Chaz nodded. “I assure you it is.”

  “This is what NRS looks like now.” Daron rolled out two boxes that were broader than his manly frame. Placing them in front of her, he unlocked and opened the black one. “This is the actual robotic unit.”

  “It plugs into outlets, but it also comes with its own power source, as well as a backup lithium battery with a solar charging panel.” Calvin pointed to the device with a red handle.

  Lani glanced at the dark-gray case. “What’s in the second box?”

  Daron pulled it closer, and she scanned the different knobs and displays on the outside. “This is a supply case. It has a blood bank refrigerator on one side and a regular one on the other.”

  “It’s to carry O-negative blood and several types of IV fluids,” Jai explained and the pride in his voice was unmistakable.

  Chaz swiped his finger over a tablet. “It also contains surgical gowns, gloves, a fold-out metal slab for emergencies, and a few other medical supplies.”

  Daron returned to his seat and tapped a remote to turn on the screen. “We’re ready for the procedure.” A video feed popped up. “That’s the sterile operating room we have in the medical facility that’s in another wing of the Castle.”

  Two men in green scrubs on screen nodded then removed a tablet from a black box. They sat the device over the surgery table. The robotic arms were released as a woman with golden brown skin was rolled in.

  “We’re trying it on a live person?” Lani hadn’t thought they were at that stage yet. Previous lab test videos Daron had sent were on life-like dummies, some that were replicas of newborns.

  “Yes.” Daron pointed to the tablet on the box he’d sat in front of her.

  Chaz glanced away from the screen and focused her way. “It’s a simple procedure and doctors are on standby for any issues, same as they would be in a hospital OR.”

  “I’ve synced this tablet to match the one that’s active during the surgery,” Daron said as she lifted the tablet from the box.

  Lani glanced up at the conference screen. “I’m still amazed that robotic arms are contained in this unit.”

  “We made the unit lightweight. Someday, the military and rescue missions could also use this in the field to save lives.” Calvin pulled out a notebook. “We’ll have to work on procedures and best practices since the NRS can also do X-rays.”

  “There’s also a device that can be attached to sonograms, which is necessary for this particular surgery,” Jai added, his expression warm yet authoritative.

  Lani watched the operation, relieved when it was successful. They spent the next two hours discussing potential issues, best practices, the costs, and the path to release. These men were genuine, instilled trust, and far exceeded her expectations. She stood as the conference room cleared out and the men said their farewells. Daron handed Nicco the NRS and supply cases, then closed the door behind them, affording a bit of privacy.

  “Are you having problems at work?” he asked, with a concerned expression that unsettled her.

  Her hand jerked, knocking her Stefree embroidered tote to the floor. As she rose, Lani said, “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  Daron approached Lani and leaned on the table next to her. “Do you think your current issue at work has to do with your involvement in NRS’s development?”

  Lani retrieved her tote and reclaimed her seat. “I’m not sure it’s about the prototype.”

  “Has anyone threatened to expose your use of the At Your Service Agency?”

  Lani was glad she was sitting, or she may have hit the floor. “I … I … umm … No.” She glanced at the door, expecting the police to walk through. “You never mentioned knowing anything about them.”

  Daron chuckled, then smirked. “You didn’t think I’d agree to work with you without looking into your background, did you?”

  She hadn’t been utilizing the service when they first started this collaboration. Because of me, At Your Service Agency is on The Castle's radar.

  “I know more than you think, Dr. Keahi.” He stressed the last two words.

  “Keahi?” Lani’s heart raced at hearing her former last name. She was surprised Daron already knew but shouldn’t have been. While she had expected him to use his resources to help her if needed, she hadn’t planned to tell him unless absolutely necessary. No one but her lawyer knew she had changed it and why. Most people weren’t aware she was born in Maui, Hawaii, and her family quickly moved to Chicago when she was still in grammar school because of something her parents had done. They also didn’t know she became Jamison to stay protected from her family. “Should I be concerned?”

