Page 3 of Savage Ruin
“Do you want us to step out?” Mateo asks softly.
I thought they might be uncomfortable, but since they seem fine with staying, I’m happier with them in the room, especially with a strange male in here. “No, stay.”
The doctor gives me a rundown while he checks everything. “You came in with a severe concussion, extensive bruising across your face and torso, and a few cuts.” He presses softly on my chest and abdomen making me exhale sharply, then flashes a pen light in my eyes. “With rest, the most severe bruising should heal within a couple of weeks. Regarding the concussion, I’d like to get some new scans of your brain just to be safe. Mateo tells me it’s formidable, so we need to make sure it’s healing properly, okay?”
My hand reaches up to softly rub a sore spot on my ribs. “Yes.”
He peers down at me. “Overall, you’re very lucky. I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but your body is starting to recover, and we haven’t seen any complications or internal bleeding arise. If the scans come back clean, you’ll be able to go home tomorrow or the following day. Heavy exercise should be restricted for at least another week, but I encourage you to walk and move around to keep the blood flowing. You’ll probably need help to do necessary tasks for about a week, but we can talk about it once we’re ready to send you home. Right now, just keep resting. Do you have any questions?”
I glance down at my body, but the angry welts on my wrists brings flashbacks of Diego, so I hurriedly return my gaze to him. “No questions.”
“Okay. I’ll be back once I have the results.” With a dip of his chin to Thiago and Mateo, he leaves.
“Well, that’s good news, right?” I dart a glance at Mateo and raise my eyebrow.Ouch, even my eyebrow hurts. Getting out of the hospital sounds good, and although my loft is gone, I have several back-up places. But the need for help is worrisome. Maybe there’s some type of rehab or recovery place where I can go for a week? My fingers twitch with the need to find answers. “Mateo, do you happen to have my phone?”
Thiago crosses his well-muscled arms. “You’re supposed to be resting. Why don’t you leave the phone with Mateo for another day or two?”
I narrow my eyes. What I wouldn’t give to cross my arms without wincing right now. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s possible, so I settle for a glare. “I appreciate your concern, but I’ll rest better if I have something to occupy my brain. If you aren’t inclined to give me mine, I’ll simply get Sterling or someone else to bring me a new phone. This isn’t a negotiation. I’m not asking your permission.” The words nervously rush out, but I hold his unblinking stare with one of my own. It’s like staring down a cobra. My heart races, wondering if he’ll strike, but I can’t back down. The sooner Thiago learns he isn’t allowed to dictate to me, the better our… friendship will be.
He throws up his arms in exasperation. “Fine, but I want you to promise you’ll rest frequently. And that is non-negotiable. Your health comes first.”
“Well, of course,” I return solemnly, hiding the tiny smile of victory that is dying to pop out. “Mateo?”
He laughs, pulls my phone out of his back pocket, and hands it over. “I figured you would want it today. It’s been over a week since you held it.”
I grip my lifeline tightly. With this, I can practically take over the world.
* * *
My scans came back “clean”yesterday. The doctor informed me I could leave today if I had help getting around for a week.
After researching the options on my phone, I made a reservation at a luxury relaxation center in Naples, Florida. Warm and by the water, they promise to pamper me with excellent food, nursing care and, more importantly, the no camera policy means it’s also extremely secluded. It will be the first vacation I’ve had in a very long time. What more could I ask for?
This morning, I asked Mateo to pack some clothes and necessities for me, but he shook his head no and stormed out, cursing in Portuguese.
Sterling was significantly more helpful.
I pick up the ID he dropped off a few minutes ago and grin when I see the name and picture. “Henley Night.” It’s me in all my pink hair and blue-eyed glory. Henley from the past and future with a piece of Nyx thrown in for kicks. It’s perfect. I might need to use other IDs for back-up accounts and safety reasons, but this will be my main identity. A new Henley. Alive and finding a life in the real world for the first time in a long time. It fits.
The door opens, and Grayson slowly limps into the room. I frown. He’s impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, but his smooth stroll has been replaced by short, stiff steps, and dark circles sit prominently under his eyes. We didn’t part on the best of terms in the hallway the night of the ball, and the virtual meeting later didn’t give us time to chat. This is the first time I’ve seen him in a week. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep my worry contained, knowing he wouldn’t want it, and wait for him to say something.
According to Thiago, Grayson has been on a rescue mission with Zane for the last two days. He didn’t say what he’d been doing. Initially, I assumed he was helping them get set up financially, but those tasks wouldn’t result in injury.Hmm.Another piece of the Grayson puzzle. Maybe one day, I’ll have the full picture.
His eyes sweep over me, and his mouth tightens. He grabs the chair and brings it closer to the bed, then motions to the plastic in my hands. “A new identity, huh? Dare I hope you’ve chosen the name Rose?”
I hand him the ID.
“Henley Night,” he reads aloud, then hands it back to me. Inscrutable blue eyes lock onto mine. “Does this mean you’re going to be a real person again instead of a virtual ghost?”
Virtual ghost, I silently repeat. An apt description. “Not exactly. I don’t know what it means right now. It’s a step toward reclaiming myself. The last few weeks have reminded me what it’s like to be seen and heard in real life. To be me, Henley.” To be held, touched, and kissed, but I don’t say those words out loud.
“Henley…” he begins, stops for a second, then continues. “Henley, I’m incredibly glad to see you’re feeling better. We need to talk about the ball, and since it looks like you’ll be around for a while, I want to clear the air, so to speak.” He pauses and runs a hand through his immaculate hair. “I…”
With a forced sigh, I interrupt the speech he obviously took time to prepare because I honestly don’t want to hear it. “It was a kiss, Grayson. A good kiss fueled by all the wrong things—champagne, anger, and a need to push each other’s buttons. We can forget it ever happened, okay?” If I want to remember the intense moment in private, well, that’s my business, right? It’s not like I’m going to be here, anyway. “Besides, I’m getting discharged later today and leaving immediately for Naples.”
He appears stunned for a second, but his expression quickly changes to anger. “That’s not…”
The door opens, and Zane pokes his head into the room. “Mind if I come in?”
