Share

Chapter 29

Penulis: Stephie Walls
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2022-10-26 14:22:23
We agreed collectively we would rather dedicate an entire Saturday to interviews than stretch it out over several days. This would make for a really long day, but hopefully, at the end of it, we would choose our first two employees and have a date set to open.

We settled into our newly established boardroom in an upstairs office, and Shelly introduced us to each candidate. The discussion flowed easily between the group and each prospect. None of our interactions seemed like interviews-just great conversations with new friends. The most important questions I posed to each candidate related to their interest in working with Healing Wings-their motivation and their commitment to this facility.

No matter whom we chose, Shelly had picked perfect physicians. There was little time for us to discuss the previous candidate before the next came in. I didn't know who each board member's pick was for the general practitioner position, but the deal was sealed with the psychiatrist when I pose
Bab Terkunci
Membaca bab selanjutnya di APP

Bab terkait

  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 30

    My opportunity never presented itself. I think Piper knew I planned to interrogate her, so she came down with a migraine and sent Moby by himself. As much as I loved him, I couldn't do it. I couldn't bring myself to grill him for answers, and no matter how many times I gave Dax the look to get him to ask, he just smirked and shook his head. I was like a kid waiting on Christmas morning for the go-ahead to open presents-I couldn't sit still and had to restrain myself from interrogating Moby. I figured the best thing I could do was remove the temptation, but since I couldn't ask Moby to leave, I kissed Dax on the cheek, hugged his brother goodnight, and set off to take a bath.Piper hadn't made an appearance today at the center, and when I texted to check on her, she legitimately had a migraine and had been in bed since late yesterday afternoon. I told her I wasn't going to push the issue now, but when she was feeling better, I needed the lowdown on Moby. She assured me she'd give me i

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26
  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 31

    I had preconceived notions about what Healing Wings would be once we opened the doors; it was nothing like the reality of what hit. I expected people to slowly drift in and have plenty of time to work with each person and cultivate our programs. I never anticipated the barrage of calls from physicians and psychiatrists all over the county the day we opened trying to place patients. The phones rang off the hook, and we all answered calls trying to work in appointments, but sadly, we still had people on a wait list. It appalled me that this need existed and no one knew. This should've been something our community met with arms wide open, but the people we saw and talked to daily were hurt and scared. They were afraid to tell anyone their secrets, and many had lived with the shame and guilt they felt for years. We offered anonymity; we didn't request social security numbers, and giving us contact information was optional. We issued all patients an identification number for our staff to

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26
  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 32

    "Cameron, wake up!" His voice had that commanding tone, but I couldn't quite reach it. The nightmare that trapped me wouldn't let me escape. He shook my shoulders, but I couldn't retreat from the hell that trapped me.Then there was light-blinding in its brightness. "Cameron." Silence. "Cameron." I squinted to evade the glare seeping in through the cracks between my lids. As I adjusted to the room, chills took over, causing me to shiver before it dawned on me that I was covered in sweat. My clothes stuck to every inch of my body they touched, and my hair matted to the sides of my face. I searched frantically until I found his face and then his eyes to ground me. The erratic beat of my heart slowed with each moment that passed, staring into those sage-green orbs searching my face. When his hand touched my cheek, I leaned into it and scowled. "Nightmare," I confirmed."You haven't had one in a long time, but, sweetheart, this was by far the worst. I've been trying to w

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26
  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 33

    We arrived safely home roughly fifteen minutes later. Making our way to the front door, he called over his shoulder, "Cameron, go upstairs, take off your clothes, and wait for me on the bed facing the door.""K," I called back."Try again, kitten." His stern voice startled me just before it dawned on me-he didn't just want me waiting on the bed, he wanted me to submit on the bed. "Yes, Sir," I corrected myself. While Dax and I knew each other intimately, he was very reserved in our playtime. Many of our physical connections were still rather vanilla in nature and had been non-existent since the nightmares returned. He held me all night, but we'd both been so tired there was no hanky-panky. I loved when he gave me the opportunity to serve him this way. Even if he thought I wasn't ready for a full-blown Dom/sub relationship, I wanted him to know I would work to get there as long as he worked with me. I wanted it to happen faster than he did, but it was important that I embraced wh

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26
  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 34

    One week from today, the trial would start. I'd had a hard time focusing and an even harder time not allowing myself to worry. Shelly had hovered-likely at Dax's insistence. I appreciated the way she got me to talk without asking me to do so directly, and having her around was reassuring. She wasn't my mama, but she came in a close second.Most everyone was out to lunch when the front door opened. The staff used the back entrance, so I knew it was someone who needed attention. I hopped up from my desk and excused myself from story time with Shelly to go see who it was. When I entered the front room, I was paralyzed. Josh Fost stood in the doorway with a tool bag in his hand. There were no words-fear and panic set in simultaneously, drowning out reality. I stepped away from his forward motion and ran into the wall, my hands splayed against it for support as the images from the assault flooded my memory. I glared at him intensely as he proceeded toward me, and I screamed, "No, pleas

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26
  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 35

