Free An Act of Obsession (Acts of Honor Book 3) by K.C. Lynn Page A

and I know she wants to see Benny as much as I’m sure he wants to see her. He could ask her about staying with Mr. Slade.”
    “Yeah, I wanna see my mom.”
    Vicki sighs. “Come on then. Let’s go speak with your mother.”
    She reaches for Benny’s hand but Kolan blocks her again. “I’m coming, too. He doesn’t leave my sight.”
    The doctor is the one to respond. “That’s fine; however, it will be up to Mrs. Santiago whether you come into the room or not.”
    Kolan nods then looks at me.
    “Go on. I’ll wait here,” I tell him.
    “You sure?”
    “Yes.”
    He hesitates for only a moment before following the doctor and Vicki, keeping Benny close to his side. Once they’re out of sight, a heavy sigh escapes me as I try to tamp down my own fear that’s been fighting to surface. I hate hospitals and haven’t been in one since the night I ran.
    Wrapping my arms around my body to ward off the sudden chill, I try to distract myself. I wander down one of the halls, making sure to stay close to the waiting room, and stop to look at some of the plaques on the wall next to the vending machines. I’m so caught up reading the names that I startle when someone clears their throat.
    I spin around with a hand over my heart to see a doctor getting coffee from one of the machines.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he apologizes.
    “It’s okay. I didn’t hear you walk up.”
    He raises a cup at me. “Coffee?”
    “No, thank you.”
    After filling his cup, he leans against the vending machine, his eyes remaining on me as he takes a leisurely sip. “Do you find our awards interesting?” he asks, gesturing to where my attention just was.
    I smile. “No, not really, just trying to keep myself busy while I wait for my friend.”
    “You’re here for a friend?”
    I nod.
    “Too bad.”
    I frown, finding it’s an odd thing to say. “Why do you say that?”
    “Because if you had needed a doctor, I could have offered my assistance,” he says, flashing me a charming smile.
    My fingers move to my scarf as I shift nervously.
    He extends his hand to me. “Blake.”
    “Lia,” I say, accepting his gesture, but immediately regret it when he holds my hand longer than necessary.
    “Nice to meet you, Lia. I don’t recognize you. Are you from around here?”
    “I just—”
    “That’s none of your business, Doctor.”
    I turn to see Kolan standing behind me with Benny beside him, his eyes as hard as his tone.
    “Hey, guys,” I greet them.
    “What’s going on here?” Kolan asks, his eyes trained on Blake like he’s about to rip him apart.
    I don’t get the chance to explain before Benny cuts in. “Looks to me like this fool is treading on your territory.”
    Oh god.
    I quickly speak before the situation can get more uncomfortable. “This is Blake. We ran into each other when—”
    “I know who he is,” Kolan interrupts. “How’s your wife, Doctor?”
    Wife?
    I turn back to Blake, seeing a cocky smirk on his face, but his eyes are narrowed in irritation. Rather than respond to Kolan, he straightens from the vending machine and looks at me. “It was nice to meet you, Lia. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
    “Bye.” I wave to his retreating back, not wanting to be rude. Bringing my attention to Kolan and Benny again, I clear my throat and try to break the tension. “So, did everything go okay with your mom?”
    “Yeah, she’s gonna be okay, and she said I can stay with this guy,” he says, jerking a thumb at Kolan. “So it’s just the Champ and me for a few days and we’re going to paartay.” He dances, making me smile.
    Kolan grunts, his tight expression easing. “Hardly, kid, you have school. Which is why we need to get out of here and put you to bed.”
    “Aw man,” Benny grumbles as we make our way out of the hospital.
    They decide to drop me off first before going back to Benny’s to grab his stuff. I give Kolan directions to the small two-bedroom house I rent. It’s located on