Page 26 of Rogue Mission

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“You are not to accost anyone,” he warns as the three of us stride toward the glass doors at the hospital’s emergency entrance.

Truck grabs my arm as soon as we walk inside. “Hey, come here.”

He drags me toward the restroom. “Wash your damned face. She does not need to see you like that.”

Arguing is pointless. The reality is that if the two of them wanted to shove my face in the toilet, they could.

I’m six-foot-five and two-seventy-five, but the two of them together are trouble.

So, I avoid a brawl that will get us kicked out and do what’s right, so I can see Rosalie.

Because if I have to wait another fucking minute, I’m going to break something.

Tunnel-vision propels me toward the bathroom door. It bangs loudly when I shove it open and head for the sink.

The water runs cold, but not as icy as my gut when I get a look at my face.

Jesus.If ever a man looked wrecked, it’s me.

Only washing my face isn’t going to fix what’s wrong. This is the face of a haunted man.

The bastard in the mirror isn’t a rescuer.

I’m a monster who almost let her die. Because I was fucking distracted.

What happened is inexcusable.

She deserved to have someone competent protecting her.

Slamming the water spigot off, I snatch a paper towel.

The door swings open behind me. A man wearing a cardigan shuffles in, using a cane, stopping my arm mid air. Where it was cocked and loaded to punch the mirror.

Fuck.

Breathe.

Don’t fuck up more.

I shake out my hand, shoving it into my pocket.

Keep your shit together, Justice.

They’re still waiting on me when I tear the door open and stalk past them. Neither of them stop me when I double-time to the reception desk.

“Sir, how can I help you?” the woman working asks nervously, visibly recoiling.

“Rosalie. Baxter.”

I’m like a tuning fork every time I say her name.

Rosalie.

It vibrates through my teeth, my bones. Stirring all my electrons.

The frequency is wrong and right at the same time.

“Let me check.” The woman reaches for her keyboard, keeping far, far away from where I’m looming over her desk.

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