation people will go to relieve that pain.
“We saw what he’s capable of.” I refer to the file Detective Flores shared with us. “He may have changed his ways, but it’s in his blood.”
“Offering yourself to him isn’t going to change who he is,” Shaw tells me. “I got the impression Carlos didn’t want his brother to know he was calling.”
“What do you suggest I do? I’m sick of sitting around on my ass. This is useless. She’s been gone six fucking days, and the feds have nothing to go on. There are no leads. Until five minutes ago, I didn’t know if she was all right. Tell me, when Bizzy was rushed into surgery after her accident and we didn’t know the extent of her injuries, how did you feel?”
“It was the worst agony in my life.”
“Would you have switched places with her?”
“In a second. I’d have done anything to get her out of that situation.”
“I’m no different, Shaw. Claire being gone is the cruelest form of anguish eating me up inside. I’ll do anything to get her back, even if it means offering myself to a crazed criminal!”
His eyes lock with mine, burning a deep shade of topaz, communicating his understanding. He may disapprove, but he would undoubtedly do the same thing.
“There may be another solution.” He breaks our stare down. “It goes against all protocols that have been set up.”
“Do you think I give a fuck? So help me God, if you’ve been holding out, I’m going to beat your ass.”
“This option presented itself about thirty minutes ago.”
“Crenshaw, I think you know at this point, we aren’t above breaking some rules.” Mom addressing him by his full name says she’s serious.
His eyes go around the room, making contact with everyone before landing on me. “I found a guy…”
Chapter 21
Claire
I can’t tear my eyes from Carlos, my heart racing at his request, my head needing to hear it again. “That’s a good choice. We’ll tell your brother when he joins us.”
“Tell me what?” As if on cue, the wall opens and Stefan walks in, looking impeccable in his slacks and another button down.
“I’d like some grape Gatorade,” Carlos informs him.
My speeding heart lurches in my throat, and I have to fight like hell to keep my reaction from showing. I didn’t imagine it; he specifically asked for grape. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but my gut instincts are screaming at me it’s not. Outside of modern medicine, Mathis believes in the powers of grape Gatorade. He swears it was one of the only things that helped Nick when he was sick. Only a few people know this fact.
“Sounds reasonable. Claire, do you approve?”
My gaze drifts to Stefan, and I pray my emotions are under control. “Yes, I think it’s a great idea.”
“Anything else? I’ll have a staff member pick some up immediately.”
Staff member. I knew there were others somewhere around us, but the thought of staff roaming freely around on the other side of that wall while I’m kept like a caged animal sears through my bloodstream.
Do they know about me? Does anyone have a clue that I’ve been taken from those who I love and trapped in a maze of hallways and sterile rooms with a sick young man?