What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...

If only that were true! Surgeon Kiri Bhardwaj never expected to see sexy exotic dancer Alejandro Valentino again after their fantasy life-changing night together. But now they’re face-to-face, and he’s a specialist in her pediatric department!

Working with Kiri proves to Alejandro that they haven’t finished what they started all those years ago. But to claim what he’s lost he’ll have to lay his heart on the line and prove to Kiri their chemistry is for keeps!

Dear Reader,

Thank you for picking up a copy of Alejandro’s Sexy Secret.

This quartet was concocted by Amalie Berlin. So I completely blame her! No, I love Amalie, and she has been one of my bestie writing buddies since pretty much Day One. During one of our online chat sessions she came up with this idea about four sexy Latino doctors in the hot city of Miami, Florida.

I had so much fun planning this story with my co-authors. Surprisingly, they let me have the youngest brother—Dr Alejandro Valentino. Alejandro has a very dark past, but that doesn’t stop him from trying to live life to the fullest. And during the day he spends his time saving the lives of children in need of transplants. There’s so much to love about Alejandro—it’s just too bad he doesn’t want to take a chance on love himself.

Enter Dr Kiri Bhardwaj. She also carries a wound from the past that she shares with Alejandro. And working with him at Buena Vista Hospital as his boss just makes that raw hurt fresh once again.

It took a lot of work and tears to get these two together. I hope you enjoy Alejandro and Kiri’s story. And please do check out Alejandro’s brothers: Santiago, Rafe and Dante.

I love hearing from readers, so please drop by my website, amyruttan.com, or give me a shout on Twitter, @ruttanamy.

With warmest wishes,

Amy Ruttan

Alejandro’s Sexy Secret

Amy Ruttan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Born and raised just outside Toronto, Canada, AMY RUTTAN fled the big city to settle down with the country boy of her dreams. After the birth of her second child Amy was lucky enough to realise her lifelong dream of becoming a romance author. When she’s not furiously typing away at her computer she’s mum to three wonderful children who use her as a personal taxi and chef.

Books by Amy Ruttan

Mills & Boon Medical Romance

The Hollywood Hills Clinic

Perfect Rivals...

Sealed by a Valentine’s Kiss

His Shock Valentine’s Proposal

Craving Her Ex-Army Doc

One Night in New York

Tempting Nashville’s Celebrity Doc

Unwrapped by the Duke

Visit the Author Profile page at

millsandboon.co.uk for more titles.

I couldn’t have written Alejandro’s story without

Amalie, Tina and Annie.

You ladies are the best to build a world with.

Annie—Mad Ron’s wouldn’t exist without you!

Also I want to thank Amalie and my editor, Laura, for taking on

the monumental task of whipping this quartet into shape.

Praise for Amy Ruttan

‘I recommend Perfect Rivals as a place to start for those who haven’t thought of trying the Medical line before, because this will be an absolute treat... I give it five stars because of the characters, the plot, and the fact I couldn’t put it down... Please read this book—stat!’

—Goodreads

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Praise

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

PROLOGUE

Las Vegas, Nevada

KIRI WALKED OUT onto the patio of the private villa her friends had rented at one of Vegas’s most luxurious five-star resorts. It was getting too crazy inside. There was a lot of alcohol and antics, including a very dirty cake that would make her naanii blush.

Heck, it made her blush just thinking about the racy genital-shaped cake.

There were some shrieks from her friends as the bride-to-be opened up another questionable gift. Kiri chuckled and then shouted through the open window.

“You’re surgeons, you’ve seen those parts before!”

Her friends began to giggle again and Kiri just shook her head and sat down on one of the lounge chairs that overlooked the private pool and walled garden. Sandy, the bridezilla-to-be, was accusing her of being a party pooper on this bachelorette weekend and maybe she was, but she was thinking about her final residency exam that was coming up. Also, she was envious. Sandy had it all. She was getting married, she had a career and she knew Sandy and Tony wanted to start a family right away. It was everything that Kiri had always wanted.

The problem was she couldn’t find the right guy.

Once she’d thought she’d found the right guy, the only problem being she hadn’t been the right woman for him.

To get over her heartache she focused on her work. Never really cutting loose. If she couldn’t have a husband and family right now, she’d have her career.

“You’re my maid of honor, Kiri. You’re coming to Vegas, whether you like it or not!”

“Professor Vaughan is tough, Sandy. He only picks the cream of the pediatric surgery hopefuls to work with him. I have to study. Go have fun without me.”

“No, you’re coming to have fun. The last three men you went on dates with you blew off because of studying. You need to have fun every once in a while too.”

Kiri had come to Vegas, but had brought her books with her. She’d smuggled them like contraband in her luggage. She reached down and pulled out a notebook from where she’d stashed it. She flipped to where she’d left off, brought up the flashlight app on her smartphone and tried to cram like she’d never crammed before.

Except it was kind of difficult with that music blaring in the background.

Lord.

She rammed her fingers in her ears and held the book open with her elbows pressed against her lap and read until her glasses began to slide down her nose.

Blast.

She couldn’t study this way.

Her friends had already completed their exams, knew where they were going to be practicing their surgical skills. The pediatric surgical residency exams weren’t until next week. She should be back in New York and studying, not here. Of course as a maid of honor she had a bit of a duty to Sandy. And she was failing miserably. At least Sandy’s sister had picked up some slack. Like arranging this weekend.

Blast that Sandy for getting engaged to Tony and having a wedding so close to exams. Who does that?

Tony was already a surgeon and was apparently somewhere in Florida, enjoying a golf weekend. Florida was probably warmer than here. She closed her notebook and shivered in the evening chill.

“I thought Vegas was supposed to be hot,” she muttered to herself, and took a sip of her Bellini, which was a poor choice to have when she was already chilled.

“It’s the desert. At night it gets cold. So very cold.”

Kiri spun around to see who was speaking in the thick, Latin drawl that sent a shiver of something down her spine. Her mouth dropped open at the sight of the tall, muscular, Latino god who was leaning casually against the French doors. He had a dimple in his cheek as he grinned at her, perfect white teeth and those dark eyes sparkled in the light that shone out through the doors, promising something sinfully delicious.

“P-pardon?” Kiri said, pushing up her dark-framed glasses, which had slid down her nose again and were beginning to fog up. She cursed herself inwardly for forgetting her contact lenses in New York.

“The desert. It’s very hot during the day, but at night it’s muy frio. It’s cold.”

“Who are you?” she asked.

A lazy grin spread across his face. “Your friends sent me out here to lighten your mood. They said you’ve been a bit of a party pooper this weekend and you need to loosen up.”

Oh. My. God.

She glanced over his shoulder and could see another group of bronzed muscular gods dancing to music while her friends cheered them on. This was the “entertainment” Sandy had been talking about. Male exotic dancers.

Apparently the best that Vegas had to offer.

Heat flushed in her cheeks as he took a step closer to her. He took her hand and led her into the room, sitting her down on the couch.

