Page 187 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

Chapter Four

Jacob

As I wait for news, I pace up and down along the corridor outside the bedroom. I’ve never experienced anxiety like this and have no idea how to channel the nervous energy. Not knowing what to do to help Helena is sheer hell for a man like me, who’s used to being in control. I barely slept last night, my mind racing with thoughts about how she got herself into such a mess.

When I carried her into the house, she’d lain in my arms looking so utterly helpless, I’d felt a strange tugging in my chest. That was a definite first for me. I avoid emotional entanglements at all costs.

At first light, I got up to check on her. Needing to reassure myself she was alright, I stood by Helena’s bedside, looking for any sign she was in distress. Although Dr. Marshall performed a quick examination last night and was satisfied she’d be okay. I worried something might happen to Helena as she slept. What if she got sick and choked? It was a possibility, considering the state she was in when I found her.

Although we’ve only just met, the desire to keep her from harm is almost overwhelming. Instinct seems to have overtaken reason. Helena is someone I can nurture and protect. I want to do whatever it takes to bind her to me forever. It’s crazy how deep my feelings for her run already. Some primal instinct has kicked in, telling me to keep her safe. Yet I can’t dismiss the feeling this pretty English rose might become a major thorn in my side.

As the door to the room Helena occupies swings open, I stop pacing. Dr. Marshall approaches, a look of annoyance on her face.

“Jacob Donovan. I don’t know where you get your information from, but I am certain that young woman was not drinking last night, and I doubt very much whether she’s taken an illegal substance in her life.”

Taken aback by the scolding tone in the doctor’s office, I don’t immediately respond. Nobody speaks to me that way, ever. Most people are too scared to. I can tell by the vehemence in Dr. Marshall’s voice that she cares about her patient.

“But you saw the state she was in,” I argue.

“It’s my belief she ingested something unwittingly. Now, we won’t know for certain until the blood tests are back and even then, they might not be conclusive, but I think it’s fair to assume she was given some sort of date rape drug.”

I blanch at that. I knew she was making herself vulnerable when she kept leaving her drink unattended, but I’m still shocked someone drugged her. Thank fuck, I got her out of there before whoever it was could get her alone. Clenching and unclenching my fists, I try to work through my anger. I want to punch something. If the person responsible for putting her at risk was here now, I’d throttle them with my bare hands.

“When will you know for sure?” I ask the doctor through gritted teeth.

“In a couple of hours,” Dr Marshall replies. “With any luck, there will be some trace of the drug in the blood sample we took. You’ll need to notify the police, you know.”

I murmur in agreement, though I have no intention of doing any such thing. My men will handle this. They’ll make sure whoever drugged her is found and then I’ll ensure he never tries this with another woman.

“So, date rape drugs aside, can you give her a clean bill of health?”

Dr. Marshall shakes her head.

“I wouldn’t say that, exactly. Miss Carmichael has been putting herself under a lot of stress lately.

“Stress?” The woman hasn’t had to work a day in her life for the wealth she enjoys. “What could she possibly have to be stressed about?”

“Speak to Miss Carmichael. I promised her confidentiality and I won’t break my word, even for you.”

I could insist the good doctor tells me everything there is to know, but I don’t. The reason we work with her so often is that we admire her discretion. She’s patched up our soldiers countless times and pulled a bullet from my brother Rory’s leg recently. The family values her services too much for me to be heavy-handed with her.

Flashing me a warm smile, Dr. Marshall pats my arm to offer reassurance I have no need of.

“Leave her to rest for an hour or two,” she advises, “and then take her something to eat. A light broth would be ideal.”

As much as I want to rush straight to Helena’s side, I decide to heed the doctor’s advice. If rest is what Helena needs right now, that’s what she’ll have. Dr. Marshall’s heels click-clack on the stairs as I show her to the door. She gives me one last pat on the shoulder, and I leave her to see herself out while I go in search of Manus.

I find him in the kitchen, sitting at the breakfast bar, drinking coffee. The second he notices me, he stands to attention. I wish he wouldn’t do that. The man’s been with our family for more than a decade, but he still acts like every day is his first on the job. He likes to show respect, but his deference is over the top.

“I need you and a couple of our guys to go to Miss Carmichael’s place and bring all her things here,” I tell him.

“Okay, boss.”

He immediately moves towards the back door.

“Sit yourself down!” I bark. “Finish your coffee.”

I pour myself a cup from the pot and watch Manus as he resumes his seat. He looks so uncomfortable I almost laugh.

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