The doctor gave her an injection that immediately started to take the pain away before he poked and examined the injury.
“I’m going to tip you to the side so I can see the back.”
Between him and Dominic, they were able to pull her to her side. Fortunately, she didn’t feel any discomfort because of the medication.
She had no idea when they set her onto her back again because she was out.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The doctor sighed. “I’m afraid the bullet is still in there, so I’m going to have to take it out.”
“But that will hurt her.”
“I’ll put her out. It’s either here or the hospital.”
“Here,” Dominic said.
“All right. Let me get the things I’ll need.”
Dominic watched the doctor pull stuff out of his bag and set them on the nightstand. He gave her two more shots before he pulled on his gloves.
“What are the shots?”
“One’s to prevent infection, and the other is a stronger pain medicine. I want to make sure she doesn’t feel this.”
“Good.”
Dominic watched him carefully as he made a cut and then used the forceps to pull the bullet out. It was done within a few minutes, and the doctor cleaned the wound and then sewed it up. He felt better about staying at the house because the man seemed extremely competent.
He wiped some of the blood away before he put some cream and then a bandage over it.
“This should do it. I’m leaving some pain pills here. She can have one every four hours. If the pain gets more than she can handle, call me. I’ll be back to change the bandage tomorrow. I want her to stay in bed for the next few days and make sure she eats. She lost a bit of blood but not enough to worry me. You can clean her with a washcloth, but unless she has to use the restroom, I’d like her to stay still as possible.”
Dominic nodded, unable to take his gaze off her.
He stood and pulled the blanket up before he turned to the doctor and shook his hand. “Thank you for coming.”
“It’s my pleasure. I’ve known your mother for quite a fewyears.”
Dominic nodded. “She’s pretty special.”
“Yes, she is. I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t worry, son. She’s going to make a full recovery.”
He watched the doctor leave and then pulled up a chair so he could sit and watch her.
“Come in,” he said.
“Hello, honey. How is she?” Aria asked.
“The doctor got the bullet out.”
“That’s good.”
They stayed silent for a long time. He felt her place her hand on his shoulder.
“This isn’t your fault.”
He sighed. She could read him so well. It was like they’d known each other his whole life instead of just a few short months. “I told her she was safe here.”