Page 71 of Twilight of Embers
Cillian’s fingers tightened on the wheel. “They’ll die for this. Slowly.”
My body shook harder.
“Enough,” Maddox barked. “You’re scaring her.”
His hands were on my face again. “I need to examine you, okay, Hayden?”
I nodded slowly.
Maddox pulled something from the back seat, wincing as he did so. I couldn’t see what was in the black leather bag, but a second later, a small light was flashing across my eyes.
I squinted against it, recoiling.
“I’m sorry, Mo Ghràidh,” he whispered. “I need to see if you have a concussion.”
I swallowed. “It’s…okay.” My words were shaky at best, but at least I’d gotten them out.
The light moved across my eyes again, and the brightness hurt.
“Headache?” he asked.
“Yes,” I admitted.
“Nausea?” he inquired as he pulled the light back.
“Maybe—” My words cut off as that beam illuminated Maddox’s shirt.
Cold panic ripped through me. “Maddox!” I jerked upright, not caring that my head swam with the action. “You’ve been cut.”
I was already tugging at his shirt as Cillian cursed and increased his speed.
“How bad?” Cillian clipped.
“It’s just a nick,” Maddox said, trying to capture my hands. “I’m all right.”
“No, you’re not,” I growled as I took in the wound. “We need to get you to the hospital. This is really deep.”
“I can treat it at home,” he argued.
“Are you a doctor or something?” I snapped.
He grinned at me, the first time I’d seen him truly smile, and it was devastating. “Medic, actually. I have EMT training.”
“Oh,” I muttered, then pawed through the medical bag. “I still doubt you’ll be able to stitch yourself up.”
He grunted. “Done it before.”
I stilled at that. Was this sort of thing normal for them? I couldn’t think about that now.
I pulled out a bottle of peroxide and a trauma pad, then looked up at Maddox. “I’m sorry. This might hurt.”
Maddox just jerked his chin in a nod. “Do it.”
I poured the peroxide on his wound, and Maddox didn’t make a sound. Then I pressed the gauze pad to his injury.
Maddox sucked in a breath as our eyes locked.
“I’m so sorry.” Tears filled my eyes.
