Page 12 of Always Watching
He grins, making him look even younger—closer to North’s older brother than his dad. “I’m fifty. I was a young dad.” He shrugs, sinking lower in the chair. “How do you know North?”
“I don’t,” I answer honestly. “He heard I was in trouble and came to help.” Atlas nods, but I sense I may have said something I shouldn’t have. “If it weren’t for him, I’m not sure I would have been found.”
“Why did someone hurt you, kid?”
“I’m not a kid,” I say defiantly. “I’m twenty-two.”
“Compared to me, you’re a kid. You have enemies?”
I shake my head. “Not that I know of. I don’t really talk to people enough to gain enemies.”
Atlas nods, lacing his fingers and resting them on his belly. His well-toned belly. There’s no way this guy is fifty. Early thirties, yes. But fifty? I can’t see it. “You should get some rest. Maybeget some of those meds from that pretty nurse.” My eyebrow twitches, but Atlas doesn’t seem to care. “He said they would help.” I continue to stare at him and he sighs. “I won’t hurt you, kid. I don’t think my son would like that too much. You’re safe.”
I’m not sure why his words set me at ease, but they do. I take his advice and press the button to alert Calvin I want meds. My pain has gone up from a six to a nine. Everything is throbbing and my vision flashes white from the pain.
After Calvin comes back in—much to Atlas’s delight if his grin is anything to go by—he puts meds into my IV that I feel almost immediately. He helps me settle more comfortably on the bed and I sigh, feeling the pain ease from my body. “Thank you,” I say as exhaustion blankets me.
The sun streaming through the windows wakes me a few hours later. I immediately look to the chair beside the bed and can’t help but to smile. North’s eyes bounce around my face as if checking me over. “Good morning.”
North leans forward, taking my chin in his hands and moving my face to the side. My skin burns where he touches me, and I fight to contain the shiver. After he’s taken a good look, he releases his hold. “How did you sleep?”
“Good,” I answer, my voice sounding breathy. “Until your father scared the shit out of me.”
He shoots me a crooked smile. “Did he bother you?”
“No. Thank you. For asking him to stay.” I blow out a shaky breath. “I didn’t want to admit how scared I was about being here alone. I don’t know how I’m going to function, staying by myself. Maybe I’ll take Olly up on his offer.”
For a moment, I think North’s eyes grow stormy, but it’s gone so fast I don’t know whether I saw it at all. “Why not just stay home?”
I open my mouth to answer, but before I can there’s a knock at my door. Another nurse comes in with papers on a clipboard. I wish it were Calvin, so I could thank him for taking care of me and for being a barrier between me and Atlas before he knew it was safe. He could have been hurt if Atlas was a dangerous man, and he was willing to take that risk for me. I’ll have to bring him some flowers or something.
“Hey,” the nurse says, moving the rolling tray table over to the end of the bed. “What’s your pain level?” I answer all her questions and take the paperwork she has in her hands. “These are your discharge papers. If you sign here, you’ll be free to go.”
I sign the paper with a flourish, happy to get out of here, but afraid to go home alone. “Thank you.”
“Take care,” she says and leaves my room.
I throw my legs over the side of the bed and North helps me stand. He lets me lean on him while I shuffle to the bathroom, and waits for me to do my business and brush my teeth with the complimentary toothbrush and toothpaste.
Once I’m done, he helps me put my clothes on and kneels in front of me to help with my shoes. “This is really sweet of you. I really appreciate it.”
North looks up at me with a smile, and I’m not ashamed to say I like how he looks down on his knees in front of me. I shouldn’t be thinking that, since I was attacked yesterday, but I can’t help it. It’s like something inside me has woken up and I’m taking notice.
“You’re welcome,” he says, gripping my hands to pull me to my feet. “Hold on to me. We can take it nice and slow out of here.”
We walk slowly to his car, inching the whole way. I’m still in pain, but it’s more manageable now. I’ll need a few days to rest up, meaning I won’t be able to cam for another week or so.
When I get settled in North’s passenger seat, I reach into my messenger bag that North was smart enough to grab for me and pull out my cell. I log into my banking app and see I have enough money to cover all my bills for at least two months. I’ll have to get back to work soon, but it’s not urgent.
Out of curiosity, I check my cam-site email. And wish I hadn’t.
Though there are some nice messages wishing me a speedy recovery and hoping I feel better—hell, even some with tips attached—there are also a few that are so hateful they make tears brim in my eyes.
“What is it?” North asks, snapping me away from the messages I’m reading. His eyes haven’t left the road, so I’m not sure how he knows something is bothering me.
“Nothing.”
In a quiet voice, North says, “Don’t lie to me, Ranen.”
