Chicago, Illinois – Present Day

  It was perhaps the longest day of Paige Steward’s life but there was no reprieve in sight. Hour eighteen and she was still going strong as if she hadn’t already worked two doubles earlier in the week.
 “Dr. Steward, the helicopter has arrived but we don’t have clearance to meet it,” the chief told her as she rushed between floors to attend to her patients.
 “What are you talking about, Hunter?” she demanded, eyeing him through her stunning but confused hazel eyes. “What helicopter? What clearance?”
 Dr. Hunter returned her stare with abject dismay.
 “Please tell me you’re kidding,” he replied, blinking his myopic eyes from behind his too thick glasses. “Patient X. You’ve been briefed about this.”
 “Brief – chief, with all due respect, I don’t have the time nor the energy to decipher cryptographs today. I have a twelve-year-old recovering from a gunshot wound to the brain, his father suffered a heart attack as a result, four people in various stages of trauma in the ER and an Alzheimer’s patient who needs a kidney transplant which is the only reason I don’t punch him in the face for continuously grabbing my ass. Please, speak English. Clear, old school English,” Paige nearly dismissed him with a flip of her long hair, turning on her heel and continuing on her way toward the main nursing station, already focusing on her next case.
 Ashe Hunter seemed dumbfounded.
 “There is a top-secret patient coming to us. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and has been flown in from Europe somewhere but we aren’t to know anything about him.”
Paige stared at him, blowing a stray strand of red hair from her face and wiping her sweating brow with the back of her hand.
 “I am sure no one has told me anything about this, Ashe. This doesn’t seem like the type of thing I would forget.”
 “Well maybe you tuned it out at the meeting,” he replied.
 She stared at him, her pager going nuts in her pocket as another catastrophe required her immediate attention but Paige found herself torn.
 It had happened before; anonymous patients being flown in for treatment at one of the best hospitals in the US.
 Northwestern Memorial was renowned in every field and it was no shock that their doctors were highly sought after.
 Some of the clandestine patients were politicians, some celebrities but most often their identities were unknown and Paige assumed they were governmental spies or the like.
 “What is his problem?”
 “We can’t really discuss this in the hall, Dr. Steward,” the chief chided her, looking about worriedly. “Come along so we can prepare for his room.”
 Again, Paige found herself looking at her superior strangely.
 No, why wouldn’t I remember such a conversation. This is very strange.
 She pushed it from her mind and hurried after Dr. Hunter.
 I am exhausted. Everything is beginning to take its toll on me. I haven’t had a day off in weeks.
 Paige also knew that was by design.
 It was against hospital policy for her to put in as many hours as she had been doing but everyone seemed to turn the other cheek when it came to the head of general surgery.
 She had fewer malpractice complaints than any other doctor in the hospital and a certain finesse with the surliest of people.
 But secretly, she wondered how long her lucky streak was going to last. She was becoming unravelled and less focused on her job lately.
 Her mantra had always been to respect people in pain. She often saw them on the worst days of their lives. It was understandable that they should be angry or difficult.
 They took the elevator to the 22nd floor of the hospital and covertly accessed a little used stairwell to the mezzanine level between the rooftop and highest level.
 The Galter Pavilion was the second largest hospital in the western hemisphere and employed hundreds of “top-of-their-class” physicians, only a handful of which knew about the highly restricted area where the doctors were making their way.
 “What do we know about this man?” Paige asked, and Hunter cast her a sidelong look, using his entry card to enter the back section.
 “Nothing,” he replied flatly. “The way it’s supposed to be.”
 Paige rolled her eyes at him and shook her head.
 “About his injuries, Dr. Hunter. What do we know about his injuries?”
 “Oh. He took several bullets and had internal bleeding. “They” think they got him stable enough for transport back to the States from wherever he was, so now it is our job to ensure that he is in pristine condition before his release.”
 Paige gritted her straight, white teeth in annoyance.
 “They shouldn’t have moved him if they weren’t sure,” she grumbled, flipping on a light as they walked into a highly secure patient room.
 It was more like a hotel suite, reserved for VIPs with all the luxuries of home.
 A flat screen television was mounted on the wall, a small stereo system was on the bedside table. The bed itself was not indicative of hospital grade but beneath the Egyptian cotton sheets and fluffy pillows was a functional gurney, hidden to the naked eye.
 The equipment and monitors were hidden behind a screen as to not to upset the patient. The rooms never ceased to amaze Paige.
 It truly is amazing what money can buy. I wonder what this room costs per night.
 She had never looked into it because it really was not any of her business. She was a healer, not an accountant.
 And she was not one to worry about money. Her salary as head of department was more than comfortable, enabling her to own a condo in one of the most prestigious buildings in Chicago.
 “Okay, we have clearance,” Dr. Hunter said suddenly, his eyes on his pager. “Let’s go.”
 They turned in unison to hurry to the rooftop and Paige braced herself for the inevitable intrusion on her privacy as they pushed through the fire doors.
 Not to be disappointed, they were met at gunpoint, immediately throwing their hands into the air.
 They did not need to be told what to do. It was standard operating procedure with the bigwigs.
