Page 38 of Drowning in Darkness

My heart. My mind. My soul. Do you have a cure for a bruised psyche?

“My ribs,” I explain. “I think it’s stress.”

Black dots bounce across my vision, and my head swims as I allow the pain to register.

“Okay, perhaps not,” I whisper as I fight to stay conscious.

Melanie’s expression softens. “Okay, sweetheart, I need you to stay with me for a second.”

I hate that tone. The gentle one people use when they think you’re about to fall apart. “I’m staying,” I mutter as I narrow my eyes. “I’m also not a sweetheart.”

I can, on occasion, be a caustic bitch, but it’s not natural.

“You were in an environment where you were getting shot at.”

“I’m aware.”

One corner of James’s mouth twitches on the screen.

“Humor. That’s a good sign,” Melanie declares. “I meant I need to examine you for injuries after the amount of bullets that were flying around.”

“I wasn’t making a joke, and I think I’d know if I’d been shot.” But if sass is a measure of health, then consider me the poster child for perfection.

She reaches toward my shoulder. Every movement is telegraphed, giving me plenty of time to object. I appreciate that more than she probably realizes. Her fingers brush my side, and pain detonates beneath my ribs. Breath leaves my lungs in a hiss.

“There it is,” she murmurs. “You aren’t going to love me for what I need to do.”

“Don’t take it personally. I hate everybody.”

James chuckles, calling me out on my bullshit. Traitor. Melanie palpates higher, and I nearly climb out of my skin.

“Stephanie.”

“Hold still,” Melanie coaxes with a frown marring her forehead.

“I am holding still.”

“You tried to escape through the passenger door.”

I glance down at my body leaning over the console, trying to indeed make a break for it. Oops, that’s embarrassing. My vision tilts, and James’s face sharpens on the screen.

“Look at me,” he demands.

“I’m looking.”

“No, you’re glaring. There’s a difference.”

The laugh that escapes me hurts. Everything hurts. Melanie parts my hair near my temple.

“She’s got a graze, looks like a bullet wound on her temple. That’s where the blood is coming from.”

I frown. I’m bleeding?

She turns the phone slightly so I can see myself. A smear of dried blood streaks through my hairline.

“I didn’t feel it. I don’t know when it happened.”

But I do now, and holy wow, the burn is insane. Not a fan. Zero stars, do not recommend.