Chapter 6 - He Claimed Her Before the Whole Hospital
The release of the Black Lantern files turned St. Gabriel into a fortress.
Reporters gathered downstairs.
Federal agents interviewed staff.
News helicopters circled the hospital.
Jacob hated every second.
Claire hated cameras more.
The headline writers quickly discovered Jacob’s unusual history.
Decorated Navy SEAL.
Disabled veteran.
Heir to one of Graybridge’s most notorious underworld families.
Businessman.
Suspected crime boss.
Patient.
Witness.
Depending on the network, he was either hero or villain.
Claire became “the mystery nurse who exposed a military conspiracy.”
Neither description told the whole truth.
Three days after the files became public, Voss remained missing.
That worried Jacob.
A desperate man with nothing left to protect was more dangerous than one with a reputation.
Federal agents recommended moving Claire to protective custody.
Claire refused.
Jacob expected that.
“She stays with my security.”
The agent frowned.
“That isn't your decision.”
Claire folded her arms.
“Correct.”
Jacob turned.
“You're agreeing with him?”
“I’m enjoying it.”
Despite everything, he smiled.
Then a hospital administrator entered.
“Mr. Ryan, there’s a situation downstairs.”
“What?”
“Media discovered Nurse Donovan’s identity.”
Claire sighed.
Jacob’s expression darkened.
The administrator continued.
“And several board members are concerned about her involvement.”
“Involvement in exposing attempted murder?”
“They're worried about liability.”
Claire understood what was coming.
She removed her badge.
“I’ll resign.”
Jacob turned sharply.
“No.”
“Jacob.”
“No.”
The administrator shifted.
“This is an employment matter.”
Jacob wheeled closer.
“Then employ someone smarter.”
“Jacob,” Claire warned.
But he was furious.
Not because Claire might lose her job.
Because once again an institution wanted to punish the person who did the right thing.
Hospital staff had begun gathering in the corridor.
Doctors.
Nurses.
Orderlies.
Security.
Reporters beyond the glass partition saw movement and raised cameras.
Jacob looked around.
For years people had whispered about him.
Feared him.
Avoided him.
Today he had something worth saying publicly.
He turned toward Claire.
“You kept me alive when physicians were afraid to enter my room.”
Claire’s face changed.
“Jacob, don't.”
“You fought for my rehabilitation when everyone else postponed it.”
“Please.”
“You recognized a medical emergency they almost treated incorrectly.”
Every face in the corridor turned toward them.
“And eleven years ago,” Jacob continued, “you went back into a kill zone for men everyone else had already written off.”
Claire’s eyes filled.
Jacob looked at the hospital administrator.
“If Claire Donovan leaves this hospital because she saved my life, I leave too.”
The administrator blinked.
Jacob’s companies donated millions to St. Gabriel annually.
That was not lost on anyone.
Claire frowned.
“That's financial intimidation.”
“Yes.”
“You’re impossible.”
“Yes.”
Somebody nearby laughed.
Jacob ignored them.
Then he did something nobody expected.
He unlocked his wheelchair.
Placed both hands on the armrests.
Claire saw his intention.
“No.”
Jacob looked at her.
“Trust me.”
“Your therapist said assisted standing only.”
“You're assisting.”
“Jacob—”
“Claire.”
She moved in front of him.
He took her hands.
With enormous effort, Jacob pushed upward.
His legs trembled violently.
Claire supported him.
The corridor went silent.
Slowly, Jacob stood.
Not fully.
Not steadily.
But upright.
His face tightened with pain.
Claire whispered, “You’re insane.”
“Frequently.”
He looked directly into her eyes.
Then, loud enough for the entire hallway to hear:
“This woman is with me.”
Claire blinked.
Jacob continued.
“If anyone has a problem with Claire Donovan, they have a problem with Jacob Ryan.”
The statement traveled through the hospital faster than any official press release.
Some interpreted it as protection.
Others immediately called it a romantic declaration.
Claire, naturally, was furious.
Once Jacob was safely seated again, she pushed him back into his room and shut the door.
“You cannot claim people.”
Jacob blinked.
“What?”
“You said ‘she’s with me’ in front of half the hospital.”
“It was protective.”
“It sounded possessive.”
“Would you prefer a written clarification?”
“Yes.”
He considered.
“No.”
Claire stared at him.
Jacob smiled.
“You're enjoying this.”
“Somewhat.”
“You're unbelievable.”
He caught her wrist as she turned.
Not hard.
Just enough to stop her.
His expression changed.
“I meant it.”
Claire’s irritation faded.
“Which part?”
“That you're with me.”
Silence.
Jacob looked nervous.
Claire had never seen Jacob Ryan nervous.
Not during explosions.
Not during assassination attempts.
Not even while trying to stand.
“Eleven years ago,” he said, “I thought there would be time.”
“For what?”
“To tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“That the kiss wasn't an accident.”
Claire’s heart raced.
Jacob continued.
“I was going to find you after the mission.”
Her eyes filled.
“I waited.”
“What?”
“Three months.”
Jacob closed his eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“I should have found you.”
“We both should have.”
He looked at her.
“Then maybe we stop wasting time.”
Claire smiled faintly.
“You’re asking your nurse on a date.”
“Technically you're resigning.”
“I’m not resigning anymore.”
“Complication.”
She laughed.
Jacob gently touched her cheek.
Claire leaned closer.
Their first kiss in eleven years was nothing like the first.
No desert.
No war.
No rushed goodbye.
Only quiet.
Then Claire’s phone vibrated.
Both froze.
Unknown message.
A photograph loaded.
Jacob’s private rehabilitation schedule.
Tomorrow.
7:00 a.m.
Beneath it:
GHOSTS SHOULD STAY DEAD.
May you like
Jacob’s smile disappeared.
Voss was coming back.
