“Show me.”
“No.” I try to pull her along, but she resists. I can force her, but I don’t want to.
“Show me, Judge.”
“You want to see?”
She nods, looking uncertain.
“Are you sure about that?”
She nods again.
Holding her gaze, I unbutton my shirt and slide it down my back. It pulls where it sticks to the fresh blood. Mercedes walks around me.
“Oh god. Oh my god.”
I turn to find her eyes wide, cheeks wet with tears streaming down her face. I draw my shirt up as she drops onto the bed, her hand over her mouth.
“Let’s go. We need to go.” I help her to her feet, and she doesn’t struggle. She only grabs her purse as I lead her out to the car and take her home.