Page 120 of The Forgotten

Knot a Possibility

Prologue

MARIE

I’m getting reamed out,and not in a fun way.

“Doctor,” I begin again, pressing my lips together as Dr. Gallagher continues on his tirade.

I begin to reply to him in my head since he won’t allow me a word in edgewise.

No, Doctor. I’m not incorrect on the doseyoutold me to give Mr. Smith. In fact, the dose you chose would have killed him, so I staffed it with another doctor to discuss the correct dosage. No, you’re welcome that I saved your ass. It was nothing.

There. Isn’t that so much better?

“I’m sick and tired of you overriding my authority,” he growls, his hands fisting as I raise my brow.

I’m sorry, who does he think he is? The only person who throws me around is my big brother because he can’t control his damn temper. I fully intend on getting even when I get around to seeing him again. His omega sent me a stun gun in the mail because they’re illegal to have in Chicago. There’ssomeone walking around the Loop punching people, and she got concerned when she heard about it.

Have I mentioned that Cerenity is too good for my brother? Because she absolutely is.

Taking a deep breath across from Dr. Gallagher, I have to fight not to wrinkle my nose. He smells like sour milk and a sweaty football player’s socks had a baby. He’s really pissed off because his fragile ego received an ass kicking by Dr. Smith afterhismistake.

“You’re just a nurse!” he screams, making me flinch from the strength of his voice. Fuck, I’ll never get used to getting yelled at. Stress tears burn in my eyes, but I refuse to allow them to fall.

“Doctor,” I begin again. “The dose you asked me to give him was incorrect. It would have killed him.”

“No, it’s not my fault if you can’t read my handwriting,” he denies, his hand shaking. The alpha really needs to lay off the sauce. He’s not even a functional alcoholic at this point.

“I can bring you the prescription you gave me,” I say, shaking my head. “I didn’t read it incorrectly.”

I continue to bite my tongue as I desperately want to tell him to get into rehab or retire. If he wants to drink himself into an early grave, the least he can do is lessen the collateral damage.

“I don’t think this is going to work out,” he growls, slashing his hand in the air as he leans in my face. The noxious fumes make me weave on my feet as I begin to feel nauseous. “Miss Madden, your time with this hospital is over. I will also make sure that you can’t work anywhere else?—”

“You can’t do that!” I scream back at him. I no longer care that we’re in the middle of the hallway. If I’m being fired anyway, then I’m going to make sure everyone hears the truth. I’m petty like that. “Does the chief of staff know that you’re three sheets to the wind? The alcohol is seeping out of your pores. One day, you will kill someone!”

“Marie!” Nurse Stafford hisses, coming closer. “That’s quite enough.”

“Is it?” I sniff, tears beginning to roll down my cheeks. “Do you want the blood of these patients on your hands? It’s just a matter of time before someone doesn’t catch his next mistake.”

“Dr. Gallagher is a very responsible and respected doctor,” she lies, her nose twitching as his sour scent wafts over to her.

“I can’t work here anyway,” I sigh. “At least you fired me so I can get benefits. Thanks, Dr. Gallagher. Let me just go report this to Human Resources.”

“Wait, did I fire you?” he asks, confused. God, this is so fucked.

“Yes, you did,” Nurse Stafford says staunchly. “We all heard you.”

“Thanks for the unemployment pay,” I say, pretending to be excited before I roll my eyes.

Dashing away my tears, I walk my ass to Human Resources.

“I’ve been fired by Dr. Gallagher for arguing with him about an incorrect dosage he gave me,” I report to Nancy Osea.

She’s a hard ass and I fully expect her to be petty or smug about my situation. I’ve worked here for three years, and it only began to get difficult when I started working closer with Dr. Gallagher.

I was really excited when I changed hospitals to come here because everyone spoke so highly about it. I guess I made the wrong choice for my career. My mother would have a field day with this. It’s why I don’t intend to tell her because I can’t live with the disappointed comments that she’ll make.