Page 113 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

“I’m glad to hear that.” His voice sounds genuine and being a physician, I’m sure it is. I doubt he would be in this profession if he didn’t enjoy helping patients get well.

“When do I get to leave?” No sense in beating around the bush.

“Bri,” Drago says in warning—which I ignore.

“The bullet barely grazed my leg. The wound and my ribs will heal over time. And you said the other”—I fist the hand Drago isn’t holding so tight my nails dig into my skin—“would handle itself naturally. So, when can I be discharged?”

Dr. Thornton—I read the name on his coat, now remembering it from last night—breathes out a long breath of air, looking at me and shaking his head. “Determined, aren’t you?”

“No sense in running up a hospital bill when I’m sure there are other people in the ER that need this bed more than I do.”

“Bri,” Drago says again.

“I’d like the obstetrician to check you over this morning, talk to you about your options, and then if she clears you, you can be discharged later this afternoon.”

Afternoon.Jesus.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Islowly ascend the stairs, my feet heavy and dragging. Everything still hurts, but I welcome the pain. I need it. It’ll fuel me like drugs can’t—not for what I need.

Anger.

After the trauma surgeon left this morning, I finally moved around and inspected my injuries for the first time. My body is wrecked. I’m not a vain person, but when I looked in the mirror, I cringed at the person looking back.

I’m black and blue from head to toe. I have a gash on my forehead just below my hairline on the right side. My abdomen looks like it was used as target practice, and well, I guess it was. Taking three shots at close range will do that to a person. It’s only by the grace of God that I still had on that vest.

The wound on my leg isn’t nearly as bad as I had expected, so that’s good, I guess. Fragments had to be dug out of my skin, but the bullet literally grazed me. Didn’t stop it from hurting like a bitch when it happened though.

This is the first time I’ve been back to his house since our first night together; the night we had created something neither one of us knew about. And then it was gone before I could cherish it; protect him or her. That sounds cruel; it feels cruel. My job feels insignificant compared to the ache that continues to fester inside of me.

I halt, shutting my eyes while grabbing ahold of the railing and stealing a moment to breathe, so I can keep my emotions at bay. If I don’t let my mind process it, I’m okay. I can deal much better.

I don’t want to think about my miscarriage, so opening my eyes, I peek around as I stand in the middle of the stairwell, taking in my surroundings. Drago has family photos along the wall. His house feels like a home. It’s warm and inviting. This is Drago’s sanctuary, but it still makes me wonder if this is really him or if it’s Mona, a longtime family friend and his housekeeper, trying to give this powerful man a comfortable place to lay his head at night.

I never gave it much thought—coming over to his house, and it’s not like he invited me either. It was just more convenient for Drago to come over to my place with me caring for the baby.

My Gabriel.

I miss him so much, and I can’t shut off my thoughts where he is concerned. He’s out there somewhere and who knows what’s happening to him, if he’s scared, if he’s being fed. Worry like nothing I’ve ever experienced before is seated on top of my chest and hasn’t let up. And I know it won’t until he’s safe. Until he’s back with me.

Please, God, please let him be found.

My throat closes up again. I’ve lost count of how many times it’s happened today.

I don’t know how I’m going to locate him now that I’ve gotten myself suspended and have an internal investigation to deal with—but I must find a way.

My cell phone rings from the back pocket of the scrubs one of the nurses was kind enough to give me to go home in. I had been in that hospital way longer than I intended to be and I didn’t want to wait for someone to bring me clothes to change into.

I sent Connie a text message this morning and got a response saying she wasn’t allowed to have any communication with me until IA completes their assessment.Fucking bullshit.

The department wouldn’t tell me who I could and couldn’t speak to if the roles were reversed. Then again, maybe that’s why I’m in this mess and she isn’t.

Still bullshit in my mind.

Pulling out my phone, I look at the screen, seeingDaddisplayed at the top of the screen. He’s furious at me. But at this rate, who isn’t? I haven’t had time to call my brother yet, and I asked my dad not to tell him. I know he won’t speak to Alana, so there is no fear of her finding out unless I tell her, but Jackson—that’s another story. The fact that he isn’t here can only mean my father either accepted my wishes, or my brother is out of town on business. I’m guessing the former since he hasn’t called me—which surprises me because my father never bends to my will. Of course, I never bend to his either.

“Bri,” Drago barks, making me turn, looking over my shoulder at him standing at the bottom of the staircase. Not that he’s that far down. I’ve only made it up the seventh or eighth step in my slow trek up. “Why didn’t you ask me to take you upstairs?”

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