Song of the Blackbird (Albatross Prison #1) (24 page)

How trusting she was
. He felt like a million bucks. “No. Get used to it. You’re stuck with me for now.”

A few minutes later, they were both changed and sitting in her tiny car. The night was chilly, so Emma cranked up the heat but the damned thing barely worked. She didn’t seem to mind though, her eyes focused on the road. For some reason, the closer they got to the prison, the more anxious she became, her hands clenched tight on the steering wheel.

“Is something wrong?” She stiffened at his touch. “Emma, what is it? Are you worried about what happened back there?”
Was she already having doubts about them?
He had to reassure her somehow.

“Yeah. I’m a little worried.” Her shadowed eyes met his across the seats. “What happened was a little crazy, don’t you think?”

“A little.” He smiled and squeezed her shoulder. “But I think we should give it a chance.”

“I wish you weren’t the warden,” she said, her voice small. “I wish we were just plain Maxim and Emma, two strangers who met on the street.”

“Well, we can pretend to be, when we’re not at work.”
If only he could tell her how much she already meant to him.
But it was too early for that.

“Maybe we got carried away.” She bit her lip. “Should we forget what happened?”

“Is that what you want?”
How could she sound so calm when his heart was thumping out of his chest?
To his dying day, he would never forget what happened. Could never forget her.

“I don’t know. It’s so complicated.” She exited the freeway and turned right into Fourth Street before glancing back at him. “How about you? What do you want?”

You. And only you.
“I think we should date but keep it strictly out of the workplace,” he said, trying to sound casual
.

“Do you think that’ll work?” Her voice was skeptical.

“I think it’s worth a try.”

After a few minutes of silence, she finally rescued him from the torture.

“Alright.” She gave him a tentative smile and he could finally breathe again. “Let’s give it a chance. But I don’t want you hovering around me at work, Maxim. You can’t interfere with how I see patients.”

“Sure, as long as you have Gonzalez with you.”

“Okay.” Her eyebrows drew together. “Speaking of Gonzalez, how could you replace Smith so easily? He was a good guard.”

“His brother was an inmate. He needed to go.”

“Just like that?”

“Yes. It’s strict policy.”

“And if you kept him here, what would happen?”

“I’d get fired or at the minimum be in serious trouble.”
Why the hell were they talking about Smith? He wanted to focus on them, not on some guard.
But Emma seemed determined to pursue the subject.

“What if Smith never told you about his brother? Could he have stayed?”

“No. We would have found out one way or another.” They were only a few minutes from the prison now. Hopefully, the chest pain patient would be taken care of fast. It was getting late and they both needed to catch more sleep.

“What if you never found out?”

“You mean about the brother?” He frowned. “Don’t you remember orientation? If Smith knows and doesn’t tell us, he’s in violation of the rules. He could get fired, too.”

“Oh.” Emma finally left off with the questions, but she looked more nervous for some reason.

“Don’t worry. Smith called and said he’s doing fine at RJD.” It was just like Emma to be worried about the guard.

“That’s good.” She pulled into the parking lot, still looking a little forlorn.

Maybe she was tired. She’d barely slept earlier.
He hoped they could leave soon.

“So who’s this patient you’re seeing? Is it going to take a long time?” Maxim asked.

“I hope not.” Emma looked across at him, her eyes shadowed. “It’s Morris, my porter. He’s the one with the chest pain.”

Chapter 26

Emma’s heart thudded against her chest as Maxim drove them in his golf cart down to the Urgent Care. He was silent, looming like a solid mountain beside her. She longed to throw herself into his arms, to recapture the magic they’d shared back at her studio. Before the fatal phone call.

Sam.
She should focus only on Sam. She dared not think of Maxim’s kisses, his sweet words. She still couldn’t quite believe what had happened. One minute she was crying and the next he was cradling her, kissing her, calling her his darling. Of course her heart had melted. He’d been everything she could have wished for. Patient, kind, loving. How she longed to tell him that Sam was her brother, to not have any secrets between them but look what had happened to Smith.

No, she couldn’t risk being separated from her brother. Sam needed her. Charles had called from the Urgent Care, reporting that her brother had had a panic attack with crushing chest pain. Thank God he’d been the psychiatrist on call and had called her or otherwise she would never have known.

“How is he?” Emma asked as soon as she entered the Urgent Care a few minutes later.

Sam lay on the gurney with his eyes closed, an oxygen mask strapped to his face. Her eyes swung to the monitor.
Thank goodness.
His vital signs were all good.

Madison waved at her from the nearby sink where she was washing her hands.

“He’s doing better. I gave him some Ativan. He’s sleeping,” Charles said, standing up from the nearby doctor’s seat. He was in black jeans and a gray pullover sweater, different from his usual suit yet still as debonair as ever.

“Thanks so much for coming in the middle of the night. And for calling me.” Emma sent him a grateful smile.

