Deadly Games - Cate Noble [93]
Dr. Cho shrugged. “I did not see anything that would cause a problem, but she should follow up with her personal physician as soon as she is home.”
Home. Something else he needed to talk about with Maddy. His place? Or hers? Or maybe a brand new place?
“When can I see her?” Travis asked.
“She’s being moved to a room now. I’ll show you.”
As it turned out, Maddy’s room was on the same floor, at the opposite end of the hall. She looked like she was sleeping, but her eyes fluttered open when they walked in.
Travis moved up beside her bed and took her hand while Dr. Cho checked her vitals. When Dr. Cho finished, Travis shook his hand.
“Thank you again, doctor. I am indebted.”
Dr. Cho bowed. “It is I who still owe you. Perhaps we will meet next time under less trying circumstances.”
“I will arrange that.”
Cho was not only a gifted surgeon, but a loyal contact. Travis had helped get Cho’s wife’s family out of mainland China, which had forged a bond.
When Travis turned back to Maddy, she looked confused. “He said I’m in Singapore. How did I get here?”
He tugged a chair beside her bed but didn’t sit. Instead he leaned over the bed rail and kissed her. “Do you remember the doctor in Bangkok?”
“Vaguely.” She rubbed her head. “I feel woozy.”
“Anesthesia. You had some surgery to repair a tear, but the doctor said you’ll be fine.” He took her hand again and squeezed it. “I’m sorry about the baby, Maddy.” He wanted to say “We’ll have more” but her sad expression stopped him.
“How long had you known?” he asked.
“I had suspected for a week or so before I was abducted, but I’d just done a test that morning.” She looked at him. “I would have told you, but you were traveling and I was going out of town.”
“All that matters right now is getting you home and healed.”
“You probably already told me this, but how did you find me? I was so afraid no one would come.” Tears ran down Maddy’s cheeks.
Travis gingerly reached forward and claimed a tear with the tip of his finger. God willing, he would spend the rest of his life making certain this woman knew, unequivocally, that he would always be there for her.
“All the credit for locating you goes to Luc Ski-hawtra. Once I knew that Minh Tran had you, I came to Thailand. But I certainly wasn’t able to uncover the clues Luc did.” Travis intended to keep Luc working for him. Luc’s street smarts and connections were invaluable.
“But Luc said you created a diversion in order to rescue me. Did you orchestrate the raid on Minh Tran’s warehouse?”
Travis shrugged, noncommittal. “Tran’s longtime enemy Jengho Vato has been trying to raid Tran’s businesses for two years, but Tran always stayed ahead of him. Vato got lucky this time; got a tip where the bulk of Tran’s inventory was stored.”
“A tip, huh?” Maddy swiped her cheeks with the backs of her hands. “I just realized how you cultivate all the ‘favors’ you’re so famous for. Does Vato even realize that he owes you for his ‘lucky’ break?”
“No, and I’ve taken great pains to ensure the tip was anonymous. For now,” Travis said. “We have an unconfirmed report that Minh Tran was killed during the raid. Vato supposedly got shot, too, but is expected to recover. Their respective networks are in chaos right now, so details are sketchy. But we’ve had reports of Minh Tran’s residences being looted by his own people.”
Maddy shuddered. “He was an evil man. If Vato is anything like him, then the world is probably better off without both of them. So where is Luc now? I didn’t get a chance to thank him.”
“He should be in Australia, taking a well-deserved vacation. And you did thank him, you just probably don’t remember.”
“Did I thank you?” she asked.
“Yes. And do you remember me thanking you?”
“For what?”
“For surviving. For loving me, Maddy. I never want us to be apart again.”
The door swung open just then as a nurse came in, followed by Riley. Riley paused and gave Travis a “mission accomplished” nod.
“How are you feeling?” Riley stood at the foot of the bed while the nurse checked Maddy’s IV.
“I feel grateful,” she said.
Travis motioned