Gina sat across from Adrian Huntley, the stranger who had just hijacked her phone call, dismissed her ex with chilling ease, and now watched her like she was a puzzle he couldn't wait to solve.
She still hadn't touched the phone he'd slid across the table. It lay there like a ticking bomb between them, but Adrian didn't look the least bit concerned. In fact, he looked relaxed… too relaxed. One arm draped along the table, the other lazily resting near his thigh, fingers tapping soundlessly against his suit pants.
"So," she finally said, trying to clear the nerves from her voice. "Are you going to tell me what this job actually is? Or is that also a mystery?"
A ghost of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You'll be doing what you studied for. A doctor."
She frowned. "That's very vague."
He tilted his head. "It's intentionally vague. But since you've already accepted…" he raised an eyebrow, "…you're entitled to a little clarity."
Gina's heart skipped. "Wait, I haven't…"
"You called the number," he interrupted. "That's the agreement."
Her mouth opened, then shut again. That eerie voice on the phone echoed in her head. "By calling this line, it means you have accepted our offer."
Adrian leaned forward. "You'll be tending to the people in my enterprise. Some will need stitching. Some may need minor procedures. You'll assist our in-house surgeon when anything more serious comes up. Most of it is wound care, drug reactions, recovery monitoring. You'll have everything you need. A sterile environment, supplies, protection."
She blinked. "Enterprise? You mean like… a corporation?"
He laughed. It was low, almost amused, but there was no warmth in it.
"No, Gina. I'm in the underworld."
Her spine stiffened. "You're joking."
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
He didn't. And suddenly, the whole thing, the tuxedoed messenger, the black car, the strange card made even more terrifying sense. She shifted in her seat, her hands instinctively sliding over her belly, which was still flat but suddenly felt like a fragile target.
She tried to sound braver than she felt. "So I'm supposed to be some kind of mob doctor?"
He shrugged. "If you want to call it that. I prefer to say you're an asset. Quiet. Capable. And needed."
"And what if I say no?" she asked, her voice sharper now.
He tilted his head. "You've already said yes. You just didn't realize it at the time."
"No contract? No paperwork?"
"There's no need. From this moment on, you're expected to maintain full discretion. That means no loose lips. Not even your friend Tess can know."
Gina's heart was pounding. She felt like the room had shrunk around her.
"And what if I run?" she asked. "Change numbers. Move to another city?"
He leaned closer, and the air between them grew heavy.
"Then we'll find you," he said quietly. "And you'll owe us even more than you do now."
She stood up, her frustration boiling to the surface. "You can't just trap me in this! I'm pregnant, Adrian. I can't put my baby in danger."
The words slipped out before she could stop them. Her voice cracked a little on "baby," and for the first time since he arrived, Adrian's demeanor shifted. He blinked, slowly, his green eyes darting from her face to her stomach, and back up.
His smirk faded.
Gina noticed the pause, the tension in his shoulders. And then, just as quickly, he pulled himself back together, straightening his spine and standing up with graceful ease.
"You're a doctor. Not a soldier. You'll be working in a secured clinic. Danger rarely visits the place you'll be stationed. And if it does, it's never there for you."
His tone had cooled, clipped. He was annoyed now. She didn't know if it was her reaction or her pregnancy that triggered it.
Then, without another word, he walked to the door. No goodbye. No look back.
He opened it and stepped out.
And left the door wide open behind him.
Gina stood frozen, her pulse still racing. What the hell had she just signed up for?
She barely had time to gather her thoughts before there was another knock. Except this one didn't wait for a response. The door creaked further open and a young woman strutted in, carrying a clipboard in one hand, car keys in the other, and a brand-new phone in between.
Her outfit was… bold. Short skirt. Cleavage on full display through a half-unbuttoned shirt. She had bright red lipstick and a no-nonsense attitude.
Without greeting, she walked over and placed the items on the table.
"This is your work phone. Do not use your personal phone for anything related to Huntley Corp."
Gina blinked. "Huntley Corp?"
"Mr. Huntley's enterprise. You're now part of it," she said flatly. "Here's your schedule. You'll be expected to arrive twenty-five minutes before each shift begins. Never be late. Never ask questions. Only use the vehicle provided to you. The car outside is yours. GPS is pre-programmed with your route to the clinic. Do not deviate."
"Wait, hang on…"
"Welcome to Huntley Corp," the woman said again, flashing the faintest smile… more smug than kind.
And just like that, she turned on her heel and exited, closing the door behind her.
Gina stood in her small kitchen, stunned and very, very unsure of what she'd just become.
She looked down at the new phone. The screen was black. The clipboard listed her first shift as tomorrow morning, 5:35 a.m.
She walked to the window and peeked outside. Sure enough, a black car idled by the curb. Her name was probably already attached to it.
Her body moved on instinct. She walked over, picked up the phone and keys, and sat back down at the table.
The room was quiet except for the hum of her own thoughts.
She was in. There was no turning back now.
But at least she wouldn't have to depend on Marcus. Or anyone else.
Not anymore