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Stay calm. Pretend he’s just another patient.

I’d reached out to Chicken a week ago to ensure Ghost hadn’t approached him regarding the debt that had been squared away at the club. Though Ghost had lost to Arrow, I couldn’t take a criminal at his word. Thankfully, Chicken stated he hadn’t seen or heard from Ghost.

When Ghost entered the exam room, I gestured for him to lie in the chair. “We need to do some x-rays.”

He nodded, allowing Dakota to take the images while I reviewed his patient form. All lies. A fake name, a fake address, and probably a fake phone number. He stated his occupation as unemployed. That was probably true. Committing crimes wasn’t an official occupation.

After reviewing the x-rays, I shook my head at the seven cavities and one fractured tooth, none of which resulted from Arrow’s punch. I smiled at the empty spots of the loose teeth.

“When did you last visit the dentist?” I asked.

“Can’t remember.”

“You have seven cavities. I can fix the big cavity today with a crown.” I pointed to the computer screen showing the multiple cavities. “You’ll have to come back a few times for me to fix the others.”

“Shit.” His eyes widened.

He wasn’t lying about the toothache. The huge cavity was the culprit. “You’re going to need regular checkups to maintain healthy teeth.” I gave him the standard dental spiel as I began working on his teeth.

Ghost didn’t flinch as Dakota and I worked on his tooth. I took the silver crown out of the drawer and sent Dakota to assist Dr. Jones, who was running late with a patient. The process would be easier and quicker with Dakota’s help, but I didn’t want to involve her in what I was about to do.

It would be so easy to kill him right now. Reliving the nightmare of what he’d done to me and how he’d killed my mother made my blood boil. Though I’d never killed anyone in my life, I could end his life right now with my handpiece accidentally slipping to the back of his throat, causing massive blood loss.Oopsie.It would be too easy.

But I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life in prison, and I needed information.

Ghost was working with The Trogyn, who were after Arrow and his friends. Apparently, they had also tried to hurt me and my friends.Assholes.Who was behind this crime organization? Ghost could lead me to them. Someone was supporting him all these years. Who were his business partners? I wanted all of them in prison.

Arrow had mentioned that members of this dangerous organization ranged from government officials to royalty from all over the world. No wonder the world was a messed-up place. It was ruled by corrupted assholes.

“You doing okay?” I asked, without even thinking about who I was talking to. The dentist in me naturally cared for my patients.

He gave a thumbs up because I had the suction tool in his mouth. My heart pounded in my chest as I positioned the special crown. The expert who created it told me it was the first prototype he’d ever made. I couldn’t wait to share this with Arrow. There was a tracker with advanced voice recording and?—

Ghost jerked and held up a hand.

“We’re almost done.” I had accidentally touched a sensitive area on the tooth.

When he was all set, he paid the office one thousand dollars in cash, and that was with the cash discount. I told Allison to set it aside. It was probably dirty money, and I wanted to donate to a shelter.

After finishing my paperwork, it was time to head home. Everyone had already left for the day. I had to document what I’d done with my new crown. I typed up the installation date and the code activation, sent the link to my phone, and texted Arrow.

Vivian:Ghost came to the office today. Got a surprise for him. Will tell you at home. (smile emoji)

I glanced at the time on my phone. He was probably on his way to pick up the food and the cake. This was another thing to celebrate tonight.

Satisfied, I gathered my things and headed out. It was only six in the evening, and there was more daylight now than a few weeks ago. Spring was in the air, bringing with it a sense of a new beginning. I loved this feeling.

Being so close to my enemy today was a new beginning in itself. I wastendingto my enemy. I gave him the most innovative and expensive crown he’d ever get. Though it had an activation code to erupt in his mouth at my command, I wouldn’t do that unless I had to. I preferred he rot poison and take all his accomplices with him.

I got into my car and drove home, but then I remembered I wanted to get some balloons for Kaylee. So I headed to the party store and pulled into the parking lot.

As I got out of my car, someone called my name. “Dr. Vo.”

I whirled around to see Ghost close to me. Had he followed me? With the party on my mind, I hadn’t paid attention. The smirk on his face told me he didn’t follow me to ask about dental care.

Fear twisted in me as I glanced around at the parking lot. There was no one nearby.

“You’re not getting away this time, bitch.” A fist came at me, and I blocked it, kicking him in the shin.