“Why don’t you sit back, mi tesoro?” he whispered in that honeyed drawl against her ear that made her forget that she was always just a bit awkward around men. “Let me take care of you.”

“Um...” A million thoughts were racing through her mind, but then all those thoughts melted into a pile of goo as he pushed her back against the cushions.

A familiar song that she’d heard so many times when she’d been young came across the stereo system. The kind her and her high-school friends had giggled at but which the school would never play at a dance.

Sandy and her friends began to shriek as the group of exotic dancers began to move together in a choreographed, erotic dance.

And as that Latino god began to move, his hips rolling, she suddenly understood why they didn’t play that song at high-school dances. Why her parents hated that song. As she sat there on the couch, her friends screaming around her and that gorgeous specimen of a man’s dark eyes locked on her, only her, he grinned at her, as if knowing she was completely aroused by him. He rolled his hips and peeled his shirt off, revealing a tattoo on a muscle-hardened chest, and she realized what she’d been missing. Why she’d been uptight. When was the last time she’d been with someone?

It had been a long time.

Kiri’s leg began to tap in a nervous twitch she’d had since she was a kid, when she’d been the chubby geek that no one had paid attention to.

He moved toward her and laid a strong hand against her leg, settling the incessant tapping. His touch burned and set her blood on fire, her body reacting to the pure magnetism and sex he was exuding.

And for some reason he was focused on her.

He’s being paid to do this. This is what Sandy wanted.

And that’s what she was telling herself as he moved closer to her, pushing her back against the pillows, dancing just for her. He placed her hands on his narrow hips as he moved above her.

“Um...” slipped past her lips and she was mesmerized. Even though she knew it was all an act, this man held her in complete rapture. His deep, dark eyes were locked on hers and there was something about him that completely sucked her in.

Then he turned his back to her as the song ended and Kiri still sat there stunned. The Bellini she had been holding was no longer slushy but melted as she’d been gripping the glass so tightly before he’d taken it from her, deposited it on a table and placed her cool hands on his warm-skinned hips. Her heart was racing and it felt like she was on fire.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so turned on, so enthralled by a man. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d had sex. It had been during her residency and with Chad, the man who had broken her heart, but for the life of her all those moments with Chad were obliterated. All she saw was this gorgeous man in front of her. All she could think about was having him. That much she knew.

The last several years she’d been so focused on becoming a pediatric surgeon she’d thrown every last piece of herself into becoming the best darned surgeon in the program. So much so she’d forgotten how much she missed connecting with another person.

Just wanting a simple touch.

A kiss.

And more.

I have to get out of here.

The exotic dancers were now focused on Sandy, which was good. She left her glass of sludgy, melted Bellini on the side table and slipped out of the villa, putting some distance between her and the bachelorette party as fast as her little legs could carry her before she did something she’d completely regret.

* * *

“That was a good show tonight. Don’t you think, Alejandro?”

“What?” Alejandro asked. He hadn’t been really listening to Fernando, one of the dancers in his troupe, as they sat in the lounge of the hotel after entertaining that group of women at the bachelorette party. His thoughts were strictly on the beautiful woman he’d given the private dance to at the beginning. The one who had slipped out of the party when his back had been turned.

The one who was now sitting alone at the bar, nursing a glass of wine. Alejandro couldn’t take his eyes off her. She had curves in all the right places and though she was short, her legs looked long and were crossed in a ladylike way and she was swirling her one foot around.

Maybe it was the tight black dress or the stilettos that accentuated her beauty; either way, he couldn’t tear his eyes from her gorgeous legs.

“Yo, Alejandro? Snap out of it.” Fernando waved a hand in front of his face.

“What?” Alejandro said again.

“I asked you if you thought it went well tonight. I was a bit surprised when Ricky decided to fly us in from Miami to Las Vegas, but now, with this cut from that bachelorette party and being put up at this swanky hotel until tomorrow night, I’m never going to question a thing he says again.”

“Yeah, yeah, for sure.” Alejandro got up from the table where he’d been sitting with his fellow dancers. “I think I’m going to stick around here tonight, rather than go out.”

“You sure, bro?” another of them asked.

Alejandro nodded. “Yeah. I’m tired.”

And he really didn’t want to spend the large cut he’d just received on gambling and drinking tonight. Not when this was the last bit of the money he needed to pay off his student loans. This was finally his freedom from exotic dancing.

His freedom from Ricky.

He’d made it all through medical school without his older brothers finding out about what he did. They’d offered to help him pay for medical school, but they had sacrificed enough for him so he’d told them he worked down at the docks, gutting fish, and had been adamant he’d pay his own way through medical school. They didn’t need to know he’d started as a dance host in a seedy samba bar before being discovered by Ricky and moving into this. Next week he was starting a residency in transplant surgery in Miami in the pediatric department of Buena Vista Hospital and he wouldn’t have to dance again.

This had been his last dance and he’d never had a client walk out on him before. It was bothering him a bit.

As his friends left the bar to seek other pleasures for the rest of the night, Alejandro drummed up enough courage to go over and talk to her. He hoped he wouldn’t offend her. That was the last thing he wanted to do.

He’d been a little unnerved when he’d been sent out to retrieve her from the villa courtyard. When he’d seen her, he’d been stunned by her beauty. She was curvy, but he liked a woman who was curvy. Her long black hair had shimmered in the moonlight and those large, dark eyes made him melt just a bit.

There were a lot of beautiful women he’d been drawn to over his years of dancing, but nothing like this. It was like a bolt of pure, electric attraction. He wanted to run his hands over her body, taste her lips, touch her silky hair. He was asking for trouble just approaching her, because clients were against his rules, but he had to know why she’d been so disgusted with him.

Walk away, Alejandro.

“I’ll have a mineral water and a twist of lemon,” he said to the bartender as he took the empty seat beside her, his heart hammering against his rib cage. He’d never felt so nervous around a woman before.

What was it about her?

“Sure thing.” The bartender moved away and the woman glanced over at him, her dark eyes widening in shock. A blush tinged her caramel cheeks and Alejandro knew that she recognized him but didn’t want to admit it.

“You slipped out,” he said, not looking at her, keeping his gaze fixed on the rows of bottles behind the bar.

“Pardon?” she said, her voice quivering a bit.

He turned to her. “You slipped out of the show at your friend’s villa.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She fidgeted with the stem of her wine glass. He leaned over and caught the scent of coconut in her dark hair and he drank it in.

“Ah, but you do, mi tesoro,” he whispered in her ear.

The bartender brought him the mineral water and Alejandro paid him. He picked up the highball glass and took a sip, watching her as she fidgeted, obviously uncomfortable in his presence.

“Well, perhaps I was mistaken. Have a good night.” He turned to walk away.

“Why would it matter?” she asked.

He turned. “Why would what matter?”

“You noticing me leaving.”

“Yes, I did.”

“I’m sure women leave you...” She cleared her throat. “I’m sure they leave your shows all the time.”

Alejandro sat back down. “Not my shows.”

