Page 71 of Under Fire

“Maria?”

Finally, the businesswoman let out, “I knew it from the minute I met him. He’s strong, determined and protective.”

“So, you were trying to set me up with him, then?”

“Maybe,” Maria grinned. “In a way. Warren is the type of guy who might just save you from the mess you’re in.”

“No one can save me, Maria. I made my bed long ago,” Alisa relented, saddened. “I don’t have a choice now.”

“You always have a choice.”

“I’m scared,” Alisa admitted. “I’ve got big problems, and it’s only a matter of time before I’m in a body bag, buried in the sand behind Dean’s clubhouse.”

“Like I said, Warren’s the type that can save you. He’s a scary beast. Does he know about Dean’s club?” Maria asked.

“Not really.”

“You have to tell him. He needs to understand the depth of Dean’s criminality, and he needs to know where to find you if you go missing.” Maria smashed the remnants of her cigarette in the tray on the bistro table, coughing.

“Warren and I…it’s over.”

“It’s not really over, Alisa. Come on.”

Alisa just shook her head, unwilling to get into the extent of their argument from the night prior. Warren wasn’t always going to be there to protect her. It was a harsh reality that she wasn’t prepared to accept.

She couldn’t ruminate on it further because her cell vibrated. She pulled it up—seeing an email from Dr. Roske.

I’ve managed to get the board to review your residency application again. They want you to come in for an informal conversation, a coffee chat. Can you come in right away?

Alisa quickly typed back and sent it.

I’ll be there in thirty minutes.

Getting up from the chair, Alisa checked the time again. “I’ve got to get to the hospital. This might be what I need for my residency.”

“Okay.” Maria spun to open her door. “Just let me get my keys.”

Waiting, Alisa stood at the edge of the patio, reflecting. Life had changed. She could feel it. There was no going back.

She was almost at the end of a long journey. Exams and residency—the only things that had mattered to her for so long—were almost there. She was lucky enough to be on the cusp of becoming a physician, if she got her residency.

I just have to survive that long.

She chewed her lip, dropping her gaze to the grass in front of her, tracing the outline of the ring on her finger.Can I get out of this?

She shook her head slightly, knowing the deeper truth—the truth she was unwilling to admit to anyone, barely even herself. Being engaged to Dean had felt like a safety net for so long. She’d been okay with it for most of her studies.

“But I was wrong,” she whispered to herself.

“Ready?” Maria clambered out of her place. “This is so exciting!”

Alisa nodded, and the two women made their way to the street where Maria’s car was parked. Alisa felt a sense of comfort in being with her boss and friend. Back to the only semblance of normalcy in her life.

Opening the door to Maria’s car, Alisa heard someone calling her name over her shoulder. It was a croaky, masculine voice that she’d heard before.

“Alisa Kelly.”

She spun, realizing it was a cop, one she recognized. In plain clothes, he was holding his badge up to her and Maria.

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