Protégé

‘I don’t have romantic feelings for you, but I care about you as a friend,’ Jamison said sincerely. ‘You are a good doctor. You treat your patients well. You risked your own life to save others. I don’t understand how you’ve—’ ‘I regret it.’ ‘Regret what?’ ‘Regret risking my life to save Callie.’ Angelia stared into space. ‘Life would have been much easier if she died back then.’ Jamison was struck dumb by what he heard. After a long while of silence, he finally managed to say, ‘I’ll come visit you when I have time. If there’s anything you need, let me know.’ Angelia shook her head. ‘You don’t have to come see me. I don’t want to see you.’ *** The wind raged, and sand and dust flew everywhere. Dylan swiftly leapt down from the armed vehicle, his black military boots caked in mud. ‘Stay put and wait for me.’ ‘Sure thing, General Sheppard.’ Dylan waved at the driver and eyed the tile-roofed house nearby. With a forceful kick, he sent the fragile wooden door crashing to the ground, then s