Page 38 of Protection for Rowan

"It will take us about twenty minutes to set everything up. Once we're done, we'll figure out what we can get you to eat. Hopefully, the ankle won't take long." The doctor turned to him. "I'm Doctor Allison."

"I'm Shine. Griz, my teammate, is here. We'll be looking after her when she's not in surgery."

Doctor Allison nodded. “Team?”

“SEAL team.”

"Ah." The doctor glanced at the chart and then back to Rowan. "We'll get you back in about twenty minutes. Rest now, and then we'll get you some food once we’re done."

“Thank you.”

The doctor left, and Shine grabbed the chair and moved it close to the bed. He sat and leaned in, keeping one hand on Rowan.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t around when he?—”

“You had no idea. And neither did I. He was deranged.”

“I’m here now, and I want you to stay with me. I can sleep on the couch if I need to, but I want you in my place.”

A shiver worked through her. “I don’t know that I could go back home. He broke in.”

“I know. We figured it out.”

“How did you know to even look?”

“You didn’t text me back or call, and I got worried. Thario checked a few things and figured out you’d been reported missing.”

She blew out a breath and closed her eyes. His worry for her felt like a weight around his neck. She needed support because he damn sure wasn’t going to let Rowan down. She was too important and too good to be damaged by such a shit of a person.

Chapter 30

Rowan heldonto Shine’s hand for as long as she could. She tried to remain calm in the operating room, but fear and worry got the best of her.

The doctor came in and tried for a pleasant expression. "Your heart needs to calm down. We aren't going to put you under, but we are going to give you enough of a sedative for you not to care. You won't be unconscious, but you will feel like you're floating."

Rowan bit her lower lip. “Thank you.”

"Okay, the nurse is pushing the medicine right now. You'll feel warm, and everything will start to calm."

She felt the drift first, followed by the warmth. The medical professionals began working on her ankle. She didn't feel anything, only some pushing and probing. The doctor was very occupied by her ankle and that went on for a while as she lost track of time.

She may have drifted off to sleep for a moment, but it wasn't long. Then, the doctor was standing by her side and squeezed her hand.

“We’re going to do the rape kit now. Are you okay with that?”

She gave a lazy nod, wishing none of this had happened. The reality left her horrified. The doctor asked everyone to leave other than one nurse. She was fast and efficient, not spending any extra time down there. After the doctor finished, she moved to stand beside Rowan and squeezed her shoulder.

“I know you know we have counseling services.”

“Did you see anything?” she slurred.

The doctor squeezed her hand again. “There is some bruising. You probably felt it.”

She had, but this was confirmation of what she already knew. The test was just for proof of DNA. Tears slowly leaked from her eyes. At least she had an idea what the bastard had done. The whole abduction thing was weird. He’d wanted her to sign a document so he could be reinstated at work, but he never produced the document.

What had been the end game? Why had he taken her hostage?

She was too tired and loopy to think about what happened. She wanted to see Shine, and she wanted to eat. Nothing else mattered. Later, after she had time to sit with everything, she could delve into her questions.

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