Dragon's Kiss - 5. Chapter 5

Chapter Five

They walked into the doctor’s plaza thirty minutes later. Haje clutched the briefcase against his chest when they entered the elevator. Vincent punched in the fifth floor button and the elevator lurched into motion. Haje kept his gaze on the ground well aware that Vincent was watching him keenly.

“How is the pain in your leg?” Seol asked him. “If the pain is better, we can ask the doctor to reduce your meds because they’re messing with your appetite.”

He’d always hated meds, and the bunch he had to take for pain were becoming a nuisance.

“Mild pain,” Haje answered truthfully. Since he’d left his cane at Shin’s house, he was walking around without it. He needed to get stronger, that cane was a crutch, and it slowed him down.

His thoughts turned to Shin, as they so often did lately, and a memory from when they were eight years old filled his head. The summer he and Shin turned eight, Seol signed them up for a summer camp at Wooster. He hadn’t liked the idea at all, but Shin had been so excited. Seol had driven them to the school, tears in her eyes, she’d signed them over to their teacher and he and Shin found themselves alone.

He remembered Shin taking his hand when they’d entered the bus. That simple gesture had made him feel better, more confident. Shin had always backed him up, had always been on his side. Haje clutched the briefcase from the locker to his chest. It was his turn now, he thought. He had to finish Shin’s investigation and get justice for his death.

The elevator doors opened on the fifth floor. They found a reception desk with three busy nurses. Seol parted his arm as she leaned on the counter to smile at one of the nurses.

“Mrs. Young, how are you?” One of the nurse greeted before Seol could speak.

Her name was Susie. Dressed in pink scrubs, her brown hair held back in a tight bun, she smiled wide and held out a hand to Seol. He liked Susie. Her warm character made it easy to like her, and the fact that she never forgot a patient’s name. She waved at him with a small grin. “Haje, you look much better.”

“Thanks,” he said offering her a small smile. Vincent touched his shoulder and he turned to the taller man.

“Let’s sit,” Vincent pointed to the black lounge chairs set against the wall in the waiting area. “Your leg must be killing you.”

Haje bit his lip and turned to find Seol talking to Nurse Susie. They seemed deep in discussion; obviously, the doctor wasn’t ready yet. Vincent took his arm and led him to a seat.

He sank into the dark comfortable cushions with a grateful sigh. He stiffened when Vincent sat beside him. Vincent’s cologne filled his nostrils and he tried not to breathe it in. A difficult task when it was so enticing. Strong, spicy, he closed his eyes and it sunk deep inside him. He fought the tingling ache in his body, that telltale feeling of attraction. His body was nuts to imagine he’d ever consider getting close to Vincent.

“You’re so tense, Haje. What’s going on with you?” Vincent’s baritone interrupted his thoughts.

“I hate doctor’s appointments. I’d be happy never to see a hospital again.” Haje confessed lightly. Ever since his father’s illness and subsequent death, he’d steered away from hospitals, eating healthy, going to the gym. His efforts seemed futile now. “Each time I’ve entered a hospital to see a doctor, I’ve lost someone close to me.”

“We can get you a lollipop. That always makes doctor’s visits fun for my niece.”

Haje chuckled and turned to Vincent. “You have a niece?”

“What’s with that look?” Vincent lifted an eyebrow at him. “I do have a life outside Strassen you know.”

“Hard to imagine,” Haje said looking away. He couldn’t reconcile the image of Vincent buying lollipops for his niece with the man holding a gun at Shin’s loft last night. Last night seemed a million years away right now, he missed hearing Shin’s voice. Clutching the briefcase tighter, he wondered what he’d find in the drive inside. More videos, or maybe a Zavier’s location, that would be good. Zavier owned him a debt for killing Shin.

“Haje,” Seol called him and he glanced up at her. “The doctor’s ready.”

He stood up with a wince when pins and needles skated along his right leg. Vincent reached to take the briefcase and he grabbed it out of his reach in a panic.

“I got it,” he said grimly.

“You don’t have to take that with you.” Seol moved to intercept him but he shook his head and leaned to press a kiss on her cheek.

“Its fine, Mom, I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

Nurse Susie led him through a pressurized door behind the reception area. The scent of antiseptic stung his nostrils as they walked down a short hallway. Unlike the hospital with its white sterile walls, the hallway had sunny yellow walls. Susie opened the door to examination room six.

“Your friend came in earlier, he wanted to see you. Told me not to tell your mum,” Susie said smiling at him. “Your secret is safe with me.”

Haje stared at her in shock and when she hurried down the hall with a wide smile, he looked into the examination room. He gasped when a strong hand gripped his right arm and pulled him into a tight hug.

