Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“I need to get home and back to the clinic. You don’t need to be dragged into this shit anymore.”
“And what kind of shit are you dealing with?”
Will lowered his gaze to the floor. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I can’t help it. You and Charlie split a long time ago, but I still consider us friends. I want to help you.”
This was what he expected from Edison. Some people would look at Edison and just see a huge, muscular man and call him scary. Will stared into that man’s eyes and wondered how his frame managed to hold in such an enormous heart. The guy wanted to help everyone he met, but Will refused to let him get involved. He was no fool. Ed and Charlie were a package deal. There was no way Ed could help without Charlie following right behind him, and Will wanted to get as far from Charlie as humanly possible.
“I know you do, and I greatly appreciate it, but really, I’ve got this under control. Don’t worry about me.” Will gazed up and flashed him the most confident smile he could muster. It must not have been much, because Ed didn’t appear convinced.
He straightened his shoulders and sat up. “If this is about Francisco, you don’t need to worry. The guy lives in the neighborhood near the clinic. He’s been in the clinic to see me several times. I’m sure that’s why he had you bring him to me. I’m not in the middle of whatever mess he’s found himself in.”
The worried scowl eased a bit, and he propped his hands on his hips. Will’s heart fluttered in his chest. The skepticism lingered in his eyes.
“Is that kind of insanity normal at the clinic?” Ed inquired, his brows meeting over his nose.
“Shootings? No. But I have seen more than a few patients who were shot or stabbed.” Will paused and heaved a heavy sigh. He shoved his hand through his messy hair. “That neighborhood isn’t the best and doesn’t get much help in the way of government funding or police protection. I’ve made it my policy not to ask questions, just help people. If I started asking questions and reporting every bullet wound to the police, those people would stop coming in, and they’d be dying in some back alley.”
“I get it. I get it. I guess we’re all surprised to find you here in the first place. We thought you’d be in the States.”
Will forced a smirk. “And instead, Charlie and West walk in to hand me a patient with a bullet wound in Buenos Aires.”
“Yeah, something like that.”
Will shrugged. “Being out of the country made me realize that I could go anywhere with my training, and there are plenty of places that are in desperate need of doctors. I’ve been traveling.” He paused and huffed a tired laugh. “A lot. I’ve been traveling a lot.”
“You been here long?”
Will shook his head. “Nope. About five months. Another doctor I met in Thailand and kept in contact with moved here a few years earlier. He needed to return to the States for a family emergency. He emailed and asked if I could take over the clinic while a more permanent replacement was lined up. I’m not supposed to be here much longer.”
Edison grunted as if he were thinking over what Will had told him, while Will’s caffeine-deprived brain scrambled to think of something he could tell this man to convince him to let him sneak out of this house.
“I know things are tense between you and Charlie, but the rest of us are just looking out for your well-being. We’re not trying to make this hard on you,” Ed commented.
“I know, and I’m sorry everyone else has to suffer because Charlie and I can’t act like adults when we’re in the same room together.”
Edison snorted. “Honestly, I thought it was going to be worse. At the very least, I figured weapons would be drawn or half the house would be on fire when West and I got back.”
“Kairo was brave enough to act as a referee.” Will smiled.
“I’ll help you avoid Charlie and get out of here, but I want you to promise me something.”
Will’s heart skipped and sped up. “I…I can’t promise anything, Ed, but I can try my best.”
That seemed to be enough for the big man because he gave a short nod. “Stay away from Benicio Perez.”
Will tried to swallow, but his mouth and throat were suddenly dry. That…there was no way he could stay away from Perez. He hoped to avoid the man, but there was something he needed to do first, and it very much involved the Perez family.
“Please, Will. I don’t know what Francisco and his friend were doing in that restaurant, and we’re more than happy to pull it out of Francisco after he’s healed. But just in case, I wanted to warn you to stay away from Perez. We’re not sure what he’s into, but all signs point to Perez being a very bad man.”