Page 107 of Cross That Line

"They'll still pay. And their licenses are all at stake, too. They won't go unpunished, Lily."

"I feel so stupid. I should have realized that Andrew's interest was predicated on me giving him information."

"I'm sure that wasn't the only reason he was with you. The two of you always looked like you were having fun."

"I thought we were, but it was just an illusion. I know that they won't be working here anymore, but I'm not sure if I can, either."

She gave her a sympathetic look, seeing the pain in her eyes, knowing she had had to work through some of the same emotions. "I don't want you to leave, Lily. And you don't need to feel guilty in any way. I spoke to Naomi and Ethan about Jack, too. I trusted them as well. But they're gone, and you're a great nurse. I don't want to lose you. You're too important to this practice, and I think going forward we can do amazing things together."

Lily gave her a surprised look. "You sound so confident and optimistic. I didn't really expect that."

"Can I tell you a little secret?"

"If you trust me…"

"I do. I have learned a lot about myself and the kind of doctor I want to be going forward. I feel excited about being more proactive, stepping outside the box, keeping options open and pushing harder when I need to get treatments and medications. I don't want to fail my patients. I don't want to give anyone a reason to leave. And if you feel the same way, I hope you stay with me, because I could really use your help."

Lily nodded, warmth spreading through her gaze. "All right. I'll stay. I want to do better, too."

"Then we'll do it together."

"Are you taking off now?"

"Yes. I have a housewarming party to go to. Jack Barrone is moving into a new apartment, and Tyler and I are going." She cleared her throat. "Tyler Brennan and I are seeing each other."

"I heard something about that," Lily admitted. "But I'm going to try to be better about gossiping. I have to say you look happy."

"I am happy."

"I'm glad for you and also for Mr. Barrone. It's nice to know that he's recovered and able to move on with his life."

"He has a better support system than he realized." She grabbed her bag. "I'll see you later. I have to meet Tyler out front."

"Have fun."

She hurried out of her office and down the elevator, smiling when she saw Tyler waiting in his car for her. He'd been so busy the past week, they'd only spent a few nights together, and she hadn't seen him the past two days at all. But tonight, they were going to the housewarming party that Tyler's friends were throwing for Jack at his new apartment.

After getting into the car, she gave him a quick kiss. But he wasn't having that, and he pulled back in for a longer, slower, deeper kiss that made her let out a little sigh at the end of it.

"I was looking forward to the party, but now you're giving me other ideas," she said.

He smiled. "That's just a teaser for tonight. I finally don't have to work, so I'm hoping we can go home together."

"I'd love that, Tyler. I've missed you. I know that sounds crazy, because it's only been a few days, and we've been texting all the time."

"I've missed you, too. But things are finally slowing down. How was your day?"

"Good. I had productive patient appointments, and Lily showed up. We had a nice chat. She was thinking of quitting, but I talked her out of it. She's a very good nurse."

"She was very forthcoming when I spoke to her," he said.

"Are there any updates on the investigation? I know Levitan was reporting to Vivienne, but who was she reporting to?"

"She was actually working with her real boyfriend, a man by the name of Simon Minton, and Simon's brother, Nolan. The brothers grew up in Moscow. Simon was in the Russian Army. Nolan was a pharmacist. They started a pharmaceutical company based in London two years ago, which also gave Vivienne her cover."

"So, we have a possible Chinese spy and two Russian businessmen with questionable ethics."

"Exactly. We don't know who they sold information to, whether it was China, Russia, or some other foreign actor. Vivienne isn't talking. And the Minton brothers have disappeared. But we do know the experimental medications used on the veterans came from the pharmaceutical company owned by the Minton brothers. We were able to tie the drugs Jack had taken from Waverly to their manufacturing plant."