Page 11 of His Little Sapphire

“Not likely,” Papi responds. “She had quite a fall and scared me nearly to death. She was limping when she stood up, but I haven’t let her put any pressure on her legs since. She was covered in a combination of alcohol from the floor of the bar, so I brought her straight to the bath.”

“Did you pierce her?” Surgient asks.

Papi starts patting my butt as he walks. I don’t know where we’re going, and I hate the thought of facing this doctor. I’m so embarrassed.

“Yes. Several times. I gave her a sedative too. I hope it wasn’t so much that it masked her injuries. I didn’t mean to do that.”

“I doubt it. She would be more listless if you had. I’ll examine her on your bed.”

My heart is racing. I don’t want this doctor to examine me. I want him to leave so I can slip through a crack in the Earth and die. I know he watched me…orgasm? Is that what happened? I think so.

“She’s a virgin,” Papi says as he lowers me gently to a mattress. “I encountered the barrier and broke it with my finger.”

My face heats to a thousand degrees. I’m going to die without falling into a crack. Mortification is killing me.

“Okay. She might bleed a bit then. I’ll examine her and make sure everything is fine, but I wouldn’t expect any issues. Human females usually experience some discomfort and slight bleeding after their hymens are broken.”

I purse my lips. My head is spinning. This can’t be happening.

The towel wrapped around me is the softest material I’ve ever felt, but suddenly it disappears when Papi unwraps me and spreads it wide open. He frees my long hair and arranges it above my head and out of the way before his hand comes to my stomach, where he pats me. “This is Surgient, Baby girl, the doctor I told you about from the starship. He’s going to examine you. Can you say hello?”

I shake my head and purse my lips. I’m not interested in being polite. In fact, the moment I’m exposed, I cover my breasts again and squeeze my legs together.

Papi strokes my brow with his fingers. “Look at me, Little one. You’re safe.”

Safe? I’m not worried about being safe. That’s the least of my concerns.

“Open your eyes, Baby girl.”

I can feel him hovering close, so I open my eyes to small slits to meet his gaze.

“Does anything hurt, Little one?”

Hurt? I have no idea. My pride. Tears slide down my cheeks, and my lips quiver. I’m mortified.

“Oh, precious girl, no need to cry. Papi’s right here. I know you’re confused and nervous, but I won’t let anything happen to you. Ever. I need you to be brave and let Surgient examine you so we’ll know you’re healthy enough to make the trip to Eleadia.”

I lick my lips. “I have to be at work in a few hours.” Those words sound silly to my ears, but they’re true. I’m not sure how long I’ve been here, but even if Zack isn’t mad at me, my other boss will be if I don’t show up.

Papi slides his hand to my cheek and strokes my skin gently with my thumb. “You have another job besides this one?”

“Yes.”

“No wonder you’re so tired. You’ve been working yourself to death.”

I sniffle. I can’t argue with that.

“John will let them know you won’t be there. I’m sure Bialar has contacted Zack and John.”

“He did,” Surgient confirms, reminding me he’s standing close. He sets a hand on my ankle.

“But…” I clear my throat. “I have bills.”

“It’s okay, Little one. They will be paid off.”

I stare at him, tears still sliding slowly down my cheeks. “How?”

“It’s part of our arrangement, Baby girl. When a female is claimed, the club handles their personal affairs. Do you have any close relatives in the area?” His brows pinch together. At least he cares I might be leaving someone behind.

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