Page 90 of Vital Signs

Wright straightened his tie, unfazed.

"Attempted assault," he noted calmly to his security team. "Add that to the breaking and entering at my clinic, theft of confidential medical records, violation of multiple federal privacy laws." He brushed invisible dust from his sleeve. "Your position becomes more tenuous by the moment, Mr. Vasiliev. If you don’t comply within the next forty-eight hours, I’m afraid you’ll leave me no choice but to contact immigration and demand they revoke your work authorization.”

My blood turned to ice. Deportation. Back to France. Back to Roche's lawyers, Roche's connections, Roche's reach.

Hunter's arms tightened around me, but I could feel him shaking.

"The Laskins can't protect you from federal charges," Wright continued. "Once ICE begins formal proceedings, very little can stop them. Especially with the evidence I've compiled."

Evidence. Documentation. Proof we'd given him by confronting him directly.

"You have forty-eight hours," Wright said, pocketing his phone. "After that, certain wheels will turn that cannot be stopped. I'd suggest using that time to get your affairs in order rather than making empty threats."

Hunter held me steady as my legs threatened to give out, adrenaline draining fast.

"I'll return with the proper documentation," Wright informed Yuri. "I suggest you prepare the remains for transfer."

"The family will handle this legally and appropriately," Yuri replied, his posture rigid. "Good day, Dr. Wright."

The security team formed a barrier around Wright as he exited. Through the glass doors, I watched them escort him to the waiting SUV. Only when the vehicle pulled away did Hunter's arms loosen around me.

"That fucking prick," Hunter snarled, pacing the room like a caged animal. His hands kept clenching and unclenching, seeking violence with nowhere to direct it. "Who does he think he is?"

"Someone untouchable," I answered. "Someone who thinks the rules don't apply to him."

Yuri cleared his throat. "There will be a family meeting this evening at seven. Everyone needs to be there." He glanced between us, his eyes moving from Hunter to me, noting howHunter held me upright, how I leaned into him without shame, how our hands stayed locked together. "He matters to you?"

"Yes," I answered.

Yuri nodded once. "Then he's family. We protect family."

Hunter's fingers tightened on mine. “Thank you.”

"I'll let the others know," Yuri added, then turned to leave.

As Yuri disappeared down the hallway, Hunter whirled on me, eyes blazing. "What the fuck were you thinking?"

The sudden shift in his anger caught me off guard. "Pardon?"

"He practically threatened to have you deported, and you gave him assault charges on a silver platter." He stepped closer, towering over me. "You think that was smart?"

"Fuck your double standard." "

You have more to lose than I do."

"I don't need you to protect me." I pushed harder against his chest. "I survived Roche without your help."

"And look how well that turned out."

The air between us went electric. I stared up at him, fury burning through every cell. "What did you just say to me?"

Hunter's jaw tightened, but he didn't back down. "I said look how well that turned out. You're still carrying it everywhere you go."

"You know nothing about what I carry."

"I know you're reckless. I know you act without thinking. I know you're going to get yourself thrown out of the country because you can't control your temper."

"At least I'm not hiding in a hospital bed while people die around me."