  “Even though such services are illegal in Illinois, the agency doesn’t force people to become employees or clients.” Daron silenced his ringing phone. “While early on there were some questionable age boundary lines crossed, the owner now makes sure every employee is legally an adult.”

  Lani frowned. “So, you don’t have a problem with it?”

  “If you become more involved with the Kings of the Castle, I may have to inform the other Kings who are managing members. Our enemies would definitely use that against you. Especially with this invention.” Daron reached for the navy box he had placed on the table and handed it to her. “As long as At Your Service maintains its current criteria, they are low on our list of businesses to bring to justice. Lady Ari is particularly interesting.”

  “If that changes?” Lani flipped the box open and found a pair of diamond earrings, a pen, and a watch inside.

  “With this tech in its pioneering stage, you don’t want a scandal. It’s not just about your job, it will be about your public credibility that could taint these efforts. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you and your career aren’t taken down with the agency.”

  Lani prayed that also applied to other things. She wanted to inquire but was afraid to call more attention by doing so. “I appreciate that.” Her mind went to Jordan. She didn’t want working with The Castle to cause problems for him.

  “If any issues arise, I’ll reach out to you,” she promised.

  Daron gave her a knowing look. “Understood.”

  Running her fingertips over the earrings, she asked, “What are these for?”

  “Your safety. You became a target the minute we sent the patent and schematics in for this invention. No one is nearly as advanced as what we came up with together. Click them,” he pointed to the earrings. “When you’re in trouble and it’ll notify my team and a designated contact. The pen has a dual purpose.” Daron picked it up, grabbed a business card from his jacket, pressed the pen’s top button then wrote on the back of the card. “Always carry it on you when you’re in the hospital. If anyone grabs you and you can get to this pen, then slam it anywhere you can then hold the top button down until you hear a click.”

  “What happens then?” She took the pen and stroked The Castle crest on the side.

  “A needle will come out instead of a ball point pen and a drug release that will sedate most people. How quickly it works and how long they’re out, is dependent on the person’s size.”

  “What if the ink runs out?”

  “We have ink refills. However, if you use the drug, you’ll need to get a new pen.” He grabbed the last item. “This is a taser watch.” Daron showed her how it worked, and she was floored, but could see Dr. Risden as the first person to get zapped.

  Daron laughed. “You have a target in mind?”

  “Am I that easy to read?”

  Lani replaced her earrings with the diamonds Daron gave her. “Are these really necessary?”

  “Your call.” Daron made his way to the door. “This person who tried to bait you with a dying baby in O.R. 8 will eventually come directly for you.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The familiar and unwelcome ringtone of a squawking bird snapped Jordan out of a sound sleep. He contemplated sending the call to voicemail.

  “Yes.”

  “Hey Li’l Bro, just checking on that request.”

  Quinn’s cheerful tone irritated the hell out of Jordan. He pulled the phone from his ear to check the time. Five, practically the ass crack of dawn. “I don’t know how many ways I can say no in a way that you’ll believe it.”

  “All I need is a measly three hundred.”

  “Three hundred dollars?” Jordan rolled on his back, nearly chuckling at the miniscule amount. “You make that with your eyes closed.”

  “Three hundred grand.”

  Jordan paused, picturing various scenarios that would make his brother this desperate. No telling what kind of trouble he’d landed in. No way in hell would Hector let him get in that deep. “And why would you think I’d hand it over to you? Especially, and I’ll say it one more time, since you blew through your own money.”

  “I told the people I owe I’d need until Friday to get it ‘cause I’m having a hard time persuading you,” Quinn huffed and had the nerve to sound disgusted, as though Jordan had done something wrong. “I think they’ve been following me and they’re going to try to persuade you on their own.”

  “And how exactly are they going to do that?” Jordan peeled back the Egyptian cotton sheet and sat up. Quinn had said people, which meant Hector was spot on. Others were after him.

