Page 80 of Hostile Love
“But something doesn't feel right,” a different nurse mumbles. “The second the alarm went off this place emptied. Why aren't there any guards outside Mr. Souza’s room? They’ve been here twenty-four-seven since he arrived in our ward.”
“They're probably doing checks or something.”
“And the elevators have stopped working too. We’re isolated up here.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure the police and the fire department will arrive soon. They’re always quick to respond when we do a routine fire safety test. The doors to this ward are secured. Let’s focus on the patients as normal, okay? I won’t let a patient die on my watch, because some jerk set off the fire alarm.”
My scalp prickles. If the Lozanos have limitless wealth and influence too, they could have paid off a few law enforcement officers.
Matheus was right. We can’t even trust the Souza security team, either. And a basic security swipe door won’t protect anyone against professional hitmen.
If they’d done their research, the enemy would know Sinéad never leaves her husband’s side. The woman is loyal to the core. I respect that about her.
At a guess, I’d say the Lozanos had planned a hit for months with India as the prime target because of her part to play in the youngest Lozano’s death. After that, the Souzas would be taken out one by one.
Using a shiny glass window opposite the nurses, I watch their reflections. Certain they’re seated in front of computers, I scurry on all fours, crawling along the corridor and jumping to my feet when I’m out of sight.
Four doors along, the side window to André’s assigned room is covered in a white scum making it impossible to see in. Ilike his wife’s quick thinking. In another world, maybe we’d be friends.
Slowly, I slide the door across and come face to face with Sinéad––and the barrel of an engraved golden 9mm Beretta.
Dark hair hangs by her pale cheeks and slitted green eyes burn into me, her fixed posture ready for war. An oversized designer t-shirt drowns her upper half, and a pair of leggings show off her lean legs. She’s dressed for comfort in something belonging to her husband.
“Don’t move,” she hisses in a hoarse Irish accent. “How the fuck did you get past my security?”
Her gaze searches the empty corridor behind me. When she realizes it’s just us, her fingers tighten around the black gun handle.
“You want him, you go through me, motherfucker.”
Throwing a hand up, I point to the buffalo stitching over my mouth and nose.
“It’s okay. I’m here with Matheus,” I say firmly. “You recognize this, don’t you? You know what it means. I’m on your side, Sinéad.”
She frowns at the sound of my voice yet continues to use her body as a shield for the man sleeping in the bed behind her.
“Dani?”
Nodding, I pull the balaclava off my head.
“Yeah.”
Sinéad exhales loudly, lowers her gun, and stuffs her fingers into the hair close to her scalp.
“Where’s Mat…fuck…I’m going out of my mind. I need to be with my children. When the alarm sounded, I sent Letterman to find out what the hell was happening. He hasn’t come back…I—I—I can’t leave Dré alone…I won’t.”
“Mat went straight to your babies. The hit on your husband was meant for India,” I explain, sliding the door shut. “Mat knew she’d be with them. He won’t let anything happen.”
“India…” she whispers, her immaculately shaped black brows tugging together. “The doctor at the mansion…oh my God…she aimed at Indy first… it's all coming back to me now.”
Her chest rises and falls as she remembers.
“Dré shouted no and then she pointed her gun at me.”
“Does the name Lozano sound familiar?” I ask.
With a hand over her heart, Sinéad starts to pace at the foot of the bed.
“Yeah…that's the name of the guy from Blackwater, right? His father is a billion-dollar advanced technologies tycoon…and now he wants to fuck with my family.”