She snorted and he was enchanted. “You’re awfully arrogant.”

“I have every right to be. I’m good at what I do.” He winked at her and she smiled. He was getting through the walls she’d built up. Not that he knew why she’d built such impenetrable walls, but he knew when he’d been dancing for her that she’d been keeping a part of herself locked away and that was very intriguing to him.

Why would she hide herself away?

“So you’re telling me that in a nightclub you notice if people come and go?”

“No, I’m not saying that.”

“You just did!” Then she imitated him. “‘Not my shows.’”

He chuckled. It was sexy the way she tried to get her high voice to deepen. Her brow furrowed and her lips pursed a bit when she did it. “That’s a very good impression.”

She blushed again. “So are you denying you said that?”

“No, I’m not, just that I don’t dance in nightclubs, which is a polite way of saying strip clubs.”

She pushed back an errant strand of her inky-black hair. “Strip clubs, then.”

“I don’t dance in strip clubs. I used to dance in samba bars, but the clothes stayed on. Now my services are primarily hired for private sessions like tonight. I’m that good. Women are willing to pay my agent whatever I desire.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re laying it on thick. No one is that good.”

“I am. I take pride in my work. Don’t you take pride in your work?”

“I do. In fact, I’m one of the best there is.”

He cocked an eyebrow, even more intrigued, and he couldn’t help but wonder what else she was good at. “Really?”

“Yes. Which is why I left the party early. Work is that important to me. I had things to look over.”

“Then how do you unwind?”

“Unwind? What is this mythical thing you’re talking about?” she teased.

Alejandro couldn’t help but laugh. His older brothers often teased him about working too hard, never relaxing. Only he didn’t really feel like he had the right to unwind. He had to work hard. He had too much to live up to.

“Perhaps you’re right. For those of us dedicated to what we do, there is no down time. Also, there is no perfection until all parties are satisfied, and I don’t think you were satisfied with my performance.”

And the blush tinged her cheeks again. “I’m sorry for walking out.”

“Then allow me to show you what you missed.”

What’re you doing?

“What?” she said, her voice hitching. “I don’t have that... I don’t even know your name. I can’t go off with a stranger.”

Alejandro reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his business card.

“My name is Alejandro. There is all my business information. I’m fully bonded. I take my work seriously and wouldn’t jeopardize that. I dance. That’s all. I’m not a gigolo and nothing untoward would happen. It’s hands-off.”

She took the card. “Why do you want me to go with you?”

“Like I said, I don’t like leaving a customer unsatisfied.” He held out his hand. “Your friend paid me to put on a good show for her bridal party. Please let me finish it.”

Never had he ever approached a customer, but it bothered him that she’d walked out of his performance. Or maybe it was the fact he thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen someone so beautiful.

Either way, he waited with bated breath for her answer, expecting her to say no.

She drank down the rest of her wine. “I’m probably crazy, but this is Vegas and what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right?”

His pulse thundered between his ears as he held her soft, delicate hand in his. “Absolutely.”

CHAPTER ONE

Five years later. Miami, spring

“YOU KNOW YOU MARRIED the ugly brother, right?” Alejandro was teasing his new sister-in-law Saoirse Murphy on her marriage to his brother. His ugly brother.

Saoirse, a fiery Irish beauty, had recently married Santiago, who was rolling his eyes as Alejandro and the twins, Rafe and Dante, joined in the good-natured ribbing. They were all the “ugly brothers,” but right now Santi was taking the heat because he’d been the first of the Valentino brothers to take the plunge and marry.

“It’s your fault,” Santi shouted, pointing at Dante and Rafe. “You two are the elders. You should be married already, then I wouldn’t be getting this teasing from the baby.”

Alejandro chuckled and moved out of the line of fire. He knew Dante and Rafe didn’t like to be referred to as the elders, but Santi and he had always done that behind their backs.

The elders were surrogate fathers to him. As Santi had been, before he’d run off and joined the Marines. All because of a robbery in the family bodega. A robbery that had almost cost Alejandro his life, as well. He’d been caught in the cross fire, taking a bullet in the chest at the age of ten.

He’d be dead if it hadn’t been for his father’s heart saving his life, and because of his father’s death he carried a piece of his father with him. It was a huge responsibility he carried proudly. Which was why he was now one of the best pediatric transplant surgeons at Buena Vista Hospital.

Speaking of which...

“I’m sorry, I have to get to the hospital. The new head of pediatric surgery starts today. Apparently she’s a bit of a culo duro.”

“Culo duro?” Saoirse asked Santi.

“Hard ass,” Santi said to his new bride, and then he turned to Alejandro. “Don’t judge the new head just yet, baby brother. She might not be as bad as the rumors make her out to be.”

Alejandro ground his teeth at Santi calling him “baby brother.” He hated that, just as much as Rafe and Dante hated being called the elders, but, then, it was all in good fun and he deserved it a bit for calling Santi the ugly one.

Instead of sniping back, Alejandro took Saoirse’s hand in his and kissed her knuckles. “Sorry for not sticking around too long, so let me say felicitaciones les deseamos a ambos toda la felicidad del mundo.”

Saoirse’s brow furrowed. “Congratulations...wishing both of you...”

“All the happiness in the world.” Alejandro kissed her hand again.

“Suficiente idiota!” Santi said, slapping Alejandro upside the head.

“Ow, I’m not an idiot.” Alejandro winked at Saoirse, who was laughing, obviously enjoying the show of them tormenting Santi.

Dante snorted and Rafe rolled his eyes while Alejandro grinned at Santi, who was busy shooting daggers at him.

“Well, I guess we should be happy he kept speaking Spanish after Mami and Pappi died,” Dante groaned. “But does he have to upstage us?”

Alejandro winked at Dante. “Always, old man. Always.”

He left the bodega before his older brothers started a brawl. He waved to Carmelita, who’d run the business since he was eleven. She waved back, but was focused on her work.

Outside the bodega the heat was oppressive, which was strange for a spring day. It was always hot in Miami, but this was like summer. Moist, sweltering heat. Palm trees lining the street of the old neighborhood were swaying, but the wind didn’t suppress the cloying heat. A storm was brewing to the south.

Fitting.

He’d heard people refer to Dr. Bhardwaj as the Wicked Witch of the East, so it was only fitting her arrival be marked by a storm.

As he walked to his motorcycle a group of boys playing soccer in the street kicked a ball toward him and he kicked it back, waving at them. He knew most of the kids because their parents were people he’d gone to school with. People who had never left the old neighborhood, which comprised a tight-knit community of people from Heliconia, a small island nation in the Caribbean. He’d never been there as his parents had fled the country because of the horrible conditions long before he’d been born.

Only that didn’t matter. Everyone here in this neighborhood was family. Everyone stayed together.

Only he had left.

His apartment was in South Beach. He was disconnected from this place because it reminded him of his parents dying, his brothers sacrificing so much of their youth for him.

It was also the place he’d first met Ricky at a scuzzy samba bar where he’d danced with lonely women. Ricky had started in the more lucrative exotic dancing, just so he could make his own way in the world.

