I stepped to the side, letting Sofia move in. She worked for a few moments, then turned to me.
“I need you to leave, Marcus.”
“No.”
She stepped closer. “I need you to leave. That’s not a request.”
I glared, but she didn’t back down. “I’m going to examine her thoroughly and ask her some questions. I need you to find her some clean clothes and food. Once she’s stable, you can arrange transport.”
“She’s not going anywhere,” I growled.
Her eyebrows shot up. “Where is she going to stay?”
My voice brooked no argument.
“Here. With me.”
Sofia emerged from the room a short while later.
“How is she?”
“I got her core temperature up. Surprisingly, none of her injuries are life-threatening. We need to address the dehydration and malnutrition right away. But she’s been through a lot, Marcus. The trauma to her body is extensive.” She shook her head. “How her mind will cope with it all is unknown.”
“Can she talk?”
She hesitated. “She can—if she wants to. She’s confused, in shock, in dire need of sleep and warmth. Her throat is sore from—” she shook her head “—from screaming and being restrained. You need to be patient.”
I tightened my hands on the clothes I was carrying, the rage running through me hot and bright.
“I can be patient.”
“She did ask about a shower. I don’t think she wants to put on clean clothes until she has one.”
“Is she up for that?”
“I injected her with some pain meds, so she is more comfortable. I cleaned the cuts and put waterproof bandages on them. The abrasions have been cleansed. She would need to be watched.”
I nodded, then met her eyes. “Was she…” The simple words hung in the air.
“She says no.”
I blew out a long breath. “Wow. Okay, that’s something.”
“I’ll come check on her in the morning. Anyone else need me?”
“No. It was a clean in-and-out. All the others were sent to the safe house. They’re being looked after there.”
She lifted one eyebrow. “In, out, and boom?”
I chuckled. “Yes.”
She indicated the room behind her with a tilt of her head. “Why wasn’t she sent to the safe house, Marcus?”
“We found her after they had departed.”
“You could have taken her there. Instead, you brought her here. Why is that?”
I had no clue how to answer. I met her eyes and shrugged. “No idea. I just—I had to.”
“Hmm,” was her only reply. She left after instructing me on the medication to give the woman.
I headed into the room and found her sitting on the table, her head down, her hands clutching at the coat I had put around her.
“Hey, sweetheart,” I said quietly.
She looked up, her eyes clearer of agony, but slightly unfocused due to the pain meds.
“I’m going to pick you up now, okay?”
She didn’t protest, and I carefully lifted her and headed for the elevator and up to my place.
Inside, I strode through the apartment until I got to my bedroom. I walked straight to the bathroom and into the shower. I sat her on the wide seat and stepped back.
“I’m going to remove my coat and turn on the water. When it’s warm, you can sit under the spray for as long as you want.” I rummaged on the shelf. “Here is soap and shampoo. I don’t have conditioner. Sorry. I know women like conditioner. I’ll get you some.”
She stared at me.
“Here’s a toothbrush. Use it and leave it in here. I’ll be on the other side of that wall. I won’t come in here unless you call.” I reached and pulled a towel off the hook. “Wrap yourself in this. I have clean clothes for you when you’re done.” I paused. “Do you understand me?”
She blinked slowly.
“Okay. If you’re dizzy or you need help, tap the wall. I’ll be right there.” I hunched down and pulled my coat off her, lifting her carefully as I did so. “I’ll burn whatever this is you’re wearing.” It was a cross between a shirt and a dress, filthy, torn, thin, and far too short. She had no underwear on beneath it.
She whispered something, and I frowned, leaning closer. “What was that?”
“Sorry,” escaped her lips as she touched my coat.
I stared at her, aghast. “I don’t care about the coat, sweetheart,” I assured her. “I care about getting you clean, comfortable, and fed. You can sleep then, knowing you’re protected.”
I felt her touch my chest, her shaking finger tapping me. I captured her hand, holding it gently. “Yes. I will protect you.”
I stepped back, got the water warm, then stood in front of the stream, making sure all the cold had drained from the pipe before stepping out of the way and letting the water cascade over her. I hit the button so the second showerhead turned on over her, the gentle rain flow surrounding her. She raised her hands, wiping her hair back from her face. Almost every inch of her was covered in bruises or abrasions. She lifted her face, her eyes wide when they met mine, bright with unshed tears.