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one ordering her to safety.”
    “I'm aware of that, Chief Mata. Her life is worth it. He drew his knife across his neck when I was at the window before he knew what’s happened. I didn’t have to suggest anything to her. I was already marked.”
    “Well, now I have to protect you as well.”
    This news should have bothered me. I was an independent woman. However, he was smoking hot. His tight ass as he stormed off to yell orders at security made me forget myself for a moment. Bad boys always look very good walking away from you.
    I felt someone standing beside me and looked up to see Dr. K. “Yes?” I asked.
    “I heard they called you in on this case. This couple has been in here a lot over the past year. She has refused to press charges before now. What makes you think this time is different?”
    “Her sister has the kids.” That made all the difference in abuse cases. If you removed the kids from danger, the women were much more likely to leave.
    “You need to watch your back now,” he said and smiled at me as he left down the hallway.
    “Great, my first day and I get a death threat and ominous warnings,” I said to myself.
    I walked back to the nurses' station as I saw the social worker and Chief Mata go back into Vivian's room. I wrote my notes, careful to point out that she agreed to leave him and walked to the window under her own power, when Chief Mata sat next to me. He didn't say anything until I'd finished.
    “You ordered her to a shelter,” he stated flatly.
    “No, I suggested it was the best way to go now that her kids are safe. I didn't order her to do anything. It was her choice.”
    “And flipping him off in the parking lot?”
    “She came up with that on her own. Although, I have to say, I like her style.” I smiled at him.
    He smiled back, and I felt a twinge in my nether regions.
    “You are going to be a challenge to me.” He winked.
    I grinned back. “I'm assuming from the wink that you are looking forward to saving me from myself.”
    “Something like that. I got into law enforcement to save damsels in distress.” Something flashed across his eyes.
    “What was that?” Not like I could pretend I didn't notice.
    He took a deep breath. “I didn't save one. It bothers me.” He got up and walked away without another word.
    I mulled over the conversation as I made my way back to my office. Lee greeted me with a wave while she talked on the phone. Lee had placed office supplies on my desk with an inbox, to-be-signed box, and desk calendar. The inbox was empty, but signatures were required on a couple of forms from orientation. I signed those and carried them back to her.
    She was off the phone looking up as I came in. “You caused quite a stir this morning.”
    “Hospital gossip is the fastest in the known universe.” I smiled. “I only helped a woman who needed it.”
    “Not that, no one is arguing with that. That lady has needed to get away from him for years.” She paused and I raised an eyebrow. “It seems both Chief Mata and Dr. K became very concerned about you while you were in the patient’s room.”
    Now that'll get a girl’s attention. “Uh huh. And what does the grapevine say?”
    “The nurses want you to go for the Chief. Hot and wounded is perfect for a psychologist.”
    She made it sound like a great idea. Except the same gut instinct that warned me I was in trouble outside of Vivian’s room wanted me to stay away from the former detective.
    “Except if I don't want to have more work at home than the office. And you, what do you think?”
    “I like Dr. K. He's not as smooth as he tries to come across, but he loves saving people and, well, that accent is adorable.”
    I couldn't argue with her. He was sexy, educated, had a real job saving lives. I had to smile; my mother would have pushed me into him had she still been alive.
    The end of my first full day at work and I had two problems—two gorgeous men turned my head, and one dangerous one threatened me. I