Page 10 of Pierre (Voodoo Guardians #40)

Ambry checked the vital signs of her patient once more, giving a reassuring smile. Most of the patients were in no hurry to leave the ship and go back to their miserable existence. They hoped, prayed, that they would be allowed to sail with the ship.

“You’re doing wonderfully, Mr. Moreau,” she smiled.

“Just John,” he said with a sad smile. “How are the others?”

“They’re doing well. You were all very, very lucky when those tanks blew. It could have been much worse.”

“I think that’s what they hoped for,” he said, shaking his head.

“Who? Who hoped for it to be worse?” she asked quietly. He said nothing, turning his head away from her, but Ambry wasn’t deterred. “You know, John, I have friends who are trying to stop what’s happening here, but they can’t do it without help.”

“No one can stop what’s happening here,” he said quietly.

“I don’t believe that,” she said, shaking her head. “I come from a family of people who seek justice for others and who always strive to do what’s right.”

“I didn’t think such people were alive any longer,” he frowned.

“I promise you that there are hundreds of such people in existence. If you want to talk further, let me know. It can be between you and me.” She patted his hand and stood to leave the sick bay.

Turning, she gave another brief smile and then walked into the medical team room where the others were completing their charts for the next shift.

“So,” smirked Judy, “did you finally do the deed last night?”

“Judy, let’s keep it professional,” said Ambry. But her blushing face gave her guilt away. The others just smiled at her, Elliott giving her a nod.

“Listen, I don’t blame you, and I’m straight. That was one smoking hot male. Besides, you can tell that he’s absolutely mad about you the way he protects you. And don’t let the local bed-hopper get to you.”

“Hey!” said Judy with a smirk and a frown at the same time.

“Oh, come on! Everyone knows you like sex more than the average human. Don’t be ashamed of it. As long as you protect yourself, and him, who cares? Anyway, don’t let her get to you. She got it on with big bad Butch last night.”

“What?” gasped Ambry.

“You weren’t supposed to tell,” grimaced Judy. She gave the evil eye to Elliott and then looked at Ambry. “What was I supposed to do? That guy is unbelievably hot and, damn, is he massive.”

“Judy, I do not want to hear about my boyfriend’s teammate’s body parts.”

“Fine, but you’re missing out.” She just started whispering to the other nurses, and when Ambry got frustrated by her, she stood and left the room. Elliott called out to her.

“Ambry!”

“I can’t listen to her any longer. I’m taking a walk. The next shift should be on any minute now.”

“I know. It’s not that. Just don’t let her get to you. She’s jealous of you and your man. Don’t let her get in between the two of you.”

“What do you mean?” asked Ambry.

“Honey, I love that you’re so innocent, but that woman takes delight in knowing she can break up relationships.

You’re going to see her try and do that.

She’ll touch his arm, laugh like they’re having a private joke.

She’ll knock on his door late at night in her little short set with no bra or panties. It’s her style.”

“Why haven’t I seen that before?” frowned Ambry.

“Because you weren’t seeing anyone before. Listen, she just doesn’t care who it is. It’s like her wish to show you that a man can’t be true. Or a woman.”

“Wait, did she do that to you?” she asked.

“She did. I really liked this woman, Ambry. She’s special, and I’m not the guy who sleeps with whatever opens their legs.”

“Who was it?”

“It doesn’t matter now. She actually serves on this ship.

She’s an engineer. Smart, beautiful, everything I wanted in my life.

Judy stuck her nose in. Told her about all the ‘fun’ we have while we’re on leave or out at sea on other ships.

When I saw her as we boarded, I thought maybe I could get time to speak with her, but she didn’t even look my way. ”

“I’m so sorry, Elliott. There must be something we can do,” said Ambry.

“I don’t know. If she can’t trust me, how do I fix that?”

“You show her that you can be trusted,” said Ambry. “What’s her name?”

“Helena. Helena Vox.”

