Page 39 of Sinner's Sacrifice

As he arrived at their table, Baz smiled at him. “How’s it going, jar?”

Mason didn’t even look at him. “A paramedic has been requested upstairs,” the security chief said to Yvgeny.

“What for?” Yvgeny asked.

“It doesn’t matter what for,” Sam said, getting up.

“You need to eat,” Yvgeny said. “You can’t help anyone if you pass out because you haven’t eaten.”

Sam sat down, shoved a fork-full of eggs into her mouth, swallowed, then stood. “I ate something. Happy now?” She didn’t wait for an answer, but stood and asked Mason, “Room number?”

“1123, with a gash in a leg.”

“How did this injury occur?” she asked.

“That information wasn’t provided.”

“You don’t go alone,” Yvgeny said, his tone and expression serious.

Did he think she was an idiot? “Per hotel policy, I must be accompanied to all medical assistance calls,” she said, careful to keep her voice calm and professional.

“Magnus is waiting at the elevator with your kit,” Mason said.

“Thank you.” She smiled at him and left the table.

Behind her, she heard Baz say, “You let Magnus go with her?” As if it were a bad thing. She was too far away to hear Yvgeny’s response.

Mason usually accompanied her on her calls. He hardly ever said a word and was careful to stay out of her way. The most he ever did was hold the door open for her.

Why would Baz have a problem with him?

Sometimes Yvgeny’s behavior was extremely odd, and it seemed as if the same could be said of Bazyli. It was like his whole family spoke a different language at the same time as they spoke English. Almost as if the words they used had a hidden second or third meaning.

Frustrating not knowing, but something told her that finding out what they meant wouldn’t be a good thing.

Ignorance was probably bliss.

Sam picked up her large duffel bag of medical supplies from Magnus and got into the elevator. The big man pressed the button for the eleventh floor, and they went up.

They exited the elevator and walked down the hallway. When they reached the correct room, Mason stood to one side of the door and gestured at her to go ahead.

She knocked and said loudly enough to be heard inside, “Medical assistance.”

It took a few seconds before she heard the soft sounds of someone unlocking the door. The person inside opened the door about a foot. A man, mid to late thirties, average height, average features. He looked at her, taking in her uniform and face.

“Oh, thank goodness.” He opened the door wider, then took a step forward to shake her hand. “Please come in.”

She almost missed his hand when he reared back after catching a glimpse of Mason.

His gaze jumped between her and the security guard. “Are you both...?”

Sam shook her head. “He’s just another member of the hotel staff.”

Mason’s phone buzzed. He took it out and looked at it. “Are you good here for a couple of minutes?”

“Sure, go do what you’ve got to do.”

Mason nodded and strode down the hallway to the elevators.