Amy Ruttan - Alejandro's Sexy Secret

“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.