Page 42 of Satan's Naughty List
“How could it get removed without opening the skin?”
“Actually, this one I could manually remove from the exterior. Honestly, I think you’ll be good with some therapy and a hinged ROM brace.”
“A what?” I urge, my brain failing to catch all of the details being thrown my way.
“ROM? Range of motion.” She pulls back the blanket slightly, and there’s a metal brace already there. “It has hinges on the side to stop your leg from bending too far backward. As you get through therapy, you’ll be able to do more.”
“How long is therapy?” Nomad asks, bringing my knuckles to his lips for a gentle kiss.
“Anywhere from six weeks to twelve weeks, if not more. You’ll just be working with Heallie.” The girl in question waves from the corner. That just shows my observation skills.
“What about extracurriculars?” I ask, feeling a blush take form on my chest. The heat creeps up my neck all the way to my ears. Ignoring the questioning glances from the men, Doc nods enthusiastically.
“No kneeling or using the leg at all,” she begins, looking down at her chart. I’d only be able to lay on my back or side, but I think that could work.
“Easy enough.” Smiling, Heallie and Doc go through the motions of taking vitals, drawing blood, and giving more fluids. She has the boys leave while she removes the catheter.
“Are you thinking about having intercourse with them?” She questions quietly, no judgment evident in her tone.
“I think so,” I whisper, tears springing into my eyes. “I feel like I need to take myself back. Give myself the love I deserve.” She smiles knowingly, nodding her head.
“Those two seem to be head over heels for you. When we brought you and Nomad in, it was chaotic. We got you both settled and stable without complications. He woke up, ripped out of his stuff and demanded to know how you were. It was like the fucking hulk had taken over his body,” she laughs. I can’t help giggling along with her, knowing that seems to be an appropriate response for him.
“What about Techy?” She finishes her paperwork and slips the clipboard back into the tray at the foot of the bed.
“He just about clobbered Hudson, according to the man himself. I requested he wait in case something happened to you or Nomad. Thankfully it didn’t, but we can’t be too careful.” I nod knowingly. “Either way, Hudson turned him around, but Techy wasn’t too happy. Once he heard Nomad was awake, there was no stopping him.” Another giddy laugh bubbles from me at the thought of Techy tearing down the world for Nomad.
Those two give me hope in the future.
One that I’ve been hoping to see them in since the very beginning. Nothing but amazing men, they’re both extremely protective. Do I feel bad for scaring them earlier? A little bit. Okay, maybe not at all. The point is, I saw their concern. The crushed look they both had was almost soul crushing for me. At first, it was a deer in the headlights.
“You’re safe with them,” she reassures, patting my arm gently. “Just remember that you’re not on birth control, so you’ll need protection.”
“Oh.” Exhaling sharply, the biggest disappointment of my life is about to be revealed. “Actually…the guys before I came here. They…uhm,” I struggle to even breathe right now. That thick ball returns to the center of my wind-pipe, crushing me from the inside out.
“Whatever it is, I can guarantee they’ll be more than understanding,” she implores, sitting down in the rolling chair. Heallie takes that cue to leave, softly shutting the door behind her.
I can’t meet Doc’s eye. There’s going to be judgment, disappointment.
“I can’t have babies,” I whisper, the painful sting of tears hitting the backs of my eyes. If I looked up, I’d see the look of rejection from her face. Except when I do tilt to look at her, she’s gone. Replaced with the two men in question.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Myownworstnightmarehas doubled in terror. How fun. They’re both stock still, expressions hardened and stoic. A silent sob wracks my body. The echoing sound seems to bring them out of their stupor, rushing toward me on either side. Like a dam breaking, tears freely flow down my cheeks. Taking my hands in theirs, they switch between whispering words of assurance, rubbing my hair, and kissing my knuckles.
“We’ll get you some testing and labs, just in case, baby girl.” There’s a deep passion lilted in Nomad’s voice, one that burns fiercely. “Even if that’s the case, you don’t need to be afraid. If you want kids in the future, we can look into other options.”
“You think an adoption agency will adopt to us?” I cry, shoulders wracking harder as the tears flow faster. Everything I’d been holding in seems to break away. Despair and dejection fill my heart as I think about the inability.
I’d always wanted to be a mother, wanted to have those experiences. Then I’m sold and shipped all over the world before landing with my three captores. They didn’t want to wrap up, so…they took it upon themselves to deal with it.
I was given a hysterectomy without my consent. There’s scars lining my stomach where they poked holes and suture marks to tie it together. My fate was sealed by those stitches.
My head is grasped between two strong hands, forcing me to look up at Nomad. His own eyes are watery, cheeks still dry. A visible lump is stuck in his own throat as he works to clear it out. After a few moments of staring at one another, he slowly leans in, brushing our noses together.
“I want to kiss you so badly,” he whispers, nuzzling my face with his. I can’t help the smile that takes over my lips. The clouds finally seem to move away, allowing sunshine to pour through the darkness that shrouds my heart.
“Nothing is stopping you,” I rasp in return, the smoke in my throat still working to clear itself. Whatever hesitation that shimmered in his eyes is now gone, replaced by a gentle need. One that I’ll admit I’m not familiar with.
