She figured he was alone until he spoke, “Her vitals seem a lot better. Heart rate is even, not fluctuating as aggressively as it did a week ago. Lacey mentioned the nightmares are still there but have eased up over the last three days. Not sure what brought on the change. She appears to be sleeping through the night.” This man was her doctor.
Who was he speaking to? The other person stepped closer because the familiar whiff of his cologne, musky with a hint of spice, permeated the air coiling its way around Nishani. She had the sudden urge to open her eyes. Despite the familiarity, she couldn’t place the smell.
Then he responded, “What are the chances of her waking?”
That voice. Wow. Deep, low, and husky had the potential to soak a woman’s panties with just a word. Whoever he was, his voice commanded attention, demanded respect—and probably anything else a woman was willing to give. Nishani resisted the urge to smile. As much as she wanted to learn the identity of the man, her survival instincts kicked in—control was second nature, and any man, sexy or not, would have to earn her interest.
“I can’t say for sure. It’s been almost four weeks. Like I said before, the body and mind are wonderful things and needs time to heal. We can’t force it. She’ll probably wake when her body is good and ready.”
The doctor’s soft words pulled Nishani out of her musings. She’d been out for that long. What the hell happened to me?
“Okay, doc, keep me informed.”
Hoping to catch a glimpse of the other man, Nishani opened her eyes. He was gone, but the fragrance of his cologne lingered.
“Well, hello there, my dear.”
Nishani squinted up at the smiling man. Despite the limited vision, she couldn’t recall the last time she’d seen that much compassion in a man’s gaze or heard it in his voice for that matter. Oddly, it gave her a sense of comfort—that he meant her no harm. Her attempt at a smile hurt slightly at the corners of her lips, so she quit trying.
“What’s your name?” he asked. She tried to sit up, but he urged her back with a touch to her shoulders. “You were injured, dear. You need to be extra cautious with moving, okay?”
The doctor probably gave her something for the pain since she felt nothing. He reached for a remote on the stand next to the bed and pressed a button. The mattress rose, bringing her up into a semi-sitting position. Wow. Didn’t realize regular beds could do that. She stared down at her hand, encased snugly in a bandage. The other a mass of scratches and cuts. Some deep enough to warrant stitches but in the process of healing. A drip hooked her up to liquids, which probably helped keep her alive.
“I’m Dr. Robert, but you can call me Dr. Rob. What’s your name?”
Nishani glanced up once more and cocked her head slightly. She had no idea where she was, and seeing as she didn’t trust easily, remained silent. It took a while before she let anyone in. A feat people around her had learned wasn’t as easy as they assumed. She tried widening her eyes again to get a better look at her surroundings, but it hurt too much.
“Do you remember what happened to you?” the doctor’s soft words pulled her gaze once more.
She closed her eyes and searched her hazy mind. Visions of her running filtered through the fog. Yes. Someone chased her—Frankie. A scumbag attorney who believed he could bring down Mateo’s family. “Diego,” she whispered.
“What’s that, my dear?” Dr. Robert leaned closer. When she said nothing, he straightened, reached for a glass on the bedside table and poured something into it. “Here, you must be thirsty.” He gently opened her fingers and placed the glass in her hand. “Think you can drink that yourself?”
Liking the genuine care in his voice and eyes, Nishani shook her head. With his help, she slowly raised the glass to her lips. Shockingly, she downed the entire drink. The refreshing taste of the orange juice suddenly made her conscious of being hungry.
The doctor took the glass from her hand. He set it on the table then as if he read her mind, asked, “Would you like something to eat?” She nodded. Several minutes later, after a thorough exam of her body, he patted her with another gentle smile. “Okay, I’ll be right back.” He left the room.
Nishani pushed back the covers and conducted a quick inspection of her body. She glanced down at the pj’s she wore and wondered about the clothes. Who dressed her? Whose house was this? What happened to her? She moved a hand across her face and felt the bandage around her brow. Maybe she’d been in a car accident and hurt her head. That’s why she couldn’t remember. She slid her legs over the edge of the bed. With both hands on the mattress, she pushed her body up and stood. Her knees buckled. She sat down. Okay, maybe she wasn’t ready to stand yet.
