Page 49 of Two For One

“Help,” I yelled, but my voice broke.

“Chridhe, wake up little witch,” I said, my chest hurting as I felt completely useless.

“Hey, my name is Blake,” he said, kneeling by us and he reached out to her as I growled. “I’m a nurse sent here to make sure you were ok.”

“You hurt her, I will disembowel you and hang you from your intestines,” I threatened, as he checked her pulse.

The nurse seemed unphased. “Noted, now let's get her into a room.”

I didn’t know if I was impressed or annoyed that he didn’t flinch at my threat, but I guess working here meant he ran into a lot of people like me. Blake led us to a room that was fancier than I was expecting. Ezra and I had been around some shady doctors getting patched up while we were on assignment. I had to say this was a hell of a lot better than a room in a basement where it looked like a cesspool of staph.

Blake helped me lay her on the table, grabbing a stethoscope to check her heart as two women came in. I bared my teeth, about to threaten them, when Xiomara made a noise. Her face scrunched up in pain as she reached for me.

“Hey, little witch, I’m still here,” I said, grabbing her hand.

“Her feet are all cut up,” one of the women said, as I glanced down at her slippers that were all full of blood.

My heart stopped for a second as I mentally hit myself for not checking on her.

“Little witch, I’m—” One nurse was about to inject her with something. “What the fuck is that?”

“Pain meds. Cleaning her feet from the glass is going to be painful and her adrenaline is wearing off,” Blake said, as he took the syringe and injected her.

I opened my mouth to say something when Blake rolled his eyes.

“Chill with the macho shit, we know you will kill us, but if you keep us from helping her, I will have you removed,” he snapped, and began inspecting the rest of her body. Another threat was on the tip of my tongue, but I thought better of it.

They worked on Xiomara for close to an hour. She had bruises all over her body, a concussion, and she needed twenty stitches on her feet and arm. With each piece of glass they removed from her body, I concocted my plan. Ezra would hate that he wasn’t involved, but I wouldn’t let him near those men again.

Blake and the other nurses left us alone, leaving water and a snack for when she woke up, telling me to call out for them if we needed anything. I pulled a chair up to the gurney, grabbing her hand, waiting for Saint to call me back.

Is this what love actually felt like?

Was this murderous feeling love? Was this how Saint felt when his wife and their girlfriend were kidnapped? My chest tightened when I thought about them taking Xiomara, protectiveness surged through me when it hit me like a dump truck.

Fuck. I think I am in love with Ezra and Xiomara.

I didn’t know how I ever thought love wasn’t for me, but right now I had this burning need to take care of them. I needed to give them everything they ever asked for and I was at peace with it. If this is what love felt like, then I’d use it to fuel my anger for someone hurting what was mine.

I answered my phone as soon as it rang.

“I’m doing this with or without you,” I said to Saint.

“I’m in the air already, he said quickly. “Don’t do anything before I get there. How is Ezra and your girl?”

“Ezra is in surgery,” I growled. “I’m with Xiomara and…”

My throat tightened with emotion.

“She's fine, but they hurt her,” I said, clearing my throat.

“They will pay,” Saint growled.

“How long until you arrive?” The door to the room opened. Blake walked in quietly.

“Nine hours and don’t be a hero. Call King. I might need their help.” He hung up.

I sighed, setting my phone down, convincing myself I needed to wait here.