Dance or Die (White Oak - Mafia Series Book 3) by Liza O'Connor

release her arm and leave.”
    “Yeah, well she’s probably hiding the rest of them, just like she did the other brother,” the tall agent said.
    Cobbs’ brow furrowed. “I already told you she provided valuable assistance in locating her uncle.”
    “Yeah, while she was asleep. She must be fucking you, too.” The two brown suits stormed off before Cobbs could respond.
    Sheriff Cobbs sighed and shook his head. He then focused on her. “You okay?”
    She smiled at him. “I am now.”
    He patted her back. “Let’s go check on Dan and Steel.”
    “Thank you for rescuing me. I was terrified they intended to take me somewhere and interrogate me for the rest of my life.”
    Dan had his gown pulled up, exposing his wrapped chest. He was detaching something. “I hope to hell this worked because those bastards need to be fired.”
    He handed Cobbs a small recorder.
    Cobbs placed it in his pocket. “How bad was it?”
    “Worst interview I’ve ever witnessed.” He then frowned. “You told Tess not to tell me about four of her men being tortured?”
    “I did.”
    Dan’s jaw tensed and his eyes narrowed. “Why?”
    Cobbs looked at Tess. “Tess, Steel’s parents should be arriving anytime now. Could you stand at the nurse’s station and greet them?”
    Cobbs didn’t wish to answer Dan’s question in front of her. But after all he’d done for her, she couldn’t object.
    “I’ll get right on that,” she said and hurried from the room.
     
    ***
    Tess worried she wouldn’t be able to identify Steel’s parents. She’d never seen a picture of them. She expected they would be well-dressed, but oddly, many people fancied up to come to the hospital.
    She sat in the plastic waiting chairs and watched the door.
    A couple in their fifties rushed through the door and looked about as if lost. The man resembled Steel with beautiful, well-behaved blonde hair, although shorter and styled in a more conservative manner. It also lacked the white sun streaks. The woman reminded her of the old pictures of Princess Caroline in the way she held her head with pride, even when under duress. The furrows in her brow and the tension in her neck left no doubt she was presently under great stress.
    Tess rushed forward, determined to ease her mind as quickly as possible.
    “Mr. and Mrs. Castile?” she asked.
    The woman stared at her a moment, then smiled. “Are you Tess?”
    She nodded, surprised she knew that.
    “How is Alistair?”
    “He’s been removed from the ICU and put in a room with Dan.”
    “I asked for a private room,” Mr. Castile complained.
    “Dan was his secret service agent. He was injured as well.”
    Mr. Castile opened his mouth, but Mrs. Castile’s hand on his arm silenced him. “Can we see our son?”
    “Yes, I’ll take you there.”
    “I’d like to speak to the doctor in charge first,” Mr. Castile said.
    “Let me lead you to the third floor, and ask a nurse there to find the doctor. Steel is no longer considered an emergency patient, so I’m not sure they could help you here.”
    “Steel?” he asked.
    “Darling, I’ve told you he calls himself Steel when abroad.”
    “Yes, of course. I just…never mind, it doesn’t matter. As long as he’s fine, he can call himself whatever he likes.”
    “He’s not quite fine.”
    “What do you mean?” Mrs. Castile asked.
    “Maybe the doctor should tell you. Honestly, I would like to hear what he thinks as well.”
    Steel’s mother gripped her arm. “Tess, tell me what’s wrong?”
    Tess stopped and faced her. “He’s not waking up.”
    “Let’s talk to the doctor,” Mr. Castile said and charged down the hall. Tess had to pick up her speed to get in front of him and indicate the elevator before he passed it.
    Once at the nurse’s station on the third floor, the nurse assured them the doctor would speak to them as soon as he came out of surgery.
    “Would you like to see Steel while we wait?” Tess asked.
    They nodded and followed her to the