 Her head down, Paige waited impatiently for a man to pat her down while another scanned her with a device which she could only assume was an internal sensor.
 Army issue. Military hair cuts. So, not a rock star in that chopper.
 They were small details but ones which Paige had learned to detect over time. They were also irrelevant points. She didn’t care who was in the aircraft; he was a patient who needed her care. Every Patient X was a flesh and blood human, no matter what walk of life they came from and it was her sworn duty to protect them.
 “What’s you full name?” The armed officer asked, staring at the tablet in his hand, the firearm still expertly pointed at her face.
 “Paige Christine Steward.”
 He nodded and lowered the weapon, a half smile forming on his face.
 “Sorry for the dramatics,” he told her. “They are necessary in this case.”
 “I have encountered worse,” she assured him. “May I see our patient?”
 “This way. You may call me Cee. I am your contact in this matter.”
 “Thank you.”
 Dr. Hunter seemed sickly pale as the group made their way toward the slowly dying helicopter. Paige swallowed a smile.
 He's not equipped to deal with this. Every time, he looks like he’s going to vomit. You would think he would be used to it by now.
 A stretcher was being pulled from the interior and Paige craned her neck to get a glimpse of the man.
 She heard his voice before seeing his face.
 “Oh, for Christ’s sake, I’m fine. Let me walk.”
 “It’s protocol, sir. You must lay still.”
 Paige approached him briskly, gently pushing Cee aside to peer down at the confined patient.
 For a strange second, the air seemed to thicken, haze over as the two stared at one another. Paige looked into his odd sea colored eyes as if she had been inside them before.
 His mouth parted slowly as if to say something.
 “Dr. Steward, this is Patient X.”
 The moment was shattered as Cee stepped forward and fleetingly, Paige wondered if the older man had done it purposely to ruin the significance of what was happening.
 What did just happen? She thought, shaking her head in confusion.
 It didn’t matter; the moment had passed.
 “Glad to meet you, Mr. X. How are you feeling?” Paige asked as they wheeled their way toward the elevators.
 He scowled and glanced at Cee who seemed embarrassed.
 “I feel like this is completely unnecessary,” he replied. “I feel fine and I shouldn’t be here.”
 “If that’s the case, you’ll be on your way in no time,” Paige assured him. “Let’s take a look at you and see if anything was missed. If you’re as good as you sound, I’ll send you packing in no time, all right?”
 She smiled warmly at him and again, their gazes locked. A fission of electricity jolted through her.
 Have we met before somewhere? She wondered. Has he been here before?
 But as they moved into the lift, Paige was sure she had never set eyes on the breathtaking man, at least not in this life.
 I would remember that face, those eyes, she told herself. His attractiveness would not be easily forgotten
 “I’m Dr. Hunter. I’m the chief of surgery here.”
 Guiltily, Paige turned to her boss. She had all but forgotten he was with them.
 Patient X did not seem the slightest bit interested in him.
 “How long do you intend to keep me here?”
 “As long as it takes,” Paige replied smoothly. “But you don’t need to worry – I tend to grow on people as they get to know me.”
 A reluctant smile formed on his full mouth and Paige was struck with the overwhelming desire to taste his lips.
 Yeah, you’re exhausted. You need some time off if you want to start kissing patients.
 Shame filled her and she turned her head, a hand on the stretcher as they landed on the mezzanine, heading toward the secure suite.
 “I will have men stationed outside the room at all times,” Cee informed her as they entered. “No one is to come in unless they have explicit instructions from you, which must be passed through me.”
 “I will give you a list of cleared staff who are allowed inside in case of emergency,” she replied, tossing Dr. Hunter a glance over her shoulder. He seemed to be silently seething as Paige took the lead.
 “Of course, Dr. Hunter is truly in charge here so…” she trailed off, hearing how lame the words sounded, as if she was trying to throw her superior a bone.
 It was not lost on anyone and an awkward silence filled the room as Patient X was lifted onto the wide, comfortable bed.
 “You can page me if you need me, Dr. Steward,” the chief muttered, spinning to leave. “It looks like you have everything under control here.”
 She nodded.
 “Of course.”
 “There is nothing to have under control,” the patient muttered but he did not object as Paige began to examine him.
 Skilfully, her hands touched the tender flesh around the wounds on his shoulder and chest.
 “What can you tell me about what happened?” she asked, furtively glancing at Cee who stood at the door, his arms crossed. He was pretending not to listen but Paige had been through enough of these covert assessments to know he was ensuring the patient didn’t disclose anything more than necessary.
 “It should be in my chart,” he intoned. Paige grimaced but checked her annoyance.
 “Your chart is telling me precisely what my eyes can see. Can you at least tell me what country you were in when it happened?”
He looked at her as she peered at the wound in his stomach.
Uh oh…
 “What difference does that make?”
Paige gritted her teeth.
And he’s going to be difficult too. Excellent.
 “The health care standards vary from country to country,” she explained, trying not to sound irritated. “If you were cared for in a third world country, the risk for infection, staph – “
 “He wasn’t.” Cee spoke and the patient glanced at him quickly. “The health care was top tier. Great doctors.”
