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“I’m Alex, Chloe’s nurse.” He smiles, looking at Chloe a little too long before his eyes meet mine at me.
“We’re fine, Ricket. Thank you,” I say, watching him leave before turning to look at Alex.
“I’m going to get the doctor. Do you need anything before that?” he asks Chloe, taking a step closer to the bed.
“I need to use the restroom,” Chloe says softly, her cheeks turning slightly pink.
“I can help you with that,” he says, but I block his way.
“You just get the doctor. I’ll make sure she makes it to the restroom,” I snarl, and a smile twitches his lips, making a growl vibrate my chest.
“Let me just unhook her IV. That way, it’s a little easier for you,” he says.
I want to tell him no, but I know that, logically, that doesn’t make sense, so I reluctantly step aside so he can get to Chloe. It only takes a second for him to get her unhooked, and then he leaves the room.
“I can walk,” she complains as I pick her up and carry her into the bathroom.
“Not yet,” I tell her, helping her to the toilet. I stand at my full height over her, and her eyes narrow.
“You don’t need to wait in here with me. I’m fine,” she says.
I sigh, shaking my head. “Until the doctor says otherwise, you’re not to be left alone.”
“I hate when you get bossy,” she grumbles.
I shrug. She can find it annoying all day long, but it won’t change anything.
After she finishes in the bathroom and I help her wash her hands, I carry her back to bed just in time for the doctor to walk into the room followed by Nurse Alex.
“Miss Kasters,” Chloe’s doctor says, coming to stand next to the bed, “how are you feeling?”
Chloe looks from the doctor, to me, then back again. “A little out of it,” she frowns.
The doctor
nods and looks down at the tablet in her hand. “That’s understandable. Your blood results came back, and it appears you had quite a bit of the drug Ambien in your system.”
“Isn’t that sleeping medication?” Chloe asks, and I take her hand in mine.
“Yes, but it’s also used as a predator drug.”
“Do you mean like a date rape drug?” Chloe asks, and her nails dig into my skin.
“Unfortunately, yes,” the doctor replies softly.
“Did I…” Chloe whispers then pauses to look at me.
The fear and confusion I see in her eyes has me moving so I can hold her face between my hands. “No, Beautiful,” I reply on a hoarse whisper. “You passed out in the bathroom at the club, but no one touched you.”
Her eyes close, and I pull her closer to me, placing my lips to her forehead.
“No one touched you,” I repeat against her skin.
She nods, and I sit back.
“I know this is very upsetting, but everything seems to be fine now.” The doctor smiles softly at Chloe.
“How long must she stay here?”
“I would like to monitor her for the next two hours. If she doesn’t show any signs of having a concussion, I’ll release her.” She looks from me to Chloe and lowers her voice. “I need you to let me know if anything changes over the next seventy-two hours. You have been asleep for a long time, but we believe that it was due to the amount of Ambien in your system.”
“Maybe it would be best if she stays here,” I state, not wanting to risk something happening to her while out of the hospital.
“I’m fine,” Chloe says, and I look at her then back at the doctor.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to send her home?” I ask, watching a smile twitch her lips as Chloe cuts me off with, “I’ll be okay.”
I let out a breath and look at my angel. I despise that this has happened, and I don’t know how I’m going to function. Since I met Chloe, I have felt the need to protect her. Now, with this turn of events, I feel that urge getting stronger.
“If the doctor says you should stay, you’re staying,” I state, leaving no room for an argument.
“She already said I could go home,” Chloe says, and I hear a chuckle from either the doctor or “Alex the Nurse” and ignore it.
“Maybe we should get a second opinion,” I grumble under my breath.
“Nolan, that’s ridiculous,” she states, rolling her eyes.
I begin to wonder if she hasn’t really hurt herself. I can’t remember Chloe ever being so defiant.
“She just told you I’m okay. If anything changes, I can come back.”
“Okay,” I say and then look at the doctor. “I’ll need the number for an at-home nurse.
“Nolan,” Chloe chimes in.
“No,” I assert, swinging my head in her direction. “If you’re coming home, we’re doing it my way.”
She must understand from my tone that this is not something I will budge on, because she instantly jerks her head in an up-and-down motion.
“Now, if that’s everything, she needs her rest until you release her,” I bark, looking from Chloe, to her doctor, and then to Alex.
I know it makes no sense to be angry, and I’m not mad at Chloe—I’m mad at this situation. Being who I am, I’m used to having control, and this situation is completely out of my hands. I know I won’t be able to rest easy until I find out who tried to hurt my angel.
“I will be back to bring you your discharge papers. If things look good when I get back, I’ll sign you out.”
“Thank you,” Chloe says. Then she looks at me and raises an eyebrow, causing me to press my lips together. “Nolan,” she whispers and elbows me in the ribs.
I look at the doctor and mutter a quick, “Thank you,” before watching her and Nurse Alex leave the room.
The moment they are out of sight, Chloe looks at me.
“What?” I ask, putting her feet up on the bed.
“You were so rude,” she huffs, flopping back onto the pillow.
“Careful,” I bark, and her eyes go wide, causing me to flinch. “You were drugged. Your face is bruised and you have been unconscious for the last twenty-four hours, so don’t look at me like you’re surprised I’m reacting this way.”
“I know,” she sighs, and my eyes meet hers, “but I’m okay.”
Her hand comes up to run along my jaw. My hand covers hers and I turn my head to kiss her palm. I know she’s right, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I nod and finish tucking her into bed before kissing her forehead and going out into the hall to talk to Ricket.
“Sir,” Ricket says as soon as he sees me walk out of Chloe’s room.
“Where’s Bernard?”
“He—”
“I’m here,” Bernard announces, walking around the corner.
“Any news?”
