I blinked, still feeling fury roll through me…but…he’d said the room.
I shook my head. No, no, I didn’t want to go back in the room.
The hallway was good. Plenty of outlets.
Daniil’s eyebrows pinched even further, and his gaze met the doctor’s. “Explain.”
I blinked at Daniil’s pissed off face, and even though I had just declared I would kill anyone who tried to take my babies, his expression still freaked me out. I dropped my arms from around him, and scooted back, everything a big fucking jumble of emotions. I whispered, “Maybe you could scoot back.”
Daniil didn’t like that. His arms slipped back around me, and suddenly, I was being lifted into the air. And held like a baby. He tucked my head under his chin and turned his back to any reporters able to get a picture through Brent, Cole, Zane, Stash…, and Daniil’s family, who stood like a wall, barricading the way. Daniil murmured softly to Dr. Walker, “Tell me what you know.”
I didn’t move. Or try to get down as Dr. Walker explained everything that he knew, even bringing the truck driver, who had been mute the whole while, over to explain how and where he had found me. Daniil started shaking, hearing it all, but his arms were steady and warm around me.
I rested my head against his chest listening to his heartbeat.
It sounded kind of like…
“Ms. Forter,” Dr. Walker barked, snapping his fingers in front of my face.
I was singing again. I jerked, my mouth snapping shut.
Daniil had gone still with me in his arms.
Dr. Walker said softly, “You back with us?”
I cleared my throat, nodding. “Yes. Sorry.”
Dr. Walker nodded, smiling gently, glancing between Daniil’s face and mine. “That should happen less frequently with time. Counseling would be a preferred option.”
Daniil cleared his throat, asking quietly, “Where did you hear that song?”
I stared at the wall and quickly looked down since that was what seemed to bring the song about. I wasn’t ready to talk about it. Not quite yet.
“Can she leave?” Daniil asked gruffly, turning his attention to the doctor.
“The wounds on her wrists and ankles were infected, and she’s severely dehydrated. I would prefer she stay here to have the fluids and her medicine administered intravenously.”
“No,” I countered instantly. “I want to leave. Give me everything I need to take home with me. I just want to go home.”
“If she doesn’t need to stay, she’s leaving,” Daniil ordered harshly.
I flinched.
He immediately softened his tone. “Just get all of her prescriptions ready. And I want those shackles she came in here wearing.” He glanced at the truck driver. “You. Stay. I want to talk with you more.”
Leaving the hospital, Daniil wrapped me back up in the blanket, putting the blanket back over my head, and then lifting up from the floor where he had sat in the hallway holding me in his lap until I was discharged. His family stood around us protectively in a circle as Daniil started moving, again holding me in his arms like a baby. I was okay with that, tucking my face against his neck so I wasn’t seen. And I smelled him, taking him in.
“I missed you so damn much,” I whispered against his neck.
Daniil faltered on his feet, and he trembled where he stood. He placed his head on top of mine and held me tight.
Grigori stated softly, “We need to keep moving, Papa.”
Daniil sucked in a breath, his chest raising and pressing against my side, and nodded against my head. He kissed the blanket where my forehead was, and started moving again. I knew what we were doing. I didn’t like it. But I understood it.
Daniil had talked with the truck driver, who had agreed to show them exactly where he had found me. I knew from there, Daniil would want me to show him where I had been held. I understood it. But it scared me, that emotion of terror stealing my breath. All of these damn emotions hitting me at the wrong time. It had been easier in my Hell when I had felt nothing.
But we needed to do this.
