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"Mmm," I moan, try to speak, and wince. My throat's dry, my head's pounding, and I try to see him but everything's black.
He slides his warm hand over my cheek. The scent of woody spice laced with orange peels flares in my nostrils. In a worried tone, he orders, "Wake up, pet."
King Madden's whine fills my ears. His tongue slides across my arm. His tail slaps my hip.
"Easy, boy," Riggs gently states. He kisses my forehead and repeats, "Wake up."
I move my hand across King Madden's fur. His tail hits me harder, and a shrill bark fills the room. I struggle to open my eyes but manage to blink a few times, cringing from the brightness.
"There you go. Come on, pet," Riggs encourages.
I fight the sleepiness and pounding against my skull until he comes into full view.
Concern fills his sharp features. He kisses me on the lips and caresses my chin with his thumb. He admits, "You had me worried."
I open my mouth, but a muffled noise comes out and my throat cracks. I squeeze my eyes from the pain.
Riggs places a glass near my lips, ordering, "Take a sip."
I obey, taking several until my throat no longer hurts. A beeping noise registers, and I glance at a machine near the bed. I push the glass away and ask, "Where am I?"
Riggs's face hardens. He informs, "At a private clinic. They drugged you."
"Who—" My stomach churns. Images of my dead mother's bloody corpse, my father scowling at me with hatred, and Noah's sinister expression all flood me at once. I stare at Riggs, unable to stop tears from flowing down my cheeks.
He swipes at them, and King Madden whines, then tries to get closer to my face, but Riggs pushes him away, ordering, "Stay, boy."
I force myself to sit up.
"Easy," Riggs says.
I reach down and tug King Madden into my arms. I ask, "Are you okay, sweetie?"
His tail wags, and he nuzzles into my chest.
More images fill my mind. I blurt out, "My mother kicked him. Before...before she..." I can't get the words out.
Riggs pulls me into his arms, holding my head. I bury my face into the curve of his neck and sob. "They...they...they killed her!"
"Shhh, I know. I know," he murmurs.
My body shakes, and he tightens his arms around me. King Madden licks my neck. I cry, "I'm going to squish him."
Riggs loosens his hold, but King Madden doesn't move.
"They didn't have to kill her," I claim.
Riggs retreats, holding my face. He says, "I'm sorry, pet. Did..." He swallows hard. Anger and fear swirl into his expression. He continues, "Did that bastard do anything to you? Besides drug you?"
I shake my head, but things are so fuzzy I can't be sure. I admit, "I don't think so."
Riggs takes calculated breaths, his lungs straining against his shirt.
So he won't obsess over what happened, I sternly state, "Nothing else happened."
His expression doesn't change.
I retreat farther and keep King Madden tucked into me. I ask, "How did I get here?"
