Chapter 52

MELANIE.

I WASN'T ONE FOR VIOLENCE.

Given the events of the past few months, it wouldn't seem that way, but the fact was that I only got really violent when the situation called for it. But I swear if this doctor pulled a stitch too tight one more time, I'll bite him.

I'd warned him over and over that his actions were unnecessary but my words seemed to fall on deaf ears. I glared at him as he pushed the needle through my skin and pulled and I waited to see how tight he'd tug it before my teeth clamped down on his arm.

Luckily for him, after looking into my eyes and reading the intent in them, he tugged gently on it to close the skin. I sunk back into my seat and looked at the clock. Blaine had been wheeled into the ER just over an hour ago and we hadn't heard from any of the doctors since.

I knew he was going to make it- I refused to consider any other option- but it didn't stop me from biting my lip with worry every minute that passed without any news. It was nerve-wracking.

“You still haven't told me how you managed to sustain such multiple injuries,” the doctor said.

I gave him an irritated glare “And like I said the first time, it's none of your business” I shot back. I'd been sliced and burned in numerous places, I was exhausted beyond belief and all I wanted was some food and a really long nap, but instead, I got a doctor asking annoying questions and causing me even more pain.

And where was Jordan in all of this? He had said something about needing to take care of some things and would be back soon, then vanished. This was about half an hour ago.

“Actually, it is my business. I need to put something down in the records otherwise it reads like I haven't done a thorough job,” he replied, calmly cleaning the next cut with a swab of alcohol that stung before continuing the process.

I rolled my eyes and said the first thing that came to mind “I got mauled by a bear.” The doctor paused and looked at me with one eyebrow raised “You were mauled by a bear” he repeated. “Yes,” I replied firmly.

He sighed and went back to stitching, this time in blissful silence. It stung but it was hardly my first time getting stitches so I just closed my eyes and let him do his thing. Minutes later I heard footsteps and opened my eyes just as Jordan dropped a plastic bag onto the table.

The aroma coming from it wafted towards me and I eagerly grabbed it. He gently moved my hand away and shook his head “You’ll eat when you're done. I don't want you to rip your stitches” he said. I pouted but surrendered because he kinda had a point.

The doctor paused and turned to him. “I asked the patient how she got her injuries but she refused to tell me. Perhaps you can answer for her?”

Jordan studied me for a moment “She got mauled by a bear,” he said and I grinned.

Both the doctor's eyebrows shot up at the corroboration of our stories “You do know that there are no bears in Puerto Rico, right?” he asked. We both looked at him unblinkingly until he gave another world-weary sigh and continued. After a few more tugs, he was all done.

“There you go. Ensure you don't do too much work and come back in 8 days so we'll see how they're doing. Since your injuries are so plentiful I'd suggest staying in the hospital where we can observe you.” Jordan and I said “No” at the same time.

“Well, it's your decision. Just be careful.” He left the room.

The silence that descended in the wake of his leaving was weighty so I reached for the bag again. Again, he moved my hand away but this time he sat down and grabbed the bag himself. I watched warily as he opened it to reveal the contents, tacos.

He held one up and gestured for me to open my mouth “What are you doing?” I asked slowly.

“When you were coming up here you mentioned were hungry and demanded I feed you. I believe I'm doing just that,” he replied. My most dropped open “I didn't mean it literally” I protested and he gave the tiniest shrug. “I took it literally. Open up,” he ordered.

I should have put my foot down, but I was too tired and hungry to argue. I opened up and he carefully fed me one of the mini tacos. As he did so, his fingers brushed my lower lip and, when he withdrew his hand, it was tingling.

The look in Jordan's eyes was intense in the silence “You put your life on the line for me. I won't forget that,” he said suddenly.

I swallowed before I spoke “You spared my life when you didn't have to,” I said.

“I spared you because I wanted to use you,” he said. This wasn't news, so I just sighed “Just take the win, Jordan.”

He fell silent, the only sound in the room the crunch of the tacos. Then he spoke again “Do you have any requests?” he asked and I nearly choked “What?”

“Do you have any requests? Name them” he repeated. My mind whirled; could this be it? Could it be this easy? I mean, not that easy seeing as I have over twenty stitches in my body and numerous bruises, but still “I can name anything?” I asked.

“State what you want, and I'll see if I can give it to you” he replied, looking serious (when had he never?).

I cleared my throat and said the first thing that came to mind “My freedom?”

His eyes darkened. “Denied” he said simply. Ah well, it was worth a shot. I'd been preparing a list of requisitions so I just reeled them off.

“A salary for my work as your assistant, with bonuses for all the other stuff.” I gestured at myself.

“Done,” he said.

My eyebrows lifted “If I asked for a car and a working phone, would you give it to me?”

There was a beat of silence “You’ve proven yourself worthy of a certain amount of trust, so yes I will. They will, however, have trackers implanted” he replied.

I nodded; I'd expected no less “I want to do my shopping myself. The fact that you buy all my clothes is creepy. I don't even know how you figured out my size”.

By this time I'd figured out he was doing this because he felt responsible for what had happened. I intended to milk it as much as I could. There was a hint of a smirk on his face “Done, but you'll be followed”

I bristled at the idea of some hulk of a man following me into Victoria's Secret but it would be more embarrassing for him so I shrugged it off. I smiled at Jordan “That’s all for now. If I knew getting beat up would get me privileges, I’d have done it sooner” I said with a barely suppressed yawn.

He got to his feet “Get some sleep, little bird. I'll go check on Blaine,” he said.

You didn't need to tell me twice. I closed my eyes and soon I was drifting off