Page 27 of Ghost

“Yes. We created you.Therefore, we own you. It’s a simple concept, even for you. Getsome rest; your training will begin tomorrow.”

So, it was the Noah Group, not theBerry family.

“If I live that long. I’mafraid your goons got a bit carried away in capturingme.”

“Don’t worry, there’s nointernal bleeding, we’ve checked. A few broken bones are minor inthe grand scheme of things. I’ll send someone in to bandage youup.” Edward chuckled before walking out.

“Asshole.”

The asshole laughed evenlouder from down the hall. Ghost lay back, exhaustion covering himlike a scratchy horse blanket.I just needto rest a bit. Then I’ll figure things out…

The next time Ghost woke, a youngwoman was kneeling over him with scissors.

“Back off,” Ghost growledas he tried to push himself back against the wall, pain making himgroan.

“Easy, you’ll hurt yourselffurther,” she said. “I’m not here to hurt you. I’ve come to cleanand bandage your injuries.”

Ghost took a closer look at the woman.She had oddly colored eyes, more purple than blue, and wore a thickmetal collar around her neck.

“You’re one of us,” Ghoststated, knowing the truth immediately.

She nodded but remained silent. Ghostdidn’t pull away when she reached for the bottom hem of his jeansthis time. Carefully, she cut his jeans up to his knee, revealinghis mutilated right leg. The bone hadn’t broken through his skin,but the wounds and lump bulging out the side of his calf wereevidence enough of the break.

“I’m sorry, this’ll hurt,but I must clean the wounds and attempt to set the leg.”

“Are you adoctor?”

“I was a nurse before I wastaken, but I’m capable of performing what is necessary.”

“Okay.” Ghost watched asshe removed bandages, a splint, and antiseptic from herbag.

“I don’t have anything togive you for the pain. I’m sorry,” she said.

“None of this is yourfault,” Ghost said. “What’s your name?”

“Rose.”

Ghost braced as she reached for hisleg. His scream was the last thing he heard until he regainedconsciousness. Rose was finishing bandaging the cut on his leftarm.

“You passed out from thepain. That was best. Your leg is set, but it’ll take months to healproperly. I’ve cleaned your other injuries and bandaged what Icould. Are there any other wounds that worry you?”

“My ribs are killing me,”he answered honestly.

“They’re bruised but notbroken. They’ll heal in time.”

“How do you know?” Ghosthadn’t seen an X-ray machine kicking around.

She took a few seconds beforeanswering as if deciding how much to reveal. Ghost understood thatmore than most. “I can see inside people to find any injuries andillness, but I can’t heal them.”

“I imagine that made you agreat nurse.” Being able to diagnose the problem with one hundredpercent accuracy was handy.

“Yes, I enjoyed helpingpeople,” Rose said, her eyes tearing up momentarily before sheblinked the tears away.

“That collar controls you?”Ghost guessed, remembering the wristbands used on him the last timehe’d been taken. He was getting damned tired of being kidnapped bythese fuckers.

Rose lightly touched the metal aroundher throat and nodded.

“How long have you beenEdward’s prisoner?”

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