Chapter 10 Ignacio
Staring at my “breakfast”, I turn my head away in disgust. Fucking hell.
If Cristian didn’t succeed in killing me, this new diet might.
A shake. For breakfast. That’s it. Fucking ridiculous.
And not even a good type of shake, just the chalky, plain protein shit.
I miss the Martelli Chef. I’m sure he’d be able to whip me up something that tastes good.
“Well, I was going to let you leave the medical wing today, but if you can’t follow orders…”
I yank my attention to Dr. Ranlen, who strolls in, giving me a hard stare.
I hold back a sharp retort, not wanting to piss her off and have her take away even the smallest taste of freedom.
Having Leandro come here again in the middle of the night?
Pass. Getting my own room with a hopefully more comfortable bed is my goal.
Why the hell do they make hospital beds so fucking miserable?
I pick up the glass and take a gulp and swallow. It’s not even through a straw because of air bubbles or some shit. Shuddering at the taste, I set it down and say, “Yum. Delicious. I’m following instructions.”
Dr. Ranlen snorts and shakes her head. “I’m surrounded by idiots. Yet I’m responsible for keeping you all alive.”
“Some of us are loveable, at least. Like me. Who you want to let out of this room, because I promise to be good.”
“I want you out of here, if for no other reason than you’re a pain in the ass.
But whatever. You can transition to a bedroom of your own, but there are strict rules.
One, you’ll continue your diet. Soft, bland food.
Second, PT. You have a long way to go. Finally, you must take it easy. Don’t push yourself.”
“I’m sure Benjamin won’t let me push myself. And fine, I’ll live off this crappy diet.” I force down another mouthful of the shake, for her.
She makes a note on the chart she brought in, and then sets it aside. “Let me do some checks on you in a moment, and then I’ll have someone bring in a wheelchair. I’ll let Jayden know you’re ready for him.”
“Jayden?”
She laughs at my horrified expression. “That’s right. He’s going to be doing your PT. I suggest not fucking with him.”
“But why won’t it be Benjamin?” My jaw drops, even as she moves my still mostly uneaten breakfast aside to start checking my reflexes, and whatever other fucking torture she has planned.
She rolls her eyes at me. “Because Jayden has time. Benjamin is busy as a Second.”
I grit my teeth against the flash of pain. It wouldn’t have mattered in the past. Benjamin would have insisted on being the one to do my physical therapy. I guess Leandro was right. Tennant really did ask Benjamin not to marry me.
I know him. Tennant may not have asked Benjamin to limit his time with me, but that’s what he would have heard. I rub my chest, trying to shake off the knowledge that he’s completely gone now. He didn’t even bother to talk with me about it.
“Are you having pain?”
I snap back to reality, meeting Dr. Ranlen’s concerned gaze. I shake my head, clearing my throat to reiterate, “No. It’s fine.”
Her concern morphs into suspicion, but finally she sighs and waves me off. “Fine. Remember the rules. You just went through major surgery, and you’re lucky you managed to live through it. Not to mention, we were able to save all your organs as well. Don’t fuck up the work we did.”
She turns sharply and leaves the room without another word.
I’m beginning to think she’s been hanging out with Doc a little too much.
Fucking hell. I struggle to get out of the bed, but I desperately want to get ready to leave.
I manage to stand up, but my legs immediately buckle.
I grasp the bed and just barely keep myself upright, swearing as I try to fight against the dizziness and weakness.
“Oh joy. Another idiot.”
“That is the second time someone’s called me an idiot today,” I manage to say through gritted teeth as I struggle to stand.
I glance at the person in the doorway and my heart sinks.
He has a wheelchair with him, and the most unimpressed face I’ve seen, which, considering all the times Il Padrone put me in the black room, is fucking impressive. “Jayden.”
“Good. You know me. Then you won’t be surprised when I put you through hell. Now, get your ass in this wheelchair and I’ll show you where we’ll be starting.”
He wheels it over to me and I try to gracefully sit down, but fail miserably. I’m already breathing heavily, but at least he doesn’t ask if I’m alright.
He doesn’t say a word as he wheels me out of the medical suite with strong strides.
I’m taken aback by where we are. It’s a mindfuck knowing I've left the only home I’ve known for years, to end up in the middle of a house that I can’t even recognize.
And I have a feeling Jayden isn’t going to give me the tour anytime soon.
I lose track of the hallways until he finally stops in front of a bedroom suite.
I study my surroundings as he rolls me in.
There’s not much to it, but at least the bed looks comfortable.
It’s missing my books, and I hope to fuck someone grabbed them from the Martelli house before leaving. Some of those are priceless to me.
“Do we have specific times to meet? And where?” I break the silence and his chuckle gives me goosebumps—and not fucking good ones.
“I’ll be up your ass so frequently that won’t even be a question.
As for where, you’re looking at your home until I clear you.
It’s going to be a while before you’re actually in the gym.
” I open my mouth to complain, but he merely puts the brakes on the wheelchair and comes around to stand in front of me.
He cocks an eyebrow and stares down at me.
“Don’t fuck with me. Just follow the rules I set up.
Now, let’s get you into bed. I’ll be back later to evaluate you. Right now, it’d be worthless to do.”
With that, he leans down and practically lifts me up, manhandling me onto the bed.
I’d be impressed that someone can do that to me, if it didn’t make me realize how fucking far I have to go.
As soon as I’m stretched out on the bed, he gives me a firm nod before moving the wheelchair over to the side and heading out.
“That’s it?” I call, flabbergasted.
He stops at the door, turning toward me. “My apologies. I’ll see you later, Princess. Get ready to work.”
Before I can manage a retort, he’s out the door. Fucking hell. And of course my stomach takes that moment to remind me I didn’t finish my breakfast. It’s going to be a long day.
Whimpering, I lean my head back against the pillow and try to get comfortable.
Hopefully, a nap will let the time pass more quickly.
If anything, I’ll need the energy to deal with that asshole.
And I thought Benjamin was a fucking sadist. Yet, fuck if Jayden isn’t hot as all get out when he’s barking orders… At least, the eye candy will be good.