When we’re finished, she sits across from my desk again, looking slightly less fragile than when she arrived.The sound of her baby’s heartbeat seems to have given her strength, resolve.
“Daphne, I’m concerned about your safety,” I say directly.“The bruises tell me this isn’t a one-time thing, and stress and physical trauma aren’t good for you or the baby.I’d like to connect you with some resources, a safe place to stay, legal help if you want it, and continued prenatal care.”
She stares at her hands, now folded in her lap.“He’ll be so angry.”
“That’s exactly why I’m concerned,” I say gently.“Anger that turns to violence doesn’t usually get better, especially with the stress of a baby.”
“His family…” she starts, then stops, swallowing hard.“They were a part of the MC that has been dismantled.They’re not good people, and he fooled me with all of the soft words.”
Alarm bells ring in my head the more she speaks about it.
I lean forward slightly.“Daphne, who is ‘they’?”
She hesitates, then whispers a name that makes my blood run cold.“Riggs.Jason was Riggs’s cousin.”
Riggs.The Reaper president Zach killed during the attack on the clubhouse.The man whose death effectively ended the club war but whose family might still harbor grudges.If this Jason is connected to Riggs, then Daphne’s situation is even more precarious than I initially thought.
“I see,” I say, keeping my voice steady.“That’s… helpful to know.It doesn’t change anything about the help we can offer you, but it’s good information to have.”
A knock at the door interrupts us.Tiana pokes her head in, her expression carefully neutral but her eyes conveying urgency.“Dr.Blane, sorry to interrupt, but there’s a call for you.Says it’s important.”
I nod, turning back to Daphne.“I’ll be right back.Take a moment to think about what we’ve discussed.”
In the hallway, Tiana grabs my arm, her voice low and urgent.“There’s a guy in the waiting room asking for her.Looks rough, has a Reapers support shirt on.Says he’s her boyfriend and needs to take her home.”
My stomach drops.“Call Zach.Now.And stall the boyfriend.Tell him she’s in the middle of an exam and can’t be disturbed.”
Tiana nods, already pulling out her phone as I return to my office.Daphne looks up, instantly alert to the change in my demeanor.
“Is something wrong?”she asks, that hunted look returning to her eyes.
I consider lying, then decide against it.She deserves the truth.“Your boyfriend is in the waiting room.”
All color drains from her face.Her hands begin to shake, and for a moment I’m afraid she might faint.“He followed me.I knew he would.I was so stupid to think?—”
“Daphne, listen to me,” I say, keeping my voice calm but firm.“You’re safe here.He cannot come back to this office without your permission.That’s the law.And I have people who can help make sure you stay safe, if that’s what you want.”
She looks at me, desperation and hope warring in her eyes.“What people?”
“The same people who helped open this clinic,” I say carefully.“People who understand what it’s like to need protection.”
Understanding dawns on her face.“The Devil Souls?But Jason’s family… they’re Reapers.”
“I know,” I say simply.“That’s why I think we can help.”
The door bursts open before she can respond, a young man with wild eyes and clenched fists filling the frame.Jason, I presume.He’s tall and wiry, with the nervous energy of someone riding a chemical edge.His eyes lock on to Daphne, who shrinks back in her chair.
“There you are,” he snarls, ignoring me completely.“What the fuck, Daphne?You said you were getting rid of it.”
I stand, placing myself between them.“Sir, this is a private medical consultation.I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
He looks at me for the first time, taking in the lab coat, and the stethoscope around my neck.His lip curls in contempt.“Who the fuck are you?”
“I’m Dr.Blane, and this is my clinic.Daphne is my patient, and you’re interrupting her appointment.”I keep my voice level, professional, though my heart hammers against my ribs.Where is Tiana?Where is Zach?
“She’s my girlfriend,” Jason spits, taking a step forward.“And she’s leaving with me.Now.”
“That’s her decision to make,” I reply, not backing down despite the threat radiating from him.“Daphne, do you want to go with Jason?”