“He was just doing his job,” Maxim said from beside her.

“Are you sure Ativan was necessary?” Madison said to Charles. “He was already getting calmer. You should have let me talk to him longer.”

“And when did you get your medical degree, Nurse?”

“It’s common sense, Dr. Stewart. But I suppose only doctors have that.”

Jeez. What was up with them?
Madison had never challenged Emma like that, and Charles was usually much more amiable. Before she could interrupt, the nurse forced out a smile and turned toward Maxim. “Are you doing one of your patrol visits tonight, Mr. Chambers?”

“Yes.”
Why was he acting so remote and cold?
He seemed oblivious of the tension in the room, his eyes focused grimly for some reason on the psychiatrist.

Charles flicked Emma a curious look. “You came together?”

“No,” Emma said hastily. “He gave me a ride from the gate. And you said you had other things to do, right, Maxim?”

“Right.” Maxim finally looked at her, his silver eyes hard. “You’ll be okay here without Gonzalez?”

“Yes. I have Charles and Madison.”

“All right. I’ll be down in the OHU if you need anything.”

“What’s eating him?” Madison asked as soon as Maxim left. “He’s always so angry.”

“He’s just tired. And his head hurts. Remember what happened earlier?”
Poor guy. It was time somebody came to his defense.

“His head is as hard as a rock,” Charles said.

“Hey, give the guy a break, will you?” Emma looked at the nurse more closely. “Wait, why are you still here, Madison? I thought your shift ended hours ago.”

“I’m doing a double. Vicks, the regular night nurse, called off.”

“You look exhausted.” Charles sounded angry for some reason. “You’re doing too many shifts.”

“And how is this your business?”

“You want to take a break in the lounge?” Emma interrupted, not wanting their sparring to escalate. And besides, she was desperate for alone time with Sam. “Looks like it’s slow in here. I’ll call if we need you.”

“Alright. I’d love that. And before you go, do you mind checking on Mr. Nash? He said he was in more pain earlier.”

“Sure.”
Darn.
She should have checked on the old man before she left that afternoon. But it had been so crazy. First thing first though, she needed to make sure Sam was okay.

“What happened, Charles?” Emma closed the door behind Madison to give them more privacy. “It sounded bad. Are you sure he’s okay?”

“I think so. He wouldn’t tell me much.” Charles pushed his chair toward her. “He was a Code 1 in the dorm. Maddy found him in his bunk, shaking uncontrollably. Luckily she knew about his panic history and called me.”

“Madison knew?”

“Yes. Sam must have shared it with her.”

“That’s surprising.”

A wistful look came into Charles’s eyes. “Maddy’s like that. She inspires confidences in everybody.”

“Looks like the two of you don’t get along for some reason.”

Charles wiped a hand over his face. “Sam needed that Ativan. I hope you know that.”

“Of course.” Emma walked to the gurney and adjusted Sam’s face mask. Her brother was still sleeping. “Does he still need the oxygen?”

“Probably not. Maddy threw it on as a precaution.”

Emma slid off the mask. Sam groaned and opened his eyes, gradually focusing in on her.

“Hey,” he said, his voice slightly groggy.

“Hi.” Emma swallowed down the lump in her throat. While she’d been making out with Maxim, her brother had suffered a full-blown attack. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay.” He sat up and yawned. “Can I go back to my dorm now?”

“Not yet. Tell me what happened.”

“Nothing happened.” His face closed up. “It was just one of those spells.”

“Nothing set it off? Come on, talk to me, Sam. I drove all the way in–”

“I didn’t ask you to, did I?” He threw back his blanket. “Can you push the railing down? I need to get out of here.”

“What about your chest pain?”

“Gone.”

“Something must have happened. You were doing fine in your sessions. Your attacks were getting better.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Sam crossed his arms and glared at her.

“You have to if you want to get better.”

“Emma.” Charles laid a hand on her shoulder. “It’s the middle of the night. Let’s all go home and get some sleep. We can talk more on Monday.” He pulled the gurney’s railing down.

“Thank you, Dr. Stewart,” Sam said, the relief evident in his eyes. “Jeez, give me some space, Emma. I’m not a little kid anymore.”

“Is everything okay in here?” Maxim banged on the door before jerking it open.

“Everything’s fine.” Emma sighed, mentally shaking her head.
And he’d said he wouldn’t hover.
“We were finishing. Morris was about to go.”

“Good. I’ll drive you back to the gate.”

“The night officer can drive us,” Charles said. “No need to go out of your way.”

“I’m not.” Maxim swung his scowl to Sam. “Why are you still here? Didn’t the doctor dismiss you already?”

“Yes, sir.” Her brother almost tripped in his haste to stand up. “I’m leaving right now, sir.”

“Take it easy. You don’t need to rush.”
He’d received all that Ativan
. She hoped he wasn’t going to keel over. Emma put out her hand. “Are you sure you feel better?”

