Page 36 of Shadows of Recovery

Damon stood close to Sophie, his presence suffocating as he rested his hand possessively on her hip, a silent reminder of the power he held over the situation. His dark eyes tracked the movement of the hospital staff as they wheeled the patients to the doors, his expression growing darker with each passing moment.

The sound of wheels squeaking against the linoleum floor echoed through the tense silence, and Sophie could feel Damon’s anger simmering beneath the surface. She forced herself to remain calm, even as his hand on her hip made her skin crawl.

One of the nurses, her face pale with fear but her hands steady, pushed the stretcher carrying a critical patient toward the exit. Damon’s eyes narrowed as he watched, a low growl escaping his throat.

“What the hell is this?” Damon hissed, turning his head slightly to glare at Sophie. “I said you could take them out, but I didn’t expect a parade of stretchers. I figured they’d walk.”

Sophie met his gaze. “These patients can’t walk, Damon. They’re critical. If they could walk, they wouldn’t need to be in the ICU or the ER. You agreed to let me get them the care they need. This is the only way.”

Damon’s grip on her hip tightened for a moment, and Sophie winced but didn’t pull away. She couldn’t show weakness now. Not when lives were on the line.

“You’re testing my patience, Doctor,” Damon growled, his eyes flashing with anger. “I let one hostage go, and now you’re pushing more demands on me.”

Sophie took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “You’re the one in control, Damon. Letting these patients go shows you’re not just here to hurt people. It shows you still have a line you won’t cross.”

Damon stared at her, his eyes searching her face as if trying to decide whether to lash out or relent. For a long, tense moment, the air between them crackled with unspoken threats. Then, with a sharp exhale, Damon’s grip on her hip loosened.

“Fine,” he spat, his voice dripping with irritation. “But this is it. No more. You’ve gotten what you wanted, and now you owe me.”

Sophie nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat as she watched the nurse push the stretcher out the door. She felt a small sense of relief, knowing the patients were on their way to the care they desperately needed. But that relief was tempered by the heavy weight of Damon’s words.

As the last stretcher disappeared through the doors, Damon leaned in closer, his breath hot against her ear. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten our deal, Sophie. You’ve just bought yourself a debt you’ll have to repay. And I’ll make sure it’s a payment you won’t forget.”

Sophie suppressed a shiver, her heart pounding in her chest. She had saved the patients, but at what cost? As Damon finally stepped back, the cold emptiness of the room closed in around her.

Sophie's heart hammered in her chest. With a resigned sigh, she led him to the supply room.

As Damon's people began to pack up the surgical trays, Sophie exhaled, relieved she had succeeded in her demand. But there was no reason for celebration, only a sinking feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. Damon dragged her into a small, secluded room within the ER. He threw her to the ground, his face twisted with rage and lust.

"You think you're so much better than me, pretty lady doctor? Well, I'm going to show you your place." He beat her savagely, each blow filled with a sickening mix of anger and satisfaction.

Sophie cried out in pain, her body writhing under the assault. Tears streamed down her face as she realized the full extent of his intentions.

Sophie whimpered, "Please, Damon... don't do this..."

Damon leaned down, his voice a cruel whisper, "You're mine now, Sophie. And you're going to learn to be obedient. Your scrubs are dirty. Take them off," he ordered, his voice cold and commanding.

Once she was undressed, he tied her to the patient bed with rolled gauze and violated her, his actions filled with a horrifying blend of dominance and cruelty. Sophie's screams echoed through the small room, but there was no one to save her.

Damon reveled in her suffering, taking pleasure in her pain. His cruel laughter filled the air. "No one says no to me.”

* * *

Tristan and Jamesarrived at the command center outside the hospital just as Ethan’s team was returning from their investigation in Eldon Falls. The brothers made their way through the bustling activity.

Ethan spotted them first and approached with a welcoming nod. "Tristan, it's good to see you.” He shook Tristan's hand before turning to the man with him. "You must be James. Welcome back to South Dakota, though I wish it were under better circumstances."

James nodded, his expression serious. "Same here. What have you found out?"

Ethan gestured for them to follow him into the command center. "Come with me. We need to update you and Brad on what we’ve learned."

Inside, the command center was a flurry of activity. Brad Killian was at the center of it all. When he saw the three men, he walked over.

"Tristan, James," Brad greeted them with a firm handshake. "I'm sorry about all this. We’re doing everything we can."

Tristan, barely holding his emotions in check, nodded. "What have you found out, Ethan?"

Ethan took a deep breath and began to brief them. "We spoke with Trace Whitlock and got some important information. It appears the family has no idea what Damon is doing. They’re in the dark, likely because Trace is ill and unable to maintain control. They might be looking for a new head of the family soon. I think the information is credible."

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