Nia’s chest tightened. “No, you’re not. Not at all.”
Ignoring her, he began to cry again, the tears silent.
Nia’s heart pounded an erratic rhythm as she tried to think what to do. Kessy returned to the bedside, glanced beyond Nia’s shoulder, and grimaced.
Nia’s spine straightened. One of the other medics was going to suggest they take over Kilian’s care.Unacceptable.She wouldn’t allow anyone to insinuate she gave substandard care, no matter the situation. She acknowledged it was her pride talking and didn’t care. Those two other medics were complete assholes, and she would not stand their interference.
Taking a breath, she stepped forward and resumed her place beside the med bed. “Can I tell you a secret?” she asked, keeping her voice gentle.
Kilian turned his head so fast, she realized he hadn’t been aware of how close she stood. But instead of retreating this time, she held her place. “It’s an important secret,” she added.
Interest lighted the boy’s eyes before he scowled. “I’m not supposed to talk to CORE people. No matter what.”
Trying to keep her face neutral, Nia ignored the comment and leaned forward. “Do you want to know the secret or not?”
Kilian stared at her, then nodded. Nia bent close to his ear. “I know what to do to make your leg better than new.”
His eyes widened. “Really?”
Nia straightened, smiling. “Yes. The proper prosthetic will make you the envy of all the other kids.”
Kessy made a strangled noise. “Doctor, can I speak to you a moment?” She jerked her head away from the table. “In private?”
“Yes, of course.” Nia glanced at the other two medics who’d returned to their patients.
Kessy pulled her out of earshot of the boy. “You shouldn’t have spoken about the prost—”
“Did you find Kilian’s father?” Nia interrupted. The prosthetic didn’t worry her. Mace had said he would find the right one. She believed him.
“Sort of,” Kessy answered. “He was in the brig until a short time ago. They’re not fromOrion, so I’m not sure where to check next. We’ll have to wait until they’re assigned quarters or—” Kessy stopped mid-sentence when the door to the medical bay opened, her mouth freezing in an O.
Nia turned, every part of her body going on alert at the sight of Kilian’s father. Mace hadn’t killed him. Her relief was replaced by the sharp sting of anger at what the man had done to her until he rushed to his son, his shoulders shuddering as they hugged each other. Heads bent, their light brown hair matched.
Hand on his gun, Elec spoke low into his comm.
“Are you okay, boy?” Kilian’s father asked. “Did they hurt you?”
“I’m okay, dad. My leg feels better than it has—” Kilian wiped his tears with the sleeve of his shirt. “The doctor said she could fix me better than new.”
The father’s narrowed eyes swung to her, lips twisting in a snarl. “What’s this about?”
When Nia stepped forward, Kessy tried to stop her with a hand on her shoulder. Nia lifted her hands, fingers spread wide in a placating gesture. “I started to explain about prosthetics to Kilian.” She shrugged off Kessy’s hand and kept moving forward. “With the proper one, it’ll be like he has his old leg back. I promise.”
“I don’t want you to give him false hope,” he ground out, still holding his son tightly.
“It’s not false hope.” She kept her hands up to make sure he knew she meant no harm. “I’m a trauma surgeon by trade, and I’ve dealt with amputations in the field. With the surgery I performed yesterday, Kilian’s leg is primed to take a prosthetic.”
A glimmer of hope entered the man’s features, and Nia gave him a nod of encouragement. She wanted the best for his son no matter where she came from or what he’d done yesterday.
The man’s face relaxed. He bent his head, nodding, and Kilian wrapped his arms around his father’s neck.
She lowered her hands. It would work out. Kessy came alongside her to give her shoulder a light squeeze. Nia didn’t shy away from the touch, needing the support the medic gave.
Then Mace stormed in and ruined everything.
Chapter fourteen
“Itoldyoutostay away,” Mace growled, prepared to rip off Sorley’s arms.
