Chapter 34
Thirty-Four
LULU
Iwatch Rome leave the room, and after he gives me one last look and reassuring smile, I turn all my attention to my best friend. She may be a new friend, but she’s damn important to me, and I’m going to make sure she’s okay.
It’s the blood that I can’t get over. Christ, she’s a mangled mess, and I hope with all my heart that Rome makes that fucker pay.
“Lu,” Scarlett says with a sob as she wipes her tears on the blanket she’s clinging to, covering her naked breasts. “God, it hurts. How do people do this for fun?”
“It’s not my thing either,” I assure her and brush some sweaty hair off her face and tuck it behind her ear. I grab a bottle of water off a nearby tray, crack it open, and offer it to her. “You need to hydrate.”
“I didn’t know him,” she says, shaking her head when I offer her the water.
“I’d never seen him before. And he seemed so …
normal. He was nice, and handsome, and said he’d never played with the flogger before and wanted to try.
That he wouldn’t let it go past me getting a little pink.
We discussed it at length, and I clearly explained my boundaries. ”
“You heard Rome. You didn’t do anything wrong, Scarlett. And has anyone suggested turning the music down a bit in the playroom? It’s so loud that it’s hard to hear a safe word if you’re not standing right next to someone.”
“He heard me,” she says. “He told me to shut up. But yeah, it does get loud in there sometimes. I’ve mentioned it to Loveland, but she blows me off on the regular.”
I really don’t like that woman.
Why wouldn’t Scarlett’s boss listen to her? She and I got off to a rocky start, but she’s worked here for years, which means Rome trusts her. I can’t imagine Rome would allow his staff to be treated poorly by one of their managers. That’s just not him.
“I didn’t even want to work tonight,” Scarlett admits with a soft voice. Her eyes meet mine. “Luke and I … last night was really great. It doesn’t feel right to fuck other people, but this is my job, and Luke knows that. I felt weird about it anyway.”
“Hey.” I kiss her forehead. “It’s going to be okay.”
The door opens, and a petite woman in her fifties with curly white hair in expensive clothes bustles in and frowns when she sees Scarlett’s state. Another woman follows her, around the same age, with blond hair.
“Miss Lulu,” Michael, the guard, says. “I was given instructions to take you to the penthouse when the doctor arrived.”
Scarlett clings to my hand, and I shake my head. “I’m not leaving her.”
“But Mr. Alexander—”
“Is certifiable if he thinks for one minute that I’ll leave her here by herself after the trauma she’s just been through. I’m not going. And I’ll deal with Rome myself later.”
Michael swallows hard, obviously not wanting to go against Rome’s wishes.
“I’ll text him,” I say, and Michael’s shoulders drop a little in relief.
“I’m Dr. Asgood,” the doctor says with a soothing, calm voice to Scarlett as I type out my message. “And this is my assistant, Cheryl. We’re going to take care of this, Scarlett.”
Me: I’m not going to the penthouse. I’m not leaving Scarlett. Michael will stay with us here. I’m not in danger.
I tuck my phone away and turn my attention to my friend.
“He made me count,” Scarlett says after a hard swallow.
“How many times did he strike you?” Dr. Asgood asks, looking at Scarlett’s back but not touching her. Her eyes are sharp, and they flash with anger at the destruction in the flesh.
“F-f-fourteen,” Scarlett replies.
“The wounds are drying, so we need to get you cleaned up. It will hurt. I’m sorry for that, but I’ll give you a sedative and some pain medication to take the edge off.”
Scarlett bites her lip and watches me with pleading eyes.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I assure her, and she nods. “I’m right here. You and me. We’ve got this, babe. Let’s talk about something happier while they clean you up. Maybe we should go shopping for something extra beautiful in a few days when you’re feeling better.”
“Shoes,” Scarlett says, and winces when Cheryl places the IV in the crook of her elbow. They get some fluids going, and Cheryl injects something into the line.
“This is the medicine,” Cheryl tells Scarlett. “It’s going to take the edge off the pain for you. You might feel a little sleepy, too. There’s also an antibiotic in here, in case there’s any kind of infection.”
“Okay,” Scarlett breathes. “Am I okay here on the edge of the bed?”
“That’s perfect,” Dr. Asgood replies. “You can lean on your friend if you need to.”
“I’m an excellent hugger,” I say with an encouraging smile while dragging a stool over to sit in front of her. “Seriously, tell me where you need me.”
Scarlett nods, and the eyes that held some fear and pain soften a little as the medicine takes effect.
“What kind of shoes do you want to look for?” I ask her as the doctor and Cheryl lay the supplies out behind Scarlett and get to work. “Heels? Sneakers?”
“Both, I’m not picky.” She hisses with the first contact of the cloth on her back. “Oh shit, that fucking hurts like a bitch.”
“I know, sweetheart,” Dr. Asgood says. “I’m so sorry. We’re going to work carefully but quickly. Hang in there and let me know if you need a break.”
“Breathe with me,” I encourage Scarlett. “Take a deep breath.”
“If I ever have a baby, you have to be in the room with me,” she says, watching my face and taking a deep breath. “You’d be really good at that.”
“Do you want babies?” I ask her, trying to keep her distracted.
“Maybe. Someday. I think I have to quit this job. I can’t go back into that playroom, Lu.”
“You don’t even have to think about that right now.” I brush my fingers over her forehead and frown because she feels warm. “Does she have a fever?”
“She might,” the doctor confirms. “It’s a normal response to this kind of physical trauma and fear.”
“How is it that I’ve known you for such a short time, but you’re the best friend I ever had?” Scarlett asks, her voice slurring. “Maybe we’re soulmates. It doesn’t have to just be for romantic relationships, you know.”
“I totally think we’re soulmates,” I confirm, and notice the two women behind Scarlett share a smile. “What’s your favorite comfort food? I’ll make it all for you after you get some sleep.”
“Cheeseburgers,” she says. “With greasy fries. And a chocolate shake.”
“I can make you all of that. Should we watch some chick flicks, too?”
“Yeah.” She winces again, and it makes my stomach clench. God, I hate this for her. “Or some reality TV. Housewives of Beverly Hills or something?”
“I’m down for that.”
“Can you text Luke for me?” she asks with a whisper.
“Of course.”
I pull out my phone and bring up his contact.
“What do you want me to say?”
“Just that I’ve been hurt, and I want to see him. I don’t even care if it makes me sound like a whiny baby.”
“Dude, I had a guy just piss me off earlier and went hunting for Rome so I could get a hug. You can bet your gorgeous ass I’d be begging for him right now.”
Scarlett smiles softly. “You two are the cutest.”
I punch out a message to Luke.
Me: I’m with Scarlett in the infirmary. She’s been hurt and would like to see you when you’re free.
“There. Message sent.”
“Thank you.”