Chapter Twenty
Bari
I knew immediately that my head wound was serious; there was no other explanation for thinking that Ahearn had just kissed my hand as he used to, when I was well aware that he would certainly not have.
The medical team that Ahearn had summoned buzzed about, poking and prodding, taking my temperature and asking me dozens of questions that seemed to have no context. My head was pounding when they finally all left the room but one, a serious-faced human who glanced from Ahearn to Petroh and back, seeming uncertain who to address.
“Bari is in my care,” Ahearn said firmly, stepping forward.
The human seemed relieved at the resolution. “Your partner sustained a mild concussion. We can transport him to the hospital for treatment, if you wish, but they will only observe him for a few hours before sending him home.”
I winced when the man referred to me as Ahearn’s partner and braced myself for his rebuttal, but it didn’t come.
Ahearn raised a brow to the medic. “You haven’t mentioned the babies.”
“We saw nothing to be concerned about,” the man assured him. “He didn’t land on his stomach and the heartbeats are strong and steady. The only concern is the minor head injury.”
“Then there is no point in putting him through the discomfort of traveling,” Ahearn stated firmly. “He will be cared for here.”
The medic nodded agreeably, pulling a few loose papers from his bag and handing them to Ahearn. “These are the guidelines for caring for a patient with a concussion. Allow him to rest, encourage him to drink to stay hydrated, and if he experiences increased dizziness or nausea, he should be seen by his primary care doctor.”
Ahearn accepted the papers as Petroh stepped forward and cleared his throat. “Begging your pardon,” he said smoothly, “but is Bari restricted from sexual encounters?”
The man’s eyes bulged out of his face as he glanced over at my large belly, his jaw dropping as his eyes again darted from one Alpha to another. I closed my eyes, my face reddening in humiliation as I choked on a gasp.
“Oh, well,” the man stammered. “I, uh, suppose that depends on how he feels. If his head hurts, he should abstain. And, um, it should probably be sedate for a few days, if possible.”
“It won’t be a matter of concern for you,” Ahearn snarled, scowling at Petroh. “You’ll not be rutting into him again while he remains under my care.”
“Oh, Lord,” I mumbled to myself, keeping my eyes pinched closed and wondering if it was possible to die from humiliation. “Please, can you not do this now?”
The room was suddenly silent and a large hand settled on the blanket over my foot.
“I apologize,” Petroh said quickly. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you, dear. I believe I’ll return to my hotel for the afternoon to allow you to rest.” He removed his hand and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be back to check on you and the babes this evening.”
To his credit, Ahearn didn’t react as Petroh left the room.
“Well, then,” the medic said with a nervous cough. “If there are no further questions, I’ll be going.”
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
He smiled sympathetically at me. “Get some rest and you’ll feel better in a day or two.”
When Ahearn left to escort him to the door, I pulled a plump pillow over my face and groaned into it. Not only had the entire encounter been mortifying, but I needed the toilet and wasn’t sure I could manage the short distance on my own.
Shoving the pillow aside, I eased my legs over the edge of the bed and pushed myself into a sitting position, but the movement immediately made my head throb and my stomach roil. I sat there for a moment, lowering my head into my hands as I waited for the discomfort to ease.
“What are you doing?” Ahearn’s voice was so soft and gentle that I had to open my eyes to verify that he was really standing by the door.
I swallowed against the bile rising in my throat. “I need to use the toilet.”
Ahearn frowned. “To what end?”
The humiliation flared again. “I need to pee.”
“I’ll be right back,” Ahearn said firmly. “Do not attempt to stand.”
Too exhausted to respond, I continued to hang my head as he left the room, returning a moment or two later with a clay pitcher I used to water my plants in our past life and a couple of small towels. Removing my slacks, he positioned the pitcher and held it, averting his eyes as I relieved myself and then wiping me clean with the damp towel.
Embarrassing as it was, I had to admit that it was likely a much safer solution than me trying to cross the room. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, his voice a bit gruff as he eased me back into the bed. Pulling a bottle from his pocket, Ahearn shook two tablets into his hand and offered them to me with the glass of water I’d drunk from earlier. “These will help with the headache while you rest.”
I swallowed the pills and settled back against the pillows, the ingrained comfort of Ahearn’s scent all around me bittersweet as I closed my eyes and let oblivion overtake me.