Impatient, she pushed up once more and immediately locked her knees against a wave of unexpected shivers. Dizziness cascaded through her shaking body. She swayed to stay upright. Using the mattress as leverage, she attempted a step forward. Her body clearly wasn’t ready to move. Irritated, she took another step and sank to the floor. Unconsciously, the tears came. This wasn’t her—a pitiable, crying invalid. She could take care of herself. With a cry of frustration, Nishani pounded a fist against the floor. She’d learn to depend only on herself. This weakness maddened her.
“Oh, my God!”
She looked up at the soft exclamation. A woman around her age rushed forward, set a tray on the table then bent down to help Nishani. Without a word, she slipped a hand around Nishani’s waist and tugged lightly, bringing Nishani to her feet. “Hi, I’m Lacey, your nurse. You’re too weak to move around. You need to eat something first, okay?”
The soft voice comforted Nishani. She wiped away her tears. “Thank you. Is it okay to visit the bathroom? I asked the doctor to remove the catheter.”
Lacey chuckled. “Sure. It’s not the most comfortable of medical equipment.”
The walk to the en-suite bathroom was slow. Nishani struggled to place one foot in front of the other. Her head, too weighty for her shoulders, she leaned heavily on Lacey.”
Inside, she winced as her bladder emptied. Lacey remained at the door. Her gaze gentle but watchful. Nishani finished and accepted Lacey’s help to stand. Done washing her hands, Nishani glanced at the ceiling to floor mirror. She stalled.
“Holy shit!” Her face and neck looked like someone had used it to blotch purplish-brown and blue ink. Several cuts in different stages of healing littered her skin. Her bloodshot eyes resembled those of an alcoholic. Curious, she reached up to open her pajama top.
“Don’t, sweetheart. You’re healing nicely.” Lacey covered her hand.
Nishani eyed the other woman. “Were the scars worse than this.”
Lacey nodded. “It’s over. You’re in good hands.”
Whose hands? Nishani wondered about her rescuer. Someone had indeed gone out of their way to take care of her. After what? Accident? Attempted murder? Why wasn’t she in a hospital as would be the norm? Patience, girl.
After Lacey settled her under the covers, she placed a tray of food on Nishani’s lap. As if she sensed Nishani’s inner turmoil, Lacey asked, “Do you want me to feed you, or would you rather try it yourself?”
“I’d like to try.” Nishani picked up the spoon.
“It’s chicken soup. Dad says I can’t give you anything solid for the moment. So, chicken soup and orange juice are on the menu today.” She giggled.
Nishani relaxed, liking her friendliness. She attempted to lift the spoon of soup to her mouth, but her hand shook too much. Lacey sat down.
“You’re probably an independent soul like me, and waking up in a strange house with people you don’t know must be freaking you out. I know I would. If you let me help, I’ll have you up and about in no time. You okay with that?”
Nishani searched the other woman’s face for any sign of irritation and found none. “Okay.”
“Great.” Lacey moved closer and took the spoon. She fed her two spoons before asking, “Is it good?” Nishani nodded. “I’ve made fresh soup every two days for
the last week, hoping you’d wake, I’m glad it tastes good. Considering I had to eat the earlier dishes I made, I’m kind of over chicken soup.” She laughed. “What’s your name?”
Always alert, she responded with her nickname, “Nishi.”
“Cute. Well, Nishi, nice to meet you, and finally, I have something to call you.”
Unable to eat more, she shook her head at the next spoon and drank half a glass of the orange juice then wiped her mouth on the napkin. “Where am I?”
“You’re on the Black estate.”
“Black?
“That’s the family name—”
“And how’s my patient doing?” The doctor walked in and interrupted Lacey.
“Dad, I’d like you to meet Nishi.”
“Dad?” Nishani raised a questioning gaze at Lacey. “Then you must be Dr. Black.”
The doctor arched a brow in surprise then laughed. “No, dear, I work for the Blacks. The owner of this estate is a generous young man, and he rescued you. Come, I need to give you another once over.” He handed the food tray to Lacey, pushed back the bed covers, and reached for his stethoscope.
