“How is your face?”
“Moves funny but no pain.”
“Good.Good.”He came closer.“I am going to check the incisions.”
She nodded, and he eased up her surgical gown and started to check the sites with freshly gloved hands.
“So, the EMT was right.You did have a ruptured appendix, but you also had a ruptured spleen.”
“Oh.Well, glad I managed both at once.Saved time.”
Dr.Aquilar snorted.“You did that.You also forced us to assemble quite the team as both surgeries were happening simultaneously.We repaired your spleen and removed your appendix.You are going to be on very light lifts for a few weeks.Good thing you work with shoes.”
She nodded as he tugged down her gown and made notes in her chart.He frowned.“Why does it say you are an omega?”
“Oh, because I am.Family had me on suppressors twice a year.Now I need to find out where to get the little buggers.”
He paused.“Your family had you on them?”
“Yup.The only proper omegas are male, apparently.So, I was given growth hormones and the suppressors.It’s in my file, isn’t it?”
He frowned.“I will have to check.This is unusual.Did the Omega Centre evaluate you?”
“Sure.They said everything was too small to function.”
“Interesting.There are treatments now.”
“Doc, I am twenty-seven and have never had a period or a heat.Why would I want to start now?”
He didn’t answer, just stared at her for a long moment.“So, you don’t socialize?”
“Sure.I go dancing with the troupe.I think I know where you are going, and no, I don’t engage in sexual relationships.I don’t really see the point.If I want to get horizontal and sweaty, I will try to beat my push-up record at the gym.”
The nurse snickered.
Dr.Aquilar said, “I saw Vincent today.He was with his new pack?”
“Yes.Today was his contract signing.Dad and Mom wanted the family to look like a united front.They thought I would use makeup to cover my face.It was the first time I wore the bruises out where everyone could see them.It’s amazing how folks just stop and stare.”
“Huh.I want you to speak to a colleague of mine.”
“Why?Do they stay up nights?”
He scowled.“You are being deliberately obtuse.”
“Yes.I am weak and just had surgery.”She sighed.“And I have to tell management that I won’t be in today.I won’t, right?”
“No.No, you won’t.You are remaining here until tomorrow at least.”
“Oh.Great.”
The nurse handed her phone over, and she started texting.She let management know that she wasn’t going to be in, and when they asked why, she took a selfie in her hospital bed with her banged-up face.
She got the response.Holy shit!What happened?
She sent a voice message.“Check the security cameras from my workshop between five thirty and seven.He’s been arrested, but I don’t know if he’s still in custody.”
She sent the message and waited.