 Paige sat back, snapping her latex gloves from her hands and glared at Cee.
 “Well either that’s a blatant lie or something happened in the travel because he has an infection in his stomach.”
 “What?” the man on the bed demanded. “No way! I don’t feel any pain at all.”
 “Sir, I don’t mean to argue with you but I’ve been a doctor longer than you have.  If you’ll notice the redness, swelling and pus around your treated wound, it indicates that you have an infection. We need to get you started on an aggressive round of antibiotics immediately. I would also like to do a full blood work up to ensure that you don’t have parasites.”
 She reached for her tablet and punched in the information she had just explained to him.
 “Can’t you just give me some pills and get us the hell out of here?”
 Paige lifted her hazel eyes.
 “No,” she replied flatly. “You will need them intravenously before the infection spreads any more and you’re not going anywhere until I get the labs that I am ordering back.”
 “Jesus Christ. How long is that going to take?”
 “Two days, maybe three, depending on the damage. I still have to do a full work up on you so don’t start planning your boy’s night out yet.”
 The patient scowled.
 “A party was not the first thing on my mind,” he snapped.
 Is your wife on your mind? She wondered, her gaze resting on his ring finger. She did not see any jewellery but that meant nothing. He might have forsaken it for whatever mission he was on.

  Obviously, secrecy was paramount.
 Uncharacteristically, she found herself wondering who he was.
 Is he a double agent? Or maybe in witness protection?
 A shiver of apprehension and excitement burned through her.
 “Cee, leave us alone for a moment.”
 The superior blinked and began to shake his head.
 “No. I must be in here at all times,” he insisted.
 “Just leave us for two minutes. You promise not to kill me, right Doc?” Patient X sighed.
 Paige grinned.
 “It goes against my oath,” she sighed. Cee looked at them uncertainly.
 “Two minutes,” he said, shaking his head. “And then I’m coming back in.”
 He sauntered out of the room, leaving them alone.
 As the door closed, X turned back to her, his sea colored eyes wide with pleading.
 “I can’t stay here for three days,” he told her. “I have business to take care of.”
 Paige nodded understandingly.
 “Listen, I understand. No one wants to be laid up for days. It’s disheartening and – “
 “No,” he interjected. “It’s not depressing, it’s serious. Every day that I’m in here, I am not out there. I’m a sitting duck and it’s not safe for anyone.”
 Paige did not ask him to elaborate because she knew he wouldn’t.
 “You are well protected and no one knows you’re here,” she reminded him. “You are not going to do anyone any good if you end up worse. You’ll only have to come back. Just let us do our job and you’ll be on your way.”
 “Please, I really don’t have the time for this.”
   Paige stared at him, her mind racing.
 Is he really in danger or is he paranoid?
 She told herself she didn’t want to know even though she really did.
 “I will do my part but you have to do yours too,” she told him. “Your part is to heal. Medicine can only do so much. You need to be willing to rest and recuperate.”
 His jaw seemed to lock and he turned his head away.
 “I will likely not be here tomorrow,” she told him. “Dr. Hunter will attend to you.”
 He jerked his head back around, his eyes glimmering with an emotion which Paige could not identify.
 “You won’t be here?” he demanded. “Why not?”
 She found herself growing angry.
 Is this guy really that self-absorbed? Oh, sorry, master of the universe. I will drop everything to tend to your non-life-threatening injuries. How stupid of me to think I should take a day off.
 “I have a scheduled day off.”
 “Then unscheduled it.”
 The words were an order and Paige’s mouth dropped open in shock.
 “Pardon me?” she demanded. “I don’t know who you think you’re talking to, but I don’t answer to you. Your case is not serious. There is nothing going on here that Dr. Hunter can’t handle.”
 He bit on his lower lip, his brow furrowing and Paige turned to leave.
 I don’t need this. I have patients with real problems to attend to.
 She reached for the door when his voice rang out.
 “Please.”
 She turned her head slowly and peered at him.
 “What?”
 “Please come back for me tomorrow.”
 She stifled a sigh and pivoted.
 “Sir, there is nothing that I can do which Dr. Hunter – “
 “I trust you.”
 The words were strange and unprompted. They plucked a string in Paige’s heart because she heard the sincerity in his tone.
 “That’s good. You should trust me. You should trust all your doctors,” she babbled. She knew what he meant and yet she could not shake the bizarre feeling sweeping through her again.
 I feel like I need to help him.
 He shook his head.
 “No,” he said quietly. “I trust you like I’ve known you from before. Please, just see my treatment through. I know you will make me right.”
 Paige chewed on the insides of her cheeks, her heart hammering furiously in her chest.
 There is going to be hell to pay for this, she realized but she pushed the thought out of her mind.
 Nodding slowly, she forced a smile.
 “Okay,” she agreed. “I will come back if you think I can help you more than Dr. Hunter, sir.”
 “My name is Ryder,” he told her and Paige felt the blood drain from her face.
Why is he telling me this?
 He sat up slowly and stared at her intently.
 “Now you’re in with me,” he whispered.