As much as I hate the gym, my debacle with the fence makes me want to go. I have naturally strong arms, but I’ve always felt as if my chest is softer than it should be. Though, maybe that’s not terrible as Rosalia snuggles on my chest once I move. Who wants to lay on something that’s hard?
Though, I don’t mind with Nico. Even then, we are more likely to spoon than sleep like this. Verona’s breathing deepens very quickly, helping me know I made the right call. She can’t take care of Rosalia if she’s exhausted. I didn’t need to do much to convince her.
Nico would have tied me up to get me to relax, sucked me off until I blew my load down his throat, and then left me to sleep. It’s not that I don’t enjoy his way, it’s simply not theonlyway. My stepbrothers are bulls in a china shop.
Except maybe Dario, though he’ll manipulate the situation until peace is met.
Getting comfortable as Verona pushes her leg between mine, I decide my way isn’t so bad.
Chapter Seventeen
ROSALIA
“No,”I whimper. I am burning up, my mouth is dry, and I don’t want to wake up. It’s better in the darkness.
Safer.
“Come on, baby. The doctor is here. He’s going to help you feel better.”
Hearing Verona’s voice, I crack open one eye. Thankfully, the shades are down and the lights off, helping to open both of my lids.
“I feel like dogshit,” I rasp, my voice harsh and full of pain as the rest of me remembers why I wanted to sleep.
I started to throw up, and I’ve existed in a state of panic and drifting away into my mind to escape. Everything hurts.
“That’s probably very accurate,” Dr. Walsh murmurs. “I think your blockers were being laced with something, Rosalia. Do you think you can get up and shower? We’ll change the sheets, air out the room, and then I’ll start an IV to help you flush out these drugs.”
“What was he giving me?”
Beginning to push myself up through sheer grit, I’m surprised when a pair of strong arms help me the rest of the way. Glancing over my shoulder, I find Pablo’s hands are wrapped around my biceps to keep me from flopping back down. I can’t manage more than that, and return my attention to Dr. Walsh.
“Have you found that you’re more susceptible to alpha barks?” he asks carefully.
“Yes,” I rasp, beginning to cough. It unfortunately brings up bile as well, and Verona shoves a garbage can under my face just in time.
Coughing while puking is really awful. I do not recommend this at all. It fucking sucks. My throat feels as if it’s on fire, and a cool glass of water is pressed against my lips once I’m finished.
“There’s a drug being sold on the streets that’s been around for the past six months. It’s supposed to help with omega hysteria, but truthfully, it makes omegas easier to control,” Dr. Walsh explains, removing the glass from my lips once I’ve had enough. “No one knows where it started being made, but my money would be that your father is responsible for it. He’s stubborn enough to have someone tinker in drug creation to control you. Therefore, the drug could have been given to you for longer.”
“The pills started being given to me about eight months ago…”
He gives me a tight smile as he sees the shock in my gaze. Vero is cleaning out the garbage can, and Pablo is careful to stay silent, as if he’s worried about being kicked out.
If he’s helping Vero while I’m going through withdrawals, he can stay.
“What are the side effects?” I ask, wincing at how much my throat hurts.
“While someone is taking it? They’re more compliant without realizing why. The fact that it was used with yourblockers, is genius on your father’s part, even though it was highly illegal and unethical,” Dr. Walsh says unhappily. “If I didn’t make it clear, I swear I had nothing to do with the procurement of those drugs.”
“Okay,” I whisper, careful not to move too much. I’m still nauseous, but since I haven’t had much to eat in several days, I have nothing else to throw up.
“Alright. The problem with mixing so much together is all the withdrawal symptoms are going to play havoc with each other. You may have heat breakthroughs as the rest of the blockers work their way out of your body, but the street drug they call Alpha Bark is going to be the most concerning,” he says softly.
I notice he’s trying to be as calming as possible, which I appreciate. My skin feels itchy and uncomfortable, and I’m about ready for a freezing cold shower.
“Why?” Pablo asks, his thumbs slowly moving over my skin. His hands are cold, and I find myself leaning into his body, helping how overheated I feel. He scoots closer, and his thighs spread wide to accommodate me.
“Withdrawals for Alpha Bark are nasty. Fever, chills, dehydration, and nausea are some of them. Unfortunately, people usually think they’re some type of flu, and they never reach out for help.”
