My brow furrows. “Shot? By Lucas?”
My head clears just enough to see Enzo’s expression. His jaw is locked, eyes burning. “We’re going to kill that motherfucker.”
I nod. It hurts.
“Good.”
The sound of the door opening pulls my focus just as Doc steps in, followed by someone who looks like an actual hospitaldoctor. The sterile room around me now makes sense. There's a hum of monitors surrounding me, and the bed is scratchy and uncomfortable.
“Isolde,” Doc says with a warm smile, the lines on his face deepening. “It’s good to see you awake. I just wish it wasn’t always under circumstances like these.”
I huff a laugh, but it turns into a groan as pain slices through my shoulder.
The doctor steps forward and begins explaining my injury—a clean through-and-through. Seems like I got lucky.
But then their expression shifts. Everyone’s does. Tension settles over the room like a heavy fog.
“What is it?” I ask, scanning their faces. “What aren’t you saying?”
The doctor clears their throat. “Would you prefer we speak in private?”
Enzo’s grip on my hand tightens.
“No. It’s okay,” I say. “They can stay. They’ve seen me at my worst.”
The doctor hesitates, then nods. “Alright, Izzy. I need to talk to you about something sensitive. Some of your injuries suggest… something else may have happened. Aside from the gunshot wound. Is it okay if we ask you a few questions about that?”
I swallow hard. “You mean how he raped me while holding a knife to my throat, with a gun pointed at me?”
A collective breath is sucked in by all.
I shrug, even though it hurts. “I don’t need to talk about it.”
“We just want to make sure you’re okay,” the doctor says gently. “If you’re comfortable, we can bring in a specialist. We also offer a forensic exam, but only with your consent. It’s entirely up to you.”
I shake my head, barely. “No. I don’t need it.”
Enzo growls low beside me.
“What?” I murmur. “It’s not like we don’t know who did it.”
The doctor tries again, carefully. “Even if you do, a forensic kit can give you legal evidence—if you ever want to take it to court.”
I let out a hollow laugh. “There won’t be a court.”
“I… okay. If you’re sure. But if you change your mind, just let us know. May I check your shoulder?”
I nod, and they step in to examine me. Afterward, the doctor says that if I’m released into Doc’s care, I can go home today.
Home.
Shame burns beneath my skin. The reason I ran. The secret I kept.
I pull my hand from Enzo’s.
“I need to call Cam,” I say quietly. “He can find me somewhere safe to lay low.”
“The fuck?” Enzo explodes, surging to his feet. “You’re not going anywhere but home—with me.”
