Page 71 of Cruel Salvation

Chapter23

Damon had takenher straight to the private hospital to get her and the baby checked out after they’d cleared the scene and she’d been so out of it she hadn’t seen anyone but him and Bás.

“It’s going to be okay, Naz.”

Her wet gaze found Damon’s worried one and guilt assailed her so hard she slumped back in the chair. “I’m sorry.”

He came to kneel in front of her, taking her hands. “Stop saying that.”

“I was so stupid. How could I have let myself be taken in by Simon like that?”

“Because you’re human and he played on the weak point of your guilt over the past.”

“Is he going to live?”

Damon nodded, dropping his head. “Yeah.”

“And Andrea? She’s locked up right?”

This sense of panic had never been her. She was always calm, unflustered, but being out of control like that had changed so much. She’d always taken for granted her right to choose her actions. While she’d said she understood what the men at the centre had gone through with Rhea Winslow, she hadn’t. Not then. “Do they hate me?”

“What? No! They love you, Naz. We all do.”

“How bad did I hurt them?”

“You just knocked them around a bit.”

She had no memory of the fight or what transpired after, just the feeling of Damon when her mind had somehow snapped out of the fog it had been trapped inside.

The door opened and a doctor she didn’t recognise walked into the room.

“Hello, I’m Dr Suarez. What seems to be the problem?”

Lotus could feel the doctor’s gaze move over her, taking in the bloody lip, the cut on her brow, and the bruising already forming on her cheekbone. Her accusing glare moved to Damon who didn’t even notice, as he was too focused on her.

“I was mugged and I’m pregnant. I just need to see if my baby is okay.” She didn’t mention the drugs. Their own people would take her blood and check that.

“Okay, let’s look and see how your baby is doing. Hop up on the table.”

Lotus did as she was asked and then lay back as the doctor positioned the ultrasound machine and motioned for her to lift her top. The cool gel felt nice on her hot skin.

“Any cramping or bleeding?”

“No, nothing like that.”

Damon held her hand and she squeezed it tight, terrified of letting go and not being able to find her way in the darkness of her mind.

The loud drum of a heartbeat filled the room and her belly hollowed out with relief. Damon grinned, his wide smile tinged with relief and guilt assailed her again. Why was he still here putting up with all the shit that came with being around her?

“Everything looks great. Your baby is safe and sound in its mummy and I see nothing to suggest that the situation will change.”

The doctor offered her a tissue to wipe the gel and Damon took it gently, wiping the gel away and dropping a kiss on her slight bump, which made her eyes water.

He looked up with tears in his eyes. “I love you, Naz.”

“I love you too, Damon.”

Dr Suarez looked between them and smiled, seeming to decide Damon wasn’t the enemy.