    Dax handled me with care when we finally arrived home. He allowed me to sit in silence, mulling over the events of today and what I faced next week. His patience never ceased to amaze me, and the fact he didn't feel the need to fill the silence only offered me peace. Physically, he was distant, which drove me insane. I wanted the familiarity of his touch, not sexually, but as a reminder of his protection. I went to the family room when we got home while he stayed in the kitchen to start dinner. Sitting on the couch, I grabbed my journal from the coffee table and started scribbling like a mad woman. Anything that came to mind landed on those pages-most of which didn't make sense, but it was now the way I processed. Mr. Whiskers and Sassy hopped up beside me and made themselves comfortable in the fold of my knees. Even the cats anticipated this being a long night.When my hand refused to write anything else, I closed the journal and pushed twenty pounds of fur from my legs. I stoppe

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26
  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 36

    Once at the courthouse, Dax flanked my left side, clutching my hand, and Douglas Drake did the same on my right, leading me with a hand on the small of my back as they pushed through the crowd. There were news crews outside, a ton of people Douglas later told me wanted to get in the actual courtroom to witness the trial, and even some brandishing signs of moral support. I tried not to acknowledge any of it. When I had dressed this morning, I put on a suit I hadn't worn since leaving the bank and a kickass pair of heels. When I studied myself in the mirror, I saw the strength that had left me over a year ago that night at the bar. I wasn't the same person, but the determination that carried me through my parents' death would carry me through this as well. I straightened my spine and held my head high. Donning my inner Boardroom Bitch, I braved the day ahead.My friends were here in support but met us inside and followed Douglas's instructions about where to sit. Shelly had come wit

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26
  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 38

    Today was the last day. This was the pinnacle of my hell. I had listened to the testimony of witnesses Josh's attorney had called, but in all honesty, I heard them talk but didn't hear any of the actual words. I was so consumed with my own fear of the stand that I mindlessly stared across the courtroom. I shook from my trance when Douglas called me to testify. My eyes met his, and they were encouraging and strong. I took my seat in the chair, the bailiff swore me in, and then the questioning began. I knew what to expect from my attorney. We'd gone through it multiple times to make sure my answers were consistent, and I avoided information leading to openings for the defense to attack. No matter how many times Douglas had tried to warn me, I wasn't prepared for cross-examination.The defense's attorney went after both my frame of mind that night and my overall character. "Is it possible, Ms. Pierce, you were too intoxicated to remember encouraging the defendant?""No, it's not

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26

Bab terbaru

  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 111: Moby-Epilogue

    Six months ago, I moved back home. I thought things would be simple. I figured once I was physically back where I needed to be, everything else would just fall back into place. It didn't. It took work, lots of fucking work, and continues to take work daily.Emotionally, Piper was in a far worse place than any of us realized. She had developed abandonment issues and separation anxiety, not just with me but everyone she's close to. The great thing about working at a crisis center is the resources available to her. Just like Cam, Shelly has become her confidante. They meet a couple times a week, and together, we're all working on putting our relationships back together. It's a slow process and maybe one we'll work on for the rest of our lives. I'm just thankful to have the chance to do it. Whenever I see Shelly, I wonder if she comprehends just how many times she's really saved one of the Cooper boys' asses. Our journey through treatment is made a little more difficult in the last fe

  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 110: Piper

    Waking up, still wrapped in Moby's arms, his nose nestled near my ear, I stare out the same window that brought so much disdain yesterday, and wonder if it's possible the world has righted itself and is back on the correct axis.Twenty-four hours ago, the same sun shone through the same glass onto the same face, but its warmth did nothing other than start the repeat of another mundane, dismal day. Today it holds promise and wonder.I observe the clouds move as the light becomes brighter, not wanting to wake my sleeping husband, and instead opt to just enjoy the dawning of a new day.He begins to stir beside me, but I'm unable to tell if he's still in the throws of sleep or going to attempt to join me in the wake of the morning. He answers my unasked question by nudging his hard member against my butt, just letting me know he's there. His smile moves across my neck as he begins to scatter soft kisses over my skin.As his hands begin to wander, I tense in the apprehension of his

  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 109: Piper

    I don't have the energy for this. Between last night and today, I'm out of fuel to pretend like I give a shit anymore. I refuse to perpetuate a sham of happiness in my own home. I have no idea why Moby came back here, but if it's to rub my nose in how content he is, I wish he would've saved it for another day. Collapsing on the couch, I stuff my hands in my hoodie pockets, finding the little memento someone so graciously sent me. I haven't had time to really study it, but from the quick peeks I've taken, it's stunning. I rub my thumb over the inscription using it to soothe my weary soul.I watch in awe as Moby strolls across the room, not a single sign of the stroke visible. Whatever he's been doing for the last five weeks worked. He looks fantastic, and his confidence is soaring once again. I fight the attraction I feel seeing the man I married emerge again. It will only end in heartache. When he takes a seat across from me, I know this conversation is going to be more than I can

