Whiskey Witches by F.J. Blooding (mobile ebook reader txt) 📕

“Well, get that stuff washed off her somehow. Get her into a clean set of clothes. Wash her hair. And I’ll get Grandma to bring some Fever Few.”

The nurse pulled a small capsule out of the large pocket on her white and pink scrub shirt.

Dexx had seen one of those in a movie or something. Was he going to have to invest in smelling salts? Was that even a thing he could buy? “Would she have Fever Few?”

“I hope so,” Leslie said. “Call you back.”

The nurse, breaking the capsule, waved it under Paige’s nose.

Paige jerked her head away, her eyes blinking open.

Dexx closed the phone. “Nurse, we’re going to need to use your bathroom, and we’re going to need one of those really fancy paper gowns you guys like to give out.”

The nurse frowned. “Why?”

“She was doused with an oil, and I think this could be an allergic reaction.” Dexx put his hand on Paige’s shoulder to keep her in the bed. “I think we should wash that off first and see if she has any further reactions.”

The nurse sniffed Paige’s hair, her lip curled. “I’ll help her with that. You need to leave unless you’re her husband.”

“I am not.” Dexx shuffled out of the room, ignoring the twinge in his heart. Husband. That thought had never crossed his mind, but this was Paige. He should be able to help her. Out of her clothes. Right. “I’ll be right out here.”

Alma bustled down the hall with Tru in tow not long after. “Where is she?”

Dexx cocked his head to the door behind him.

Alma shifted a heavy bag onto her shoulder. It looked like a cloth grocery sack everyone and their grandmother used now. “How is she?”

“Awake. The nurse is cleaning her up.”

“Is she coherent?” Her Texas drawl thickened as her voice lowered minutely.

“Couldn’t stay. The nurse is a sergeant.”

“Good for her.” Alma pushed Dexx out of the way and stormed the room. “Hello, Alma Whiskey. I’m her grandmother. I brought some clothes—”

The door closed, shutting out any further conversation.

Tru shoved his hands in the pockets of his wrinkled cargo shorts. He looked around uncomfortably. “Weird being in a hospital and not having someone trying to break my hand.”

Dexx chuckled and leaned against the door jam, folding his arms over his chest, keeping guard. Tru might have good memories of hospitals, but Dexx didn’t. The smell. The look. The sound. He’d visited his brother in the hospital. He’d been in a hospital when his brother had died. All Dexx wanted to do was to grab Paige and get her out of there, get her somewhere safe.

The doctor appeared from the down the hall. “Excuse me, son.”

Dexx let the man in. With each passing minute, his heart raced faster, his blood boiled hotter. He fought not to react. Paige was safe. She’d be okay.

She’d be safer in their room behind his protections.

She’d be safer in his arms.

Dear God. What was he thinking?

After a few minutes, Alma exited the room, followed by the nurse who quick-walked to another room. Alma ran a shaking, gnarled hand over her frizzy white and black hair. “She’s asking for you.”

Dexx entered the room to find Paige sitting on the bed, her skin slightly pink. He resisted the urge to gather her in his arms, to rock with her. She was the closest thing he’d had to a real friend. When they were apart, he missed her smell, the noises she made when she was lost in thought, the constant clicking of a pen when she was confused. He didn’t want to lose her.

He shook himself and took a step back. No. He had to stop thinking like that. It was just the hospital playing with his mind. Or the fact that he’d nearly lost her that night. Or…No. He had to stop thinking like that. She was a demon summoner. He was a demon hunter. What kind of relationship did he really think they could build?

“She has a mild concussion, bruised ribs, a sprained ankle, and several minor lacerations,” the doctor said.

“Does that mean I can leave now, Doc?” Paige jutted her jaw to the side. She tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear.

The doctor sighed. “Well, I guess if you still want to leave, you can. But I don’t recommend it. I think it would be best to stay for observation.”

“I’ll be fine, Doc. I can’t lay around just to lay around.”

“Sounds like someone’s got a hero complex.” The doctor took a pen out of his jacket pocket and picked up the clipboard.

“I have a killer to catch.” Her tone didn’t leave room for argument. “I don’t have time to sit around. I’ll heal standing or sitting. I’d rather be standing.”

The doctor looked at Dexx. “You make sure she at least gets a good night’s rest. I mean rest.”

The images of Paige lying in bed ramrodded through him. He swallowed hard, pushing down the heat rising in the lower regions of his body. “You said she has a concussion. Is it safe for her to sleep?”

“It’s minor, so it’s the best thing for her. The body’s an amazing thing when you let it work as it wants to.”

“I’ll do my best.” She still looked beat to shit and the only thing he could think about was protecting her. “I’ll do my best.”