“I have a nurse to tend to her. Can she leave this afternoon?” Ciro asked.
“You have a nurse to take care of me?” I whispered, quite surprised to hear this. “But why?”
“That’s unusual,” Dr. Palmer said. “Just let her stay until tomorrow.”
“But she can check herself out if she wants.” Jon gave Ciro an almost knowing look.
“Perfect. Let’s begin the process.” Ciro smiled at me. “You’ll be more comfortable at my place.”
“I don’t understand why you want me to leave so soon.” I flinched and winced from the stabbing pain in my rib area.
“I hired a private nurse, and my personal physician will manage your care.”
Oh, Jesus…
“Well, we’ll let you two discuss this in private,” Dr. Palmer said, interjecting. “Get lots of rest, Isla.” He patted my leg.
“Take care, Obi-Wan.” Jon winked. “And if there’s anything you need, feel free to have me paged, or any nurse can get ahold of me.” Jon nodded. “Ciro.”
“Jon…”
I was so relieved when both doctors left. Ciro and I needed time to talk. Maybe he could help me fill in theblanks about our relationship and what he was doing in San Francisco.
“My God, Isla.” Ciro studied my face.
“It’s bad, isn’t it? I haven’t looked.” I still hadn’t seen my face, too afraid of what I’d see. The mirror in the bathroom was covered, which was brilliant for the medical staff to do.
“You’re gorgeous,My-la.”
“Liar.” I brushed his hand away. My playfulness was met with a scowl.
“I’m not a liar. You’re the most beautiful woman and your injuries will heal like Palmer and Jon said.”
“Yeah? You should have seen me when I was pregnant, all fat and with swollen ankles.” I gasped registering what I’d just said. Pregnant repeated in my head.
“Isla? Sweetheart,” Ciro said in a tender voice. “I know you’ve struggled with your memory. Don’t force yourself to remember. Let it come back slowly.”
I ignored him. Why would I not want to remember everything? I was pregnant, which meant I had a baby. Ciro’s baby. Was that why he was in San Francisco?
“Isla?” He patted my hand, but I continued to ignore him.
Like a black and white home movie, the last twenty-four hours replayed in my head.
I gave Pippa a bath and nursed her before bed.
I was angry after talking to Paolo because Ciro was going to be late dropping by my apartment. I suspected he was in LA to visit the redhead.
Someone pounded on the front door. It was Elsie. Roy had badly beaten her.
Roy. Roy. Roy.
“Roy attacked me!” I shook my head, my chest tight as tears flooded my eyes. “Where’s Pippa?”
44
CIRO
The last twelvehours had been a nightmare. Totally insane. I hadn’t stopped for a second to breathe, rest, or eat. Time was of the essence and I couldn’t stop…
