Page 99 of The Girls of Pearl Harbor
‘Find a way to get Grey to confess,’ he said. ‘The man has a big ego, and if you ask to see him and pretend like you want to take the fall for it, maybe he’ll admit his error. You know what happened—now you just need to make the truth work for you.’
‘What use is that if only I hear it? I already know what happened that day.’
‘You leave that to me. Just tell me where you’re meeting him, and I’ll make sure it’s overheard by the right person.’
April’s heart picked up a beat. ‘You really think this is a good idea?’
Harry’s smile told her everything she needed to know.
April was starting to have second thoughts. She tried to steady her breathing, knowing that at any moment Grey would arrive, and she’d only have a short window to execute her plan.
Her heart started to race, and just as she was about to run from the room, he entered.
‘Your message said you were ready to apologize?’ Grey said, stalking closer to her in that predatory way he had the day before in the burns unit.
April glanced down and then slowly back up again. ‘I am.’ She hoped he couldn’t tell how nervous she was.
‘So go on, then; I’m waiting,’ he said impatiently.
‘I’m sorry if it was my fault,’ she said, trying to project her voice loud enough so Harry could hear her from wherever he was hiding. ‘I should have told Dr. Evans that it was another doctor instead of agreeing that Private Hunt was your patient.’
‘So you do remember it was your fault?’ Grey chuckled. ‘I knew it’d come back to you.’
April blinked and forced herself forward, moving closer, going against her every instinct. Was this even going to work? ‘I’ll say whatever you want me to say, Dr. Grey. I just miss being with you.’
She stopped a foot from him, eyes on his mouth, trying to be seductive even though she had no practice at what it entailed.
‘Ha, you miss me, do you?’ He moistened his lips, and she tried not to recoil.
‘That day, I remember you leaving the room, but it wasn’t with the same patient. It wasn’t with Private Hunt,’ she said. ‘I don’t care, though—I’ll take the fall. I’m only a nurse. I’ll do it for you.’
His smile made her stomach turn.
‘You’re doing the right thing, April,’ he said, reaching for her. ‘I’m sorry I had to blame you, but I’m not risking my career for one stupid mistake on a half-dead soldier.’
‘So it wasn’t my fault?’ she asked, her voice louder this time.
‘Don’t be thick—of course it wasn’t.’ He grunted. ‘Come here and let me make it up to you. You’ll be sent home by the end of the week, and—’
‘The only person going home will be you, Grey,’ came Harry’s strong, commanding voice.
April quickly backed away, seeing the betrayal cross Grey’s face as he took in Harry and her matron in the doorway. His scowl was directed at her as he launched forward.
‘You bitch! You tricked me!’ he yelled. ‘You absolute little bitch!’
She squeezed her eyes shut and turned her face as Harry grabbed Grey from behind, holding his hands together while he called for help. Matron Johnson’s arms shielded her, holding her away from the commotion as she whispered in her ear.
‘I’m so sorry, April. Please forgive me.’
All April could do was nod. Harry’s plan had worked, and just like that he’d managed to save her job. If she hadn’t owed him before, she certainly did now.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
GRACE
‘You’re doing what?’ Grace felt all the color drain from her face.
‘You don’t have to volunteer; I’m just telling you what I’ve decided to do.’
