Page 67 of Captured By the Scaled Outlaw
“The nurses say you properly cleaned and stitched the wound,” Ginny says from so close behind my ear that I startle.
I lift my jaw to catch a glance of her, worry etched into her sun-freckled skin. It’s difficult to get a read on her when Guy’s not around to express enough emotion for the both of them.
“You had no reason to save him. So, why?” Her tone is blunt, but she keeps her voice low so Lowell will not hear.
I push my lips to the side, skeptical of the goal of her line of questioning. “He was dying.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“I didn’t want to be trapped in a sweltering tent for days with a rotting corpse,” I say, scrunching my nose. “Is that enough for you?”
From the corner of my eye, I catch Ginny’s slight frown.
“You’re not a very good liar.”
A blush prickles my cheeks. “I don’t owe you an explanation,” I grumble, turning to face her while she stares blankly ahead. “After how I was treated, you should be grateful I cared for Lowell instead of letting him become another ornamental skeleton for the desert.”
Ginny shrugs, her tightly wound bun bobbing as she nods. “Oh, you certainlycaredfor him, alright.”
My mouth slips ajar.
Guy must have told her.
I slowly reach for the radiating bite mark hidden beneath my clothes,the scab pattern brushing against my fingertips. I pray that Ginny doesn’t notice my faint smile.
The nurses work quickly around us, explaining to Lowell what he should and shouldn’t do in the following hours as if he were going to listen.
“Prepare for surgery,” the lead doctor announces to the others. “The bleeding has been stanched, but the damage could affect his leg permanently. Bring the cart while I get dressed.”
Suddenly, a growl erupts. The room halts to silence.
Lowell waves the nurses and doctor away, his teeth showing. “This can wait. Leave and let me talk to May alone.”
A nurse begins to protest vehemently, but Ginny stops them.
“Give him some space,” Ginny urges, signaling to the nurse to leave without a word. “He’ll be okay for a few minutes.”
I step farther into the infirmary, Ginny’s skeptical gaze burning holes into my skin as the nurses begrudgingly push past me. They look at me with the same disdain Ginny does, as if I caused all of this. I did in a way, I suppose.
“Please allow me to stay and assist you, sir,” Ginny says, narrowing her eyes at me. Her gaze flicks to my shoulder, then back up again.
She’s worried he trusts me.
“No. Leave,” Lowell commands.
Ginny lifts her chin. “Apologies, but I don’t trust her, sir. Not alone, and not with you in this state.”
Whispering something in Ginny’s ear, Guy cowers behind her. She only lifts her chin further when he draws back.
“You don’t want me to ask you again,” Lowell rumbles, pushing himself into a sitting position. “I spent multiple days alone with her and came back alive, despite my injuries. You have no right to question me or my decision. Take the rest of the nurses andleave.”
Ginny balls her fists, souring.
“Gin, let’s just go, okay?” Guy whimpers, tugging her wrist. He doesn’t make eye-contact with anyone.
Lowell’s and Ginny’s dueling glares are nearly brighter than the sun itself, neither willing to back down. She is rightfully wary of me given Lowell’s prone position and the plethora of sharp medical tools strewn about, but her worry is misplaced.
With a defeated sigh, Ginny resigns. “You’re too soft on her, Lowell. To your own demise.”
