Chuckling, “So defense lessons?”
“Apparently I need them.”
Malakai rejoins us, sliding up to the bar, “He’ll be here in five.”
“Can you move your fingers for me, Olivia?” The doctor asks. He’s an older gentleman, with silver hair and deep wrinkles. We’ve moved into one of the side rooms used for conferences for some privacy while he checks my hand.
I wiggle my fingers the best I can and while it hurts, I can move them just fine. Malakai watches with rapt focus, cataloguing every wince so I try to stifle them, so he doesn’t flip out.
“Good,” the doctor says, “Now squeeze.” He slots his hand into mine.
I wrap my fingers around his palm, suck in a breath and grip, knowing my nails are digging into his skin.
“Good, very good,” He comments, withdrawing his hand only to grab mine and begin to move around my fingers, pulling and stretching. I wince and gasp, but they move without issue and while it hurts, it’s not unbearable which tells me already that nothing is broken.
“I don’t think we have any breaks,” The doctor confirms what I was just thinking, “Just some bad bruising.”
“So, we don’t need a hospital?” I ask.
He shakes his head, “Painkillers. Maybe some compression and ice. The swelling should go down in a few days, but this bruising will last a little longer.”
“But I definitely do not need a hospital,” I repeat.
“No,” He smiles, and I flick my eyes to Malakai who is stiff and glaring at where the doctor holds my hand, “I can prescribe some medicine,” He tells me, “Would you like me to?”
“Yes please,” I bring my hand back to me, the throb a little uncomfortable but I’m relieved there are no breaks.
He writes out a prescription before he stands. “If that will be all?” He asks Malakai.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, Mr. Farrow,” He assures him, “Your wife is just fine. A little pain meds and rest on her hand and she’ll be as good as new.”
“Very well,” Malakai sighs, walking him to the door.
“I can see myself out. You have a good evening.”
He leaves us, the door clicking closed behind him.
“See nothing to worry about,” I tell Malakai.
“Let’s go get you your meds.”
I laugh, “No. We’re going to enjoy the rest of the evening, Malakai. The meds can wait. I have some pain meds in my purse that’ll work just fine for now.”
“Why do you have meds!?” He demands.
“Fuck me,” I sigh, getting up, “In case I get a headache. Or cramps. Stop worrying. You’ll go grey.” I pat his chest and open the door, breezing through it and hear him follow. I smile when his arm snakes around me.
He pulls us to an abrupt stop and then his mouth is on mine.
I’m breathless when he pulls away, heart pounding, “What was that for?” I breathe.
“Because I can, wife. Because you’re mine.”
Chapter Forty-five
The lights have been darkened, the tables have moved a little further away from the dance floor and soft music now plays for the room.
