Page 3 of Kiss of Ruin (Brutal Empire)

She enters a bit more information into the computer and logs out. “At this point we’ll keep you comfortable while we arrange for physical therapy. It’s going to take some work on your part, but I believe you will make a full recovery.”

“Thank you,” I say quietly, happy that I still have feeling in my legs, but at the same time hurt that Nico still hasn’t shown up.

Sofia lets go of my hand and turns to toward the doctor. “Thank you for everything.”

“Of course.”

She pats me on the leg before leaving the room with the male nurse trailing behind her, a tablet in his hands. The other nurse comes back over to my side of the bed.

“I want you to get some rest.” She lifts the remote thing Sofia had earlier. “If you need anything, pain medication, water, anything, press this button and I’ll be right back.”

“I will.” I give her the best smile I can for a woman who almost died a few days ago. It’s not her fault there are million things running through my head. The second the door closes behind her, I turn back to Sofia. There are so many questions that I need answered.

“Where’s Nico?”

Sofia shakes her head. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen or heard from him since the night he called and told us to meet him here.” She sits down in the chair and once again takes my hand. “I haven’t left your bedside since they wheeled you in after surgery. He left right after they brought you down from the recovery room.”

There are so many questions I want to ask and almost none of them can be answered by Sofia. I have no idea how much she knows, which means I can’t ask anything about Elena. “How did I get here?”

“Oh, sweetie, I don’t know that either. Nico called us from the hospital and told us to get down here.” Her shoulders begin to shake with sobs. “I don’t even know how you got shot.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

I want to comfort her, I really do. As the pain recedes, my eyelids grow heavy. A yawn escapes my lips.

Sofia brushes the tears from her face. “You need sleep. Close your eyes and get some rest. We’ll figure everything out tomorrow.”

I want to argue, but it’s too hard to keep my eyes open and I let sleep take me into its embrace.

ChapterTwo

Scarlett

The next time I open my eyes it’s dark outside the windows. I search the room, even though something deep down tells me that I won’t find Nico in the room. I glance to my left and see Sofia in the chair, sound asleep. When my gaze moves to the right, I notice that we’re not alone anymore.

“Scarlett,” Camila cries as she stands from the couch on the side of the room. “I’m so happy to see you awake.”

She steps up to the side of the bed and runs the back of her fingers lightly across my cheek.

“I’ll be fine. What time is it?”

“About two in the morning. Are you in any pain?” She runs her hand down my arm, avoiding the IV in my hand.

“A little, but it’s not too bad.” I know from earlier in the day, as the pain medication wore off, a little bit would soon turn into a lot.

Camila is already reaching for the call button for the nurse when I say, “I’ll be fine.”

“No. Don’t start with me, Scarlett. You’ve been through enough. Take the pain medication so you can sleep.”

I let go of her hand, allowing her to push the button. A different nurse comes in. “Is everything all right?”

“No, she’s in pain,” Camila says.

“I’ll be fine,” I try to argue, except there’s no force to my voice.

“Being in pain will only cause you to tense up your body. You need to relax if everything is going to heal probably.”

I want to get better, sooner rather than later, so I give the slightest nod to the nurse, who leaves and returns rather quickly with syringe in hand. “This should help. If not, please call me again.

She leaves and it’s just Camila, Sofia, and I once again. This dose must be higher than what they gave me earlier since I feel the effects almost immediately.

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