The orderlies got her into the bed on a pad so he could bathe her. A nurse came in with a tub of warm soapy water, a washcloth, and a gown within a few minutes.
“If you need any help, push the red button.”
“Okay, thank you.”
He pulled back the blanket. He started at her face and gently wiped it off before moving down to her neck. When he got to her chest and torso, he untied the robe belt and quickly washed her off. Next, he moved down her legs to her feet and then lastly wiped her privates off. He went quickly because he felt like he was invading her privacy, and the last thing he wanted was to embarrass her.
“Cesar?”
“I’m right here, chica. Hold still. I’m just cleaning you off. It will make you feel better.”
She nodded and closed her eyes again.
Cesar carefully lifted one side of her then pulled off her robe and the pad under her before doing the other side.
He unsnapped the gown to get it around the arm with the IV and then snapped up the front, leaving her bare back touching the sheet beneath her.
The door opened, and his friends walked in as he pulled the blanket up to cover her.
“How is she doing?” Jessie asked.
Damn, he was glad to see them.
“The doctor doesn’t think she has any broken ribs, but he’s going to have a radiologist look to be sure. She’s badly bruised, and because she was dehydrated and in pain, she had low blood pressure, but it’s better already with the fluids they’ve given her.”
“Good,” Draven said. “What are you going to do to her mother and sister?”
“I don’t know what can be done. When they come to question her, I’ll ask the cops, and then I’ll let her decide how far to go with it. If I had my way, they’d both be in jail.”
“I don’t blame you,” Eli said. “I can’t believe they were threatening to sue the cops and paramedics for getting her daughter help.”
Cesar gritted his teeth as he stared down at Amber. The woman was so incredibly sweet. He didn’t understand how anyone would want to see her hurt, especially her mother.
“I don’t think her mother cared at all.”
“Is there anything you need us to do or get for you?” Jessie asked.
“Not right now. She’ll be here at least until tomorrow, and I’ll be with her. I’ll check in with you guys tomorrow morning and give you an update.”
“Call if you need anything,” Jessie said.
“Thanks, guys.”
Cesar pulled up a chair close to the bed and sat down so he could see her face. He couldn’t get the look of her family out of his head.
He’d had a rough childhood, but the thought of this woman having to deal with a family as uncaring as hers made him furious. He wanted to have the image of her living in her nice house with a loving family because the alternative was obscene. Amber wasn’t strong enough to deal with the hand she’d been given, and he wondered how much she’d had to deal with it on her own.
The door opened, and the cops who were at the house walked in.
“Hey, guys.”
“How’s she doing?”
“As far as we know, there are no broken bones, but there is a lot of bruising. One of the nurses downstairs got pictures for you just in case they’ll have charges filed against her family.”
“I’m not sure what we can charge them with yet. I have a call into my captain. If they weren’t the cause of it, then we can’t charge them with assault. They can always say they didn’t know anything and that she hurt herself or something along those lines.”
“But they let her lie in bed for three days. Wouldn’t a normal person, especially one that cares, have a doctor check her out to be sure?” Cesar asked.
“Yes,” one of the cops said. “But we all know how crazy the world is. Everyone is so self-absorbed they can’t think of anyone besides themselves.”
“I was a cop, so I do know.” Cesar looked down at Amber. He knew all too well.
One of the cops handed him a card. “Call us when she wakes up.”
“I can do that. Thanks, guys.”