“Yes, Doctor.” Sam spared her one last warning look before shuffling out of the clinic.

“I’ll call the night officer,” Charles said.

“I said I’ll drive her.”

“It’s okay, Charles. I need to check on Mr. Nash first.” Emma quickly stepped between the two men. “You go first.”

“Alright, if that’s what you want.” Charles flashed her his trademark smile. “So, I’ll see you Monday evening? The session may run late so I’ll order us dinner.”

“That’ll be nice. Thanks.”

Maxim’s nostrils flared. He looked like he was about to hit someone.
And here she’d been defending him earlier.
Emma sighed. Charles wisely gave them a wide berth before departing.

“What is wrong with you?” Emma said as soon as they were alone. “Why did you have to be so rude? You didn’t have to yell at Morris, and Charles was only trying to be nice.”

“Ha. I bet he was.” Maxim dug a hand through his hair, his scowl deepening. “Do you really have to check on Nash? It’s almost two o’clock. Can’t it wait til morning?”

“He’s in pain, Maxim. I need to see him.”
Darn. It was really late. She should have checked on the old man already.
Emma hurried down the hall toward room eight.

“Wait. You can’t go in there alone.” Maxim was at her heels. “I’m coming with you.”

“He’s weak and dying. I think I’ll be safe.”

“Never trust an inmate, Emma. Haven’t I told you that already?” Maxim followed her into the room but at least thankfully remained silent during the exam.

Mr. Nash’s vitals were good but he winced as soon as Emma touched his abdomen. The poor man looked even more emaciated and jaundiced than before. She had to get him that compassionate release somehow.

“I’m going to up his morphine,” Emma said as they proceeded back to the Urgent Care.

“Whatever. Do what you have to do so we can leave.”

“He’s dying, Maxim.”

“Not my problem.”

Jeez. What happened to the nice man who’d let her cry on his shoulders earlier?
“Can you sign for his compassionate release? It’s much better if he can die at home. Surrounded by his family.”

“No way. He’s not getting out early just because he’s sick.”

“Please, Maxim. He’s been punished enough.”

“He killed his own son-in-law.”

“To protect his granddaughter.”

“So he claims.” Maxim snorted.

“How can you be so unsympathetic?”

“I’m trying to be fair to the victim here.”

Emma kept walking, knowing defeat stared her in the face. She could understand where Maxim was coming from, especially with his parents’ history, but did Mr. Nash deserve to die in prison alone? She didn’t think so, but Maxim wasn’t wrong either in his advocacy for the victims. If only he could bend a little just once. Maybe if she got to know him better, she could convince him.

When they arrived back at her studio, Emma still couldn’t shake off the unbearable tension gnawing at her insides. Mr. Nash wasn’t her only worry. Something must have happened to scare Sam tonight. He was lying about being fine. Why wouldn’t he talk with her?

“You look exhausted, Emma. Let’s get you to bed,” Maxim said as she plopped down on the sofa.

“I’m alright.” She swallowed a yawn. “How’s your head?”

“It’s okay.” He sat down next to her, their shoulders touching. “Thanks for asking.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m sorry I can’t help you with Nash.” Maxim reached over and clasped her hand. “You’re so giving, you know that?” He leaned over and touched his lips with hers.

God, it felt so wonderful to be kissed by him.
To be surrounded by all that power and strength. His warm spicy coffee bean scent wrapped around her like a drug. He was doing that wild thing with his tongue again, the maneuver that turned her insides to mush. She pressed closer, desperate for more but a brief vision of Sam suddenly flashed through her mind. Emma pulled back, the guilt clawing at her.

“What’s wrong?” Maxim smoothed her hair gently back with his hand.

“I’m sorry. Can we take it a little slower? It’s all so fast.”
Actually it all felt right. Except for Sam.
Emma bit her lip.
The only solution seemed to be to take things slow, one day at a time until she could figure things out.

“Of course.” Maxim’s hand dropped. “I definitely don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“I’m not uncomfortable,” Emma hastened to reassure him. The poor man had stiffened up like a board at her comment. She clasped his large hand in hers and put her head on his chest. “I love being with you, Maxim. Please don’t doubt that. It’s just there’re some things I have to work through.”

“Are you interested in someone else? Like Stewart maybe?”

“No, of course not.” She looked up, her heart clenching at the uncertainty in his eyes. “Trust me. You’re the only one I’m interested in. Charles is a good friend. That’s it.”

“Good.” Maxim let out a long breath and swung an arm around her shoulder. “We’ll take it as slow as you want. I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

“Hmm. I like the sound of that.” Emma inhaled his wonderful spicy coffee bean scent again and snuggled closer. He was so warm, radiating comfort and security, everything that she craved. The sound of his slow and steady heartbeat reverberated underneath her ear as she drifted off to sleep.