“Breathe, honey. Come on.” Sir coaxed, running a hand up and down my back.
There was a pull on my arm, like a piece of tape, then there was something cold washing into my veins.
“No. Please.” I wanted to tell Sir I’d be good—no more drugs. But the words were lost as seconds passed, the beeping slowing right along with my heartbeat in my chest.
Tears still fell, and I clung to the man with every ounce of strength I had.
“I’ll be back in just a minute to check his injuries. I’ll have the nurse do it while I stand back.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
I wasn’t cold, but shivers wracked my body. My sobs turned into just leaking tears that wouldn’t stop. It was a lost cause even to try.
“It’s okay,” Sir repeated quietly. “I got you, Dakota. Everything’s gonna be okay now.”
I managed only to sniff in reply.
I don’t know how long it was, but I think I may have dozed off. Or not. I laid there, encased in the arms of Sir. I was only pulled out of in between sleep and awake by a soft female voice. I think she was talking to Sir, as my mind wouldn’t latch on to her words.
But then, I jerked as the blanket was moved to uncover my back half. Now, I was cold, and I felt goosebumps cover my skin, itching as my body shook.
“It’s okay. The nice nurse is going to check you over.”
I was fine. As long as I had Sir, I had to be okay. Nothing else mattered.
“I’ll try to be as quick as I can,” the soft voice spoke from behind me. “My hands are warm, and once I check you over, I’ll let you rest.”
I sighed, keeping my eyes closed. I felt Sir nod above me, a simple dip of his chin.
“Do you want me to talk you through what I’m doing?”
“Just get done. Please.” Sir tacked the last word on nicely.
“Sure thing.” The nurse said. “I do have to tell Doctor Joye what I see so he can note it.”
Another dip of Sir’s chin against the top of my head.
The arm around me, now that I knew it wasn’t binding at the moment, squeezed me just a tad tighter for a moment.
“As you know,” the nurse started. I didn’t know whose benefit it was for that was in this room. “I gave John a small dose of an anxiety med via the IV.”
Who was John?
“Bruising is about the same as last time.” A warm gloved hand touched around my butt, then pulled both cheeks apart.
I shook my head, pressing against Sir as a soft cry left my burning throat.
“Swelling, but infection is better. IV antibiotics are working. Stitches are holding.” As soon as the words were spoken, the touch disappeared, and mybody relaxed. But with it, I could feel my blood rushing to that part of my body.
The hands trailed up along my back in a barely there touch. “Rash is disappearing.”
“Okay, boy,” Sir’s voice was directed at me. “You’re going to roll over so this nice nurse can check in front of you.”
“Don’t wanna.” The words were muttered, but Sir heard. He always did.
“I know. But the faster we get this over with, the sooner I can hold you again. And maybe, I’ll talk this nice nurse into letting you have some jello or ice cream.”
“Ice cream isn’t-
