Page 58 of Barristers & Bones

Sylvie huffed from the visitor chair.

I grinned, then groaned in pain. “Don’t make me laugh or smile.”

“Does it hurt to talk?”

“Not too much.”

He pushed loose strands of hair behind my ears. “Tell me what happened.”

So I told him. “One of my classmates saved me. Jared yelled for help and chased them off.”

Roman sat on the side of my bed and trailed his fingers along my forearm. “I owe him, whoever he is. I’m sorry. We had a man on you, but he didn’t know your last class of the day had been cut short. Lionel got out early this afternoon, and he lost our tail. We underestimated his eagerness to get to you.”

“You had a man on me? What does that mean? Where’s Lionel now?” I wouldn’t admit it out loud, but I was scared.

“He’s in the wind, but we’re looking for him.” He took my hand without the IV line and rubbed his thumb across my wrist. “You walked into the parking garage alone. We discussed this.” He turned to Sylvie. “Will you get her a fresh ice pack and some water?”

Sylvie ignored him. “Do you want fresh water?” she asked me.

“Ice chips sound better. My tongue feels like it’s been freeze-dried.”

Roman glanced at Sylvie. “I need to talk to her alone. Don’t worry, I’ll keep her safe.”

She glared back. “You’ve done a shit job so far. Do better or we’re taking over.” Then she turned and strode out.

Roman took my face in his hands. “Luna, I need to keep you safe. Will you let me do that?” He seemed so intent, and the usual coldness in his eyes was gone.

“How?”

“Any way I can, and you may not like it.” He let go of my face and seconds later, the same doctor who’d examined me the second time stepped in.

“What is he doing here?” I asked, trying to sit up. “I don’t want this doctor.”

He didn’t look at me. “I’ve got her dose.” Then he pulled out a syringe and quickly plunged its contents into my IV line.

“What are you doing?” My voice rose and I turned to Roman in panic. “What did he just give me?”

“It’s alright. He’s with me.”

That didn’t make me feel better, and I started pulling the tape off the back of my hand to remove the IV tube, but Roman stood.

“I’m sorry.” He held my hands immobile while the drug worked. The sudden appearance of that doctor threw me so much that I didn’t start struggling until I felt the contents of that syringe hit my system. Roman slipped something on my finger as I tried to get my hands out from under his.

“Roman, what are you doing? Don’t let him… Please help me.” My mind started to lose focus and my eyelids drooped.

“Shh. I’ve got you.” The door opened again, and I expected to see Sylvie with ice chips, but Ivan and Xander strode in as the doctor left.

Ivan looked at my bruised face and grimaced. “Looks like you’ve had a rough day. We’re going to find Lionel.”

My tongue felt heavy, and I couldn’t lift my arms for some reason. “Wha… wha’s happening?”

Xander frowned at Roman. “For fuck’s sake. You know she has to voluntarily say yes.”

“Yes?” I asked slowly.

Roman took my left hand and held it up. “Look, she’s wearing an engagement ring, isn’t she?”

Ivan smirked. “You had that in your pocket thirty seconds ago.”

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