Page 69 of Wicked Oath

“I sure am,” he says with a smile. “Pain meds since he had to go digging for the bullet.”

“What?” I snap at Ripper.

“Would you rather me have left it to cause damage?” he asks.

“No,” I frown.

“Right,” he smiles. “Enough about Talon. He is okay. Get undressed and lay on your belly so I can look at your back.”

“You are a bossy, bossy man,” I frown.

“My husband tells me that all of the time,” he laughs. “Go on.”

“Fine,” I sigh and stand up. I go to lift my arms but drop my hands back to my sides when I feel a twinge of pain. I have been running on nothing but adrenaline for hours, so I haven’t felt the pain.

“Let me,” Jude says. I nod and he carefully takes my shirt off before easing my knit shorts down. He is watching the pain flash across my face as tears run down my cheeks.

“Oh, Laney,” Talon says sorrowfully.

“Is it bad?” I ask as Jude helps me lie down on the bed. I am resting on my arms in Talon’s lap and he gently strokes my hair.

“It’s… how are you not in pain?” Jude asks.

“I’m starting to feel it now that I am sitting still,” I say, flinching when Ripper touches my back. “How bad?”

“What did he hit you with?” Ripper asks.

“A belt,” I say.

“He got you with the buckle in a few spots. I don’t know how no one noticed the cuts, but they aren’t bad. You are just very swollen, and the bruises are getting pretty dark,” he says. “I’m going to give you something for the pain. Okay?”

“Okay,” I say simply.

“You need to get some rest too,” Jude says.

“I’m going to give her a sedative,” Ripper says.

“What? No, I need to… Ow, asshole,” I snap when he stabs a needle into my ass cheek.

“Sorry, dear,” he says. “Bosses orders.”

“The boss is high. He doesn’t count,” I murmur.

“Shhh, Little Flower,” Talon says, still stroking my hair.

“You are hurt. I should be… Wow that’s strong,” I mumble.

“You can’t care for me if you aren’t caring for yourself,” Talon says.

“Please don’t leave me,” I mutter as my eyes flutter closed.

“We are all right here and no one is going anywhere,” Chris says. “You’re safe, Laney.”

“Safe,” I sigh as I slip away.

Not even the wicked oath I have made to this dynamic can save me from the doom I feel headed toward me.

Chapter Sixteen

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