Don’t think about it. That’s all behind you. Focus on now.

He had to keep his head in the game. He’d worked hard to become an attending in pediatric transplant surgery at Buena Vista Hospital. There was no way he was going to let some new head of pediatric surgery force him out.

He usually wouldn’t be so worried, but apparently Dr. Bhardwaj wanted to make changes.

And changes meant cuts. He had no doubt the arrival of Dr. Bhardwaj was down to Mr. Snyder, current president of the board of directors. Ever since Snyder had taken over he’d been looking for a way to cut every single department’s pro bono fund.

It was a fairly easy ride from Little Heliconia to Buena Vista. The only change was the darkening clouds rolling in.

Yes. Definitely a storm.

“Where have you been?” Dr. Micha asked the moment Alejandro walked into the attendings’ locker room.

“My brother Santi just got married,” Alejandro replied casually. He didn’t really want to engage in conversation with Dr. Micha today.

“Mazel tov,” Dr. Micha said sarcastically. “The witch is on her broom, by the way.”

Alejandro cocked his eyebrow. “Oh, yes?”

Usually he ignored Dr. Raul Micha’s gossip. The man was a paranoid worrywart and thankfully worked far from Alejandro, in Pediatric Dermatology, but for some reason Raul thought he and Alejandro were best friends forever.

“She’s made cuts to my program already.” Dr. Micha shook his head. “Cuts, can you believe it? Snyder is behind it, I’m sure. Snyder was friends with Dr. Bhardwaj’s mentor up in New York, Dr. Vaughan.”

Alejandro was impressed as Dr. Vaughan was a world-renowned pediatric surgeon. So at least Dr. Bhardwaj should know what she was doing, but then he recalled the word that sent a chill down his spine.

“Cuts?” Alejandro’s stomach churned. This was exactly what he’d been afraid of.

“Yes. She’s slashed all I’ve worked for.”

“Buena Vista is a wealthy hospital. It’s not like Seaside. Why is the board making cuts?”

“Buena Vista was wealthy,” Raul said in a snarky voice. Then he peered out the door. “Oh, man, here she comes. You’re on your own.”

Alejandro rolled his eyes as Raul slipped out of the locker room. He pulled off his street clothes and pulled out his scrubs. Before he’d slipped his scrub top on the door to the attendings’ locker room opened. Alejandro glanced over his shoulder and then did a double take as he stared into the dark eyes of the one who’d got away.

Kiri.

His one and only one-night stand from his days as an exotic dancer was standing right in front of him. He’d finished the private show five years ago and she’d kissed him. Alejandro knew he should’ve pushed her away, only he’d been unable to.

“Please, don’t think badly of me, I’ve never done this,” she whispered. “Never slept with a man I just met.”

“I don’t do this either.” He ran his hands through her hair. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve seen in a long time.”

Her mouth was open, her eyes wide behind those dark-framed glasses she still wore. She recognized him. This was bad.

“What...? I...” She was at a loss for words.

“Sorry,” he apologized, slipping on his scrub top. He held out his hand. “Dr. Bhardwaj, I presume?”

He was going to pretend he didn’t know her.

Which was a lie.

He knew every inch of her. It was still fresh in his mind five years later. The taste of her skin, her scent and the way she’d sighed when he’d nibbled her neck just below her ear.

This was bad.

“Uh. Yes.” She was still staring at him like he was a ghost, an unwanted ghost at that. She took his hand and shook it quickly before snatching it back. “Yes, I’m Dr. Bhardwaj.”

He nodded. “I’m Dr. Valentino. Senior Attending on the pediatric transplant team.”

* * *

Dr. Valentino? His name is Valentino?

Kiri had never known her Latin god’s last name. Of course, she hadn’t stuck around after her one indiscretion in Las Vegas.

A stolen night of passion that had led to a pregnancy, even though they’d used protection. And then that had led to a late miscarriage at twenty-three weeks, which still hurt all these years later. Staring up at the father of her lost baby boy reminded her in an instant of all the things that could’ve been.

Even though the pregnancy had been an inconvenience, she’d wanted her baby. She’d wanted to be a mother so badly. It hadn’t been how she’d planned to start a family, but she’d been thrilled at the prospect of motherhood. And she’d tried to track down Alejandro, but when she’d called his number she’d learned he’d quit and the agent, Ricky, had refused to give her any information about Alejandro’s whereabouts.

Alejandro reminded her of pain.

Yeah, lots of pain. And the wound of losing their child was fresh and raw again.

And he clearly didn’t remember her, which was like a slap across the face.

What did you expect, sleeping with a male stripper?

“Yes, sorry, Dr. Valentino. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Come on, Kiri. Get it together.

She was still in shock.

Alejandro smiled, that charming, sexy smile that had melted down her walls and inhibitions five years ago.

“A pleasure to meet you too. Well, excuse me, Dr. Bhardwaj. I have a consult.”

He wants to finish changing in privacy.

“Of course. Perhaps after your consult we can arrange a meeting to discuss the expectations of your department.”

“Yes. It would be my pleasure.”

“I want you,” she whispered. “And I’ve never wanted a man like this before. Please take me.”

“My pleasure.” And he ran his lips over her body, kissing her in places no one had ever kissed her before.

Kiri turned on her heel and got out of that locker room as fast as she could.

Ugh. You’re the head of the department.

Kiri was angry at herself for turning tail and running. When she’d miscarried she’d promised herself she’d never run from the father if she ever saw him again.

She’d tell him everything she was thinking. Those dark thoughts she’d had as she’d recovered from her loss. Everything that had crossed her mind when she’d learned that her baby was gone.

Turn around.

Alejandro was leaving the locker room. He looked so different in scrubs and a white lab coat. Given that she’d had her one-night stand with him five years ago and he was an attending in pediatric transplants, no less, in a world-class hospital, it meant that he must’ve been a doctor when he’d been dancing.

Which made her angry.

Why had he been doing that? Disgracing himself?

“Dr. Valentino, a moment, if you please.”

He turned.

Ha. You can’t get rid of me that easily.

“Yes, Dr. Bhardwaj?”

“I’d like to join you on your consult.”

He frowned. “Why?”

Good. She had him on edge. She had the power back.

“Why not? I have no patient load yet and I’d like to see how you run your practice. The chief told me you are quite the star when it comes to pediatric transplants.”

Which was true. Though she had a hard time believing it until she saw it for herself. Perhaps because she’d learned long before she’d met Dr. Alejandro Valentino that you really couldn’t depend on anyone but yourself.

And she wanted to throw him off his game.

One thing she had learned while going through her department’s finances when she’d first arrived in Miami had been that Alejandro’s department had a lot of pro bono cases. It was admirable, but the board had made it clear to her in no uncertain terms that the pro bono cases had to stop. The board wanted Buena Vista Hospital to be for the elite of Miami.

