Page 25 of Urgent Vows
I'm tired. I am in pain. And I am fed up.
At least at home after my father hits me, I'm allowed to retreat to the quiet solitude of my room. This trip to the hospital has gained nothing but a destroyed wedding dress and confirmation of what I already told Severu. Nothing is broken.
Rather than giving me that disapproving glare he did before, my husband winks at me. "It comes with the job description."
He winked at me. Why?
I gulp down water because I don't know how else to respond.
"On a scale of one to ten how is your pain level?" The nurse looks at me expectantly.
Instead of answering, I ask, "What does it matter?"
"I need it for the chart. Then we can reassess in thirty minutes to see how effective the analgesics are. The doctor is willing to prescribe a few days of a mild opioid if necessary."
"I won't take them, so it makes no difference."
"Why are you refusing to tell the nurse how much pain you are in?" Severu asks me, like I'm being unreasonable.
I let my eyes slide shut and ignore them both.
"Fuck," Severus says under his breath. "You were asking for pain relievers back at the reception, before we left." He brushes his hand gently over my temple.
I can't stop the moisture from slipping out of the corner of my shut eyes.
"She is in a lot of fucking pain." Severu must be talking to the nurse. "Get out."
I hear the nurse leave.
"Aldo, stand on the other side of the door," Severu orders his bodyguard.
Then something cool and smooth is brushed onto my throbbing cheek.
"It's the cream from the doctor." Severu's voice is low and soothing.
I wouldn't have thought soothing was in his repertoire, but then I wouldn't have expected winking to be in it either.
Chapter 9
SEVERU
Of course, my wife is cranky as hell.
She's in pain and this is the first time we've done anything to address it since this morning. I feel like an idiot and that is not something I am used to.
I should have insisted she be given pain killers as soon as we arrived at the hospital, but I was too focused on finding out how serious her injuries are. Because I feel guilty for pushing her into dancing with her father and allowing him to add to them.
Catalina doesn't react to me spreading the cream on her bruised face, but when I tug the sheet and thin blanket down so I can do the same to her ribs, her eyes fly open.
Her arm comes up to try to cover the perfect round globes of her tits. "What are you doing?"
She didn't try to hide them from me earlier, but now she wants to. Why?
She is mine. I am going to look my fill and I'm going to play with them too. From the look on her face, it will be better if I don't tell her that right now.
"I want to put this on your bruises." I hold up the tube of cream.
"Earlier, with the doctor, you only uncovered that spot."
