Page 58 of The Donor’s Dilemma

But there was no holding on.

The car braked hard. Seat belt popped free.

She swung the car door open, landing hard on her knees and retching in the blinding light of day.

Hands grabbed her.

She was being carried again, upstairs she didn’t recognise.

Up. Up. Up.

Fluorescent light bouncing off bricks and metal.

She was hot, cold, and heavy, and…

Where were her shoes?

Forcing her eyes open she looked up at Theo, at grey eyes that watched her beneath bright lights in a tiled room. So handsome, radiant, even with the deep crease on his brows.

Her eyes rolled as he ran fingers through her hair, and then nothing.

Chapter Seventeen

Dusk came too soon. Of all the days Theo wished would end, desperate for the sun to set offering his freedom, this was not one of them.

Every door between him and Verity stood open as he listened to her gentle snores and the steady beat of her heart while he dressed for work. His quick shower did little to improve his appearance.

He looked like death. He looked like a man who had been up all day holding his girlfriend’s hair back as her stomach clenched on nothing. Over and over, she dry heaved, her body trying to rid itself of whatever she’d drank, until finally she lay in his arms, trembling with soft cries and whimpers.

Theo breathed deep, tamping down the growl building in his chest. Phoenar save whoever had done this to her.

Two minutes. He took his eyes off her for two fucking minutes to bid Smythe farewell when that Adam ran over, reeking of alcohol and panic. Smythe insisted she’d be okay, she just needed to sleep it off. But someone had spiked her drink, and when he got his hands on them…

Deep breaths. A quick temper didn’t help anyone.

Neither did being hungry, and Theo was starving. He’d planned on feeding at the club, but he’d have to wait until Verity was up to it. That, or ask for an emergency donor at the exchange, but that didn’t feel right. Despite caring about Verity’s wellbeing, their relationship was for show, and it would send the wrong message if he needed additional donations.

Sheets rustled as she moved in the spare room before settling again. Theo couldn’t leave her like this. The worst had long passed but he didn’t want her alone. Flicking through his contacts, he found Elliott. Theo had always liked Marcy, and luckily Verity liked her too. He was about to call to see if she could come sit with her when another phone rang.

Verity’s heart rate spiked as she bolted awake and scrambled for her phone.

“Hello?” she asked, quiet and rough, followed by a cough.

Theo should have taken her phone. She needed rest. Who was calling her at this time?

“Holy mother of fuck!” A crash as she tumbled onto the floor and ran for the door. “I’m so sorry Cora, I’ll be right there!”

Theo stood cross-armed in the doorway as Verity hung up the phone and froze at the sight of him.

“Not a chance,” he said. “Back to bed, now.”

“Theo, I don’t have time for this…”

“Someone spiked your drink last night, you need rest.” He pointed back into the room. Theo didn’t need to listen to her heart as her brows rose in challenge. Demanding was not the right approach. “Please,” he added.

“I’m late for work…”

“Work? You are a donor, Verity. You have a job. Why do you need more work?”