All those who couldn’t afford to be a patient at Buena Vista had to be moved to Seaside or County. The aim of the board was to cater to the rich and famous. The “beautiful people,” as one board member had put it.

It was a shame, but she understood that Buena Vista wanted to be at the cutting edge of health and it was a dream Kiri wanted to share.

Perhaps once they had that distinction she could convince them to open up their pockets to pro bono cases once again. Although Mr. Snyder had made it clear that pro bono cases were finished. And she almost wondered why she’d taken the job, because since her arrival it had been a headache dealing with the board of directors. In particular Snyder.

Then again, she’d have felt a bit guilty if she hadn’t taken the job her mentor had put her up for.

“Kiri, this is an opportunity of a lifetime. At your age, you won’t get a position like this in Manhattan. Buena Vista is a world-class hospital. Take the job I trained you for. Snyder is a friend of mine and I know he runs a good hospital and you’ll be treated right.”

She snorted at the memory, because it had been too good to be true.

“Of course. If you want to follow me, you can meet with my patient,” Alejandro said.

She nodded and followed him down the hall. It was awkward walking beside him, both of them pretending that they didn’t know each other. Of course, they really didn’t know each other, other than intimately.

Kiri could remember clearly what he looked like naked. How he tasted and how he felt buried deep inside her. Yet he acted like they were strangers.

He should have some recollection of her.

He’s forgotten you.

She had after all probably just been a forgettable experience for him.

Kiri knew that she wasn’t particularly memorable to many men. Which was probably why she didn’t really believe in love in the traditional sense. Even though her parents loved each other, but that was rare.

All Kiri believe in was science and medicine.

Her work.

Although science and medicine had failed her that night five years ago when she’d lost her baby. That pregnancy was the closest she’d ever gotten to love and it had been snatched from her in a cruel twist of fate.

Don’t think about that.

Alejandro grabbed the patient’s chart from the nurses’ station, smiling at the women behind the counter. She could see the effect he had on them—there were a few dreamy expressions—but as he walked past a male nurse he received a fist bump from the man.

He was charming and had everyone fooled. Just like she’d been.

“The patient we’re seeing is one of the pro bono cases sent over from Little Heliconia. The patient is an eight-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis. The family only speaks Spanish. Do you speak Spanish?”

“No, well, only a bit, not enough to keep up.”

Alejandro frowned. “Well, before we go in I’ll fill you in on his condition and what I’ll be explaining to the parents. That way I don’t have to keep stopping to interpret for you.” The way he said it made it sound like her presence was an inconvenience but she didn’t care. He wasn’t scaring her away and she knew that was his current tactic.

Kiri nodded. “Okay.”

“José Agadore has end-stage liver failure. Intrahepatic bile obstruction led to the deterioration of the liver tissue. By the time County sent him to Buena Vista there was nothing to be done to help the liver and I placed him on UNOS. Today I’m going to be updating the family on his condition.”

“There’s no liver match yet, then?” Kiri asked, making notes. Snyder wanted notes on all current pro bono cases in her department. Each head of each department of the hospital was doing the same.

Alejandro shook his head. “And the boy is not doing well. His last panel of blood showed ascites and a bilirubin count of three point one.”

Kiri flipped open the chart to see the labs and sighed. It didn’t look very promising. The more a body took a pounding while waiting for a liver, the less chance the patient had to pull through the surgery. “Has he passed cardiovascular and respiratory tests?”

Alejandro nodded. “He’s just waiting. Like so many are.”

Kiri nodded and followed Alejandro into the patient’s room. The little boy was jaundiced and was sleeping, a nasal cannula helping the poor mite to breathe. Kiri’s heart went out to the family. A mother and father huddled on the room’s couch, dark circles under their eyes. They immediately stood when Alejandro stepped up to the bedside, hope in their eyes, but they didn’t even glance in her direction.

“Buenos días, Señor y Señora Agadore, cómo está haciendo José esta mañana?” Alejandro asked.

“Tan bueno como se puede esperar,” Mr. Agadore said, then his glance fell on Kiri. She gave them a friendly smile, but it was clear they didn’t trust her. Not that she blamed them. They were scared, tired and there was a language barrier separating them.

“As good as could be expected,” the father had said. Kiri had understood that. She’d heard that same phrase in several languages from countless parents whose children had been fighting for their lives, the same haunted expression in their eyes.

Alejandro turned and nodded at her. “Permitame presente Dr. Bhardwaj. Ella es el jefe de cirugía pediátrica.”

The Agadores smiled politely and nodded. “Hola.”

Kiri half listened, catching a few words here and there as Alejandro spoke to the frightened parents about what was happening with their son and how they had to continue to wait until a match for their son was found.

When Alejandro reached across and shook the Agadores’ hands, they turned to her and she shook their hands as well. Alejandro opened the door and they walked out into the hall. She followed him as he returned José’s chart to the nurses’ station.

The charming, easygoing smile was gone, replaced by a man who was subdued because, like her, he knew that José didn’t have much longer to live.

“How much time does he have left?” Kiri asked.

“Days,” Alejandro said. “I keep my phone on, just waiting for the call from UNOS.”

“Well, I hope the call comes soon. Thank you for letting me in on your consult. We’ll speak again soon.” She tried to leave but Alejandro stopped her.

“You can’t cut my program.”

“Pardon?” She asked stunned.

“I know that you’ve made cuts. I’ve heard the rumors,” Alejandro whispered. “You can’t cut the transplant program, any part of the transplant program.”

She crossed her arms. “This is not the time or place to speak about this, Dr. Valentino.”

He grabbed her by the arm and led her outside, into an alleyway. Thunder rolled in the distance and she glanced up at the sky to see dark clouds, but the heat was still oppressive. It was a bit eerie.

“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded.

“You can’t make cuts,” he repeated.

“I’m the head of the department. If cuts need to be made, I’ll decide,” she snapped.

“If you make cuts there will be hell to pay,” he said through clenched teeth. His eyes were as dark and wild as the storm rolling in.

“Are you threatening me?” she asked.

“No, I’m just telling you that you can’t make cuts to this program.”

“I have no intention of making cuts to the program, Dr. Valentino.” Then she sighed. “I’m making cuts to the pro bono program. That young boy, he’s the last pro bono case that you can take.”

“What?” Alejandro was stunned. “You can’t.”

“The board is cutting pro bono funding. They still want a world-class hospital, they’ll fund research programs and equipment. They’ll even fund staff, but pro bono cases must be referred to County.”

“Cases like José’s can’t be referred to County. County doesn’t have the equipment to handle children like him. Sending them to County is a death sentence. County sends cases like José’s to us for a reason. We’re the best.”

“My hands are tied. Only those who can afford to pay for the services at Buena Vista will be treated.” Then added, before she could stop herself, “You know all about what it’s like to cater to the wealthy, don’t you?”

His eyes were like thunder as they narrowed dangerously. “You do remember me, then.”

“And you remember me. Given your age and your standing here, you must’ve been, what, a resident when we met?”

Alejandro cursed under his breath. “Yes.”