“I’ll see you later, Dad.” Lacey kissed her father on the cheek, waved at Nishani, and left the room.
Fifteen minutes later, after he was satisfied, Dr. Rob covered Nishani as a man worthy of a second glance, entered the room on Dr. Rob’s response to his knock.
“So, our beautiful guest is finally awake.” His smile reached his emerald green eyes as he approached the bed. “Hi. I’m Rex Black. Welcome back. What's your name?”
His genuine warmth and friendly disposition made Nishani smile. “Hi. I’m Nishi. Thank you for rescuing me.”
“Me? Sorry, sweetheart, I can’t—” Rex stopped when another man entered the room.
His cursory glance sparked an immediate flame of interest Nishani couldn’t ignore before he turned to the doctor. “Doc?”
The single word shot straight between her legs. Holy hell. So, this was the man that belonged to the panty-wetting voice she’d heard earlier. Wow. He was stunning. She couldn’t call him God’s gift to women. No. This walking sex on two legs was every woman’s wet dream, the one even a dildo wouldn’t satisfy. Tall, muscular, and too damn hot for her healing nerves—might be just what the doctor ordered. Coma or not, there was nothing wrong with her appetite—the sudden twinge between her thighs reminded her just how sexually inactive she’d been lately.
Dark and light brown hair blended with streaks of gray at the temples, a straight nose, square jaw, and sensually sinful lips completed the perfection of his face. A two-day-old stubble with the same color mix as his hair added to the appeal. As for those eyes—a woman could lose herself in there. Gray, the color of ash or better still storm clouds with just that right hint of mystery. Her body goose-bumped at the idea of him raging inside her—.
“Do you remember what happened to you, Nishi?”
It took a few seconds before she realized the doctor was speaking and quickly dropped her gaze, hoping to shield her admiration of the newcomer. Holy shit. She’d never reacted to a total stranger this way. “The last thing I remember is being chased by a guy who wanted information about my boss. I ran into an alley, and someone came at me with a gun. Then someone slammed me from behind. After that, it’s all a blank.”
“Who’s your boss, Nishi?” Rex asked but glanced at the other man.
His features swathed in a scowl kept drawing her gaze as well. She swallowed when he caught her watching him. Suppressing a shudder, Nishani quickly shifted her gaze to Rex. “Mateo Diego.”
“You worked for Diego?” the scowling man asked.
Nishani could’ve sworn a rush of frigid air filled the space between them. Those eyes could rival the cold of the highest mountains, and the first stirrings of unease began. They were either enemies or friends of Mateo. Until she got her bearings, she hoped for the latter. “Yes.”
“Where’s home?” Rex asked.
“Colombia.”
“Colombia?”
Nishani stared at Rex, confusion giving her a headache. “Why?”
“How are you working for Diego if he’s in prison?” the other man answered, his gaze narrowed to judgmental slits.
He might be handsome, but damn did he emit an air of arrogance she was beginning to find a tad annoying. And I considered him sexy. She barely kept from rolling her eyes. “Who the hell are you?” Nishani held his gaze, refusing to blink.
“This is my brother, Nishi. Colton Black.”
Brothers? Holy cow. Talk about chalk and cheese. His name didn’t sound familiar but seemed like he’d crossed paths with Diego hence the twenty questions.
“Nishi, if you’re from Colombia, what were you doing on the road you were found, in a different continent entirely?” Rex glanced at his brother.
“What?” Shocked, her jaw dropped. Did she hear, right? “Where am I?”
“Deepwater Ridge.” At her baffled look, he added, “California. Santa Monica is our neighbor. Death Valley not far off—”
“Rex, hang on a sec,” Dr. Rob said then turned to Nishani. “Nishi, what year is it?”
She raised a brow at the odd question. “2017.” At her response, all three men’s reactions told her something was very wrong. Colton swore. Rex’s brow rose almost meeting his hairline while Dr. Rob raked a hand through his hair in apparent disbelief. “What’s wrong, doctor?”
“It's 2019.”
“Wait. What?” Her head jerked in response to an invisible slap. “You’re not serious.”
