Page 35 of Intense

Conan’s eyes flash.

“Fucking too right. That cunt won’t be identifiable once I’m done with him.”

I nod, standing.

“Good to see fatherhood hasn’t dulled your edge.”

He punches me in the arm and I clench my jaw.

“You know, some of our guys think you’re a psychopath, Finn,” Conan says.

“They’re probably not wrong.” I flash him a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes.

“Oh—and go take a nap. Drink some electrolytes. You look like shit,” I order him.

It’s habit now, worrying about him. I’ve never really stopped. Even now, I still see his blood on my hands every time I scrub in.

That moment of helplessness will never leave me. I couldn’t save him.

No amount of training can ever get you ready for that moment you have to use it on your own family.

“How’s work? With the doctor that saved me?” Conan asks.

I groan.

“Still as painful as ever. I lost points on the leaderboard for her saving your ass.”

“Leaderboard?” Declan asks.

“Yeah. We’ve got this weekly tally. Points for complex surgeries, comebacks, whatever. Keeps her riled up. Motivated.”

What I don’t say is that the leaderboard is our version of foreplay.

Because watching her fury when I win? It's the only thing that makes me feel alive during the week.

And when she gains on me, those rare, rare moments she does? It’s chaos. Beautiful, addictive chaos. She glares like she wants to slit my throat, and I can't help the smirk that always comes after.

Every point I take from her, I get just a little deeper under her skin.

Every loss stings for her and for me.

Because I’m not just addicted to beating her.

I’m addicted to the game she doesn’t even realize we’re playing.

“Ooo, does Finn have a crush on a co-worker?” Conan teases.

I smack him in the back of the head. Hard.

“Shut the fuck up. No.”

Declan and Conan exchange that look—the one that makes me want to flip the table.

“Oh, fuck this. I’m out.” I flip them off as I head to the door, their laughter following me like a curse.

“Tell her I said thank you!” Conan shouts.

God, I knew I’d regret asking her to save his life.