“I suppose when a princess just falls in your path you have to rescue her,” she teases and then turns back to the call. I thought she was going to give me a hard time about breaking protocol, but I’m glad she holds back her reservations because something about Ella has me on edge, needing to protect, care, and worship her. It’s as if she needs me.
“You take care. Follow up with your doctor in three days or if your symptoms get worse.” I walk out of the room, sanitizing my hands before heading to the nurses’ station to drop off Mr. Wilson’s paperwork. It takes me longer to finish my rounds than I hoped, but that’s because I became distracted thinking about Ella. Afraid that she’d leave without me, I rush down to my locker and shower quickly before heading to her room.
“Here comes Prince Charming,” a masculine voice I know well and hate, says.
I scowl at Dr. Rosen. He’s an asshole and a complete pervert when it comes to the patients. He’s always stealing extra-long glances at the women. Since I met Ella, I suppose I’m not much better, but this is completely different. I’m not going to let Ella go and I’ve never done such a thing before. Never.
“What do you need, Rosen?” I genuinely don’t like the man, and he knows it.
A smirk on his face only makes me want to bash his head in. “Nothing. The hot DV patient was looking for her Prince Charming and clearly told me it wasn’t me.” Now his words set my teeth on edge. I’m going to kill this fucker.
I shake my head and get in his face. Practically foaming at the mouth, I give him one warning. “Don’t talk about her like that again. It’s the only warning you’re getting.” Walking away before I knock his ass out, I go into her room.
Ella’s wrapping her fucked-up robe around her body.
“Where the fuck are you going?” I roar. She jumps, startled, and falls back onto the bed. “As cute as that robe is, you’re not leaving in that.”
She narrows her eyes, glaring at me as if she hates me. “You asshole. You called the police. It’s all your fault. Now I don’t have a home to go to. Do you think they’re going to let me in again after the cops showed up?”
I laugh off her anger because she’s mistaken if she thinks I’d ever let her go back there. “Well, I had no intention of letting you go back there. Do you think I’d let you go back to the people who abused you?”
“Where am I supposed to go? Everything I own is there.” Tears fall from her light caramel eyes, causing a twinge in my chest.
“You’re coming home with me. We can find you some clothes until we can get your things with a police officer present. There’s no way you should go there alone.”
Ella throws her hands up in the air with a huff. “I have a job. All my clothes for work are there,” she explains.
“Where at?” I ask only for the sake of asking because I have no intention of letting her go back to work especially while she’s injured.
She blushes, and from the hint of fry grease, I’m guessing a fast-food restaurant or something like that. I’m not even judging, but if that’s the case, she’s not going back.
“It’s a burger…”
“You’re not working there anymore.” She wants to argue with me, but I put my finger to her lips and then I continue. “Sorry. Now, if you’re due to be discharged, I’ll have them bring you the papers, but until then, sit your pretty ass down before you pass out.” I don’t like being harsh with her, but the thought of my princess forced to work hard doesn’t sit right with me when she can live like a princess.
She huffs, but she sits her ass down. Hating myself for being rude to her, I walk up to her bedside and do something that I’ve been wanting to do since I held her in my arms. Moving between her parted legs, I cup her face. The warmth that fills me outweighs all the unethical reasons I should be backing away. Instead, I find myself leaning down to taste her lips. She gasps, but slowly returns the gentle kiss. Pulling away before I find myself in serious trouble, I brush her cheek and say, “I’ll be right back.”
I leave her to get her paperwork together so I can get her out of here as soon as possible. The nurse at the station says, “It’s going to take another five minutes. The doctor must sign off on it, but can you give her the copies of the police report? I nod and take them.
Turning on my heel, I nearly collide into Nurse Merriweather. She hands me a pair of small scrubs for Ella. “Here you go, Prince Charming. Be careful. You have no idea who she is, and we don’t have anything on her.”