“Okay,” nodded Ambry with a smile. “Meet me on the deck by the lifeboats in twenty minutes.” She scurried away so quickly Elliott didn’t have a chance to respond. He went back to his cabin, changed out of his scrubs, and waited for the impending chime of the clock.

Up on deck, Ambry waited for Helena Vox. She’d called in a favor and had the captain request to meet with her.

“Hi, are you the nurse I’m supposed to meet?” asked the pretty young woman.

“Yes. I’m Ambry McDonald,” she said, reaching out to shake her hand.

“I’m confused. What’s this about?”

“I think you know,” said Ambry.

“Look, just keep your nose out of my business. Elliott likes them slutty. I get it.”

“No, you don’t. Elliott likes you. More than likes you.

Judy is slutty, no doubt about that. She doesn’t like to see anyone with something she believes she can have or should have.

You have to watch her, but you don’t have to watch Elliott.

He had no feelings for her at all, and they have never, ever been intimate with one another. ”

The woman stared at her, then looked out across the city, and then in the other direction, the sea. She was nibbling on the inside of her cheek and then turned to Ambry.

“I really fell for him. He was so sweet, and he said all the right things.”

“I’ve worked with Elliott for a while now. He’s a good man and an amazing nurse. I respect him as a colleague and a man. And I have dozens of men in my family to compare him to,” she laughed. “He’s a good one, Helena. Don’t let Judy ruin this for the two of you.”

She stared at Ambry for a moment, then seemed to see something behind her. Elliott.

“Hi,” he said calmly. “Can we please talk?” Ambry gave her a pleading look, and the woman nodded.

“Yes. Out here if that’s okay?”

“Anywhere,” said Elliott with a sigh of relief. He gave a nod at Ambry, who started to walk away.

“Ambry? What should I do about Judy? What happens if she does this again?” asked the woman.

“Let me worry about her,” she said, smiling. When Ambry returned to her quarters, she passed Judy’s room and knocked.

“Enter!” Ambry could only roll her eyes. She had no idea who was standing out here, although that was probably the point. When she opened the door, she was leaning back on her bunk, wrapped in a silk robe with one knee bent, showing the world what she possessed.

“Cover up, Judy.” The woman laughed.

“Why? Does my body make you nervous?”

“No. Your attitude makes me angry.”

“What the fuck?” she said, wrapping the robe tightly around her body. Why was everyone against a woman acting on her urges?

“The fuck is, you stick your nose in people’s business where it doesn’t belong.

If you continue, I will stick my nose in your business, and you will be removed from this hospital ship and any others.

I will ensure that you receive an assignment in a hospital or clinic. ” The woman laughed, shaking her head.

“And you believe you have the power to do that? I have seniority on you, Ambry.”

“No. You don’t. I’m Navy, you’re a civilian.

You seem to have trouble keeping seniority, and I’m going to guess that’s because of your extra-curricular activities.

I do have that kind of power and a whole lot of friends who do as well.

Stay away from my fiancé’s team and stay away from Elliott and Helena. ”

That made her ears perk up. She stood, allowing her robe to open and reveal her nakedness. Ambry was grateful she’d left the door cracked open just in case this got physical.

“He doesn’t care for her,” she snapped.

“What is it with you? Because a man doesn’t find you appealing, you think you have to destroy what’s good in his life? Do you understand how warped that is? And not just men, but women as well.”

“I think we’re done,” said Judy. “Leave my quarters.”

“Alright,” nodded Ambry. “I’ll leave your quarters but stay away from the Ranger team and leave Elliott alone.

You don’t want to fuck with me on this, Judy.

I might appear innocent and na?ve, but I assure you, I am not.

I will make good on my promises, and I will make sure that you never serve on another ship or military base for as long as you live. ”

As Ambry left the woman’s room, she didn’t see the other woman hiding in the doorway behind her. Instead, she carried on, proud that she’d made her stand. Now, she needed to tell poor Butch.