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Paul pulls her away and steps in front of her. “She has no idea what she’s talking about. We’re all tired and stressed, Carter. Let’s not do anything reckless.”
I draw myself up to my full height. “I want less fucking suggestions and more solutions.”
My voice echoes back to me, and it causes the two brothers to flinch. Even Sam grows slightly smaller at my tone, and I’m ashamed to admit it makes me feel better. Although I know she means well, I don’t need one more obstacle in my way.
There are too many already. And the longer we stay in this hospital, the worse it’s going to be for everyone.
With one last look around the room, I storm out and pause at the nurse’s station. Most of them have dark circles under their eyes, and their shoulders are squared tight with tension, but they don’t look away from me or flinch. Instead, they pick up the phone and page the doctor in charge of Isabella’s case.
He materializes a short while later, with one hand shoved into his pocket and the other holding a protein bar. Dr. Masterson frowns when he sees me. “Mr. Blackthorne, I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist you stop, or I will call security and the police. This is a hospital. Whatever issues you have, you need to take them outside.”
“I’m trying,” I tell him angrily. “But I can’t do that if my fiancée and cousin are stuck here.”
Dr. Masterson tucks the protein bar away and stands up straighter. “What do you mean?”
“My fiancée’s family is abusive, and they know she’s here,” I say in a calmer voice. “She’s been trying to get away from them for years, but being here is putting a target on her back, and they are very powerful people. The kind who won’t take no for an answer.”
A shadow settles over the doctor’s face. “I see.”
I take a step in his direction. “I’m just trying to protect her, but it’s very hard to do that when I have no idea how long I need to protect her for.”
Dr. Masterson studies me. “She’ll need to stay here for a few days until we can properly assess the damage of the crash on her and the baby.”
Ice settles in my veins. “What the fuck do you mean by damage? She’s stable. She woke up, and we talked.”
“That doesn’t mean there wasn’t any damage,” Dr. Masterson points out with a frown. “I’m sorry about Ms. Julis’ personal life, but I suggest you get in touch with the police. They’ll be able to help you better.”
Anger burns through me. “You can’t keep her here against her will.”
Dr. Masterson tilts his head back to look up at me. “I’m a doctor, Mr. Blackthorne. Don’t tell me how to do my job. I can have you removed if I need to.”
“You have no idea who you’re messing with, doc. I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“Is that a threat?”
I shrug and take a step back. “It’s more like a suggestion. Think about it. You better have a different answer when I find you later.”
Chapter Three
Isabella
Bright light dances behind my eyelids. I hear a beeping sound and lift my hand up to my face. When I tug, there’s a strange pull, like something is holding me back. Slowly, I force one eye open, spots dancing in and out of my field of vision. I blink, and the world tilts into focus, showing me the IV drip poking out of my arm. I frown at the drip and lift a finger up to trace it.
The monitor next to me makes a loud beeping sound.
My frown deepens as my fingers close around the drip, and I try to remove it. Suddenly, Carter is by my side, fingers circling my wrist. Wordlessly, he pushes my hand away and steps forward, blocking my view of the monitor. I rub my hands over my eyes, and when I look back, I see Carter in a wrinkled shirt with specks of dried blood, bloodshot eyes, and tufts of hair standing up on top of his head.
He looks nothing at all like the man I love. Carter looks more like a ghost, a shell of his former self.
And as I inhale, I struggle to remember why.
Little by little, the rest of the room comes into focus, and I realize I’m in a hospital bed, in a paper-thin gown, with a blanket draped over me and a window overlooking the city’s skyline. In the distance, I can make out the squeak of shoes and wheels rolling against the linoleum floors. Gingerly, I sit up straighter, and Carter’s hand darts out to fluff the pillow behind me. He smells like sandalwood and sweat, and it makes some of the knots in my stomach unfurl.
Until he leans forward and presses his lips to my forehead. “You’ve been asleep for two days, dove. How are you feeling?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I swallow and try again, my voice coming out thick and hoarse. “Why am I in the hospital?”
Carter frowns and pulls a chair up to sit next to me. He takes both of my hands in his. “You don’t remember what happened?”
