Page 46 of Rescuing Josiah
“Very much so, it’s beautiful,” Chelsea answered.
“Good, good, come in then, take a seat.” The doctor stood back to allow them into his opulent office then closed the door behind them. They were ushered over to the two leather chairs on one side of the desk, while the doctor strolled around it and took the other.
For a moment, Dr. Gant studied them, his eyes assessing, and Josiah had to fight the urge to squirm.
He never squirmed.
Ever.
Never felt the need.
But this was different. This wasn't about him or about his team. It was about the woman he had fallen for despite his best efforts not to.
His instincts were screaming at him to wrap her up in Kevlar, offer her his own vest if he had to, to lock her away somewhere nothing and no one could touch her. Keep her safe at all costs, even if that cost was his own life.
If it weren't for Chelsea’s steady hold on his hand, he might very well have let the rage boiling inside him for six long years, out on Dr. Gant and every single other person working for the ring he could get his hands on. But her hold steadied him, soothed the roughest edges of his fury, kept him grounded enough that he merely glared at the doctor.
“Let’s be honest with each other, shall we?” Dr. Gant asked, and Josiah stiffened.
It would take him a mere second to launch himself across the desk if it came down to it. He could kill the doctor before the man could react in any way, and he readied himself to do it if the next words out of Dr. Gant’s mouth were an accusation.
“You know who we are and what we do, and we know who you are and what you were trying to do,” Dr. Gant continued. “But I'm sure you understand that by being here, by paying us half the money already, you're as guilty as we are now.”
Chelsea dropped her gaze in mock remorse. Josiah merely continued to glare at the man.
“We understand,” Chelsea whispered forlornly.
“I hope now you understand that we are merely providing a service to those like yourself who are able to afford it. While there are some unfortunate losses, this is all for the greater good. Do you have any idea how many lives can be changed by just one donor? We’re saving lives here. We’re doing the right thing even if you don’t agree with it.”
A growl rumbled through his chest, and Chelsea’s hand smoothed down his arm.
“We’re here because we’re desperate, not because we agree with what you're doing,” Chelsea said.
“Nothing is more important than Chelsea’s life,” he snarled, it was the absolute truth.
Dr. Gant grinned at them. “They say love makes one do crazy things, and I guess it’s true. We’re hoping that once Chelsea is well and you return to your lives, you will, of course, dissuade your team from continuing to pursue us. It would be unfortunate if Ms. Hendricks or Ms. Dash were to end up back on our tables. And Ms. Baker was a delightful spitfire of a nurse, wasn't she? Would be a shame if she and her baby had to find themselves on the other side of the bed, wouldn't it?”
The threat stoked the fires of his rage, and he clenched his teeth together before he started spewing venom at the despicable man sitting smugly in his leather chair, dressed in a designer suit, with a Rolex on his wrist.
“We’ll do what we can to turn them away from you,” Chelsea agreed softly.
“Perfect.” Dr. Gant clapped his hands together. “This appointment is not a medical one, no poking and prodding today, Mrs. Fleet, I'm sure you're sick of all that by now.”
“I am.” Chelsea nodded.
“I wanted to check with you whether you’d like to do your dialysis today in one of our medical rooms or in your own room.”
“Josiah can do it, he learned how,” she said. “When I was first diagnosed, Prey had a nurse brought in especially to do my treatments, but they know my diagnosis now, know I'm in kidney failure. They think Josiah and I have gone away on a vacation to spend what could be our last weeks together. When they found out we were a couple, they were shocked, but supportive, and Josiah asked to learn how to do my dialysis so we could be alone together.”
“I'm not at all surprised to hear they were shocked. Given what we know about Mr. Fleet, I'm surprised he was open to a relationship. But not surprised at the lengths he would go to in order to save your life,” Dr. Gant said that like it was a compliment. “I’ll organize to have everything sent to your room then, and I do have some good news.”
“Good news?” Chelsea asked.
“While you were resting, I was organizing with our team, and your donor is on their way here as we speak. Tomorrow we’ll run some final tests, and then I'm hopeful that the day after that we’ll do your transplant,” Dr. Gant informed them.
Tears brimmed in Chelsea’s eyes, and she leaned into him. Josiah immediately engulfed her in an embrace, knowing that her tears weren't ones of joy or relief like the doctor probably interpreted them, but of anguish, knowing that the man or woman who had been matched as her donor was suffering right this very second.
“It’s overwhelming, I know,” Dr. Gant said in a tone that dripped with false sincerity. “But just remember what you'regaining. A new kidney doesn’t just save your life, it gives you the life you dreamed of. You and your husband can go on to live a long and happy life together, grow old and gray side by side. You can raise children, enjoy grandchildren, travel the world, and share many special moments together. This is the beginning of something wonderful. That’s what you focus on, Mrs. Fleet.”