“And does the board know what their precious Dr. Valentino did before becoming an attending at a prestigious hospital?”

“Are you threatening me?” Alejandro asked, angry.

“No.” Even though five years ago when she’d miscarried and had had no one to help her, no one to hold her hand, she would’ve gladly threatened Alejandro then. She’d wanted him to hurt, to know the pain she’d been feeling.

“I danced to pay off student loans. That’s all. Once I’d earned enough money, I quit.”

“I don’t care,” Kiri said. “What I care about is protecting the reputation of the hospital. What if word gets out that a surgeon was an exotic dancer?”

“I haven’t danced in five years. My last show was in Vegas.”

Kiri’s cheeks heated and he took her right back to that night so long ago. “Why did you pretend not to know me?”

“Why did you?” he countered.

“I was surprised to see a stripper as a surgeon.” And she regretted the hateful words the moment they’d slipped past her lips.

“I’m not a stripper. I’m a surgeon. That’s all I am. Of course, it’s hard to practice as a surgeon when your program is being slashed.”

“Your program is not being slashed. Only the pro bono fund. You can practice on patients who can pay.”

Alejandro opened his mouth, but then a thin, long wail sounded from behind a Dumpster. It was weak, frightened.

“Was that a baby?” Kiri asked.

“Yes.” Alejandro turned and they listened, trying to drown out the sounds of traffic and thunder. Then they heard the small wail again.

Weaker this time.

Alejandro dashed over to the Dumpster and behind it saw a grease-stained box filled with newspapers. Kiri knelt down beside him and gasped as Alejandro peeled back the papers to uncover a small, blue-gray baby. Very small and obviously newly born, because the cord was still fresh and hastily cut off.

“Oh, my God,” Kiri whispered. “It’s a baby.”

A tiny infant that had been abandoned in an alleyway of a hospital. Alone and afraid.

“Fools,” Alejandro cursed. “Who would do such a thing?”

And Kiri couldn’t help but agree. Someone hadn’t wanted this poor mite, but to abandon the baby in the heat next to a Dumpster? That was dreadful.

It was times like this that the loss hurt even more. It reminded Kiri again that life was cruel and dirty.

Life was unfair.

Alejandro whipped off his jacket and gently lifted the infant, wrapping the boy up. “Let’s get him inside. It’s sweltering out here and, with the storm coming, that’s the last thing he needs.”

Kiri nodded as Alejandro gingerly picked up the baby. She opened the door and they ran inside. All she could do was keep up with Alejandro’s long strides as he called out for nurses, residents and equipment. They laid the baby down on a bed; he looked so small on the large gurney.

Alejandro moved quickly, giving him oxygen, holding the mask over his nose while they waited for an incubator.

“Who would do such a thing?” Kiri wondered out loud as she stared down at the small baby, new in this world and all alone.

Alejandro shook his head. “I don’t know, but it’s a good thing we found him. He wouldn’t have lasted long out there. Look, his stats are very low—I’m surprised he’s lasted this long.”

The incubator was brought in and a resident took over respirating the baby while they ran an umbilical line to get fluids into him. Kiri reached down and stroked his tiny hand between her finger and thumb. The hand was so small it made her heart skip a beat. It made her yearn for what she’d lost.

And what she’d probably never have since her obstetrician had said she’d probably never again conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. Motherhood was not meant to be for her.

“How old do you think he is?” Alejandro asked, invading her thoughts.

“I think probably about thirty weeks. Maybe. More like twenty-eight,” she whispered as they intubated the baby and transferred him over to the incubator to take him up to the nursery. She’d lost her son at twenty-three weeks. He had only been slightly smaller than this boy.

Alejandro nodded. “We probably just missed the mother. I’ll let the ER doctors know to be on the lookout for her.”

Kiri nodded as the resident team wheeled the incubator and the baby up to the nursery. “Good call. I’ll take the little one up to the nursery and arrange for his transfer to County.”

“County?” Alejandro asked, stunned.

“Yes,” Kiri said. “I told you, the hospital has cut the pro bono cases.”

Alejandro frowned and crossed his arms. “He won’t survive the trip to County and County doesn’t have the facilities of a level-one NICU.”

“Then Seaside,” she offered. “He can’t stay here.”

He shook his head. “We have the foremost neonatal intensive care unit here at Buena Vista. He needs to stay here.”

Kiri didn’t want to send the baby to County either, but her hands were tied.

“And who will pay for his medical expenses? He doesn’t have a family. He’s an abandoned baby.”

A strange expression crossed Alejandro’s face. “I will pay for his medical expenses. I’ll take responsibility for him. I’ll act as his family.”

CHAPTER TWO

“PARDON?” KIRI SAID, because she wasn’t quite sure she’d heard Alejandro correctly. “What did you say?”

“I said I would pay for the child’s medical expenses,” Alejandro snapped. “You’re not sending him to County.”

Before she could say anything else to him he stormed out of the room. Kiri stood there stunned for a moment, taking in the ramifications of what he’d said.

He was going to pay for him?

She wasn’t sure what she was feeling at the moment because she thought about the moment she’d planned to tell Alejandro about their baby five years ago. She’d expected him to be horrified and angry, what she’d thought would be a typical reaction in a man who was finding out he was going to be a father after a one-night stand.

Maybe her assumption of him had been wrong, because he was offering to take this sick infant as his own.

She ran after him. “You’re planning to adopt this boy?”

Alejandro froze in his tracks and spun around. “What’re you talking about?”

“You just said you’re going to be the boy’s guardian.”

“No, I said I was going to pay his medical bills. I didn’t say anything about adopting him.”

“Well, usually when someone offers to become financially responsible for a child like this they intend to invest in their health care and adopt.”

Alejandro frowned. “I have no interest in adopting him, but I’ll give him his best shot at a family. People who actually want children.”

It was like a splash of cold water.

People who actually want children.

So it was clear he didn’t want children. Just like she’d first thought when she’d found out she was pregnant. It still hurt, though. She’d been hoping for better from him.

His rejection of having a family, of children, was a rejection of their baby as far as she was concerned.

“You’d better get a lawyer involved,” Kiri snarled.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because you’d better make sure you can be financially responsible for this child. If you try to take action and the board gets wind of it and doesn’t approve, I won’t back you.”

She tried to leave, but he grabbed her arm, spinning her round to face him. His dark eyes were flashing with that dangerous light she’d seen before.

“Are you threatening me again?”

“No, I’m not. I’m telling you the reality of the situation.” She shook her arm free. “You’re one of my surgeons, Dr. Valentino. I am only looking out for your best interest.”

“Best interest? It would be better if you didn’t let the board cut the pro bono fund. That would be in everyone’s best interests.”

Kiri glanced around and could see staff were watching them now. What she did next was crucial as the new head of the department. She couldn’t let Alejandro upstage her here. If she did then she’d lose any kind of footing she had.

“Dr. Valentino, if you value your career here at Buena Vista I suggest you speak to me privately about any issues you have with the board’s decisions in this matter. If you continue to bring up confidential information like this in a public manner I will have no choice but to reprimand you. Do I make myself clear?”

