The door opens an inch. Even with what little that I can see, I know she’s been crying.
“I think I need to go to the hospital.”
Her eyes are wide and unfocused. She’s in shock.
In a low tone, I say, “We can do that. Can I come in first?”
I need to make sure there’s not a threat in her room. And where in the fuck is Al? Is he hurt, or did he chase whoever hurt them?
She nods and closes the door. I hear the sounds of the chain being removed and then the door opens again. It’s so fucking dark that I can’t tell what’s going on, but I move further into the room, keeping my gun in my hand.
“Where’s Al?”
“He… he left.”
There’s been some kind of struggle. There’s a lamp on the floor that’s been shattered. A chair is overturned near the window. But what has me fucking worried is the state of the bed. Turning, I find Ellie still in the shadows.
“What happened?”
“He… he wouldn’t stop.”
She takes an unsteady step, leaning against the wall. That’s when I finally get a good look at her. There’s bruising on her cheek and her lip is busted. Her hair, which was up at the fundraiser, is a mess now. It looks as if she tried to yank it down without removing the hairpins first. Her dress is torn right down the middle and she’s holding it together with one hand. Rage tints my vision red.
“Who hurt you?”
“Please,” she whispers. “I just want to go to the hospital.”
Fuck.
I move toward her. “Can you walk?”
“I… I don’t know.”
Her teeth chatter together, and she sways. Looking around, I see a blanket at the foot of the bed.
“I’m going to wrap this around you.”
She nods, and I slowly drape the blanket around her shoulders.
When she’s situated, I say, “I’m going to lift you, okay?”
Another nod. Carefully, I lift her in my arms. She whimpers, resting her head against my chest.
“I’ve got you.”
I make my way out of the room. The bruising on her face looks even worse in the light. When I find out who hurt her—
My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I can’t reach it. We reach the lobby and I carry her outside to my waiting car. She moans when I sit her in the passenger’s seat. As I walk around the car, I glance at my phone. There’s a missed call from Jasmine. She’ll want to know what’s going on, but my priority is getting Ellie to the hospital.
Luckily, we’re close, and it only takes a few minutes. Ellie is silent the entire time, only making sounds of pain when the car hits potholes in the road. I pull in front of the ER and get Ellie.
Carrying her inside, I say, “We need some help.”
People jump to attention when they see who’s speaking. I’d like to think they’d respond like this to anyone coming through the doors, but I know it’s not the case. No, I’ve built two wings in this hospital, so they know I take priority over anyone.
“Mr. Jafar. How may I help you?”
I’ve met this man before. He’s the head of the ER, and the best at what he does.