Black and Brown: Raven Assassins (Ravens #1)

Chapter Two

Mirage

“According to the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Natural Medicine , you’re a goddamn genius, Dr. Adams.”

Matthew blinked. He thought the therapist had given up like all the others and left his room hours ago. Or it could’ve been minutes. Hell, he didn’t know.

He had no recollection of time since all he did was stare unseeingly at a brick wall across the alley, day and night.

“You have a PhD in osteopathic medicine and psychiatry, two master’s degrees, one in neurology, the other in pathology. Holy shit, and you’ve been published for studies in holistic medicine.”

And Matthew would still never be as smart as his father was. No matter how many degrees or accolades he got in the field of medicine.

If I’d known I had so little time left with him, I would’ve quit school years ago.

“I already know my goddamn resume,” he snarled.

“So, what are you going to do now, Dr. Adams Jr.?”

The first opportunity I get, I’m going to kill myself.

There was nothing left for him in this life except a dishonorable discharge and nine years in prison for assault in the first degree.

Death would be better.

But the hospital wouldn’t allow him a real knife and fork with his food, so he wasn’t quite sure how he would accomplish that.

Instead of the truth, Matthew answered, “You wanna know what I’m gonna do? I’m going to strangle you with my bare fuckin’ hands if you don’t leave!”

His father would be so disappointed to see what he’d done to his career, to his life.

All Matthew had ever done was study and work hard to be as great as his father. They were supposed to open a practice together…or a clinic. Travel the world treating the disadvantaged, one country at a time.

His father had been his best friend, confidant, and mentor. And his mom, well, his mother had been compassion, gentleness, and grace personified.

Matthew choked on his grief as he again got lost in his depressing thoughts.

His parents had been the most kindhearted people in the world, who’d given tirelessly to anyone in need while ignoring their own.

Two of the best critical-care specialists the United States military had ever enlisted.

They’d served their country for twenty-four years, healing wounded soldiers before retiring and continuing to use their skills and empathy on those less fortunate.

While Matthew spent years in school, in the States and abroad, his parents had traveled two hundred and sixty-five days a year with Médecins Sans Frontières.

And for their selflessness, they’d been killed.

Matthew couldn’t even bury them properly. There’d been no bodies to identify or cry over.

He had no closure, no answers from the government…no justice.

His commander had sent him back stateside for the funeral, emotionally paralyzed and overwhelmed with grief.

Matthew closed his eyes and relived the days before his life changed forever.

“I can see your mind battling to remember the pain.”

Because it’s all I have left of them.

“Don’t go back, Dr. Adams. There’s nothing for you there. Leave your past behind, and let me give you the future you deserve. One where you can make a real difference in the world like your parents did.”

You’re a shitty-as-fuck therapist. That ship has sailed.

Matthew wouldn’t accept false hope.

“You could be a man with great power and abilities.” The stranger’s voice faded as Matthew careened into an abyss of darkness. “You’d be part of a new era of espionage and warfare, one free of government manipulation.”

Nor would Matthew listen to empty promises.

The bad therapist’s words became jumbled gurgles as Matthew thought of the day when he gave up on life.