“Sure.” I nodded to Jon, biting on my lower lip.
Jon’s hand slid in between me and the mattress. As he tugged the side of my gown out from behind me, a cool rush of air tickled my skin and made me shiver. He made sure not to reveal my entire breast, but I felt the side of it exposed. Side boob wasn’t something I never showed, I was usually modest in public.
But now that I thought of it, my breasts were fuller than I remembered, so more flesh to reveal. When did that happen? I was certain I wouldn’t have gotten breast implants.
“There we go. Much better.” Dr. Palmer smiled and started pressing on me, distracting me from my thoughts.
I couldn’t hide how much it hurt and screwed up my already-messed-up face. The door opened, probably a nurse. I couldn’t confirm who’d entered with Dr. Palmer, blocking my view.
“Dr. Lake, have a feel.” The older man stepped aside for Jon to feel me up. Feel me up was the wrong way to say it. What I meant was examine me.
As the two switched places, I saw who’d come in. I locked gazes with him and my heart swelled with so much love for him.
“Hi,” he said. “Can I come in?”
I nodded. “How did you know I was here?”
“I just know everything about you, My-la.” Always the charmer. He made my heart skip a beat. “How are you doing?”
“She’s a strong woman. A little beat up, but she’ll make a full recovery.” Dr. Palmer assessed Ciro. “We’re just examining her now. I’m Dr. Palmer, and thisis?—”
Ciro glared at Jon “We’ve met. I’m Ciro Remotti.” He gave the doctor a curt nod, not taking his eyes off me.
“A Los Angeles Remotti?” Dr. Palmer asked.
“We do a lot of business in LA,” Ciro replied. “How is she really?” Ciro’s don’t-bullshit-me tone made me cringe.
“Isla, do you want us to share that information with him?” Jon asked.
“Yes, it’s fine.” I reached for Ciro’s hand. It was strange having him here, but I was grateful to have someone supporting me. My mother wasn’t around and I hadn’t seen Alba. Now that I thought of it, Alba would have come if she’d known about my injury.
“As you wish. Isla suffered a concussion and received several stitches on her left temple.”
“Here.” Jon lightly touched the side of my head. “She’s had some memory loss, but I think it’s starting to come back. Isn’t that right, Isla?”
I nodded. “Yes, I’m confused about somethings. I have a lot of questions.”
“After the doctor finishes, we can talk more,” Ciro said.
“Okay.”
“She has three bruised ribs and bruising along the side of her body where the assailant kicked her.”
“Jesus Christ,” Ciro hissed. Not only did he look worried, but he looked like he could kill someone.
“Her injuries could have been far worse. We’re just finishing up our exam.” Dr. Palmer looked at Jon as if nudging him to finish.
“Of course. Please continue,” Ciro said, but he didn’t move from his spot beside me.
Jon gently touched my side.
I sucked in a painful breath. “Your hands are cold.”
“Sorry.” Jon grimaced. He rubbed his hands together briskly, then resumed his inspection of me. He touched me in places Dr. Palmer hadn’t and took a little longer.
“When can she be released?” Ciro asked in his business voice. It was flat, like he was annoyed.
“Tomorrow at the earliest,” Jon replied and covered me back up.
