Page 72 of Perilous Healing

“Does it look like he can be moved?” I demand.

River’s gaze hardens. “I allowed you to take the pregnant woman and her husband off of my crew. Then Yarrow allowed you to bury that man rather than disposing of his body in a way that saved time. But do not mistake those kindnesses for weakness.”

“There isn’t a kind bone in your body,” I growl. “Just like there wasn’t in my father’s.”

“Your father was the greatest man I knew.”

“Why? Because he pulled you out of a drug house and threw you into a life of crime? Yeah, real winner, that one.”

River’s gaze turns murderous, angrier than I’ve ever seen him. He crosses over toward where Silas is sleeping. I get up, setting my Bible aside and gripping the scalpel I left beside me. “It would be so easy to kill him now,” River says. “Make you watch as the last of his life left his body.”

“Don’t you dare touch him.”

Silas’s eyes open, but he remains where he is, unmoving as River hovers over him.

“Then you’d better remember who is in charge, Bianca, because if you question me again, I’ll kill him and let you fend for yourself amongst these animals.”

We both know Silas is here as leverage for me. I’m not foolish enough to truly believe River thought these people were violent enough that I would need a security guard. Which means he’ll kill Silas if given the motive. I can’t give that to him. So I swallow my anger and pride.

“I’m sorry,” I say, each word paining me to speak it.

“Good girl. Now that he’s awake, I suggest you two get back to the house so you can be placed securely in your cells until morning. It’s late, and I’m getting cranky.”

“I have to check out the injury, and then we’ll be back.”

“Fantastic.” River smiles. “I’ll be stationing a guard outside to escort you back. Feel free to give him an earful about the weapon, as he’s the one who removed it from our favorite SEAL here.” River turns to leave. “And another thing. Remember my warning, Bianca, because you won’t get another one.”

As soon as he’s out, Silas sits up on the cot, hissing through clenched teeth as he does. I cross over toward him.

“Are you all right?” he asks, still a bit out of breath. Which he will be for about a week or two, depending on how bad the lung collapse was. As it stands, the tube will have to remain in place for a few days still.

“Fine. How do you feel?” I put the ear pieces for my stethoscope into my ears, then press the diaphragm against his chest so I can hear his heart.

“Bianca.” Silas’s hand caresses my cheek, and my blood warms. I look up at him, and everything I’d been trying so hard to bury for the day comes rushing back. Tears fill my eyes, and I wrap both arms around his waist, leaning my head against his chest.

“For a second, I thought you were dead.”

“I think I might have been for a second there,” he replies, voice raspy.

“What do you mean?” I pull away, staring up at him. He continues caressing my cheek.

“Let’s just say I had my eyes opened a bit,” he replies. “And I’m trying to open them the rest of the way.”

Chapter23

Silas

Three weeks later

“That should do it.” Bianca runs her arm over her forehead, wiping away the sweat from her brow as she studies the stitches she just finished on a child who tripped and fell, slicing open his forearm.

Abana translates what Bianca said, and the little boy looks down at his arm, then beams up at Bianca, before telling her “thank you”. She smiles.

“You are so welcome. Maybe next time don’t try and jump from one building to another. In fact, stay off the roof altogether.” She pats him on the back and he beams up at her.

Abana translates and the little boy laughs and nods. He hugs Bianca, then heads for the door, likely to try the very thing she told him not to do.

In the last three weeks, I’ve managed to pick up some of the more common phrases, especially thanks to Neo, who’s taken it upon himself to help me learn, though I’m not nearly as fast a learner as Bianca. The woman has an ear for languages. Just one of her many impressive qualities.

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