Page 6 of Nitro

Mirrors cover the closet doors, reflecting my disheveled state. I look like hell. Dried blood covers my face. My lip’s cracked and a huge shiner’s developing around one eye. I groan and try to swing my legs over the edge of the bed so I can get up to take a closer look, but my ribs scream in protest. Tears born of frustration and pain fill my eyes.

The door opens and Doc strolls in. He’s a familiar face in the bar. I’ve served him more times than I can count. The guyskeep club business to themselves, but I know they help women and children. Some of the people they assist have been beaten or worse, so Doc’s around to take care of them. I never ask about the people who come in through the front door and then disappear out the back. It’s none of my business. But I’ve put enough of the puzzle together to know that Doc’s a good man.

“Heard that asshat husband of yours used you as a punching bag.” He sets his medical bag down on the end of the bed. “Scar’s still out looking for him, but don’t worry. You’re safe here. Nitro won’t let anyone near you. Well, except me, of course. Now, tell me where you hurt.”

“Everywhere,” I mutter.

“I’d like to examine you if that’s okay.”

“Sure.”

“Undress as much as you feel comfortable. You can keep yourself covered with a sheet if you want. I’ll lift the areas I need to check.” Doc turns away, giving me some privacy.

“Okay.” I slip off the shirt Nitro must have put on me after he brought me to the clubhouse. It smells like him, so I know it’s one of his. I hate removing it because it’s like having Nitro’s arms around me, but I need to let Doc examine me. I’m in more pain than I’m letting on. I wouldn’t be surprised if I had more than just a few bruised ribs.

“Are you ready?” Doc asks.

“Almost.” Removing the shirt takes longer than usual because everything hurts. After slipping it off, I fold it and set it beside me. I’m still wearing my bra, so I take that off too. I pull the sheets up to my chin. “Ready.”

“Let’s start with your back. Nitro said you had burns on it.” Doc carefully peels the sheet away from my back. “Yep, but they don’t look too bad. I’ll clean them, and then I’m going to apply some burn cream. You’ll want to reapply it twice a day until the skin heals. Since it’s in a hard-to-reach spot, Nitro can help you.”

“Oh, no. I can do it.” The thought of Nitro seeing me like this is humiliating. He warned me that this would happen, but I didn’t listen.

“If you’re not comfortable with him, then ask Julia to help. She was a nurse, so she knows how to treat things like this.”

“I will,” I lie. I’m sure I can figure out how to do it myself.

“Nitro also said you have cuts on your feet?” Doc walks to the end of the bed and pulls back the sheet. My mangled, bloody feet stick out. “I can’t see anything with all that blood. Let’s get you cleaned up. I’ll be right back.”

After he leaves the room, I lay back against the pillows. This whole situation is so embarrassing. I feel like such a fool for ignoring Nitro’s warning. He must think I’m an idiot.

The door opens, but instead of Doc, it’s Nitro. As his gaze falls to my feet, his brow furrows. “Doc’s getting water and some other stuff so we can get you cleaned up.”

“We?” I sit straighter.

“Yes, we. I’m going to take care of you until you’re capable of taking care of yourself.”

“I can take care of myself,” I bristle.

“No, you can’t. But that’s okay because now that you’re here, I’ll be able to keep an eye on you.”

“Nitro! I’m fine. As soon as Doc gets me cleaned up, I’m leaving.”

“Really?” Nitro crosses his beefy arms. His leather cut stretches across his huge chest, and my mouth goes dry. How can someone so huge and scary be so damn hot at the same time? And why am I even thinking about him like this? I’m married.

“Y—yes.” I raise my chin.

“Where will you go?” he asks.

“A motel.”

“Not happening, woman. You’re staying here until I’m sure you’re safe. We haven’t found your husband yet, so you’re not leaving until that happens. Also,” he pulls a charred piece of paper out of the back pocket of his jeans, “we need to fill out the divorce papers again and get them filed.”

“We?”

“Yes,we.” He drops the disintegrating paper onto the nightstand. “I’m going to assume that’s what the fight was about.”

I nod and drop my chin to my chest.

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