Page 155 of Marks of Rebellion

"He never—"

"No."

I shouldn't smile. Carlos touching her isn't funny. But I'm relieved she was able to stop him from raping her.

"It is kind of funny, isn't it?" She smirks.

I try to bite back my laugh, but I can't stop it. Vanessa softly joins in.

There's a knock on the door, and she jumps and trembles.

"Don't worry, Flower. It's probably the doctor."

"Doctor?"

"Yes. Let me go let him in."

"I don't want anyone to touch me."

"Okay. He doesn't have to."

I let him in. Vanessa scoots back on the bed until she's against the headboard.

I go to her side and sit next to her. "Flower, this is Faron."

He stays near the door then pulls the chair out from under the desk to sit. "I'll stay right here if you're okay with that?"

"O-okay."

He smiles. "I'm glad to see you're awake."

"Are you Brazillian?"

His grin widens. "Yes. How did you know?"

"I'm from there. Faron is Brazillian."

He says something, and I assume it's in Portuguese.

Vanessa says something back.

"I just asked Vanessa if she still speaks Portuguese, and I'm happy to report she hasn't lost it."

I glance at her. "I'm happy she's not lost it, either." I wink at her, thinking about when she spoke dirty to me at Julieta's house.

She puts her hand on my thigh and scoots closer to the edge of the bed.

"Would it be okay if I took your temperature? You've had a fever for several days."

She hesitates but then says, "Can Hunter stay with me?"

"Sure."

"I'm not leaving you, Flower."

"O-Okay."

Faron takes his time and asks her permission anytime he is going to do something new. It takes a while, but he gives her an examination. "You still have a slight fever, but it's lower. I'm sure it'll pass soon. Do you think you could eat some food?"