Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Sofia is going to put some drops in, okay?” I asked. “They’ll help ease the ache in your eyes.”
Raven let Sofia add the drops, and she lay back, still clutching my hand. Sofia spoke to her quietly. “Raven, I want to give you some pain meds. They’ll help, okay?”
“Can we give her a sedative?” I asked.
“No. She’s hit her head twice. The X-rays show no swelling, but I’m worried about a concussion. We need to keep waking her every two hours.”
Egan knocked and came in, carrying a tall container. “I made a protein shake for her. She must be starving, and I know you’ll want her to get some nutrition inside. I added chocolate. She likes that.”
Sofia smiled at him. “Good thinking.”
Raven heard him, and she lifted her shaking hand, searching for the cup. He chuckled and gave it to her, and she sipped the thick beverage with a sigh.
“Baby, I have to talk to Sofia. I’m only a few feet away, and Egan is right here. Okay?”
She frowned but released my hand.
I walked across the room to Sofia. Egan stood beside Raven, talking to her.
“Tell me,” I said to Sofia.
She laid a hand on my arm. “Nothing life-threatening. Her bruises and lacerations will heal, Damien. No swelling in her head. I’m shocked she didn’t break her cheekbone from how hard she hit her face in the bathroom. I have salve for the marks on her neck and wrists to help heal and ease the pain.”
“The bastard chained her like a dog,” I hissed.
Sofia nodded in sympathy. “She is going to be in a great deal of discomfort for a while. She’s dehydrated, so lots of fluids. She needs to eat, drink, and rest. I want to monitor her closely.”
“I won’t leave her.”
“Good.” She hesitated as if unsure what to say.
“What?”
“She’s emotionally fragile right now. She’s still terrified. She is going to need you to be strong. Keep her calm.” She met my eyes. “It might get rough. Outbursts, crying jags. She may laugh unexpectedly. Or she may be withdrawn, not wanting to be touched. Everyone handles this differently. You have to let her feel what she feels—as hard as that will be to see. I think she should talk to someone.”
“I still keep in touch with the woman Marcus used to help us when we went through harder cases. I’ll call her.”
“And you need to find a way to channel your anger, Damien. Away from Raven. Take it out on the punching bag, talk to a professional. Go to the shooting range and empty a few rounds. You have to look after you as well so you can look after her.”
“I just need her to be okay.”
“It’s going to take some time.”
“I know. Matteo and Marcus offered to let us go to the island. Get her away for a while.”
“That might be a great idea. Let’s make sure she’s healthy enough to travel first, though, all right?”
“Yes. Is there anything she can’t do right now? I know she’ll want a bath,” I asked.
“Just stay close. She may be dizzy. She may have flashbacks. Don’t leave her on her own, and watch her carefully. Wake her every two hours tonight. I’m home, and I’ll check on her in the morning. But if you are concerned, call me.”
I met my cousin’s warm gaze. “I don’t plan on leaving her side at all, Sofia. I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
She smiled. “I knew you would.” She paused. “Egan said he’s going back out?”
I nodded. “He has to help Marcus and Julian. He won’t be long.”
“He is going to blow something up?”
“Yes. And when Julian and Marcus get back, check them out, please. Julian took a graze to the shoulder, and they both got hit in the head.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure whatever hit those two in the head suffered more damage than their noggins did. But I’ll check them out.”
“Thanks.”
I bent and kissed her cheek then returned to Raven. I watched Egan stop to speak to Sofia and kiss her cheek before leaving. She met my eyes, tossing her hair and busying herself with some task. I tried not to grin. Egan might actually be making some headway.
I traced over Raven’s uninjured cheek gently. “You ready to go home, baby?”
“What about that?” She indicated the IV pole.
“It comes with us. I can switch out the bag. Sofia will probably remove it in the morning. She just wants to get your fluids up, and she added some pain meds.”
“Okay.”
She began to sit up, and I shook my head. “Nope.”
“I can walk.”
“Yes, you can. Tomorrow. Tonight, you’re in my arms.”
She didn’t protest as I gathered her up, and Sofia followed us upstairs and into the apartment. Raven began to cry when I walked into the bedroom and sat down, holding her. Sofia offered me a small smile, left the supplies I needed, and headed back downstairs.