Page 4 of Endure the Pain
“You mean to tell me the guys in the van would have just left Rourke there to die if I hadn’t been in that car?” I questioned angrily. Rourke’s life was worth more than fucking guns.
“If they were solely after the guns, they would have primarily targeted the men in the van, not the SUV driving ahead of it.”
Oh.With all that said, if they really had been targeting me, which my gut was screaming they had, it was still speculation. “How’d they know I’d even be in that car? And why would the Aryans want to kill me?”
In one quick movement, Stefan’s eyes shifted to Jamie before returning to me.
“Stefan?” I urged, but before he could answer, Dean returned.
Stepping into the room, Dean held a scowl that was harsher than normal. I was going to ask him what was wrong, but the nurse that appeared behind him gave me my answer. She was elderly with a head full of graying amber hair and purple rimmed glasses that framed her eyes. Her body moved stiffly as she made her way through the room. She glanced around at the guys, eyes full of judgment and disdain.
Only those who lived under a rock didn’t know what the name Quinn meant or who it belonged to. Especially in New Haven, where Quinn Manor loomed over the city like a haunting and infamous shadow. The Quinns had ruled the New England area for generations. People either respected our family or feared and hated us. The respect came because my family, namely Stefan, took part in and donated to many charities. This hospital was a prime example. Stefan was a huge benefactor. I was sure his generosity didn’t always come without strings attached. He was an Irish mob boss, after all. I could only assume that the stipulations included privilege and a certain level of discretion, like turning a blind eye to gunshot wounds that were required by law to be reported to local police. Those who feared and hated us consisted mostly of law enforcement who weren’t on Stefan’s payroll and people like this nurse.
The nurse went straight over to assess the IV machine I was hooked up to and typed something on the computer next to the bed. “How are you feeling?” Her tone was bland, and the question sounded forced.
“I have a lot of pain.”
“You should count yourself lucky that’s all you have, considering your choice of friends,” she said.
I had to stop myself from gaping.“Excuse me?”
“Well, look at what they dragged you into. You were shot and almost killed. Maybe this will teach you not to hang around thugs,” she chided.
If I hadn't been hurting in a hospital bed, there was a good chance I would have strangled her with her stethoscope. My mind was at odds with what it wanted to doversus what it could do in that moment. So I just blinked at her.
“I didn’t know nurses were paid to berate their patients,” Jamie snapped at her.
She looked taken aback for a moment before she recovered. “Let me guess, you’re the boyfriend who manipulated this poor girl to join your thug lifestyle.”
Louie erupted into a fit of laughter. “She thinks Jameson corrupted Maura?” he wheezed. “That’s fucking hilarious.”
Stefan stood from his chair and stuffed his hands into his pockets. He gave the nurse a friendly smile that was kind of eerie because his eyes read differently. They were predatory. He leaned forward slightly and squinted at her name tag. “Georgina Osman. That’s a pretty name. I’ll be sure to remember it. Mine is Stefan Quinn.”
All the blood drained from her face and she took a step back. “Are you threatening me?”
“Whatever do you mean, Mrs. Osman?” he asked innocently. “I was simply introducing myself so you’d know who reported your unprofessional behavior to your supervisor.” He then looked to me. “I know you’re in pain, but I don’t trust her.”
I nodded with understanding.
“I don’t trust you to treat my daughter. Please excuse yourself from this room before I have you removed,”Stefan ordered.
“Your daughter,” she gasped as if just realizing it.Did she not read my name on my chart?She put her hand to her neck as if to clutch her nonexistent pearls.
“In case you were wondering, that was a threat,” I told her. “I’d get your ass moving, Nurse Ratched.”
She huffed and stormed out of the room.
“I need to pee,” I announced.
Dean and Asher beelined for the door while mumbling that they would wait out in the hall.
“I’m going to go find Brody and get you a new nurse,” Stefan said and bolted.
I tightened my hold on Jamie, even though he'd made no move to leave, and I gave him a firm look that said,You aren’t going anywhere, buddy.
He smiled and pulled off my covers, exposing the ugly hospital gown I was in and my bare legs. I unhooked myself from the blood pressure cuff that was wrapped around my arm and pulled off the thing clamped to my finger that monitored my pulse. Before I could even attempt to get out of bed myself, he scooped me up in his arms.
“Need some help?” Louie asked.