Page 72 of Cruel Salvation

“You should rest for a few days and get some ice on those cuts and bruises. I can clean them and put some steri-strips on the cut on your brow, but it doesn’t need stitches.”

“I can do that at home.”

Dr Suarez shrugged. “Military?”

Lotus looked at her again and saw the same no-nonsense attitude she’d seen from other ex-military physicians. “Something like that. You?”

“Royal Marines. I recognise a tough nut when I see one. Just make sure you rest and call if you have any concerns.”

“I will. Thank you.”

She smiled at Damon and dipped her head, walking out and leaving them alone.

“Feel a little better now?”

Damon helped her off the table and took her hand, bringing her into his arms. “I feel like I never want to let you out of my sight.”

Lotus hung on tight, letting his strong arms bolster her. “I don’t ever want you to let me go, Damon.” Her gaze rose and she pinned him with a serious expression, praying she didn’t scare him away. “Promise me, you won’t ever let go.”

“I promise, baby. I won’t ever let you go, not ever.”

“You saved me.”

His head shook. “You saved yourself.”

“No. It was you who pulled me from the clutches of the drug. I can’t explain it. I felt dead inside, like there was just empty space. When you began to speak, all these emotions rushed at me. At first, I tried to fight them because it hurt. All the grief and fear was overwhelming but then you kept saying you loved me, and your voice, it felt like home. You’re my home, Damon. It was your love for me, and mine for you and this baby, that broke through when nothing else could.”

“Are you happy about the baby?”

“I was so unsure about being a mum and, honestly, I’m still not sure I’ll be any good at it, but when I thought my baby was in danger, I was so afraid. Then when I was drugged, I thought I’d lose him before I had the chance to meet him and tell him how much I loved him.”

“Him? You know something I don’t?”

Lotus shook her head. “No, just a feeling.”

His fingers played with the hair at her nape and she shivered. “Why didn’t you spit the pill out?”

“I planned to, but it dissolved on my tongue before I could.”

Damon nodded in understanding, and she knew it wasn’t an accusation, it was a genuine question. She could let her guard down with him because he’d always want to believe the best about her.

“Tired?”

“Yeah, a little.”

“Let’s go home, baby.”

Exhaustion was trying to take her down, the adrenalin of the day and the last weeks hitting her like a sledgehammer.

* * *

“Hey,did you iron out that virus issue with the network?” It had slipped her mind until now.

Watchdog barely looked up. “It was nothing.”

“You sure?”

Watchdog sighed, sounding annoyed. “Yes, now drop it.”