Screaming for Ward through something hard over my mouth. Unable to breathe, choking on blood.
Then….nothing. A pool of something cold on the floor, my cheek wet. Tears? No smell.
But everything was dark that night. That godforsaken blindfold. I never wanted to use it ever again.
So dark.
“Change her out. You don’t come in here again.” Ward loomed, oversized and terrible, above my bed at his full height.
“I didn’t mean—”
“I don't care what you meant.” He never raised his voice, but his intent was clear all the time. “You stay away from my wife and do not come back at her with any sort of accusation. Ever. Not if you want a job at the end of it. Do you understand me?”
Tears tracked my face. “Ward,” I whispered.
“Do you hear me?”
“Yes, sir,” the nurse stammered, backing out the door.
“That wasn’t necessary.” A doctor stood in the doorway. At least, I thought it was a doctor. My tears obscured most of her.
“It was.” Ward didn’t sit, but his hand found mine and this time he didn’t bump my IV. “I won’t abuse your staff but in return I won’t have them making comments about my wife’s situation. She was waiting for me, is that clear? That asshole broke into our home and attempted to kill her."
“Ward,” I whispered again. “I don’t care what they say.” My throat started to hurt. I swallowed hard, and jagged pain shot up my neck. I squeezed his hand.
“I know your…situation is different. Hospital staff talk–”
He looked down at me, ignoring the doctor’s inane chatter. “What do you need?”
“You,” I managed, and shut my mouth.
Ward nodded, crouching at the side of my bed. “I don’t care what your staff talk about. Keep it out of the media, and away from my wife, or your legal team will find out that my legal team has a bigger bank roll behind them and that they’re better at the negotiating table.”
The doctor shut her mouth and left the room.
“Damnit, Ward. I would have liked more meds.”
He smiled—actually smiled—and traced his knuckles across my cheek. “I’ll get you some.” He rose, and my tears started again.
“I don’t want you to go,” I whispered to his frown. “And I liked your smile. It’s the first one I've seen since…”
“Since I left.” He nodded, stilling. A tautness came over his body. “I’m gonna get you what you need. I’ll be gone for a little bit. I want you to sleep. But I promise you’re not alone, alright?”
“Alright,” I parroted, knowing he would get his way regardless, and that I was in no position to argue.
It wasn’t taking that long for the painkillers to wear off. Everything hurt.
The knuckles brushed my cheek again and I cried harder. “What are these tears for?” He collected them on his roughened skin, brushing them away.
“You never touch me. Not without—"
Gloves.
Neither of us needed to say that, either.
Ward cupped my cheek, turning my face toward him so freaking gently that I sobbed for a different reason. “Then this will really blow your mind,” he murmured.
He leaned down and brushed his lips softly over mine. Once, then again. Light pressure, a whisper of a breath between us.
