Page 94 of Hostile Love
I’ve already swallowed a couple of ibuprofens. They should do the trick in a few minutes.
Though I’m not immune to pain. I understand it fades eventually and taking medication is the quickest way to deal with it.
At least I wasn’t stabbed this time. That wound had stung like a bitch. It was ten times more annoying than a snapped bone. I got over it, and this would be no different.
I flinch again, hating another man being in my personal space with his hands on my body parts, albeit over my clothes.
“There doesn’t appear to be any other significant damage,” he assures me. “You’d know if you’d cracked a rib or had a brain contusion.”
“Okay. Thanks for bandaging my wrist.” I nod at the doctor and pull away so his gloved hand falls. “It’s his turn now.”
Matheus rises to his full height and rotates on the spot, turning clockwise.
“Nothing the good doctor can help with here. Just a couple of bruises, that’s all. Aside from that, I’m ready for action.”
He stalks towards me, a hint of humor in his voice.
Matheus’ eyes flash as if he’s about to say something else, but he stays quiet instead.
“You need to be checked over, Matheus,” I scold. “Were you hit in the head or punched in the ribs? Stuff like that can lead to internal bleeding and clots.”
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, wetting his lips.
“I’m good. I promise. How about a bath?”
“What about your hand, sir?” The doctor asks. “I’ll take a look at it.”
Matheus makes a fist, his eyes full of fire. “It already scabbed over. Forget about it.”
The doctor shifts his weight in the fresh silence, his eyes darting from us to the armed guards in the doorway.
The way Matheus is eyeballing me, the poor man probably thinks I’m about to get mauled.
Unfortunately, there’s no escaping this small part of the Sicilian coast that’s guarded like a penitentiary. He’d have to wait for Matheus to give his men the order to send the doctor on his merry way.
Which I hope is soon since the unspoken heat between us could set the furniture alight. If Matheus launched himself at me right now, I’d be all over him in a heartbeat.
Clearing his throat, the doctor nods respectfully.
“Looks like we’re done here. I’d like to return to my home now.”
I can’t help wondering if the man was extracted from his surgery at gunpoint and threatened with his life before he was flown here.
“Thanks for your help, Doctor.” He catches the attention of a guard. “Pay him and have the paperwork filled out.”
The doctor frowns. “Paperwork?”
“Yeah, a contract signing over the blood of your first grandchild to the Souzas. That sort of thing.” Matheus chuckleswhen the doctor backs away. “Relax. I’m joking. Sign the NDA and pick up your cash on the way out the door.”
Matheus angles his torso and shakes the guy’s hand. Just as quickly, he takes mine and leads me from the room, leaving the poor doctor alone with a squad of armed men.
He’d be paid well and added to the Souza list of employees. Those are the facts. It’s to be expected.
I’d be a liar if I said Blanco was different. This is the world I’d slotted myself into long before I joined The Covenant.
Kidnapping professionals isn’t alien to me and I won’t get my panties in a twist over the doctor's safety. If he’s smart, he’d keep his mouth shut and enjoy the cash his loyalty earns.
It’s that straightforward.
