"Some might say that you are just as dangerous."
"They'd be wrong. Originally, he didn't want to use dart guns and sleeping potions. Poison and bullets are messy―and unnecessary. I've never killed on the job."
"And off it?"
"In self-defense. Twice. You were in the military. Did you kill anyone?"
Shaking back her hair, Tabitha didn't reply. Anton saw something deep in her dark eyes.
"That's a yes."
"You're far too perceptive, Mr. Winthrop."
"Call me Don. I've tied you up, and you're wearing my coat. I think we're past formalities. Don't you―Dr. Lister?" He grinned, gazing at her over the top of his cup.
"Tabitha. You could have cut the catch at the scene."
"Taking you was a mistake. But I don't regret meeting you. I do regret upsetting you. I wish we could have met under more comfortable conditions. The floor of the catering truck is no place for a lady."
She stared at him a long time. "I'm not used to men surprising me."
"You're lucky. Women shock the hell out of me on a regular basis." He tipped his head back, swallowing the dregs of his coffee.
Tabitha watched his Adam's apple bob up and down in his muscular, tanned throat. It was the sexist thing, to date, any man had done in her presence. Anton offered to take her empty cup from her lax fingers. She watched his long legs and tight ass as he walked to the trash a few feet away.
Her attention wasn't lost on Anton. He did his best not to strut and show off. This woman spent enough time with pretty-boy super models, whose job was to advertise sex appeal. His job was to take care of CV, and keep a low profile.
His phone beeped in his coat pocket. Trotting over, he fished it out. Standing less than a foot from Tabitha, he answered.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Winthrop, your friend is awake and asking for you," the nurse said.
"Thank you. I'll be right up." He hung up. Standing so close to Tabitha, he desperately wanted to kiss her again. It took every ounce of self-control he possessed, not to do so. "CV's awake." He paused, casting his eyes to the ground. "He has no one else, Tabitha. His boys can't be bothered. They have their families and fancy jobs. No one has time for a tired, old warhorse."
"Except you."
His eyes met hers once more. In the half-light of the parking lot, they were mysterious, fathomless. "I have no one else, either."
She took a deep, shuddering breath. "Then it's good that you both have me." She stood, placing her palm on his chest.
Anton raised it to his lips, caressing it gently. His free hand pressed the small of her back as he lowered his head to kiss her. Her arms went around his neck, drawing him closer. They kissed several seconds before Anton remembered CV was waiting. He released Tabitha slowly.
A distinctive sound reached their ears―the clatter of half a dozen weapons being raised. Red dots scattered his chest.
"Back away from the lady," a deep voice commanded.
He did so, slowly, hands away from his sides.
"Hands on top of your head. On your knees," a different voice commanded.
Anton gazed up at Tabitha's startled face. "How could you?" he accused softly. "You know he needs me."
"It wasn't me! I didn't!" Whispering sharply, she knelt in front of him.
"Away from the criminal," the second voice stated.
"This is a mistake! Why are you doing this?" Tabitha protested.
No one answered her. Strong hands helped her rise, moving her away from Anton. Unresistant, he submitted to being cuffed. One of the officers kneed him in the back, knocking him down. Anton fell heavily onto the pavement, unable to break his fall with his arms. Turning his head, he saved his nose, but his ear and cheek took the full impact. The same officer dropped, his knee to Anton's back, before yanking him up by his cuffed hands. Bruised and bleeding, Anton said nothing.
"He's hurt! I demand he be given medical attention," Tabitha said loudly.
"Take her, too," the officer said. "She's a suspected accomplice."
"I'm a doctor. I have patients!" She was cuffed, but her hands were in front. "I demand a lawyer! And I demand that this man be given medical assistance!" Her voice got louder by the second.
"From you, pretty nurse?' the man holding her leered.
"I'm a surgeon, you fool. That fall could have broken something."
A crowd had gathered, including some of the ER personnel. Among them, Anton spotted Susie. She worked her way forward.
"He needs X-rays, and the wound is full of debris," Susie stated with the authority of her position.
"Who are you, girly?" the man who had shoved him, asked rudely.
"I'm the girly who's going to have you up on brutality and assault charges! Bring them inside immediately. His wound needs attention. Now."
©2021 Dellani Oakes
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