Page 38 of Inevitable Dream

“You said the docs saw signs. What signs?”

I clear my throat and tell him, “Remmi’s panties were torn. She has bruising on her wrists and skin under her nails from fighting him off.” My voice tapers off. “Physically, she’s going to be fine,” I add.

“It’s going to mess with her head.” Wire states.

“Counseling would be good. She’ll be in the hospital for a few more days. In cases such as these, they have a social worker visit and try to set up a time for Remmi to speak to a counselor. It would be up to her, and to be truthful, rarely does the patient take the appointment. It takes time for a patient to process what’s happened to them. Most try to bury the experience and move on like nothing has happened, but it does catch up to them eventually,” I say truthfully.

“Shouldn’t her parents know?” Phoenix asks.

“The doctor’s first responsibility is to the patient. And she wasn’t raped, well, not, um, through penetration. But violated, yes. I can understand the doctor’s action. His obligation is to his patient. Remmi needs to decide what she chooses to tell her parents. He may feel it’s her right to share or not.” I look over at Mitchell, who is in his own personal hell, beating himself up for not being able to protect his daughter. The guys follow my gaze. “I’m not sure Mr. Fontaine could take the news at the moment. He’s so distraught as it is.” I sigh.

We’re all silent for a long while until Falcon breaks the silence. “Remmi is under proper care, with armed guards at her door. Her parents aren’t going home. Phineas is taking them to his house, which has tight security. There’s nothing more we can do tonight. Wire, are you ready to go?”

Wire looks at the doors that lead down the hall to Remmi’s room. His voice is raw and angry, “Yeah,” he says unconvincingly, then turns toward the elevator.

We say our goodbyes to the Fontaines and Phineas. Rebel and I are the first to drive away, with Phoenix and Bull in the car behind us, leaving Falcon and Wire, who are still talking beside the van.

It’s close to dawn when Rebel and I slide between the sheets to fall asleep. Rebel is exhausted but needed to shower before climbing into bed. He nestles me close, spooning me. His big arm drapes over my body.

“God, I’m tired,” he says with a yawn.

“Sleep, honey.”

“Fuck! I’m afraid to ask what’s next,” he murmurs sleepily.

My parents, that’s what’s next. I wanted to remind him, but after seeing and hearing what Remmi and her parents have gone through, everything else seems so trivial in comparison. Tonight has been a good reminder of why I wanted to be a nurse to begin with. It’s about helping others through their pain and watching them heal. There are some injuries that aren’t visible, but they still exist. Those are the hardest to mend.

What’s next doesn’t matter, as long as Rebel and I are in it together. I look over my shoulder at my sleeping giant. Yes, all is good, at least for now.

Chapter18

Battle of Wills

Rebel

Robert and Nancy have only just arrived, and I can sense how wound-up Sadie is becoming with each passing minute. She’s so tense, I expect her to burst any second and bounce off the walls. Sadie started off nervous when we left for the airport, and her tension has been escalating ever since. Yet, nothing has happened. Robert has been nothing but warm and polite, and her mother, Nancy, has been great.

Robert and I carry the suitcases into the apartment, and since our place isn’t huge, I put them directly into the spare room.

“Isn’t this room lovely, honey?” Nancy says to her husband, looking genuinely pleased with the newly painted cream walls with an accent wall in a cool blue, where the headboard from the bed sits. To maximize the space, I added several shelves to clear out clutter on the surfaces that can be used to set down their suitcases. I cleared out the closet in the room to make it more comfortable. It’s not the Ritz, but Sadie and I worked to make it cozy and comfortable.

“I know it’s not huge,” Sadie starts, “but we hope you like it.”

“It’s perfect, baby girl,” her father says. “We need a place to sleep. We hope to be spending most of our weekend with the two of you.”

“That’s the plan, Robert,” I tell him with a grin.

“We’re on a list for a bigger apartment in the building. We like it here. Jasper has some of his buddies in the building, and I’ve made great friends with Maya and Kailyn. Oh, and I can’t wait to introduce you to Gertie,” Sadie rambles.

“The lovely older woman who lives down the hall?” her mother asks. “We can’t wait to meet all your friends.”

“Absolutely,” her father agrees.

“They’re amazing people, Dad,” Sadie say quickly. Too quickly, and very unlike Sadie.

“Babe, why don’t we let your parents settle in? Give them some breathing space,” I suggest, pressing lightly on her lower back and guiding her out the door.

Sadie heads straight for the kitchen. “Should I prepare lunch?” she asks, pacing the short length of the kitchen.

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