  “Because they know where you live.”

  Jordan took in the ramifications of the fact that his brother had given some low-lifes his address. Once again, Quinn had served him up to save his own skin. But Jordan knew one thing: if he gave in now, he’d have to keep giving in because his brother would forever be in one bind or another.

  “Quinn, I’m going to put this nicely,” he said through his teeth. “If I ever lay eyes on you again, here or at any of my family’s homes, I’ll put a bullet in you my damn self. And if I miss, I’ll shoot you a second time.”

  Silence lingered between them for a few seconds. “Bro, they’re going to kill me if I don’t come up with that cash.”

  “I ought to kill you for pulling me into your bullshit. You want me to feel for you, but you have endangered my safety and the safety of those I love,” Jordan roared. “You’re freaking unbelievable.”

  Then again, he shouldn’t be surprised given the DNA Quinn sprang from. Quinn’s mother, Patricia, was the woman who had almost killed Jordan all those years ago. She was the reason he had landed in the hospital, fighting for his life. And for what? To stop his father’s plan to have peace among his four wives and all his other women and their offspring. Only later did he learn that she believed that Jordan was the reason Eric wouldn’t come back to her. He prized boys over girls—and Quinn had been a favorite until Jordan came along.

  * * *

  Jordan was tethered to something but didn’t know what. He couldn’t walk or speak, but he could hear. His throat felt like he had swallowed a garden hose.

  “Why would Patricia do something like this?” Sarah wailed. The sound echoed in a never ending reverb. “She killed my son.”

  Hey, but I’m still here. I’m still here. Jordan’s mind screamed, but the words wouldn’t form or make it past his lips. His eyes remained closed no matter how much he tried to open them.

  Eric’s voice was stern but soft. “Sweetheart, next time he goes into a seizure, you have to let him go.”

  Sarah screamed at him so long because of those words, she lost her voice. Jordan had never heard his parents argue until then. Eric seemed resolved to let him die. His mother wasn’t having it. Jordan heard the shoes clicking against the tiles and assumed his father had walked out. A chair scraped the floor, then his mother started praying, and blackness claimed him.

  Every time he woke, Aunt Bethany or Shelah was either praying, singing, or reading to him. They read letters from his teachers and friends. His mother brought his sisters to read to him sometimes. Even Zach read, all of his schoolwork, mysteries and comedies. His father was never one of the voices he heard in those waking times.

  The pain was exponential. The fact that he couldn’t open his eyes or communicate was even more agonizing.

  Once, Quinn’s voice broke through the quiet humming of hospital equipment.

  Sarah must’ve been out of the room because Jordan didn’t hear any other voices.

  “You ain’t dead yet?” Quinn whispered, and his breath tickled Jordan’s ear. “Daddy wants me to move in with y’all because they put mama in that hospital. Gonna be better if you ain’t there.”

  Shortly after Quinn made that statement, a loud shriek from an alarm and frantic beeping from the equipment filled the air. Suddenly breathing became impossible for Jordan, then nonexistent.

  * * *

  Jordan shook off the memory. He still believed Quinn intentionally tampered with the ventilator and no one could tell him different.

  “So, you’re going to leave me out to dry?” Quinn’s voice went up by an octave. “You wouldn’t miss the money ‘cause you’re not using it anyway.”

  Jordan disconnected the call and glanced at the closet, realizing he’d have to start carrying a weapon. He hated that he had to stop pursuing Lani until his brother’s issues resolved themselves. No way could he put her in danger.

  Quinn always had a flair for the dramatic, and he’d lie in a heartbeat to get what he wanted. Jordan wondered how much Sarah had shelled out to her stepson this time. She always had a soft spot for all of Eric’s children. Trying to seem more like a volunteer to her husband’s actions probably made her feel less of a victim. Bethany was the same. She showed love toward Jordan’s half-siblings—except when it came to Quinn. And that was mostly because Quinn was the reason Jordan’s older sisters were resting in a much too early grave. Bethany recognized him for the evil seed he was.

