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Roman frowned. “Claire?”
“She’s a nurse. For animals, sure, but the mechanics of it are the same. She can monitor Angel’s vitals, do IV lines, and assist me as I administer the activated charcoal,” Sal explained. “In fact, I should probably be the one assisting her. She’s technically more qualified.”
“I’ll get her,” Abel said, rushing off before Roman could say anything.
“Activated charcoal?” Roman questioned Salvatore, eyeing the crap in his hands warily.
“It will get the drugs out of her system quickly.” Sal blanched, looking apologetic. “It won’t be fun. But it will work.”
“What happened?” Claire asked, rushing to Angela’s side the moment she saw her.
“She was drugged,” Salvatore replied.
Claire smiled comfortingly at Angela, glancing up at Sal. “Do you know what with?” When they all shook their heads, she looked at Angela once again. “Angela? Do you know what drug was used?”
“F-f-flu...” Angela groaned in frustration. “Fluni...”
“Flunitrazepam?” Claire supplied.
When Angel managed a tiny nod, Roman was glad Salvatore suggested Claire’s presence. She was already helping. “You know what it is?” he asked.
Claire nodded. “I’m sure you do too. It’s also called Rohypnol.”
“What?!” Abel shouted. “That’s a date-rape drug.”
“She should go to the hospital,” Claire advised, holding Angela’s wrist and counting her pulse.
“No. No hospital,” Roman bit out. “It was one of the fucks that work there that did this to her.”
Claire didn’t respond to him, speaking to Angela instead. “Angela, do you want to go to the hospital?”
“We can help her here,” Salvatore told her.
“I wasn’t asking you,” Claire snapped, showing the spine Roman had seen before when she’d treated the animals.
“Here.” Angela said the one word stronger than any since Roman found her. It was slurred, but it was clear.
“Okay,” Claire said, patting Angela’s arm. She turned to Salvatore. “What do you want me to do?”
Claire and Sal worked together to get Angela hooked up to an IV, as well as electrodes to monitor her vitals. It was hard, but Angela was able to drink down most of the nasty cup of thick blackness Sal gave her. Roman held her upright, coaxing her to swallow, hoping she was able to finish the cup. Otherwise, Claire said they would need to move to more invasive techniques.
There were a few mouthfuls left when Angela began to moan pitifully. She vomited within seconds, the blackness returning just as thickly as it had gone down. Roman stayed where he was, supporting her back and making sure her hair didn’t get in the way. She wretched so long and so hard that Roman was afraid she was going to crack a rib.
It was a miserable and painful experience—and not just for Angela. Everyone in the room winced and cringed right along with her. Every time Angela moaned in pain, Roman added to the ways he was going to make her attacker pay. Killing his father and uncle had been a very personal type of vengeance. It had pushed Roman to his limits. He knew this time, with Brian, would be no different.
* * *
Hours later, Roman gently deposited an exhausted Angel in his bed. She hadn’t vomited for a while, her vitals were stable, and she’d already slept for five hours.
He had to go out, and he didn’t want her anywhere else but in his personal space. She would be safe there, and he wouldn’t have to worry about her while he was taking care of business.
Pulling the covers up to her chin, he reached down to pick up Smith and Wesson. He’d asked Abel to go and fetch Smith a few hours ago, knowing the kittens would bring Angela comfort. “You two be good,” he warned the fluffy pair. They mewled at him, curling up close to Angela’s shoulders.
“They’re always good,” Angela told him softly.
The hoarseness of her voice had his fists clenching. Her poor throat was sore from all the vomiting. He reached out, smoothing her thick blonde hair over the pillow. It looked incredible against his dark green pillow slip. “I’ll be back,” he said, kissing her gently on the lips. It was brief and chaste and likely unwanted given the circumstances, but he couldn’t help himself.
When she sighed, he felt it against his lips, and he sighed in return. This here. This right here is what I needed, he thought. A moment to share her breath. “I won’t be long,” he promised, moving away.
