Damien
Iheld Raven as tight as I could without hurting her, whispering in her ear constantly. Reassuring her, telling her how much I loved her. How brave she was.
“We’re going home now, Raven. You’re safe.”
I didn’t know if she heard me, but she nestled closer. She moved her hands, gripping my shirt. I could see the marks on them. Marks he’d put there. I hoped he was already rotting in hell.
I carried her up to Sofia and put her on the hospital bed she had waiting. But as I tried to move away, Raven became distraught, whimpering and clutching my shirt tighter. Her eyes remained shut, and I leaned close. “I’m not leaving, my beautiful girl. I’ll be right here. But I need to let Sofia examine you. Please.”
“Lights,” she whimpered. “It hurts.”
Sofia offered me a towel, and I held it over Raven’s eyes. “As soon as she is done, we’ll lower the lights, okay?”
“You won’t leave?” she breathed out, her voice dry and rough-sounding.
“No. I’ll be right here.”
Sofia was swift and professional. I watched as she inserted an IV, then checked Raven’s injuries, a deep frown on her face. My anger grew bright again seeing the welts and bruises on her wrists and neck. The swelling from where she’d hit her cheek and head. Sofia took some X-rays, working quickly so Raven didn’t panic when I had to step away. I spoke to her the whole time, so she heard my voice. Sofia allowed me to give Raven some ice chips to soothe her thirst, and finally, I was able to get some electrolytes in her. Raven sipped the cold liquid greedily. I turned the lights down and took the towel off her eyes.
“Sofia is going to put some drops in, okay?” I asked. “They’ll help ease the ache in your eyes.”
Raven let Sofia add the drops, and she lay back, still clutching my hand. Sofia spoke to her quietly. “Raven, I want to give you some pain meds. They’ll help, okay?”
“Can we give her a sedative?” I asked.
“No. She’s hit her head twice. The X-rays show no swelling, but I’m worried about a concussion. We need to keep waking her every two hours.”
Egan knocked and came in, carrying a tall container. “I made a protein shake for her. She must be starving, and I know you’ll want her to get some nutrition inside. I added chocolate. She likes that.”
Sofia smiled at him. “Good thinking.”
Raven heard him, and she lifted her shaking hand, searching for the cup. He chuckled and gave it to her, and she sipped the thick beverage with a sigh.
“Baby, I have to talk to Sofia. I’m only a few feet away, and Egan is right here. Okay?”
She frowned but released my hand.
I walked across the room to Sofia. Egan stood beside Raven, talking to her.
“Tell me,” I said to Sofia.
She laid a hand on my arm. “Nothing life-threatening. Her bruises and lacerations will heal, Damien. No swelling in her head. I’m shocked she didn’t break her cheekbone from how hard she hit her face in the bathroom. I have salve for the marks on her neck and wrists to help heal and ease the pain.”
“The bastard chained her like a dog,” I hissed.
Sofia nodded in sympathy. “She is going to be in a great deal of discomfort for a while. She’s dehydrated, so lots of fluids. She needs to eat, drink, and rest. I want to monitor her closely.”
“I won’t leave her.”
“Good.” She hesitated as if unsure what to say.
“What?”
“She’s emotionally fragile right now. She’s still terrified. She is going to need you to be strong. Keep her calm.” She met my eyes. “It might get rough. Outbursts, crying jags. She may laugh unexpectedly. Or she may be withdrawn, not wanting to be touched. Everyone handles this differently. You have to let her feel what she feels—as hard as that will be to see. I think she should talk to someone.”
“I still keep in touch with the woman Marcus used to help us when we went through harder cases. I’ll call her.”
“And you need to find a way to channel your anger, Damien. Away from Raven. Take it out on the punching bag, talk to a professional. Go to the shooting range and empty a few rounds. You have to look after you as well so you can look after her.”