Page 7 of Sinful

I returned to my seat and held her hand again. Moments later, O’Brien came into the room.

He was young. Maybe early thirties. Dark hair. Dark eyes. A kind smile. Maybe that’s what made me think he wasn’t part of the shit my father had going on here.

“Mr. Church,” he greeted me, going to Sirena’s side and peering down at her. “Sirena. How are you today?”

She said nothing, as was her fashion. He didn’t seem concerned with that.

“She wants to go home,” I said as he checked her over.

“I think she should remain here for another night or two, just to be safe—”

“I don’t want Sully or my father finding out,” I said. “You know that.”

He sighed, a frown on his face as he stared down at her. “I understand. It’s just. . . they’re probably going to find out. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but they will. People here talk. You know that.”

“And when they do, she’ll be home safely with me.” I locked eyes with him. “She can’t stay here. You know what happens here.”

He cleared his throat. “I’ve heard rumors. I’m not privy to it all. I don’t have that insider track, I suppose.”

“Believe me when I say you don’t want it.”

He nodded and went quiet again for a moment. “Let’s talk in the hall, OK?”

I glanced at Sirena, who stared at the wall with no emotion on her face.

Fuck, baby. Don’t retreat into your mind. Please. Stay.

“I’ll be right back,” I murmured, leaning down and placing a kiss on her forehead. She didn’t acknowledge me, which only raised the alarms in my head.

Quickly, I followed O’Brien out into the hall.

“You understand she’s badly injured, right? She has substantial wounds, both physical and mental—”

“I know,” I whispered. “I just want her home with me where she’s safe. She’s just not safe here. As long as she’s stabilized—”

“It’s been two days.” He sighed. “Her wounds will need a lot of care. If I release her and something happens, an infection sets in or she regresses—”

“I will make sure she’s cared for,” I said fiercely.

He studied me. “Tell you what. I’ll give her some time off from school. I’ll call it a mental health break. You take care of her. If anything at all changes, you make sure you call me. I’ll put my personal number on her discharge papers. I’ll give her meds for her pain and some for her anxiety since once all this settles in, I’m sure it’ll be hard on her. If you need anything, call me.”

“Fuck. Thank you,” I said, shaking his hand and meaning it.

“Of course. I’ll have Brenda get her meds and paperwork together. Just don’t hesitate to reach out. My first goal is getting people better.”

“What’s your second goal?”

He gave me a sad smile. “Making sure they stay that way. Go to her. I’ll have someone I trust come in and help move her home.”

“Thank you.”

He nodded. “Be safe, Dante. Lots of monsters hiding in this place.” And with that, he left me.

Don’t I fucking know it.

I returned to her room and sat in the chair beside her bed. She continued to stare at the ceiling, her tears now dry on her face.

“We’re getting you out of here,” I said. “You’ll stay home with me. Does that sound OK, baby?”

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