8. Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Lana

D r. Clarke’s call takes me by surprise, and I have to admit, it makes me curious to think about what his pack mates might be like. I make my call to the security office while I try to picture the kind of men someone so handsome and caring would be drawn to.

“Ms. Cole. What can I help you with?” Melvin asks, breaking me out of my daydream.

I clear my throat. “Hi, Melvin. I was hoping it might be possible to get Rickett to cover the medical wing a little sooner.”

In the pause, I can picture his world-weary face becoming pinched at the inconvenient request.

“Hm,” he murmurs. “I can spare him from eleven, but that means you’ll have to cover a meal break from him over there later on. If that’s all good with you, I’m sure he’ll be happy to head over there at eleven.”

“Does it matter what time we cover the break?” I ask, knowing I’ll have to okay that with Dr. Clarke.

“Nah. He wasn’t looking forward to an eleven o’clock break so you can probably push it out to three-ish before he’ll complain. He’s a good kid, but he’s ruled by his stomach.”

“That’ll work,” I tell him, hoping it will. “There’s one more thing.”

“You need him to pull a double?” he asks.

“No,” I start, hoping I don’t. “Dr. Clarke has visitors at the gate. They’re part of his pack.”

“That’s not on the schedule for today.”

“It wasn’t a prearranged visit. They decided to surprise him.”

“Huh,” he murmurs. “Usually that means I get their details and run checks on them before they’re allowed entry. It can take a while, but I’m happy to do it.”

“Is there any chance we can bypass the checks?”

“If you sign off on it. You’re the one who makes that call.”

Which makes them my responsibility.

Everyone in the building basically is, anyway.

What difference are two extra people going to make?

“I’m signing off on it. I’ll file the paperwork you need.”

“Then I’ll have our gate guard let them in and bring them to your office.”

“Perfect. Thanks.”

“No problem, boss.”

I hang up the phone and send a quick email to Erika to let her know we’re expecting visitors.

Then, the phone rings again, and I send Erika another message to let her know my phone will be going straight to voicemail for the next hour. I don’t want to get stuck on a pain-in-the-ass call to a donor who thinks they’re more important than anyone who ever lived while I’m supposed to be doing something to help Dr. Clarke.

Besides being my latest out-of-reach crush, the man came out here without asking questions when I put out a call to surrounding area hospitals for staff not on call who could cover an impending emergency situation. He’s literally a life saver, and he also helped build up the medical unit from what was barely a handful of beds and equipment.

If I owe anyone a favor, it’s him.

So, I fill out the paperwork to let his pack come into the building for a visit and I file it onto our system, so my head of security is satisfied.

That done, I get ready to meet Dr. Clarke’s mates while they’re being let into the grounds.

I don’t expect the hit of nervous energy that washes over me.

Welcoming visitors isn’t difficult.

I’ve done it more times than I can count.

This feels different, and I’m not really sure why.

Taking a deep breath, I get my compact out of my purse and check on my make-up.

My hands shake a little as I close the compact again.

I’m kidding myself pretending I don’t know why I’m nervous.

Ezra’s the single most gorgeous guy I’ve ever met in my life.

These are his mates. They’re bound to be just as alluring.

One of Ezra makes me awkward and clumsy enough.

Two other guys on his level?

I’ll be lucky if I don’t leave them thinking I’m an escaped circus clown.

I really, seriously need to get laid.

I’m too old to crush this hard on anyone.

For a second, I think about finding the vibrator that’s hidden in my purse.

Maybe, if I can make myself come, real quick, I’ll be a functioning human again by the time they get here.

Or maybe I’ve left it too late to do anything that crazy.

The dark shadow outside my door would suggest they’re already here.

I get to my feet. Here goes nothing, I guess.