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Yet he was forced to believe one thing was real Her concern for hied hiratitude To her lifeline in this harrowing experience Once fright and shock drained away, so would her siood nature

Then he’d be free to resuly without the least ree He needed to get his act together To plan his next step

“I’ with you”

At her blurted-out declaration, Rashid turned at the door of the treatment rooical species in the presence of a Vulcan

He’d so far let her accoh the admission procedure When the police had arrived, he’d fielded doubts about her being involved in the attack, lying with spectacular s to hi a one-on-two match with Mira—whom he’d always seen with her in the ti she’d say Just like the thugs would back up anything he said

Not that those police they realized the truth but see it wholeheartedly They’d behaved as if they realized they were in the presence of a superior force who’d taken the pursuit of justice far beyond their level The bare bones of his background had left the his hand for what he’d done to those repeat offenders and slapping his back for how ruthlessly he’d done it

It was the female ER doctor who answered her “Only family members can accompany patients” She turned her awed eyes to Rashid “Or if the patient specifically asks for your presence”

And you’d rather he didn’t ask, Laylah al she was abyso all the way”

His eyes confirmed that she had failed to learn that survival en-based species in her fale Then he presented her with that unyielding back as he preceded the woman into the treatment room

By the time thirty minutes had passed and more and more doctors had rushed into the room, she was certain they’d discovered his injury was catastrophic, and they’d been trying to contain the situation—and failing

“I can’t believe your luck, lady”

Laylah started, her nerves jangling It was the ER nurse who’d firstthe treator smiled widely at her “Not that you were alod happened by and swooped in to save you”

She barely remembered Rashid’s version in time “Uhthat isn’t what happened”

“Oh, I knohat he said happened, but I’ve seen the men he ripped apart That had to be to punish what he’d consider a faryou I also don’t buy that story about your bruise You two don’t feel like you know each other enough for basketball But don’t worry The boys in blue will swear on his version, so we can discuss the truth”

Laylah released the air trapped in her lungs “You’re uncanny at reading people”

Nurse McGregor tinkled a laugh “Coive the police a false stateor put in “And itthis for you will save you no end of aggravation”

“Yeah And he’d already saved me from far worse If not for hio by noondering if I’d survive Instead, it was he whowho” She had to stop as the tears finally began to flow

Nurse McGregor frowned “Hey, easy, girl This is going to hit you hard when you process what happened and what could have happened So don’t fight it Seek help”