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“Who are you protecting?” I ask, my voice stern.
“I’m not protecting anyone!” she snaps.
In that moment, I see the fire ignite in her eyes once more. There’s the fighter I know and love.
“Fine.” I lift my hands in surrender, but I remain steadfast beside her. “Do you have any other injuries? Ribs, arms, legs, abdomen? Any discomfort?”
“No.” She shifts the peas away from her cheek, and the cold has staunched the bleeding to a drop or two.
“Why didn’t you just go to the ER?” I open the pill canister and pour two ibuprofen into my palm.
“Because I didn’t want anyone asking stupid questions.” Her strength must be returning if the forcefulness of her responses is any indicator. She takes the pills and pops them without water. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Bullshit, Marcy. You called your brother’s penthouse in tears, barely able to get the words out.”
“I panicked. I needed...” Her voice falters. “I forgot he wasn’t home.”
“But I answered.” I nod with painful understanding. “You weren’t calling for me.”
“I was.”
Her soft response leaves me stunned.
“You helped me just as much as Arthur did that night. I’m glad you answered the phone. I didn’t have your number.”
My heart can’t take the goddamned roller coaster much longer. I can’t care for her unless she wants me to, but she won’t tell me what happened. And I’m afraid if I pry, she’ll push me away again.
“Marcy, I want to help you. But if you don’t tell me what happened, my hands are tied.”
“I made a mistake.” Her jaw clenches. “I trusted someone I shouldn’t have, and this is what I get.” Her lip quivers again, but judging by the steely glint in her eyes, this time it’s from fury, not fear. “I shouldn’t have gone, but I did. There’s nothing I can do about it now.”
“You went out on a date?” Disbelief mingles with the anguish churning in my gut. Once the realization settles, the rage ignites like an inferno. “He fucking hit you.”
“It was just dinner. But he wanted more than that.” Her gaze settles on the far wall. “I told him no. He wasn’t pleased with my response.”
“Fuck, Marcy.” I spit the words out not realizing how they’ll affect her. She flinches. “Sorry.” The emotions rise to a rolling boil. “Did anyone see him hit you?”
“No.” Her hand is shaking where it presses the cold pack to her cheek. “But someone walked past, and I was able to get away from him before he could do worse.”
“Tell me who he is, Marcy,” I plead. “Tell me, and I’ll make sure that bastard never walks again. Never touches another woman. Never knows another moment of pleasure in his miserable life.”
A hint of a smile touches her lips. But it’s sad and lost in painful memories. “I can’t, Rob. Please. I know you want to help me...” Her words trail off, and she shrugs.
Resigned, I put my kit back in the bag and close it. “Well, make sure you rest. I’ll check on you tomorrow.”
I stand, and her hand grabs my wrist. “Please stay, Rob.” Fear reflects in her eyes again. “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
Damn it.
I exhale sharply, praying for strength. Of all the nights for her to invite me to stay...and not for the reason I want her to ask me to stay. I must have been a goddamned saint in a prior life.
“Okay. I’ll stay.” I place the bag on the table. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
She leads the way, and I place a butterfly bandage on the cut before I put a larger bandage over that. She doesn’t need to wake up with a blood-soaked pillow if it bleeds during the night.
I pull the sheet over her. A gentle breeze drifts in from the cracked window. It’s warm tonight, so I turn on the fan. The rhythmic noise lulls her.
“Goodnight, Marcy.”
