“I just wanted to help. I needed to help. No need to thank me.”
“Not many people would’ve stepped in. Nobody ever—” I stop talking because I don’t need to tell him my troubles.
He’s already helped me. I don’t need any more of his pity. I do want to keep some semblance of pride. I already feel ashamed and embarrassed that I let this happen.
“Listen, Mindy. I would never leave anyone in that situation. Your boyfriend had no right to put his hands on you…”
“My husband,” I automatically correct.
I don’t even know why I said that. I guess it’s a triggered response. Ross would accuse me of wanting attention from men if I didn’t instantly correct their assumption that I was single.
“What was that?” Luca frowns.
“Ross. He’s my husband. Not my boyfriend,” I mumble.
I can’t help the grimace that covers my face as the words leave my mouth. Once upon a time, I was proud to call Ross my husband. He was a good man that I cherished and loved. I still can’t believe that this is my life.
“Yourhusbanddid this? What the fuck?” Luca runs his hands through his hair.
I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but I can take a wild guess. It’s probably not every day he has to save a woman from being assaulted by her husband in a restroom. The thought brings an overwhelming sense of humiliation, and I look away.
“What time is it?” I ask, changing the subject.
Luca glances at an expensive looking watch. “It’s a little after three.”
Ross is probably home by now. I’m not sure what Luca did to Ross, but if I remember correctly, he mentioned not killing him. So, hopefully he whooped his ass.
“Okay, I’ll have to wait to see where Ross is before I can go back there. But you can take me to a hotel or something.” I look back at Luca, but he frowns.
I can’t go back home because I don’t know what Ross will do. But I don’t know what to do next. I can’t tell my family. It’s not just the disappointment that they would feel, but they trusted Ross. He fooled us all, and I know my parents would never forgive themselves. I refuse to burden them with my problems.
“You’re not going to a hotel, Mindy. The doctor will be in to check you out. I wanted to see if you were awake,” Luca says, getting off the bed.
“Wait. What doctor?”
“My doctor. He makes house calls, and he’s here to make sure you’re alright.”
Luca walks out of the room, and I’m left feeling like I woke up in the twilight zone.
CHAPTER
FIVE
PREDATOR
LUCA
“She’s awake. You can check her out. But don’t get too carried away with the touching,” I warn.
“I’m a doctor, Dalonzo. I have to touch her.” Dr. Walters shakes his head.
“You heard what the fuck I said.” I stare at him until he nods.
Walters walks away mumbling under his breath about working for a psycho, but I let it slide. I mean, he’s not lying. Plus, he’ll do what I said; that’s why he’s here.
I lied to Mindy when I told her Dr. Walters made house calls. He’s one of the top neurosurgeons in Texas, andhe doesn’t have time to be my personal physician. But he’s a friend of the family, and he knows the Dalonzo’s well. So, when I called, Dr. Walters came.
The doc was unenthusiastic. But with the amount of money I had transferred into his account, he’ll get over it. Besides, Walters knows that I wouldn’t call for something frivolous. Mindy needs to be looked after.
