Page 29 of Death

“Do you have any information on the woman?” the doctor asks as we follow the nurse to a room where the X-ray and CT scanner is.

“No. I found her in a field.”

Coming to a stop in front of the machines, I stand beside Dr. Pires and cross my arms over my chest.

It feels like the tests are taking forever when Dr. Pires finally says, “No broken bones. Everything looks okay. We’ll move her to a room before taking blood and doing the rest of the checks.”

After moving her to a private room so she isn’t around other patients, I have to wait outside in the hallway because they’re also checking for any signs of sexual assault. We do the same checks on every person we bring to the compound, so we know exactly what we’re dealing with.

The door opens, and Dr. Pires smiles at me. “It will take a few days before we get all the blood test results back. She has scarring on her back. It could be from being whipped.” Dr. Pires takes a breath, compassion for our patient tightening her features. “The lacerations around her ankles will obviously leave permanent scarring, but there’s no infection. There are also no signs that she’s been raped.” The doctor glances back into the room. “Her virginity is still intact.”

Intense relief pours through me, hearing my little ray of sunshine wasn’t raped, which makes me think she was held captive by a woman. Maybe an abusive mother?

Unclipping the two-way radio from my belt, I say, “Pedro, tell the guards in Ireland the person who held her captive might be a woman.”

“Okay,” he replies. “Has she woken up?”

“Not yet.” I clip the radio back into place before walking into the room.

“I’ll let you know as soon as we get the test results,” Dr. Pires says. “Call me if she regains consciousness while you’re with her.”

I nod, moving to the side of the bed.

Suddenly, my phone rings and I quickly pull the device out of my pocket. Seeing Dominik’s name on the screen, I answer, “Hey, how’s everything going?”

“Good. Grace and Kristian are doing well. I’m tired as fuck, though.”

“Kristian. It’s a strong name. Congratulations, brother. Send me a photo of the little one.”

“Thanks.” He pauses for a moment. “Listen, I didn’t want to do this over the phone, but will you be my son’s godfather?”

A smile splits over my face. “I knew you loved me.”

“Yeah-yeah,” he mutters.

“Of course. I’d be honored,” I reply to his question, my eyes still locked on the woman. “I have some good news.”

“Yeah? You finally done taking down the Rojas Cartel?”

“Not yet.” My smile widens. “I found my woman.”

“Oh. Who is she?”

My gaze drifts over her. She looks vulnerable as fuck beneath the white sheet. “I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Dominik barks in my ear.

“I found her in a field, running for her life. She hasn’t come to, yet.”

“So you know nothing about her? Are you fucking insane?”

“Maybe, but that doesn’t matter.” I chuckle, and when I speak again, my voice is filled with amazement. “She’s fucking beautiful.”

“Be careful, Santiago,” he warns me.

“Don’t worry about me.”

“Someone has to worry about your crazy ass,” he grumbles. “I have to go. Grace is waking up.”

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