TRACY
Tracy held Francis tight as he carried her through the automatic doors and into the emergency room. He carried her with ease, and Tracy was grateful because she didn't want him to put her down. Accompanied by a crew of men who seemed to appear out of nowhere, he approached the registration desk.
“My woman was attacked. She needs a doctor,” he told a frowning woman with tiny braids in her hair.
“Sir, you can sign her in and have a seat. When it’s her turn, the nurse will call her in to be triaged.”
Francis slightly shifted Tracy in his arms, which caused her to wince. He narrowed his eyes at the woman, and Tracy could see his jaw clench.
“I didn't request a nurse for…triage. I said that my woman needed to see a doctor.”
“And I said…have a seat,” the woman responded with a feisty roll of her neck. “This motherfuckah,” she mumbled to the woman sitting next to her.
“Listen, you foul-mouthed whore. I will have you dragged from behind that desk and have you whipped if you don't get a doctor, now!”
The woman’s eyes went buck. “Did you just threaten me?” she asked, grabbing the receiver of a telephone.
“Si, I did,” was Francis’ cool response. He turned to Paolo. “If she calls anyone but a doctor, take her away.”
Paolo nodded, ready to comply. Tracy looked at the woman, struggling to see through her swollen eyes. What she saw was fear. The receptionist was finally realizing that she wasn't dealing with your everyday “Joe.” Her hand shook as she hung up the receiver.
“I’ll get your wife a doctor, sir,” said the woman that was sitting next to her. “Please, follow me.”
She walked from behind the desk, right past triage, and entered the emergency room. Other nurses gave the woman questioning looks, but she ignored them all. She led them to a room with a glass wall and pointed to the bed.
“You can lay her down here. I’ll get a doctor,” she told him.
“Grazie,” Francis said with a nod.
The woman smiled nervously before leaving them in the room. Francis gently lowered her to the bed, and Tracy did her best not to wince from the pain of movement. She didn't like the sad look that Francis had whenever she did so.
Once Tracy was tucked in, Paolo exited the room and stood just outside the door. Tracy didn't want to speculate about what the hospital’s staff must have thought about the scary giant that was standing guard outside of her room. And even worse, the scarier giant inside of her room. Any doctor in their right mind would probably be afraid to enter.
As Francis hovered, Tracy was shocked to see the moisture in his eyes. Francis was sturdy and unbreakable, like a giant Redwood. He was the personification of power, and seeing him so vulnerable broke Tracy’s heart into tiny pieces.
“Francis...,” Tracy whispered, not sure of what to say.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I-I’m okay. Thank you for being here.”
Tracy sniffed, unable to suppress her tears.
“I’ll always be here, donna. You're mine now, and I protect what’s mine.
His voice was hoarse and filled with emotion. Even without her permission, Francis had claimed her. But Tracy was done fighting. What kept her from him? Was it fear of loving him? Fear of losing him? Or was it guilt? The guilt of betraying Steve? Whatever the reason, Tracy decided that she deserved to have a man that would cry for her.
She smiled as best she could and caressed his jaw. “I’m gonna be fine,” she reassured.
“Si, I know,” Francis agreed with a smile.
He turned his face into her hand and planted a sweet kiss to her palm. Guilt about the secret that she was keeping from him was beginning to eat at her.
“Francis, I have to—”
“Ma’am, I’m Dr. Hopkins,” a small female voice interrupted.
Francis stepped back in order to give the doctor room to work.
