Page 44 of Little Sunshine

Once I was in the hall, Dr. Pierce reached around to close the door. “I can’t give you specifics about a patient.”

I lifted an expectant brow.

“But I can tell you about a hypothetical patient. Hypothetical. If you say anything to a real patient”—he tilted his head toward the closed door—“that so much as implies I told you anything, I’ll cut off my partnership with Mr. Black. I don’t care how mutually beneficial it may be.”

Maximo had first seen Dr. Pierce after he’d taken a bullet as a teenager—one meant for his crooked old man. Over the years, we’d kept him busy with an assortment of injuries. In exchange, he was paid a shit-ton.

Not to mention, Black Resorts made generous donations to the different charities and fundraisers the hospital organized.

We weren’t the first or only patients Pierce saw off the record. He worked on his own code that wasn’t dictated by hospital policy or insurance company bullshit, and the money Maximo donated also went toward that.

“Got it,” I agreed.

“The hypothetical patient has a concussion, but the CT didn’t show swelling. No broken bones but a lot of bruising.” He glanced into the room, his lips thinning out. “I’m going to prescribe something, but she should alternate ice and heat on her face and ribs.”

I’ll text Marco to drop supplies at my house since I have even less than the understocked kit at Moonlight.

“Her loss of consciousness wasn’t from her injuries. They’re painful, and even a minor concussion could be dangerous, but they aren’t as extensive as I’d feared. The biggest issue is her labs. Her metabolic panel and vitamin levels show she’s malnourished.”

That wasn’t a surprise. It was a safe bet that someone who pickpocketed to buy a burger, didn’t blink at almost passing out, and had a system in place so they didn’t get sick while eating didn’t have unlimited access to healthy food.

“I’m going to start her on some supplements to get her vitamin levels where they should be. I’ll get you a list of foods she needs to eat more.” Pierce paused for a second before clearing his throat. “I’m assuming you’re staying with her, but if not, with a concussion?—”

“She’s coming home with me.”

“Good.” His gaze drifted back to her, his expression tightening. “Whoever did this to her caused a lot of pain to a body that was already weakened. I took an oath to do no harm…” He gave me a pointed look.

“But I didn’t.”

“Good,” he repeated. “Now keep yourself together for this next part, or I’ll have every security guard in the hospital remove you.”

I didn’t get the chance to ask what he meant before he opened the door and moved to Mila. I followed him in, staying back and silent even though I wanted to be close. Wanted to make her feel safe.

Wanted to force her to look at me when she wouldn’t even glance my way.

Pierce washed his hands before checking Mila over, asking questions as he worked. None of it warranted the warning he’d given me, but Mila still answered like her defenses were a mile high.

When he pulled a stool over and sat close, she eyed him warily but remained silent.

Giving nothing away.

“Do you want Ash to wait in the hallway?” he asked, and I wanted to strangle him with his own stethoscope for even giving her the option.

She can want it, but it ain’t happening.

Still not looking at me, she shook her head.

I took the win.

Dr. Pierce gave her the same recap of her test results. She didn’t seem surprised by anything other than the lack of broken bones.

“So I’m good to go?” she asked when he finished.

No questions on what to do. No concern for her low nutrient levels. No fear of what anything meant or what could happen to her.

Christ. If she’s not going to take care of herself, she needs someone to do it for her.

My chest tightened, but I ignored the sensation. Ignored my thoughts.

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