Chapter 49

Sloane was giving Summer a newborn pup a bath when the phone started ringing. It took a while for her to notice it over the sound of splashing water. Wiping her damp hands on a towel, she rushed over and answered. “It’s me.” Damon’s voice slid through the line like cold steel. Even after everything, it still had that unsettling pull that made her chest tighten. Her brows furrowed. “I have nothing to say to you, Damon. Just.” “It’s Mr. Brown.” His tone wasn’t angry this time, just calm. Controlled. Which somehow made it worse. Sloane hesitated, the towel still in her hand. Mr. Brown’s surgery had been delayed for pre-op evaluations and expert coordination. Nothing should have gone wrong yet… unless something had. “Come to the hospital,” Damon ordered. Her stomach dropped. “Why?” She wasn’t even on duty, technically suspended after the technical competition debacle. “I’m not cleared to work right now.” “I’m giving you a chance to make the hospital value you again. Will you take it?” She