Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.” I kept my voice low, but I could feel the intensity bleeding through. “I’m talking about your physical safety. Not your job satisfaction.”
She crossed her arms, and I could see that stubborn streak I remembered from years ago. “I can take care of myself, Pain.” I thought she was using my road name to remind herself I was a different person and not the man she’d known before.
“Can you?” I stepped closer, just barely within the acceptable distance. “Because from where I’m standing, you’re walking around here like you’re still in some suburban hospital where the worst thing that happens is someone gets snippy about their Jell-O.”
Her gray eyes flashed. “Don’t patronize me, Dr. Raven. I know exactly where I am.”
“Do you? Because Grayson isn’t just some asshole guard with an attitude problem. He’s dangerous, Nadine. Really fuckin’ dangerous. The kind of dangerous that ends lives. And you…” I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated as hell. “You still look at people like you expect them to be good.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing. Everything. Fuck, I don’t know.” I glanced around the infirmary, making sure we weren’t drawing attention. “Look, just promise me you’ll stay as far away from Grayson as you can. Roberts and Johnson are supposed to be making sure he’s never in your area unless one of them is with him, but accidents happen. So keep your head on a swivel, girl.” I bit out the words, harsh and demanding. I hated the fear on her face. It wasn’t like I was going to let anything happen to her. The second I suspected Nadine might possibly be in danger, Knuckles added to the guards he had on me to do whatever I needed. Which I promptly put on Nadine.
“I’ll be careful. Some of the guards have started walking the women to their cars.”
“As long as you always go with either Roberts or Johnson. Understand?”
She cocked her head, her brows drawing in confusion. “Why are you telling me all this? Why do you care?”
How to fucking answer that? “I don’t know, Nadine. Maybe it’s because you’re a link to my former life, or maybe it’s just your innate goodness that draws me in. Whatever makes me care is too strong to ignore.”
I really wasn’t sure she was going to say anything else, but finally, she nodded her head. “OK. I’ll do what you asked me. Roberts or Johnson, and I will not look into Grayson. I’ll bring any concerns with him to you.”
I couldn’t help but beam at her. “That’s my good girl.”
“Don’t push it, Pain.” She pointed a finger at me, but I saw her lips twitch as she fought a smile.
“It’s what I do best, sweetheart.”
Chapter Four
Nadine
Two Months Later…
The bruises on Chuck’s ribs weren’t from a yard fight like he’d claimed. Or the dislocated shoulder. Or the broken tibia. Or the dislocated jaw. To say nothing of the other, more private injuries listed in his records from the outside hospital. The kid had been left for dead. Had it not been for his buddy, Jermaine, I have no doubt Chuck wouldn’t have survived. Normally, I’d have Pain take a look at him. Dr. Martinez wasn’t afraid to use his skill and expertise, even though it broke pretty much every rule in several books on many different subjects related to ethics in prison. And in medicine. And God only knew everything else. But Pain had been released a couple months ago and I admitted I missed him. For more than one reason. Especially now, though. This kid was a hot mess.
I’d been working in this hellhole long enough to know the difference between injuries from a brawl and something else entirely. The reddish-purple bruising at his hips had faded to a dark purple turning greenish-yellow over the last few days. Fingerprint bruises. They were on his upper arms and around his neck as well. I suspected there were other injuries. Injuries he likely wouldn’t tell me about willingly.
I watched him through the window before entering the room. As always, since he got back from the hospital two days before, he stared blankly at the wall, silent tears tracking down his face. He would interact if spoken to directly, but he never volunteered conversation.
The door creaked open as I stepped inside, the familiar scent of antiseptic hitting my nostrils. My gaze immediately locked onto the young inmate, Chuck. Yeah. Fight, my ass. I’m sure there wasn’t much of a “fight” to it.
My stomach clenched as I approached, keeping my expression neutral. “Hello, Mr. Smith,” I said softly, offering a small smile. “I’m Nurse Brentner.”
“Call me Chuck.” His voice was monotone and he didn’t look at me, like he was on autopilot, saying something he normally would say but was actually detached from his surroundings.