to Maximo.
His face gave away nothing as he climbed out before readjusting me in his arms and carrying me into the packed waiting room. Rather than joining the lengthy line, he paused for a moment.
A man pushed through double doors to our right. “Mr. Black.”
Maximo walked over to him. “Doctor Pierce.”
Maximo Black.
I wonder if that’s his real name or an alias.
The doctor gestured. “This way.”
We followed through the double doors, down a winding hallway, and into a private room rather than a curtained stall. Maximo finally set me down on the exam table, but he stayed close.
He must be making sure I don’t tell the doc I was kidnapped.
I wouldn’t. For one, they clearly knew each other. Even if I told the truth, the doctor might not believe me. I’d just further piss off Maximo for nothing. I was fairly certain he wasn’t going to kill me, but I didn’t want to push my luck.
Beyond that, if the doc did take my side, he’d call the cops. I was seventeen. I had no family. Bringing the authorities into it was a one-way ticket to foster care.
I’d rather take my chances alone.
“What happened?” the doc asked.
“I had the brilliant idea to explore by myself. I got lost and tripped on a rock.” I pulled my leggings up to reveal my bruised knees.
“Christ, dove,” Maximo bit out, horrified.
He had every reason to be. My legs looked awful—especially my knee that was swollen, angry red, and hot to the touch.
“After I hurt my ankle, I tried to crawl and stabbed my knee with something.”
The doctor opened a drawer and pulled out an ugly gown. “Undress to your underwear and put this on. We’ll be right outside.”
“I’m not leaving,” Maximo said, his gaze still locked on my battered legs.
“Mr. Black,” the doctor said pointedly.
Hesitantly, I touched Maximo’s arm, his eyes shooting to mine. “Please.”
He ran his hand through his hair before nodding. “I’m coming back in.”
The challenge in his dark eyes dared anyone to argue, but I wasn’t going to. I didn’t know why it mattered to him. I didn’t know why he was acting so nice. I did, however, know I must’ve lost my mind out there in the desert.
Because after the day I’d had, I found a monster’s company comforting.
They left the room, and I hurried to shed my filthy clothes. I pulled on the thin, scratchy smock and sat back on the exam table.
The door opened a moment later and both men came in. The doctor pulled various things out of cabinets, lining them up on a metal tray. He put on a pair of gloves and gave me a reassuring smile. “We need to get you cleaned up for an x-ray.”
Shit. I just want to eat and sleep—and not necessarily in that order. I’ll be here forever.
My dad had broken his finger during a match the year before, and it’d taken hours to get x-rayed and more hours to get the results and needed splint. It’d been a different hospital, but they were all backed up at night.
Drunken injuries were as much a Vegas mainstay as showgirls and Barry Manilow.
All thoughts of time flew from my head as the doctor began vigorously scrubbing my leg.
“Ow!” I cried on a startled gasp.
“Pierce,” Maximo growled, the same warning in his tone he used with me.
At least I’m not the only one who irritates him.
The doctor froze, but I shook my head. “I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting it to sting so bad.”
“I’ll put in an order for pain meds as soon as I’m done. Are you allergic to anything?”
I shook my head.
When he went back to cleaning the dried dirt, I sat as still as possible, choking back tears and pleas to stop. The only movement was the rapid rise and fall of my chest.
“Dove,” Maximo whispered soothingly, stroking the top of my head. I wanted to lean into his touch, but I couldn’t.
Shouldn’t.
My muscles were so tense, my bones ached, but I stayed quiet and stoic as the soap stung my wounds and the scrubbing rubbed my skin raw.
It felt like a hundred hours later when the doctor finally sat back and surveyed my red skin. “That’s the best we’ll be able to do. I’ll get transport in here to take you to x-ray.”
The doctor left, closing the door behind him.
Maximo came to stand in front of me, his hands gripping the edge of the exam table as he leaned down so we were face to face.
Avoiding his gaze, I looked