Page 114 of Retaliation

Yamatochi turned to Nick and nodded. “Doctor.”

As Yamatochi walked to the door, Nick swiftly guided her to a room before she could watch him leave.

“What’s the diagnosis, P?” Nick asked as he helped her sit on a hospital bed.

“Well, Doc, I’m wasting my time here,” she sighed.

“The cut on your cheek doesn’t agree.” Nick began cleaning the blood from her face.

She glanced down at the handkerchief still clutched in her bruised and bleeding hands. Unfolding the blood-stained cloth, she noticed initials embroidered in the corner—DY.

“It’s just a scrape. I’m fine. Promise,” she tried to convince him.

He shot her a disbelieving look. “You look like you went ten rounds with a bear, Poison.”

She chuckled, then winced at the pain. “Just another day in the life of a streetfighter.”

Nick shook his head, but his eyes softened. “Let’s get you patched up, warrior.”

As he worked, her thoughts drifted. She had faced betrayal, discovered unexpected alliances, and now stood at a crossroads. Yamatochi’s words echoed in her mind: “Own who you are.” She would take that to heart. She would rise, stronger and more determined than ever.

“Want to tell me why you were crying?” Nick’s concern was clear.

“How did you know?” she asked, startled.

“Your makeup is all the way down your cheeks. What happened?” Bless Nick for his paternal concern.

“I broke up with Scorpion, but it’s nothing.” She hoped he’d understand the code for ‘please leave it alone.’

“His loss.” Nick smiled as he moved to clean her hands.

She was grateful he didn’t press about her other injuries.

“Who was the man that dropped you off?” Nick tried to sound casual.

She hesitated, her mind replaying the conversation with Yamatochi.

“Someone I never expected to meet,” she said, lost in her thoughts. “He’s more complicated than I thought.”

Nick raised an eyebrow but didn’t push further. Instead, he focused on cleaning her wounds, his gentle touch a stark contrast to the rough treatment she’d been enduring.

“Thanks, Nick,” she murmured, appreciating his silence and care.

“Anytime, P. You know I’m here for you,” he replied with a genuine smile.

When he finished with her hands and scraped hip,

he stepped back, giving her a once-over.

“You seem okay. You just need rest. My shift is over, so I’ll give you a ride home,” he offered.

Poison waited in the reception area while Nick gathered his things. Once in the car, exhaustion overtook her, and she fell asleep on the way home.

The following morning, Poison woke up in unfamiliar surroundings. She blinked, disoriented, realizing she was in Nina’s spare bedroom. Nick must have decided it was too much hassle getting her into her apartment and let her sleep here instead. The clock on the nightstand read six-thirty. Her body felt stiff but less sore. She got out of bed and showered, grateful for the spare clothes she kept at Nina’s.

After dressing, she crept into the kitchen. It was Saturday morning, and she knew Nina wouldn’t be up until at least seven-thirty. She started making breakfast and as the coffee machine beeped, signaling it was done, Nina walked into the kitchen in her robe.

“Morning. Coffee?” Poison asked, pouring a cup.

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