Page 67 of For Love & Torture
“Pinch me.”
So I do it and she yelps. “Yep, that hurt. Thanks, babe.”
A woman comes to the front desk and clears her throat. “And what do we have here?”
“Um, I’m not sure how to say this,” I start out. “My fiancée was abducted, and she was made to drink blood. Can you do some tests to make sure she’s okay?”
Horror fills the woman’s face, and I can understand why. That does sound pretty fucking bad.
Her hand goes to her heart. “Oh, God! Did you inform the police?”
“Not yet. I do have a detective I went to. I wanted to report her as missing or kidnapped, and he wouldn’t do it. Said she hadn’t been gone long enough.”
Bell’s hand lightly hits my chest as she lays her head on my shoulder. “You did that, Grant? How sweet of you.”
Kissing the side of her head, I say, “Baby, I was a basket case over you.”
The receptionist waves us in. “Come on back guys. We’ll get you checked out.” She opens a door, and we walk through it as she looks at Bell with sad eyes. “Were you hurt in any other way? You know, maybe sexually?”
“Thank the Lord above, no.” Bell sighs afterward. “I wasn’t touched in that way.”
I have to thank them too. And nothing could make me happier than hearing that.
Into the back we go and the nurse hands me a hospital gown. “Would you like to help your fiancée into this?”
“I will.” I turn to Bell as the woman closes the curtain around us and find Bell shaking and crying. “Baby, it’s okay.”
Holding her, I press her head against my chest as she cries. “I was so calm during it all. But now, it’s all just hitting me, Grant. The hospital, the reality of what I went through, it’s coming down on me hard and heavy.”
“Bell, I’ve got you. I do. I’m never going to let you go again. Not ever. Now let’s get this gown on you and get this part done.” I untie the robe and pull it off her. Then I take off the sheer dress, pulling it off over her head. Taking the bra and panties off her, I toss them in the trash can. “Those can stay right here. I’ll take you home in just my mother’s robe. That monster’s things don’t belong on you.” Kissing her bare shoulder, I take a moment to look her over, to make sure there’s nothing I need to tell the doc about.
Not seeing anything, I put the hospital gown on her and help her into the bed. She smiles at me, tired and weak. “Grant, you’re the kindest and most considerate person I’ve ever known.”
Looking down, I know that’s not true. Or it hasn’t been in the past. “I have a lot to make up for with you, Bell. And don’t think I won’t do it too.”
Someone pulls the curtain open, and a short man with round glasses and green scrubs comes in. “Hi, I’m Doctor Love.”
I look at the name on his shirt, and sure enough, we have us a legit Doctor Love. “Hi. I’m Grant, and this is Isabel.” I shake the man’s hand. “Take good care of my fiancée, doc. She’s the only one I’ve got.”
He looks at me with a smile. “Nice to meet you, Grant.” Then he turns to Bell. “And you’ve been through something, haven’t you, dear?”
The way her lower lips quivers tells me she’s about to lose it. I learn I’m right as she breaks down completely. “You have no idea. And I know you’ll never believe me…”
He gives me a look that says he’s seen some shit and puts his hand on her shoulder as I hold her hand and pat it, trying to reassure her that he’s here to help her. He leans down and tells her, “Let me tell you something, young lady. I have seen more things than you can imagine. I have treated patients that have had some crazy things happen to them and have even done them to themselves. I don’t judge—I just do my best to heal.”
I can see we have us a good man here and we’re in good hands. “Doc, my girl was abducted. She was tied up and held against her will. The man who did it made her drink his blood.”
Bell adds, “He also made me eat this nearly raw meat.”
“I see. And how long ago did you ingest this stuff?” he asks her.
She sniffles and I grab a tissue and hand it to her so she can blow her nose and wipe her tears away. “Within the last twenty-four hours.”
“And have you used the bathroom?” he asks.
She shakes her head. “No, I was tied down.”
“Do you need to use the bathroom now?” he asks.