Inside she was shaking. She’d never stood up to someone like this before and she wasn’t 100 percent sure he wouldn’t just quit. Which would put her ass on the line as Dr. Valentino was a valued pediatric surgeon and brought in a lot of money.

“Crystal,” he said. Then he turned on his heel and stormed away.

Kiri crossed her arms and stared down everyone who was still staring at her. They quickly looked away. Once she was sure she had sufficiently stood her ground she walked away as quickly as she could before the tears brought on by adrenaline began to fall.

* * *

“Are you out of your mind?”

Alejandro groaned as his best friend and legal counsel, Emilio Guardia, lambasted him on the other end of the phone.

“Probably,” Alejandro groused. “But can it be done?”

There was a sigh on the other end. “Usually the state of Florida doesn’t allow health professionals to become guardians of wards of the state. Unless we can prove that there is no conflict of interest.”

“There is no conflict of interest. I’m not gaining anything financial from helping this baby.”

Which was the truth. He wasn’t. In fact, according to Kiri, he was risking it all by helping him. She’d made that perfectly clear to him, but he really had no choice. If the baby was sent to County he’d die.

“Can you send me over the medical records you do have on the boy and I’ll apply for an emergency injunction? I don’t see why a court wouldn’t approve of you having guardianship over the boy, especially if they can’t locate the family in the next forty-eight hours. For now, I can at least keep him at Buena Vista.”

“Thank you, Emilio.” Alejandro was relieved. “I’ll get those medical records over to your office as soon as possible.”

“I’ll watch for them.”

Alejandro hung up the phone and ran his hands through his hair. He hadn’t believed it when he’d heard that little cry from behind the Dumpster.

He’d been so angry that the board was cutting the pro bono cases that when he’d heard the cry it had shocked him. And then to find that little guy, premature, barely clinging to life in the hot Miami sun...

It had infuriated him.

There was no one to fight for this baby. Just him. Dr. Bhardwaj had made it clear that the onus was on him. Last night he’d tossed and turned, thinking about how Kiri had appeared to be angry about the fact he was willing to pay for the baby but not adopt him. Having a family was something he’d never planned on. Not with his uncertain future. His heart, his father’s heart, which beat inside him, could fail. In fact, the median survival rate for a pediatric transplant patient, such as he had been, was twenty-two years. He was nearing that. Once he started to have problems, he’d be put back on to UNOS to wait for a new heart that might never come. And Alejandro wouldn’t leave any child without a parent.

He knew the pain all too well. His future was far too unpredictable.

Yeah, he loved kids, but he knew the pain of losing your parents. He wouldn’t wish it on anyone. The best thing would’ve been to let the baby go to County instead of getting involved, but he couldn’t just let this baby get lost in the system.

The baby would die if they moved him now. Of that Alejandro was certain so there was really no choice, he had to fight for the boy.

Just like Dante, Rafe and Santi had done for him.

He, at least, had had someone to fight for him when he’d been lying in a coma, his parents dead. His brothers had made the decision to take their brain-dead father off life support and direct their father’s heart to him because it was a good match and without it Alejandro would also have died that night because of the robbery.

Alejandro had been a priority on the list back then. And at least he hadn’t been an infant. Children as young as six could receive a heart from an adult. It was harder to find an infant or a child’s heart.

Alejandro and his father had been a perfect match.

His brothers had given him a second chance to live. They’d sacrificed so much to give him a life. This little boy had no one and Alejandro seriously doubted that they would find the baby’s family.

The baby was alone, fighting for life, and Alejandro was going to make sure he had a chance.

What about after you save his life?

The thought caught him off guard.

You’re lonely.

He was lonely, but he was used to this life. This was what he’d resigned himself to when he’d finally been old enough to understand the ramifications of his lifesaving surgery. Any chance at happiness like Santiago had found had died that day. And when his transplanted heart stopped beating, no child would mourn him like he mourned his parents.

There was a knock at his office door and he looked up. “Come in.”

Mr. Snyder walked in. “Dr. Valentino, a word.”

Great. Apparently word got around fast.

Alejandro gritted his teeth. “Of course. Please have a seat.”

Mr. Snyder took a seat. He smoothed down the lapels of his expensive designer suit and cleared his throat. “I wanted to speak to you last night, but you’d left.”

“My shift was over,” Alejandro said, “so I left for the evening.”

“You’re certain it wasn’t because of your dressing-down?” There was a glint of pleasure in Snyder’s eyes.

Alejandro fought the urge to toss him out of his office. “I’m quite busy today. How can I help you, Mr. Snyder?”

“It’s come to our attention that you’re trying to keep that abandoned baby here.”

“Yes. What of it?”

“I’m surprised you’re trying to do this. Hasn’t Dr. Bhardwaj told you that all new pro bono cases have been suspended pending a restructuring of the board?”

“Yes,” Alejandro snapped.

Mr. Snyder sneered. “Dr. Valentino, are you purposely disobeying the board of directors’ decision?”

“No, I’m not. That baby is not a pro bono case.”

Mr. Snyder blinked. “I don’t see parents and the last I heard the infant is now a ward of the state of Florida.”

“Not for much longer, Mr. Snyder.” It took every ounce of strength not to belt Mr. Snyder across the head. He knew these kinds of men. They got a bit of power and they thought they ruled the world, and he knew Mr. Snyder was taking great pleasure in it.

Mr. Snyder was a pretentious snob.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I have contacted my lawyer and very soon I will be guardian of that baby, meaning that I will be financially responsible. I will be paying all the medical bills.”

“Why would you do that?” Mr. Snyder asked.

“It’s my money. I’ll do what I like with it.”

Mr. Snyder shook his head and stood. “No good can come from this. That child should be sent to County, like all the other wards of the state.”

“Well, he’s not. And if we’re done talking, I do have to get back to my work. Paying patients, as per your request.” Alejandro smiled at him a little too brightly. It was enough to tick off Snyder, who left his office in a huff.

Alejandro raked his hands through his hair.

Oh, Dios mío.

This was not how he wanted to start his week at Buena Vista, with the president of the board of directors breathing down his neck and the new head of pediatric surgery being his one and only one-night stand who knew about his sordid past.

There was another knock at the door and Alejandro cursed under his breath, wondering if Snyder had come back to spew more vitriol and threats at him.

“Come in.”

Kiri opened the door and his pulse quickened at the sight of her, but he also didn’t really want to see her either, since she was the one who had delivered the devastating news about the pro bono program.

It’s not her fault.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked, trying not to look at her.

“You know I had to dress you down yesterday.”

“I know,” he sighed. “My apologies, Dr. Bhardwaj. I was angry yesterday.”

“I get that,” she said. “Dr. Valentino, you can’t take responsibility for that infant.”

“I have to,” Alejandro said. “He doesn’t stand a chance if he’s shipped off to another hospital. Especially not County.”

