“Everyone out,” Max ordered. “Healer and Shamrock stay.”
Doing as they were told, the room emptied, leaving only my siblings, Max, Healer, and Shamrock behind.
“Remi, before you catch up on what you missed, there are some things I need to discuss with you. Now, if you prefer, I can wait and do this in private, or I can talk now.”
“Say what you need to say, Healer. I have no secrets,” I said, looking at Max, who flinched.
“Okay, first off, you are severely malnourished, which is why you have a feeding tube. I recommend leaving it in unless you can assure me that you will eat whatever I prescribe, and I don’t mean junk food. You need lots of protein and vegetables.”
“I’ll eat what you say, Healer. Take out the tube.”
“I mean it, Remi, until your weight comes up, you are on a strict diet.”
“I understand.”
“Also, I’ve cleaned all your wounds. I had to stitch a few of the ones on your scalp. So, for the time being, I want to leave your head bandaged. I know you aren’t going to like this, but I went ahead and shaved the rest of your hair off. When we got to you, it was almost gone anyway.”
Raising my hand, I felt the bandage on my head and sighed. I looked at Max, who smiled. “You’re still beautiful, baby. Hair or no hair.”
“Also, as for your pregnancy,” Healer added, and I paled.
That was when Max moved. He was beside me, instantly. “Baby, it’s mine. Ours. That baby is you and me. It’s strong and a survivor just like it’s momma.”
“Are you sure, Max,” Tears fell as I sought his eyes for the truth. Max nodded, “Positive. I wouldn’t let it live if it weren’t.”
“Reaper is telling the truth, Remi. I had a gynecologist double-check. You will be nine weeks come Saturday. That baby has Golden Skull blood running through its veins. Tough little fucker too.”
“When can I get out of this bed?”
“I’d like you to take it easy for the next few days. If you must get out of bed, only in short bursts. You are going to be extremely weak and tire easily. You need time to build some muscle mass. I’ll schedule a therapist to help you get up and moving. Until then, I’d like you to stay in bed. Also, until you are eating better, I am prescribing you a double dose of prenatal vitamins. That baby is going to suck a lot of shit from you.”
“Anything else?”
“If you are uncomfortable, in pain, anything, I need to know immediately. You’ve been through a massive trauma Remi, not only physically but mentally. I would also like to recommend a psychologist. I know talking about what happened is scary, but they are trained to help.”
“No.”
“Baby, please,” Max pleaded.
“I will, if you do too,” I challenged. Max slowly shook his head no. I knew he wouldn’t do it, and he wasn’t going to make me either. If he wanted to keep his secrets, then I would keep mine.
“No therapist, Healer.”
“Stubborn asses,” the man muttered. “Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. You need me. You know where I’m at.”
With that, Healer left the room.
“Shamrock, can you please take the kids downstairs,” Max asked, his eyes never leaving mine. I saw anger and fear in his eyes, yet I didn’t feel the need to soothe him this time. I had my own questions I needed answered, and before he even thought we were right, he was going to answer them.
A wave of anger I’d never felt before boiled deep in my gut as I stared at Max, remembering everything that I endured because of him. He worked with those vile creatures, torturing, raping, and killing. He made money off it. He knew and did nothing. If he thought I’d just jump into his arms, he was sorely mistaken. I may not know everything, but before I left this place, I would know it all—every depraved detail. I was done being scared. I had my siblings and a baby that needed me. My time of self-pity was over. Now, Max got to deal with the new me. The me I was meant to be all along.
The real Remi Anderson.
Shamrock said nothing as he picked up my sister and nudged Jax, who was still hugging me. “Come on, bud, let's go get some ice-cream. I think Caroline made a fresh batch.” Soon, my siblings and Shamrock were gone leaving me alone with Max.
When the door shut behind them, I yanked my hand from his and slapped him hard across the face. “You bastard. You worked with those assholes. How could you!”
“Baby.”