Page 65 of Sinful Empire (Mount Trilogy 3)
“But—”
“But nothing. Whatever you’re thinking, I promise, you’re wrong.”
I’m thinking that I’m in big trouble because my heart is tumbling out of my control as the man who once terrified me now stares at me with warmth and admiration in his gaze.
“Careful, Lachlan. You wouldn’t want to get attached to me.”
His lips lower, stopping a breath from mine. “Too late.”
I jerk awake, expecting to feel a solid man against me, but he’s not there.
“Where is he?”
“Ms. Kilgore, are you okay?” The nurse holding my chart tucks it away and comes toward the bed. She’s blond.
Instantly I tense. “I’m . . . I’m . . .” I trail off because I have no freaking clue what I am anymore. But okay is not it.
“Is the pain getting worse?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine.” She heads for the IV drip, but I don’t trust her. I don’t trust anyone I’ve seen in this room except Temperance and my parents.
Where the hell are you, Lachlan? I need you.
“Mom? Tell her I’m okay. I don’t need more drugs. I can stay awake.” My voice sounds weak, but she’s the only defense I have against this unidentified blond woman.
My mom jerks awake. “What? What’s going on?”
“I’m just going to adjust her meds, then take her down for a test.”
“A test?” My mom sits up straighter in the reclining chair on my right. “What kind of test? What’s wrong?”
The nurse glances at my mom, and I look around for a weapon. Just in case. The tray from whatever meal I didn’t eat is still on the table beside the bed.
As the blonde explains about some kind of neuro test, I reach for the butter knife with my free hand and tuck it beneath the sheet. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing.
The metal bites into my palm, and I remember holding on to Magnolia’s silver chopstick I’d had made for her. I was going to stab that blond bitch if she came back. I just can’t remember her face.
“Everything’s fine, Mrs. Kilgore. I promise this is routine. I’ll have her back here in no time.” The nurse adjusts whatever they’re pumping into me from the pole attached to the bed, and releases the brake.
“I’ll come with.”
My mom rises from the chair, and I wonder if her protective instincts are flaring for the same reason as mine. If this is really the crazy bitch, I don’t want my mom anywhere near her. Especially not if I have to stab her with a butter knife.
“We’ll be right back. There’s no point in you trudging through the halls to wait outside anyway.” As my mom wrestles with this decision, the nurse says, “I swear. She’s going to be fine.”
The nurse’s placating tone rubs me the wrong way, and I prepare to do battle. I keep quiet, not wanting to give my mom a reason to come along.
When she finally nods and lowers herself back into the chair, her eyelids droop almost instantly.
“Mom, it’ll be okay. I’ll be right back. You should sleep.” I don’t believe what I’m saying, but I tell her anyway.
“Love you, honey.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
She’s already snoring as the nurse wheels me out of sight.
