Duncan (The Protectors #3)(27)

“Well, why in the hell didn’t you say something?” Sid pushed away from the wall.

“You didn’t give me much of a chance,” Slade shot back. “Now, if you all get the hell out of here, I can see if her shoulder needs setting before it heals in the wrong position.

“I’ll stay.” Duncan, who felt responsible for the half-breeds in their group stepped forward, plus he wanted to get a better feeling about this man who may or not be taking care of Pam. He needed to prove himself before Duncan would let him anywhere near her.

“I don’t need help.” Slade took off his jacket laying it across a bench in the dressing room.

“I didn’t ask.” Duncan’s tone was final.

Slade looked at him for a few seconds before looking away toward Jill. “We good now?” His voice held some irritation.

Looking a little embarrassed, she nodded. “It’s just a lot of weird stuff has been going on around here, and well…you just show up and expect everyone to believe you and….”

Walking up to her, he grabbed her elbow with one hand and as the other gently touched the top of her shoulder. “I’m going to be as gentle as I can, but I’m going to try to move it, okay?”

“Yeah.” Jill glanced into his eyes before squeezing hers shut. “Is it going to hurt?”

“Probably.” His answer was honest and quickly spoken.

“I really hate pain,” she mumbled, missing the grin that crossed his face since her eyes were squeezed tight. “I’m sorry I screamed.”

“So am I,” he grunted with a grin.

Her eyes did fly open at his response, and this time she didn’t miss the smile flashing across his face. Her knees felt weak, and it had nothing to do with pain. If she thought he was gorgeous with a frown, he was breathtaking with a smile. He moved her arm just slightly bringing her out of her dazed state. Grabbing his hand with her good one, she stopped him. “Ouch!”

“We really need to get your shirt off.” Slade frowned. “I need to see your shoulder. Do you have anything on under your hoodie?”

Jill glanced at Duncan, who leaned silently against some lockers. “I have a tank top, but I don’t think I can get it off.”

“Let’s start with your good arm sleeve.” He helped her get her arm out, but when he started with the side of her injury she couldn’t take it. “I’m going to have to cut it off.”

Frowning, Jill nodded. “Jeff owes me a new hoodie,” she mumbled, watching the Warrior doctor get a pair of scissors from his bag.

“Jeff did this?” Duncan growled.

“Well, not really. I mean he did, but we were playing football,” Jill replied, not wanting to get anyone in trouble by telling.

“Tag football.” Slade stopped cutting her shirt to frown at Duncan. “Someone needs to teach the little badass the difference. It looks to me like he was purposely out to hurt her.”

Duncan grunted, making it a point to find out what the hell was going on with Jeff. He had let a lot of things slide while Pam had been missing. He needed to step it up. Whether he liked it or not, these half-breeds were his responsibility.

Free from her hoodie, Slade looked, poked and prodded at Jill’s shoulder, a large frown reaching his eyes the whole time. “I’m going to have to set this.”

“Is it going to hurt?” Jill’s voice sounded shaky and weak.

“Yes.”

“You could have lied and given me some hope,” Jill groaned. “What happened with probably?”

Slade laughed. “Sorry, but I never lie to patients. It’s bad bedside manners.”

“For future reference…lie to me.” Jill bit her lower lip. “Because now I don’t think I can let you do it. I seriously don’t like pain.”

“Noted.” Slade nodded down at her, but the smile and teasing was wiped off his face. He was totally professional. He reached for her elbow, but she backed up.

“No, I seriously don’t think I can stand here and let you do this, knowing it’s going to hurt.” Jill shook her head. “I think I’ll be okay. Just give it a day or two and I’ll be good as new. It’s actually feeling much better.”

“No, it won’t, and no, it isn’t.” Slade called her out on her lie. He glanced to Duncan. “I’m going to need your help.”

“Why?” Jill was really getting nervous, her breathing coming in short gasps. “What is he going to do?”

“Jill.” Slade tried to calm her down. He leaned down into her line of vision cutting off Duncan walking toward them. “Jill!”

“What?” she whispered.

“It will only take a second,” Slade assured her.

“A second of pain is a second too long.” She hated acting like a *, but when it came to pain, she wasn’t acting…she was a *.

Slade nodded to Duncan who had stepped behind Jill. Slade placed Duncan’s hands where he wanted them. “Just hold her still. Don’t move.” He didn’t continue until Duncan nodded his understanding.

Jill started to shake. “Can’t you knock me out or something for this?”

“No.” Slade put his hands on her shoulder and arm. “Okay, on the count of three….”