“How’s that possible, doc,” Rex asked.
Dr. Rob reached for her charts, studied something then said, “I mentioned it was a possibility to Colton that night he brought her in.”
So, he was the one that found me. The discovery made Nishani uncomfortable. It was much easier saying thank you to Rex than the unfriendly ass standing next to him. “What possibility,” she finally managed.
“That you might suffer memory loss. The wound on your brow was quite serious. I expected this to happen. Your survival is a miracle, Nishi.”
If someone punched her right now, she’d probably just gape at them. Memory loss? “I don’t understand. If that is the case, why only the last two years, why not longer.”
Dr. Rob smiled. “It’s called dissociative amnesia. Sometimes when we suffer trauma, our mind reacts in different ways. There’s no telling why or how. Perhaps something drastic happened in the last two years that was life-changing, and your brain is protecting itself until you accept whatever the adjustment. I can’t say for sure, dear.”
“Do you have any family we can contact?” Colton asked.
God, his body was chiseled in hostility. Nishani wondered if he possessed an ounce of compassion or whether he knew how to smile. She shook her head. “Mateo and his wife are the only family I know.” That was a lie—no one needed to know, though. She had parents and a sister—people she hadn’t seen in ten—no, make that thirteen years, since she was missing the last two years of memory. “And if Mateo is in prison—”
“We’re not calling anyone from his family.” Colton’s firm statement made the fine hairs on her body rise in protective self-defense.
Something about the man rubbed her up the wrong way, and she didn’t even know him. “And I didn’t ask you to.” She returned the glare. For a second, Nishani thought she’d disarmed his superiority. Only, his thinned lips hinted otherwise.
“What’s your surname?”
“Diego,” she lied with a straight face.
As if sensing the unspoken tension, Dr. Rob asked, “So, what do you propose we do with her?”
“Well, she has to stay here,” Rex answered instead. When Colton frowned at him, he added, “C’mon, man. She’s got no family and no memory of the last two years. You can’t send her out into a world she doesn’t know.”
“Excuse me?” Nishani huffed. “I’m right here if you guys haven’t noticed. I may have amnesia, but I’m quite
capable of making my own decisions.” All three men looked at her, their expressions ranging in different shades of surprise. “I’m grateful for the rescue.” She looked directly at Colton then added, “And I’m grateful for the medical care, doc.” She shifted her gaze. “But, once I can walk, I’ll find my way.”
“Dear—”
“You’ll do nothing of the sort until your memory comes back,” Colton interrupted the doctor. His stare, detached and expressionless, challenging as that perfectly cocked brow.
Nishani cursed. If she had a gun, she’d hold it to his head and play Russian roulette just to get a kick out of it. Yet, gloating over her kill would be a sweet glory indeed. She’d met her share of condescending bullies, but this man belonged in a class of his own. Before she could respond, Dr. Rob neared Colton, whispered something, and they left the room together.
“Sorry, my brother can be a bit tough at times.” Rex winked.
“More like an arrogant ass, you mean.” She rolled her eyes, and Rex burst out laughing.
“Boy, am I going to enjoy getting to know you, Nishi,” he grinned. Nishani smiled as Dr. Rob re-entered the room alone. “I’ll see you later.” Rex waved and walked out.
“I need you to rest, my dear. We can make decisions once you’re a little stronger, okay?” He checked her pulse once more.
She nodded and thought twice about asking why Colton hadn’t returned.
Chapter Eight
THE SOUND OF GLASS breaking jolted Colton out of his sleep. He sat up and glanced around before his heavy-eyed gaze focused on the bedside clock. Who the hell was fucking around the house at three in the morning? He suspected Rex was sneaking in at this hour. Then a second crash had him leaping out of bed and rushing to the door. He yanked it open and stood on the landing, his ears cocked for another sound.
A soft cry pulled him toward Nishi’s room. Slowly, he opened the door and peeked inside. From what little he could see, their guest appeared to be in the throes of another nightmare. Hesitant, Colton scratched his head. Nishi had woken from her coma three days ago but hadn’t left the room yet. Added to his indecision was the fact Lacey had gone home and returned to her patient during the day.
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