FIRE (Elite Forces #2)(53)
“Tell me he didn’t rape you.” I guide her face to meet mine. I need to see her reactions to everything I ask.
“No, he didn’t.”
“Tell me what he did.” I try not to hate a man whom I’ve already made pay for his torture for her, but I can’t. I look down at a cut down her cleavage and feel my anger boil even higher.
“Kaleb, I’m not reliving that again. I’m fine. He’s not a threat anymore, and we made it out alive.”
“Tell me what you’re thinking then.” She won’t look at me now and chooses to lay her head back against my chest.
“Nothing. I just need to see that Harris and Mal are ok.” I can give her that. I feel the same way.
“We’ll get you checked out and I’ll have the guys update us on them. I promise we’ll do what we can to make sure they have the best medical treatment possible if they need anything.” I try to make her feel better, all the while hoping I’ll feel some relief myself.
“Some things can’t be fixed like that, Kaleb. It’s not the surface scars I’m worried about.” Her words hit home for me. The internal hurt is far worse than any damage done to the surface.
“I know.” I can’t say anything different about that. I do know. I can’t make her feel any better, knowing she’s probably right. I just pray to god my brother didn’t do anything detrimental to either of them. Caressing her back calms me. I feel close to her even though I can feel her pulling away.
We pull into the hospital drive, where medical personnel meet us outside. Jackson is instantly asking about Harris and Mallory, while I’m guiding Jade out of the truck. She refuses a wheelchair like the stubborn woman she is, and we walk inside to a small room to wait for a doctor.
She won’t look at me, and it’s getting to me. I shouldn’t be making this about me, but it is about us. I’d give anything for just one normal f*cking day with her.
“Jade, why do I feel like you’re checking out on me?”
“Kaleb. We can talk once I know Harris and Mallory are ok. Until then, I’m still in my own war zone on a mission.” She scoots onto the hospital bed, and I step outside in hopes of seeing some sign of the others. Jackson is walking down the hall toward me, so I watch for any signs he has bad news. He seems to be indifferent.
“Mallory is upset and Harris is in surgery. I asked them to get Jade and Mallory in the same room as soon as possible. They’re going to move Jade here in a few minutes.”
“What’s the prognosis of Harris’ injuries?”
“Shoulder is all I’ve heard. Should be out of surgery in a few hours.” A few hours will feel like an eternity with Jade and Mallory together while we wait for his news, but I’ll be there for both of them.
Jade is standing in the doorway with me just as the doctor comes in. “Alright, Ms. Elliott, let’s see your injuries.” She steps back into the room and unties her shirt as I close the door. The jagged cut down her torso isn’t too deep, but any blood shed from her body is too much in my opinion. I’m just glad she won’t require stitches.
“Were you sexually assaulted?” His cold question heats me up with rage. I’m so damn thankful her answer is no, because I can’t even imagine the guilt I’d feel if it were yes.
“No. He just cut me here, I have rope burns from the restraints, and he pulled my hair.” She points to her chest and then looks over at me. “Other than that, it was just threats and a forceful kiss.” He f*cking kissed her. I work hard to hide my fury, but I know I’m not succeeding. Remember, Kaleb, he’s dead. He can’t hurt her ever again.
“Alright, we’ll get this cleaned up. You won’t be needing stitches on this. You’re a very lucky woman. I’ve seen some terrible cases come through here. When I heard we had a kidnapping victim headed our way, I was worried what I’d see today.”
“Thank you, doctor. Can I see my friend Mallory? I need to see what he did to her.”
“Sure thing. Let me just say, we’re very lucky today on both cases. Let us get you cleaned up, but why don’t I keep you overnight for observation. That’ll give you a room to stay next to your friend. I told her I’d keep her in here until the guy she came in with was released. I shouldn’t share anything with you legally, but I want you to know he’s going to be just fine. The bullet is being removed now, and it looks like he’ll have full use of his shoulder if everything goes as planned during surgery.” We both welcome the information, knowing he wasn’t supposed to share anything. I can imagine he’s trying to calm Jade and bring some peace to her torn-up demeanor.
“Thank you, doctor. I needed that information.”
“Absolutely. Now, be patient for me and we’ll get you taken care of.” Patience is something neither of us is good at but lately we’ve been forced into. I look at Jade and wonder if I’m more impatient about what she’s not saying, or if I need to see the other two are good with my own two eyes.
“Please, stop looking at me like I’m killing you slowly.”
“Are you sure you’re not?”
“Kaleb. I can’t do this shit. I can’t feel like I’m dying inside because you’re in danger. I can’t feel like I’m inferior because you shut me out.” I hear that last sentence, and my heart drops. I’ve done this to her. In all my focus of protecting her, I never once considered what it would look like on her end of it. I wanted her safe. Period.