“Levin,” he said in a suffering tone. “Cut it out.”

“I’ve missed you.” Levin complained nuzzling his neck with his mouth.

For a moment, he closed his eyes as old familiar feelings rushed back. ****

He pushed Levin away and took a step back. Walking around Levin, he carried the briefcase to a table mounted against the wall to his right. He was supposed to undress and change into the green hospital gown folded on the top.

He opened the briefcase and turned to Levin. “Thanks for coming.”

“I couldn’t exactly ignore your message. ‘I need your help. I think my bodyguard wants to kill me!’” Levin shook his head in amusement. “I’d never have pegged you for hysterical.”

“My life right now would make anyone hysterical. Someone tried to kill me two days ago.”

“What?” Levin dropped all traces of amusement and closed the distance between them. “Why haven’t you reported it?”

“I work for the Strassen Foundation. Ever since Shin died, their security has handled all security problems. We left it up to Vincent.”

Levin cursed under his breath. “Those bastards you work for won’t share much about Shin and Virgil’s projects. There is no information on the driver either, other than he had a valid driver’s license and that he worked for Strassen. If someone tried to kill you, they must think you knew what Shin was working on.”

“That’s just it, I didn’t know.” Haje shook his head. “He kept it a secret.”

“So why do you think Vincent wants to kill you?”

“The night someone tried to kill me I was in Shin’s bedroom at the house. I fell asleep on Shin’s bed and woke up to someone trying to suffocate me with a pillow. Vincent showed up and scared the man away. I thought that was convenient. Then there was yesterday-

“What happened yesterday?” Levin demanded holding Haje’s arms.

Haje sighed and shook his head. “I found Shin’s research. Shin was investigating the Strassen Foundation. Before I could understand why, Vincent called them and they took away all his drives.”

Levin stepped back. “Shit, do you think Strassen killed Shin and Virgil?”

“I-,” Haje felt fear race through him again. He’d been trying not to think that way since last night when Vincent had pointed his gun at him. Shrugging off the uneasy feeling, he continued, “Shin took precautions with his server.”

Haje opened the briefcase and stepped aside so that Levin could see inside.

“A phone,” Levin said staring at the customized phone resting on a plush mold in the briefcase.

“Not just a phone,” Haje touched the drive attached to the phone. “Shin rigged his server in case it was tampered with, a failsafe to make sure I got his research. He sent data to this drive and then sent me the location.”

“How resourceful of your brother,” Levin stared at the silver drive for a moment. “Can you access it?”

“Of course, I just have to be careful Vincent doesn’t see me doing it. I wanted to let you know in case-

“In case what, Haje?” Levin demanded turning a burning gaze to him.

“Shin was murdered, Levin.” Haje shook his head. “Someone killed Shin because of whatever is in this drive. If I-

“Don’t finish that sentence,” Levin cut him off. He closed the briefcase and slid it to Haje. “Find out what’s in the drive, and call me the moment you get a clue. I’m going to make sure you stay safe. Meanwhile, I need to put pressure on your big boss at Strassen. I can’t do anything about Vincent without proof.”

Haje shrugged. “That’s alright. He and I-,” he paused when a sharp knock came on the door.

“I have to go, that’s Susie. Your doctor is on his way. Call me if anything happens, Haje. I meant that,” Levin said, his eyes full of concern.

Funny but that expression warmed him deep in his heart. Haje nodded. “I will.”

Levin moved closer and cupped his jaw. He leaned close and pressed a kiss on his lips. Haje closed his eyes as waves of nostalgia filled him. Levin’s lips felt warm against his, their kiss comforting, he mourned the loss of their heat. When Levin pulled back, he sighed. “I’m sorry about Shin.”

Haje felt tears sting his eyes and he nodded. Levin smiled and hurried out of the examination room. Haje concentrated on removing his clothes; Dr. Williamson entered the room just as he slipped on the hospital gown.

“Haje, how are we doing today?” the good doctor greeted smiling at Haje.

*****

Vincent pulled into the gold club parking lot ten minutes after they left the hospital and parked at the entrance.

“Alright you two, I’m going to be here for a while,” Seol said as she opened her door. “Haje, make sure you take your meds at six o’clock. You heard the doctor.”

“Yes, Mom,” Haje said from the back seat. He was still holding that darned briefcase as if it was a baby. Vincent wondered what kind of papers Shin had left in there. He hoped they had nothing to do with Strassen.

“Vincent, take care of this son of mine.” Seol gave him a small smile. “He can be difficult but his heart is in the right place.”

“Yes, maam,” he answered. She nodded and got out of the car. He looked in the rear view mirror at Haje. “Do you want to sit in the front seat?”

