Page 16 of Coerced Queen

I want to climb off this bed and smash my fist in his face.“Why I married her is nobody’s fucking business.”

“Fine.So you don’t love her.”He says that with contempt.“It doesn’t change one damn thing.You made a vow, and the only reason I respect you is because you’ve never broken an oath.”

He lets that warning sink in.He’s telling me to do right by Anya or risk losing the only friend I have.

I look him in the eye.“She deserves better.”

“You’re damn right about that,” he says before stomping to the door and slamming it hard enough behind him for the bang to echo in my skull.

ChapterEight

Anya

Bertrand assures me that the wound is superficial when I call him on the phone.

“I’m so sorry, Bertrand.Is there anything you need, anything at all I can do for you?”

“Got everything I need right here,” he says.“More importantly, how are you?I saw the news.That’s some tragedy, girl.”

“I’m fine, thanks for asking.”I hesitate.“Are you, um, going to lay charges?”

“I reckon you’ve got enough on your plate.Besides, it’s not the first time a patient attacked me.”

“I really don’t know what to say.”

“You just take care of yourself and that baby.I’m glad you’re both alive.How’s your husband?”

I swallow.“He’s going to be fine.”Changing the subject quickly, I say, “I’ll come see you as soon as I can.I’m going home today.”

“There’s no need, but I appreciate the thought.You have more pressing matters to focus on.”

“I’dliketo see you.”

He chuckles.“I’m not going anywhere.You know where to find me.”A pause follows before he continues.“Any news about your mother?”

“Nothing from the police.”

“I hope they’ll find her soon.”

“Me too.”

“Keep me posted.”

“Take care, Bertrand.”

“You do the same now, Anya.”

The doctor examines me in the afternoon, signs my discharge, and sends me home with painkillers and anti-inflammatories.

Dante drives me.

It’s difficult to leave Claire and Saverio behind.Every fiber of my being protests at putting distance between us, but I don’t have a choice.I can’t stay at the hospital when they already don’t have enough beds for their patient demands.There’s also a lot to deal with at home and preparations to be made, so I soothe myself with the knowledge that I can visit them twice a day.

Livy welcomes me with a home-cooked dinner when I walk into Saverio’s house.She already moved into one of the guest bedrooms.When we’ve tidied the kitchen, which mostly involved her doing the work and me feeling guilty, we retire to the lounge to make a list.

“We’ll need a wheelchair ramp for when Saverio comes home,” I say.“Dr.Loter said it may take a while before he can walk on crutches, and even then, he’ll tire.The wheelchair will be indispensable for a while.”

Livy cracks open a can of stout.“Bathroom renovations will be necessary.”

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