  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 108: Moby

    Knocking on the door to the dressing room to keep from startling her, she calls out to come in.Looking up from her hands, I find she already changed clothes and is back in her hoodie and jeans. It must be eighty degrees outside but I imagine with as little body fat as she's currently carrying around she likely stays cold. When she sees me, she stuffs her hands in the pocket of her sweatshirt in an attempt to hide whatever she was focused on before I interrupted."Are you ready to go home?""Yeah, I'm just getting my stuff. Do you want to meet me there?""No, my car's already at the house. Dax picked me up there this afternoon."She's confused and doesn't understand this has been my plan since she walked out of the hospital. Well, right after Dax and I got into a screaming match, and he punched me in the face. After that, this became my plan.She doesn't resist or argue just rises to her feet, grabs her purse and garment bag. I take the dress from her, holding the door open

  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 107: Moby

    I've never been more thankful in my entire life that Piper and I eloped. I cannot imagine having corralled people the way we have been tonight. I realize it's a huge crowd, but we are people, not sheep. Every moment of the evening has been precisely planned by either Cam or her wedding guru, who seems more like a drill sergeant than an event coordinator. At the very least, there's no way I could possibly be sitting at another table.When guests begin to take their seats after the cocktail hour, I finally spot her. My heart breaks. Brooks was right. There's almost nothing left of my soul mate. She looks like a skeleton. The skin barely hangs on her body. This didn't all happen in the last month. Looking back, I knew she was losing weight-and not in a healthy way-but I was so consumed by my own turmoil I didn't recognize how serious things were. The last month has just about killed her. I doubt she weighs a hundred pounds. The constriction of my chest makes it hard to breathe. My on

  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 106: Moby

    "Brooks!" I chase after my brother the moment Piper's out of sight."Yeah, bro, what's up?""Did you not give her the gift?""Of course. Just like you told me to. Why?""She's cold. She won't even look at me. You guys promised me this was temporary. I've worked my ass off day in and day out trying to prove myself. Why's she brushing me off?" I'm trying not to blow a gasket, but I'm out of options. I don't have any more tricks up my sleeve. I played the only hand I have. For the last five weeks, I've worked out for grueling hours a day, each of my brothers and her friends adding something to the daily regime. I've been in the gym with my buddies and co-workers who've pushed me harder than I ever pushed when I was healthy. There've been days I worked out more than I slept. My muscles have ached, I've been tired as hell, but I stayed focused to show her how much I love her and that I'm committed as fuck. I haven't reached out one time, there've been nights I took my phone to

  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 105: Piper

    Helping grab all the bride's accouterments, we traipse inside, bogged down with more crap than any one person should have. Her hair and makeup are already done, I can't imagine what the hell is in her arsenal, but leave it to Cam to be prepared for any situation. "How do you want to do this, Cam?" Rachel asks after hanging the bags around the room."My mom's bringing in the flowers just before we walk, so really all we need to do is get dressed, right?"I'm just along for the ride. I'll do whatever I'm told."So you guys go ahead and change. I'll do what I can on my own but once I put the gown on you'll have to button it and lace it up."None of us, to my knowledge, have even seen Cam's dress. She's kept it a highly guarded secret, so unless it's made a debut in the last couple weeks, we're all in for a treat.Each of us busies ourselves with lingerie, pantyhose, dresses, and high heels. Every head in the room turns to the door when a knock comes.Sutton gasps when her s

  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 104: Piper

    Waking to the sun shining through the windows, the haze-filled rays warm my skin, the illusion of a beautiful day beaming in. I lie in bed, having stared out into the same creation day after day, I force myself to get up and brave the world. Showering, shaving, and donning the most comfortable clothes I believe I can get away with in the spa we're scheduled to meet Cam at, I put on a fake smile, grab my dress, and get in the car. Mentally trying to prepare myself to pretend I'm enjoying my time with my friends, I blast the radio, singing along to the hottest music I can find, but it does little to lighten my mood. The ride is over too quickly, and before I know it, I'm staring at the entrance, my Fish staring back at me. They're waiting for me to get out of the car to go in together. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Repeat.Grabbing the handle, I swing the car door open, plastering my face with a smile that swears I'm happy to be here. They greet me warmly. My girls seem to

  • The Siren Song Series   Chapter 103: Piper

    The dress is better than anything I could've ever dreamed and so much prettier than the original. I haven't bothered mentioning it to Cam and doubt she'll notice when the time comes. I figure it's best not to acknowledge it, stressing her out even more than I assume she already is. She took yesterday and today off work and all of next week for their honeymoon, but I'll see her, and everyone else, tonight at the rehearsal dinner. I'm dreading the entire thing, which pains me. I've been looking forward to Cam's wedding for years, even though we didn't have a groom. Not just hers but all the Fish. I've wanted to watch my friends take the next step, open the next chapter in their lives, each of them. Somehow, the last year seems to have taken all that joy away, sucked it right out from under me. Not only is the joy no longer there but it's been replaced with apprehension and fear. My friends haven't talked to me since I left Moby, even though they all agreed it was what I needed to d

DMCA.com Protection Status