Page 189 of Retribution

“Mmm,mine,” I murmur, biting down hard enough to break skin. The last thing I want to do is hurt her, and without the happy endorphins of an orgasm, it can be unpleasant.

Isolde hisses as the bond snaps into place, and I gaze intently at her as I lift my head, fixing her sleeve.

I’m going to serenade you so hard,I tease her, making her laugh.

I don’t care about looking silly, not when it’ll put her at ease.

Sorry, this place is locked up tight,Grant finally responds.I wanted to make sure I couldn’t bribe someone before getting back to you.

That’s fine. She doesn’t seem dizzy,I reply.Is Leila doing alright with Linus and Christian?

“Do you want to look over the form?” I ask her, happy when Grant confirms that Leila took her bottle and went to bed.

Isolde sighs, picking up the clipboard. She jots a couple of things down before putting the paperwork down again. I don’t blame her for being over this either.

Marie pops her head back in and instructs her to take off her pants and panties for the examination.

“Scoot to the bottom of the bed and put this over your waist, please,” she explains, stepping inside to offer her a paper sheet. “I’m sorry it’s such paltry coverage. I’m bugging the hospital tooffer something better. It’ll all get bleached and washed anyway. I’ll give you a few minutes.”

“I’m staying, I can also let you know when she’s ready,” I add.

“You are good,” she says with a nod. “Thank you, I’ll be right outside.”

Isolde makes a face as Marie leaves, and I smile sympathetically at her. I hate that she’s so vulnerable in this. It’s different for men. We don’t have to undress fully for an exam, while women do. I help her pull off her boots, leggings, and panties before tucking the paper sheet around her once she’s laying down on the table. Kissing her temple, I send her a whisper of my love through the bond as I move to open the door.

Marie waits patiently outside it, turning as she sees me.

“I promise to be as fast as possible,” she says.

Nodding, I let her in and then stand by Isolde’s shoulder so I can hold out my hand for my girl.

Taking a breath, Isolde takes my hand, and Marie puts on a pair of gloves before settling at the end of the table. The nurse glances at the form before her eyes widen, and I notice it takes her a second to compose herself. I don’t know what Isolde said to shake her so badly, but it could have been literally anything.

Ophelia did not make things easy for Isolde in any way.

Knowing this is going to suck for her as the surgical lubricant also makes an appearance, I search my memory for a song.

For some reason, Frank Sinatra’s song about flying to the moon pops into my head, and I decide to go with it. I sing loudly through the bond, and Isolde squeezes my hand. Marie pokes and prods, and even though I’m sure she’s being gentle, Isolde turns her head to the side and closes her eyes in shame.

I know, baby, you can do this,I remind her, hating every goddamned second of this. I was wrong. I wish I had caved and left.

This fucking sucks.

I continue to sing to her as I watch Marie continue the exam. Isolde stiffens for a second, and I bend down to press my lips against her skin.

“How much longer?” I ask, struggling not to panic. A tear escapes my eye as I continue my solo in my head, but it devolves until it’s wobbly humming through the bond.

“Almost,” Marie promises. “No vaginal tears. I just need to check for anal fissures.”

If they weren’t already dead and roasting in a very warm place, I would hunt them down for that statement. Ophelia will never hurt anyone ever again. Isolde made sure of that.

Isolde makes a sound that shatters my soul as Marie presses her fingers inside her to check for fissures before she frowns.

“The area is really inflamed, but I think that’s because of the laxative you ingested," she says. “Having diarrhea for days can do that. I would stick to a diet of liquids and bread if at all possible. There’s some torn areas that I can feel, but that will heal on its own. I see no other issues, Isolde.”

Marie pushes away from the table and throws out her gloves before getting up to wash her hands.

“Dr. Royal is rushing the lab results now,” she adds. “It’s a slower night, so it shouldn’t be long, okay? You can get dressed, and there’s tissues to clean up with.”