Haje shook his head and he sighed. “Suit yourself.”

“I will.”

“Good for you.” Vincent shifted the car to drive and drove out of the parking lot. He pressed on the brakes to stop at the entrance. The pressure on the brakes felt off, he made a note to have the car checked once they got home. Merging on to traffic, he settled in for the drive back to Lakeshore Blvd.

He hated the silence between him and Haje. While he wasn’t much of a talker, he’d never had such a terrible relationship with a person he was guarding before. Pulling a gun on Haje last night had not helped their relationship at all. He couldn’t get the picture of Haje trembling with his hands up out of his head. Shifting in his seat again, he reached out to turn the radio on. He glanced in the rear view mirror again to find Haje watching the passing scenery. He chose a soft rock station and set the music low, enough to distract his thoughts.

Turning on to Lakeshore Blvd., he increased speed happy there wasn’t any traffic. It was around three-thirty in the afternoon, the air warm. He stole a glance in the rearview mirror again. Haje had his eyes closed, his grip on the briefcase loose. Vincent smiled. Haje rarely slept lately, it was nice to see him close his eyes even for a second.

He turned his attention back to the road, placing his foot on the brake pedal when he noted a school bus. He pressed on the brake pedal slightly to decrease his speed in case the bus stopped. When nothing happened, he stepped harder. The speed decrease was very small, so he pumped the brake hoping to build up pressure enough to bring the car to a stop.

“Haje,” he said keeping his voice calm. “Put your seatbelt on.”

Adjusting his own seatbelt, he hoped the school bus would turn, but luck wasn’t with him. A soft groan escaped at the sight of hazard lights on the yellow bus.

“Haje,” he said again risking a glance at the back seat. Haje was awake now, looking at him with a frown. “We’re in some trouble; I need you to put your seat belt on.”

“What kind of trouble?”

Vincent was grateful that Haje asked his question while reaching for his seatbelt.

“We’ve ran out of brake fluid.” Vincent offered as he pumped the pedal again to increase the pressure. They were down to thirty but that was still too fast, and the bus was now at a stop. Two kids bounded out of the open door rushing across the street. He reigned in the taste of fear and started making calculations.

Vincent turned on the hazard lights on the town car and downshifted to a lower gear. The car bucked, he held the steering with tight control, and watched the speedometer. Their speed was coming down but not fast enough.

“Haje, hold on, alright.”

He pressed on the brake pedal again, pumping it for pressure, but it was going down to the flat floor freely. They didn’t have any brake fluid. He downshifted to the next lower gear and the car jerked again. Their speed slowed, but not enough, down to twenty-two, he reached for the emergency brake.

The bus was still standing ahead, kids getting on the sidewalk. A quick glance in the rearview mirror assured him there was no one following him. His main problem was the bus and the erratic traffic on his left. He couldn’t see beyond the bus. There was an open field to the left but to get to it, he was going to need to cut through oncoming traffic.

Using the emergency brake, he pressed down on the pressure button and brought the handle up three clicks, the back tires squealed loudly. The kids on the sidewalk started screaming when he made a hard left turn ten yards away from the bus, he missed an oncoming truck by a millisecond and then the town car was on grass. They ran over neat flowers and bushes, he pulled the emergency brake up another click and the car came to an abrupt halt stop when it bumped into large rocks on the edge of the garden. The seat belt he wore dug into his chest and then he jerked back in his seat. Another minute and they’d have gone right into the Lakeshore public library glass windows a few feet away.

A soft moan in the backseat set him into motion. He unclipped his seatbelt and pushed his door open. He got out of the car and hurried to open the back passenger door. Haje was shakily trying to get his seatbelt off.

Vincent leaned in and unclipped the belt for him. The moment he was free, Haje clung to his arm and Vincent dragged him out of the backseat. When they were a few feet away from the black town car, Haje wrapped his arms around Vincent and clung tight.

“Oh God, are you two alright?”

He turned to find a woman wearing a green library apron standing a few feet away.

“Call nine-one-one,” he advised not loosening his hold on Haje.

“Already done,” she said, coming to stand by Haje. “He must be in shock.”

He didn’t think Haje was ready to face a crowd. “Would you get me some water please?” he asked the concerned woman.

She hurried off and he rubbed a hand down Haje’s back.

“Are you okay?” he asked Haje.

Haje nodded even though he didn’t move away. “Did someone just try to kill us?”

Vincent stared at the wrecked car grimly. “Yes, I’m betting the brake lines were cut.”

“Oh God,” Haje sighed and shook his head. “I’ve been thinking it was you. I thought you-, they tried to kill both of us.”

Sirens filled the air and he didn’t get a chance to ask Haje what he meant by that comment.

*****