Warrior Reborn by KH LeMoyne Read Free Book Online

measure, to cover potential lawsuits. He’s nothing if not focused on covering his…well, you know. All for the hospital, of course.”
    “Hardly sounds like Dr. Sanyu to be so insightful.”
    Thurmont lips curled up at the corners. “The insight comes from Ballard. Didn’t get the feeling he was any more pleased with Dr. Sanyu’s pronouncement than the rest of us, but he successfully managed the issue.”
    “Quite the manager.”
    Thurmont leaned forward and patted Briet’s hand. “I think you should look at this as a win.”
    She gave him a weak smile. It was what she could muster. “Thank you for coming to tell me.”
    “You were the first on my list. You do a great job. You know that, right?”
    “Thank you, Ed.”
    He left her and she walked back to the observation room, raised her hand again to Annie, and pressed her forehead against the glass.
    Now what? How much credence should she put in this change and what was she going to do when she ran into Jason? It was inevitable. He would manage to track her down no matter where she was in the hospital or the lab facility. When that man wanted to find her, he was a bloodhound.
    Could a Guardian escape her mate?
     
    ***
     
    Jason ran a hand over the back of his neck and watched the numbers flash on the elevator’s digital display. It was going to take every bit of skill he could muster to get past Briet’s defenses. Sanyu’s attack had done a real number on her and he’d left Jason holding the bag.
    He was ultimately responsible for what happened. Also living to regret each minute he’d accepted Sanyu as the head for this project. If it hadn’t been for Welson exec, Hauer Gault, Jason would have said no. He should have stuck to his guns.
    The doors chimed and shushed open. Jason was half way across the visitor’s lounge of the pediatric oncology wing when he heard the crying. As he approached, he tried to recall where he had seen the woman before. Seated in the far corner, her body hunched over and arms twisted around herself, she looked as if she was trying to disappear.
    “Mrs. Sanchez?” Jason approached the woman slowly, trying not to shock her. The wide-eyed look of horror on her face told him he was the last person on earth she wanted to see.
    Jason did a quick mental recap. None of the children had suffered setbacks. That he was aware of. In theory, one of the team leads or Sanyu would have let him know because Jason would be responsible for the public relations issues of such a tragedy.
    “Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine, Mr. Ballard. I—it’s nothing, just nerves.”
    He nodded, unconvinced. The stress of having a terminally ill child participating in the trials was harsh. Yet only two weeks into the trial with no setbacks, her reaction didn’t make sense.
    “Would you mind if I sat with you for a moment?”
    Mario Sanchez’s mother gave a quick, scared look toward the hallway, but nodded reluctantly.
    Jason sat, leaned his elbows on his knees, and clasped his hands lightly, doing anything he could to seem smaller and less of a threat to this woman who looked like a good strong breeze would blow her into the next city. “How is Mario doing?”
    She blinked, gripping her tissue like a rosary, thumbs working, and fingers tight. “He’s doing well. Dr. Hyden, she’s so good with him. She’s the first doctor who tried to help him understand, to feel good even with…”
    He nodded for her to continue. She didn’t.
    “I know she’ll do everything she can think of to make sure he gets the best care.” Instead of comforting her, Jason’s words prompted the tears to flow again.
    “No, she’s wonderful. If he could stay with her—”
    Jason shook his head. “Mrs. Sanchez, there’s no reason Dr. Hyden won’t continue to treat Mario.”
    Aww no. The woman’s lips were quivering as she shook her head. She appeared headed for complete meltdown, he was sure of it.
    “You don’t understand.”
    “You’re right. I really don’t want