Page 17 of Veiled Vengeance

The swift beat of my heart settles as I walk through the door and spot Spencer lying in the hospital bed. Nurses and doctors hover over her, aiding with preliminary examinations and taking her vitals. She’s a mess, but knowing she’s here and that she’s going to be okay makes me feel at ease.

Fucking finally.

After the staff assesses Spencer and determines she’s not in critical condition, most of them clear the room except for one nurse and one doctor.

Amaledoctor.

Yeah, that’s not fucking happening.

Before he can even introduce himself, I jump in. “I’d much rather Dr. Flores tend to her.”

He looks to be not much older than me. He has pale skin with dark blond hair, and when his beady eyes turn on me, I can feel his ego bruise. “That’s not up to you.”

Spencer chimes in quickly. “Is Dr. Flores available?”

His displeasure turns to Spencer. “I’m perfectly capable of being your doctor, Ms . . .”

“Gray. Spencer Gray.” Spencer bites her lip. “I’m sure you are, but I think . . . Umm . . .”

The nurse steps between Spencer and the doctor. “Doctor, why don’t we let them be for a minute. The patient is stabilized, and I’m sure you have others you need to check in on.”

The understanding nurse, in her bright pink scrubs, holds her ground. Her words are polite, but her hands on her hips, wide-set feet, and firm voice suggest she’s not going to budge on this. She’s older and has dark brown hair with streaks of gray.She’s short but still able to stare down a man a foot taller than her. Her ID reads “Amy Evans.”

Amy leads the prick out of the light-stained wooden door but turns to us before she leaves. “I’ll find Dr. Flores for you.”

Once they’re gone, I scooch my chair right next to Spencer. There’s a hospital gown on the end of the bed. I pick it up and stand, holding my hand out to her. “Let’s get you cleaned up, Mama.”

Spencer lifts her hand to put it in mine, but she hesitates. It’s enough to tear at my cool façade. I’m ready to drop to my knees and beg her to let me help her when she places her hand in mine.

Everything feels right when I’m touching her. All I need is her touch, and I know everything will be okay—everything will work out.

I help Spencer off the gurney and lead her to the bathroom. We stand on the plain gray tile together as Spencer shifts her weight from side to side.

Spencer’s arms are crossed, and she won’t look me in the eye as she says, “I’ve got it. Thank you.”

She grabs for the gown, but I hold it just out of reach. “I’d like to look you over myself.”

Swallowing a couple of times, she relents. “Okay, but don’t stare.” Spencer struggles to take off Zane’s shirt, but once she gets it, and her dress, off, I’m frozen. Her torso is littered with black and blue bruises.

My veins grow hot as I hold out the thin aqua gown for Spencer to step into. My touch is gentle, but my hands tremble.

They’re dead. They’re all fucking dead.

CHAPTER 7

SPENCER

The beep of the heart monitor is muted in my ears. I’m covered in sheets and blankets, but I still feel cold.

I have an IV in one arm and a blood pressure cuff around the other. The fierce nurse came back about ten minutes ago and hooked me up to everything. She was efficient, but her touch was compassionate. Her nurturing nature reminded me of Texas.

It’s the perfect taste of home, and I need that right now.

Guilt is shadowing my every move, waiting to swallow me whole. I know Rio sees my small flinches and my withdrawal—it has to be killing him—but I can’t stop this destructive cycle in my head.

I want his touch and am happy he’s here, but as he’s about to give me what I want and touch me, the last few days flash in my head. Unable to control my reactions, I hesitate or flinch. Then guilt encroaches from the corner of the room, and my chest feels heavy. After which, I find myself back at step one.

Rio washed the makeup from my face after he dressed me in the gown and did up the ties in the back. As I struggled with the ugly cycle of remorse, he was patient. It’s like he saw every step and knew exactly what to do as I went through each one.

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