While we drive, the doctor checks her vitals and does a quick preliminary examination.
When he finally sits back with the stethoscope around his neck, I wait for his verdict with my heart beating in my throat.
“As far as I can tell, she’s suffering from dehydration. The cut above her temple needs stitches, but I can do that at home. I assume you’d like to keep this quiet.”
“Of course.”
He knows how important security and discretion are in my business.
On the way home, I call Jasper, telling her what happened. I don’t want Noah to see his mother like this, so I ask her to take him to the park. I instruct the man I left in charge of the guards at the house to send a whole squadron of soldiers with them.
After sending Sav a quick message with the news, I call Kent to tell him the search is off.
He answers on the first ring. “Boss?”
“We found her.”
A beat passes. I know he blames himself for letting her escape from right under his nose. In different circumstances, I would’ve had his head on a platter for that unforgivable error, but the blame for what happened rests squarely on my shoulders. I’m the one at fault. My behavior sparked my wife’s reaction.
“Is she all right?” Kent asks with caution.
I clench my jaw. “I’ll know later. She’s unconscious. I’m with the doctor now.”
He sounds almost as worried as I am. “Keep me posted.”
When we get to the house, Emily is already there. She opens the front door wide and waits for us on the threshold.
I’m glad for her presence. Emily is like a second mother to me. Her trademark yachtswoman’s outfit of a striped navy top and white slacks is both familiar and comforting. As always, her gray hair is twisted in a neat bun at her nape.
Her eyes flare at the sight of an unconscious Tatiana in my arms. “What can I do?”
My command is brusque. “Get warm water and clean towels.”
The doctor pushes past her, carrying his doctor’s case in one hand.
I lead the way to the stairs while Emily scurries away to get what I need.
Inside my room, I lay Tatiana gently down on the bed.
The doctor leaves his case on the bench at the foot end and walks to the en-suite bathroom. While he scrubs his hands with soap in the basin, he calls through the open door, “We need to strip her.”
Every part of my being protests at the idea of him seeing her naked. I’d sooner poke out his eyes, but I remind myself why it’s necessary.
He must’ve seen something on my face, because he steps out of the bathroom gingerly, keeping his distance. “I can call a female colleague if you prefer.”
I clench my fingers until my knuckles crack. “You’re here now. If she needs treatment, I don’t want to delay it.”
He goes to his doctor’s case and unclips it.
I stare at her pale face, agony beating in my chest. “What do you think happened to her?”
He comes closer and bends over her to study the cut above her temple. “My guess is she knocked her head against something. Maybe it was an accident.”
My gut tightens. “A car accident?”
“It’s hard to say, but judging by the state of her clothes, it’s possible.” He taps her cheek. “Mrs. Morici, it’s time to wake up.”
I grab his arm, locking my fingers hard around his wrist. “What are you doing?”