“You know that I don’t want to do that either, but the board—”

Alejandro held up his hand. “You don’t have to explain board politics to me. I’m very familiar with that. Snyder was just here.”

“Oh, great,” she said sadly, then she looked concerned. “I told him I’d handle it.”

“Your job is safe, I’m sure. It’s me he doesn’t like and he never has. Probably because I don’t kiss his ass,” he snapped.

“I don’t either,” Kiri said defensively.

“And what about Dr. Vaughan?”

“What about Dr. Vaughan?” she asked, confused.

“Oh, come on, I’m sure there was some smooching involved.”

“I ought to slug you,” she hissed. “I worked hard and Dr. Vaughan recommended me for the job.”

Alejandro felt bad about his gibe. He was just on edge. “I’m sorry. Snyder has got me all riled up.”

“I can see that. Can I sit down?” she asked. “I hate hovering by the door.”

He may be angry at board politics, but that was no reason for him to behave like an animal. Especially in the presence of a lady. Carmelita had smacked him upside the head numerous times in his youth when he’d stepped out of line when it came to the fairer sex.

“Eres todo un caballero. Comportarse como tal.”

You’re a gentleman. Behave like one.

“Of course.” Alejandro stood and pulled out a chair for her. “Sit, please.”

She sat down and then he took his seat again. “So what do I tell the board about the baby?”

“My lawyer is getting an emergency injunction to stop the transfer. I’m hoping as the head of pediatric surgery you can delay things on your end for a couple of hours.”

She nodded. “I can, but if that injunction doesn’t come by the day’s end then I have to send him to County.”

“Not Seaside?” At least at Seaside he had family who could watch out for the boy.

“No,” she said sadly. “Wards of the state are to be sent to County.”

Damn.

“Well, I appreciate you doing all you can do to delay it. I’m dead serious about taking financial responsibility for the boy.”

A strange expression passed across her face, like pain, but whatever it was it was quickly gone. “Why are you doing this?”

Alejandro shrugged. “Wouldn’t you if you could?”

“Your job is worth this?” she asked.

“Are you going to fire me?”

“No.”

“Then, yes, it’s worth it. The boy needs medical attention, the best medical attention that this city can give him, and that’s here at Buena Vista. He needs a chance at life. I can give him a shot, even if it’s only financially.”

That strange expression passed across her face again. “How very gallant of you.”

“What’s with the sarcastic tone?”

“There’s no sarcastic tone.”

He frowned. “Why does this make you so mad?”

“Look, I want what’s best for that baby too, but doing this is just throwing it in my face. In the board’s face. You’re basically saying that you don’t care about the new policies being handed down to you by your boss or the board, you’re just going to do what you want.”

“That’s not it at all,” Alejandro snapped. “This is about saving that child’s life.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I understand that.”

* * *

She couldn’t believe that she was trying to talk him out of it. It was so unlike her. When had she changed so much? When she’d decided to become a pediatric surgeon she’d wanted to save them all too. She was just as idealistic as Alejandro. And then reality had hit her hard. She’d lost patients and had learned how cruel life was. She’d become jaded, but never had she shared those dark thoughts with another surgeon until now.

Strange emotions were raging inside her. Watching him fight so hard to save this little baby melted her heart, but also reminded her that he hadn’t been there to save theirs.

Not that there had been anything that could be done about that. She knew that, but he hadn’t been there and he’d made it clear he never would be.

It just hit so close to home.

When she’d seen that little baby in the dirty box, covered with newspaper and thrown away, it had cut her to the very core.

And it had ticked her off.

Alejandro had stepped up to take responsibility for the boy.

Would she have done the same as him? Kiri would like to think so, but she wasn’t sure if she could as head of the department.

So she envied him a bit, envied his bravery in doing such a thing.

“Look—” Her words were cut off as Alejandro’s cell phone rang.

“Hello? Yes, this is Dr. Valentino.” He listened to the voice on the other end. “Where is it? I see. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Is everything okay?” she asked as he hung up the phone.

“Yes, but I have to go.” Alejandro stood up.

“Who was that?” Kiri asked.

“A liver for José. It’s in New Orleans and I’m going to retrieve it.”

She was shocked. “Do you always do your own retrievals? Why don’t you send a resident?”

Alejandro shook his head. “I want to make sure that our piece of this liver is done right. I want to make sure everything goes smoothly for José’s new liver. This is his last shot.”

Kiri nodded. “I’ll make a call to the airport and charter a plane.”

“Thank you.”

Kiri stood. “Can I go with you?”

He was surprised. “You want to go with me? Why?”

“I want to see you in action,” she said. “I was planning on observing this surgery once a match was found. And right now I’m still getting my footing.”

“I’d rather you stayed here,” Alejandro said. “To make sure they don’t ship that baby off to County.”

Kiri smiled at him. “I’ve already put a stop to that. The baby is having tests. I have to be the one to release the baby to County. No one else. The baby is safe.”

She waited while he mulled that over. He dragged a hand through his dark curls, making them wild and unruly. Sexy as hell too.

“I can’t go,” he shouted in frustration.

“Why not?”

“No other doctor speaks fluent Spanish and I have to prep José. I’m going to have to leave the recovery to a transplant team in New Orleans and a resident.” He cursed again. “I don’t want to do it, but I don’t really have a choice.”

“I’ll go and retrieve José’s liver. You stay and prep José,” she offered.

“Are you sure?” Alejandro asked. “Have you done a retrieval before?”

She shot him a look and he chuckled. “What am I talking about? Of course you can. You sure you don’t mind?”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I minded. Prep José and I’ll call you when the liver is retrieved. Also, call the charter. I want to leave as soon as possible,” she said.

Alejandro nodded. “I’ll see you at the ambulance bay in fifteen minutes.”

“Okay.” Kiri stood and then let herself out of his office. She’d be missing a board meeting, but she didn’t care. She was a surgeon and this was her job. To help little José out. It would be better for the parents and for the boy if Alejandro prepped them for what was going to happen.

Kiri changed out of her business attire and into scrubs. She grabbed her new identification and a Buena Vista jacket, which would let the Parish Hospital in New Orleans know where she was from, since they were expecting Alejandro.

Fifteen minutes later she was in the ambulance bay. An ambulance was waiting to whisk her to the airport. Alejandro was standing there, waiting for her, holding a cooler that would transport José’s liver.

“Thank you for doing this.”

“It’s no problem. Look, I know I’ve been a bit of a hard ass and dropped quite a bomb on you yesterday and then we had our public disagreement, but part of my vision for the pediatric team of Buena Vista is working together as a team.”

He nodded. “I like that vision. You’d better go. Call me when you have the liver.”

“I will.”

Kiri glanced back once more to see Alejandro still standing there, watching her climb into the ambulance, an unreadable expression on his face. She knew that look. He wanted to do the retrieval himself and he’d be pacing until she called him with the news that it was okay.

She understood that. She respected it.

“You ready to go, Dr. Bhardwaj?” the paramedic, Mike, asked.

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