Page 47 of Forged in Deception

“Honestly, pretty much normal,” Destiny said, a smile rising on her full lips. “I mean, I have a bit of a lingering headache,but right now, I’m mostly just upset about yet another failed treatment option for my schizophrenia.”

Karlin said nothing, though Asher could tell by the way she gripped the railing of the hospital bed that she was trying to stop her hands from shaking. He desperately wanted to reach over and comfort her, but he couldn’t risk breaking cover in front of Destiny anymore than he already had.

Destiny continued. “I’d read stuff online about people going into a psychotic state after taking psychedelics. It freaked me out, but I ended up convincing myself that a synthetic drug made to help people with their mental health would be safe. I knew better, and I should have trusted my conscience.”

“I am deeply, deeply sorry for what happened,” Karlin said again. She swallowed hard, and her eyes were starting to redden. No one would have blamed her for tearing up, least of all Asher, but she didn’t. Instead, she cleared her throat and spoke again.

This time, her voice was colder, almost clinical. The empathy she had shown moments before seemed to have faded away in an instant.

It didn’t take a psychologist to know that she was putting on a mask, trying to distance herself from the pain she was feeling. Asher knew the tactic well. He was used to using it himself.

“I am glad that you’re feeling better, at least physically,” Karlin said. “Dr. Bajwa is faxing some papers over for you to sign. We are going to be investigating this incident further to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.”

Asher tried to shoot Karlin a questioning glance, but she ignored him, her eyes remaining trained on her patient. He remembered the non-disclosure agreement that he’d had to sign himself for the retreat. He’d had his almost-sister-in-law and Forge Brothers Security paralegal, Bristol, look it over. The document had been pretty weak, and he hadn’t been concerned about it getting in the way of exposing Senera’s illegal activities.He could only hope that Bajwa wasn’t planning on bullying the vulnerable woman into signing something more airtight.

“Okay,” Destiny replied, smiling weakly despite Karlin’s abrupt demeanor. “But I’m starting to feel really tired. Can I deal with the paperwork stuff in a few hours?”

“Of course,” Karlin said, getting up to leave. “Before we go, is there anyone we can call to come and stay with you?”

Destiny shook her head. “Not really. Dallas is pretty far, and I’m okay. I promise. Thanks, though.”

They walked out of the hospital in silence, lost in their own thoughts.

Asher couldn’t help but to wonder if Destiny, like Karlin, was used to getting through life more or less on her own–and he was incredibly thankful that he had no idea what that was like.

KARLIN

Silence hung between Karlin and Axel as they climbed into Bajwa’s Jeep.

She was glad that he seemed to share her pensive mood.

After visiting Destiny, her thoughts were even more of a jumbled mess than they’d been before. She’d managed to hold it together for her patient’s sake, but just barely. She’d have to continue to steel herself. She doubted that the rest of the day was going to get any easier.

May as well get back to it.

When she moved to turn the key and start the Jeep, however, Axel laid his hand on hers, sending a burst of electricity dancing through her.

Despite Axel’s usually jovial demeanor, there was something about him that made him seem not only competent, but safe.

Not that she’d ever fully let her guard down.

The man would be going home in a week and a half, and all she’d have was herself, just like before. Especially if they got the evidence they needed to take Senera down. She wanted that victory, but she knew it would be bittersweet.

“You need to get some sleep before we drive back,” he said firmly. “The DX8 will have worn off by now and the others will all be asleep, anyway. Let Bajwa handle them. Ned will be coming in today, too, right?”

When she’d called Bajwa from the hospital earlier, he had still been awake and already thinking out loud about the legal ramifications of what had just happened. And Ned would be coming in, though he wouldn’t have the first clue about how to help the patients process what had just taken place. No. Whether she liked it or not, they still needed her.

“I don’t even feel tired,” she said finally. “And if I did manage to fall asleep, I wouldn’t be able to wake up again until tomorrow.”

“You’ve been through something traumatic, Karlin,” Axel said. “You’re not going to be able to just hop back in immediately and be on your game. Be reasonable.”

“Fine,” she snapped, a little more harshly than she’d meant to. “I’ll get a little bit of rest, but I’m keeping my eyes open.”

A smile broke out on Axel’s face.

“What?” she prompted, trying and failing to conceal her annoyance. Despite the terrible night they’d endured, he could still flip a switch and look as happy as a golden retriever with a ball at a moment’s notice. It was maddening.

“Well, I have some sightseeing to do. Since you want to keep your eyes open anyway, the timing is perfect.”

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