Would someone please turn off that beeping sound? Reaching up, I grabbed my head and a tug on my arm pinched. The distinct smell of bleach and medicine filled my nose on a deep inhale. I was in a hospital.

I knew the smell all too well. I had practically lived in a hospital for the last ten years, taking Mama back and forth to physical therapy after her second stroke. Then after her final stroke, I had spent day and night with her, dreading having to make the choice that would end with Mama’s life support being turned off. I didn’t think I would be in one again anytime soon. Yet, there I was.

Opening my eyes to the realization that I was hooked to tubes.

“Ariel. You awake?”

I turned my head to find a statuesque blonde in scrubs.

“Stahhwa.” I swallowed.

My throat was dry, so she handed me a cup of water.

I took a swig and tried again, “Stella. What are you doing here?”

“I work here.” She set the plastic cup on the rolling tray and turned back to me. “What I really want to know is why you’re here. What the hell happened, girl?”

I closed my eyes and tried to think past the fear. “Two men. They attacked me.” I tried to reach for my head to stop the drumming of the marching band going through. The tubes tugged again, and I balled my hands into fists, fighting against the panic trying to bubble and spill over. The beeping was frantic, my pulse going haywire.

“Shhh. Calm down, Ariel. Take a deep breath.” The next second Stella’s hand squeezed mine, trying to get me to focus on her.

I shook my head, as if the action would erase the images flashing in front of my face, the attack, running, fighting.

“How long have I been in here?”

“Three hours.” Her voice was soft and calming. “We’ve kept you pretty drugged to help with the pain so you’ve been out of it. You have some serious lacerations.”

Lacerations. My mind fluttered around the terms.

“How did I get here . . . wait, a star. No, that isn’t right, is it?” I rolled the blankets up under my chin, trying to cocoon myself against the images that were slowly coming back to me.

“You were brought in through the ER, so I’m assuming someone called nine-one-one. But I can find out for you if you want. My brother is a deputy, and he can look up the call record.”

I pulled my lip in to bite it, a natural reaction of mine and let out a squeal at the pain.

“Careful. You have three stitches in your lower lip and fourteen across your forehead. No worries, they had a plastic surgeon do them, so the scar will be tiny.” She picked up a pitcher, “Let me fill this with some water and send your doctor a message that you’re awake. I’ll be right back.” Stella gave my hand another squeeze then strode from the room.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, trying to relax. It was almost working too, until I heard the barely there squeal of the door swinging open. I jerked awake and was face to face with one of the most gorgeous men in the world.

“You must be my doctor,” I said to the man with a fabulous smile wearing a white jacket.

“I’m a doctor. But I’m not your doctor.”

Before I could ask why he was there, Stella pushed open my door.

“Hey, chickie, I sent a message—” Stella’s face changed ten different shades of red before she continued, “Tristan, I mean, Doctor Christakos, what brings you here?”

“Hi, Stella. I was just getting ready to introduce myself to Ariel. Kayson asked me to stop by and check in on her.”

“Kayson?” I whispered, drawing both their eyes to me.

“I’m Tristan Christakos,” he clarified, stepping forward and wrapping both his hands around the rail of my bed. “I work in the NICU. My brother is a deputy for Orange County, and he was the one that found you. He’s been concerned.”

I stared at the doctor for a second, trying to absorb what he had just said, but my brain was still moving in slow motion while I took in his dark brown eyes, light brown hair, and olive skin.

“Will you tell him thank you?” I asked, my voice still scratchy.

“I will. Do you mind if he comes up and sees you?”

“I’d like that.”

“I’m glad to see you’re awake. You look much better. Is there anything I can get you?” Unless he was willing to break a few rules and get me some discharge papers, there wasn’t anything I could think of that I needed. So, I just shook my head and gave him a weak smile.

Doctor Christakos left my room but not before stopping to give Stella a light squeeze on the arm. When I was sure he was out of hearing distance, I turned to her with a shocked look on my face.

“Holy shit. He’s gorgeous.”

“Tell me about it,” Stella said in an ethereal voice. “Every nurse in the hospital throws herself at his feet.”

“You included?”

“Bite me. Hey, I need to go clock out, want me to come sit with you for a while or are you sleepy?”

“No, come back please.”

Stella and I got along great when we first met, but we hadn’t spoken since, which was a few months ago. She’d been participating in a motorcycle challenge and needed a rush job on her funky costume. Luck had shoved her in my direction.

“Okay, now spill. Tell me what you remember about your hot rescue guy. I know Tristan and all three of his brothers, and believe me when I tell you that they are all fine.” Stella curled one leg up under herself as she plopped into the only chair in my room.

“Honestly? I don’t remember him, I mean, when the doctor came in he looked sorta familiar, but I didn’t know that was why. If this Kayson is half as hot as his brother—”

“Oh no worries there, he is equally as hot just in an athletic way.”

“Let me finish.” I air smacked her and continued. “Look at me, I haven’t even seen myself in a mirror yet, but if I go by what you’ve said and how I feel, I must look hideous.”

Stella stood and settled her hands on my shoulders and squeezed. “Look at me, you’re one kick ass woman. You may be short, but you’re scrappy, I’ll give you that. You kept two grown men off you until help could get there. Girl, you’re ferocious. The only thing people are gonna see is someone that no one will want to fuck with. You hear me?”

Nodding to let Stella know I heard her words even if I didn’t necessarily agree with them, “But what about the bruises on my face and my hair?”

Stella crossed her middle finger over her index, “No worries girl, I got you covered. Me and MAC go way back. Tomorrow, I’ll bring you some good cover up shit when I come in.”