  Sarah Spears had a forgiving heart. Jordan wasn’t one to open his arms after such recklessness. Not then. And he wouldn’t start now. Especially since he needed to protect more than his own ass.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  I’m losing my mind.

  Jordan was going into this love thing blind. The kind of contractual relationships he’d been in were meant to keep his heart protected. No games. No misconceptions. Expectations were clearly defined. Unfortunately, that caused him to be ill-equipped to handle the tidal wave of emotions coursing through him now. The sex part of the process between him and Lani was perfect. Everything was firing on all cylinders on that end. Wading into the relationship seas had his stomach tied in knots. Love was indeed a complex thing.

  He glanced at his watch a fifth time. Several days had passed since he’d been with Lani. Normally, the time between their dates whizzed by. That wasn’t the case now. Each night was filled with keeping his promise to Carla and that meant watching movies she’d given him while they waited for the sun to rise. She said he needed to earn his “Black Card”. So Friday, Coming to America, Harlem Nights, and so many others did prove to be quite … interesting.

  With so many loose ends to tie up before he tried once again to convince her they should be together; time was dragging slower than a turtle on pain meds. Probably because he was a man on a mission and wanted to get things in order.

  Quinn’s voice tripped in his head. “Had some people tailing you, trying to figure things out. You know … just in case I needed some leverage.”

  Jordan hadn’t given credence to Quinn until Hector showed up at the art center. While he was having a hard time making himself stand down, Jordan needed to keep her safe. His gaze floated to the cell phone sitting on his desk. Lani hadn’t returned his call to check on her well-being. However, he’d heard plenty of times from Ms. Hardy. So much so, he had to block her on all avenues.

  His phone rang from an unknown caller. He answered, used to getting calls from unlisted numbers due to his work with the agency.

  “You’ve been a naughty boy,” Ms. Hardy purred, trying to be sexy but sounding more like a wounded animal. “Blocking my calls when we have so much to discuss.”

  “We have nothing to talk about.” Jordan pushed his chair back and headed into the living room.

  “You’re sure about that?” she fired back.

  He sensed from her smug delivery that she was angling to be the next link in his chain. The agency had strict rules that Jordan was obligated to follow. All the secrecy, while understandable, became a nuisance sometimes. However, it was necessary. His profile was now purged from the agency records since he’d turned in his resignation, and most clients had been transferred to other men who he had spoken with personally and there were only two left to meet with. He was grateful that while employed there, he only accepted women who wanted long-term attachments with five-year renewals. Otherwise, he would have risked dealing with more women like Ms. Hardy.

  “How would the board feel about your real job?” she asked. “How would those mothers feel about their children being part of...”

  Giving up every one of his clients and taking a chance on love should have kept him out of the danger zone. Evidently that hadn’t happened fast enough.

  “Is the good doctor okay with what you do?”

  How in the hell does she know about Lani? His gut told him that Lani would continue to fight against the love she felt for him because of their unusual beginnings. The last thing he needed was Ms. Hardy’s crazy ass causing drama. He disconnected the call, but before he could block the number, a text came through with a picture of Lani and him embracing on her front porch. From the floral sweater dress Lani wore with a winter white coat, he surmised that the photo was taken two months ago.

  This woman has been stalking me? For how long?

  Jordan suddenly had a nagging feeling he needed to check on Lani. Instead of calling, he settled for driving by her house to feel connected as well as to ensure she was all right. He made sure he wasn’t followed, parked a little way down the street, relieved that the Tesla was parked out front. She had made it safely home from work. He dismissed the warning bells in his head telling him he was as much of a stalker as Ms. Hardy. Truthfully, he was a man in love, struggling with the separation. The longer they were apart, the stronger his longing for Lani became, and the more he wondered if he had handled things the right way.