Page 31 (1/2)

Ronan sat on the couch across from me while Phoenix took up an armchair nearby Cain remained near the door I liked that I could still have h I wasn’t sure why Maybe I needed to see if there was any point where I’d see soaze that told me the words he’d said to me earlier were a lie

Not that it oing anywhere unless they decided to let o

“Thank you for coan “I know it couldn’t have been easy for you”

I bit back the retort I was about to spew out that I didn’t really have a choice in the matter and just remained quiet

“Before we talk, I would like to know if I can take a look at your injuries”

“I’m fine,” I assured him

“I don’t doubt that,” he said calmly “But the doctor in me won’t be able to relax until I know for sure” He paused before saying, “I think you knohat I mean”

I wanted to believe he was only guessing with the implication, but I doubted it I supposed it could have been the procedure I’d performed on that patient that had tipped Ronan off, but I doubted that too In ut, I knew that Ronan kneas a doctor I had a sneaking suspicion he knew more than that

“Okay,” I finally said, though in truth, I didn’t want hiainst hi me

I saw Ronan nod at Phoenix who immediately left the rooe clear I was about to tell him I wanted Cain to stay when Cain said, “I’ll stay”

To give Ronan credit, he barely reacted, but I didn’t miss the subtle shift in his eyes as he looked from Cain to me and back to Cain For my part, I was beyond relieved that I hadn’t needed to ask the man to stay myself

Since I didn’t even knohy it was so important that he did

“Is that okay with you, Ethan?”

I quickly nodded, keeping my eyes off Cain so Ronan wouldn’t think my behavior odd I endured Ronan’s touch as he quickly exah the standard questions I would have asked one of my own patients When he asked me to remove the T-shirt, I did so reluctantly He took a stethoscope fro next to the couch and listened tothe rest of noses as he worked, looking to me with each one to see if I concurred or not