Page 69 of Mercy
“This isn’t you. I can’t be friends with whoever the hell this is.”
He makes a closed fist, I know I should run, but I’m frozen in place as he punches me in the face. “Fucking cunt.”
Grabbing my throat again he squeezes with more force than the first time, I can’t fucking breathe. I get lightheaded as I spot flashing lights. But will they get here in time or is it too late? Everything goes black.
Twenty-Four
LIAM
It’s noon,and still no trace of Mercy. She doesn’t have to be in at a certain time as long as she sees her patients. It’s rare for her, however, not to be here by ten. Xander walks up to me as I stand in the hallway glancing at my unanswered text to Mercy.
“Hey man, I need to talk to you. On-call room, it’s private.”
I follow him, he looks worried, but if it’s private it can’t be about a patient, so he has me nervous. I hope Isabella is okay.
We both step into the room, and he states, “Close the door, Liam.”
“Look, I can’t answer the questions that you’ll have because it will violate HIPPA.”
What the hell is he talking about? I scowl at him getting impatient with his theatrics.
“As your best friend, I’m telling you to go home and see Mercy.”
“What the hell is going on Xander?”
I run my hand through my hair. What the fuck has happened?
“I can’t tell you more. She’s okay, I’ll tell you that, but she’s been through a lot today, so when you get home, you need to keep your cool. Mercy doesn’t need you blowing up at her. Honestly, I’m not sure she could take it. Did you know she’s afraid of you?”
“Why would she be afraid of me?” What the fuck is happening right now? The panic travels through my body threatening to bring me to my knees. Something is wrong with Mercy. I have to get to her.
He puts his hands in his pockets and shakes his head, “I don’t know man but when I mentioned calling you, she freaked out. She started shaking, sobbing, and begged me not to.”
“Fuck, I have to go.”
If he’s worried about violating HIPPA, she must have been at the General Hospital because Xander has privileges there.
On my way out, I tell Gloria to not call me but to call the on-call doctor instead. I get out to my car and race home. I pull out into traffic with my mind reeling. He said she’s okay, still I’m wrecked with concern.
How could she be afraid of me? I don’t understand that. I love her and I’d never hurt her. I have spanked her but there is no doubt that it was consensual. Finally, I pull into my driveway.
Walking in, I find Mercy applying makeup to her neck in the bathroom.
“Wash it off.”
She jumps as she gasps, “Liam.”
I know she wasn’t expecting me home for several hours. Backing away slowly, until there’s nowhere to go, she puts her head down, trying to hide her neck.
“Don’t hide from me, I’ve already seen it. The make-up isn’t working.”
Gently I touch the side of her face lifting her head up to look at me.
“Who did this to you, baby girl? Tell me his name and then I’m going to fucking kill him with my bare hands.”
Tears roll down her cheeks, “I’m sorry, Liam. I’m so sorry. You were right.”
“Right about what? Who fucking did this to you?”
