CHAPTER FIVE
Megan fluttered her eyes open and swore at the bright light that threatened to invade her world. Her head pounded with every breath she took as she tried to cover her face with her arm but something tugged at her hand when she lifted it. She tried opening her eyes but the light was too predominant.
“Turn off the lights,” she said. Her tongue felt like it was three sizes larger than normal and her mouth was dry like cotton. When her eyes finally adjusted, she opened them enough to look around. Wherever she was, it smelled very clean, like antibacterial soap. She looked around and saw a tube hanging from a machine by her bed. She followed the tube and saw it was attached to her hand. Her eyes flew open and she tried sitting up. She was in a hospital gown surrounded by white curtains and white walls.
“What the hell?” She tried moving to the edge of the bed and swinging her legs out but the rails of the bed wouldn’t allow her to do so. She grabbed the tube that was stuck into her hand and just before she jerked it out of her skin, Jensen came from nowhere. He had his hands up toward her and he was shushing her.
“Megan, I’m here. Please, calm down, love.”
“Where the hell am I?” Her speech was slurred and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t talk clearly.
“You are in the hospital. You blacked out last night and almost hit your head on the floor.”
She looked around, rubbing her head. “I…don’t remember.”
“How do you feel?”
“Like complete shit.” She moved her tongue around in her mouth and felt like it would stay pasted to the top of her mouth. “I need water.”
He handed her a cup of cool water and sat on the end of her bed. He picked up the call button and notified the nurse’s station that she needed their help.
“Where are we?”
“I brought you to a private hospital. You were acting so odd at the night club and you blacked out. Did you meet anyone else while you were there? A friend perhaps, or a stranger?”
She shook her head, “No. No one.”
“I think your drink might have been spiked with something.”
“What?”
Before Jensen could explain, the door opened and a doctor entered with a nurse following behind him.
“Miss. Jenkins. I am Dr. Branning. How are you feeling?”
“Not good. I feel like I have been hit by a bus.”
“What are your symptoms?”
“I’m dizzy, like there is a buzz in my head. I’m extremely thirsty. My head is pounding.”
“And by the way you are talking, your speech is quite slurred.” He leaned in and examined her eyes and checked her breathing. “She seems to be recovering quite well,” he said to Jensen. “We should have her test results back within the hour. We should know more by then.”
“Thank you, doc.”
“What if my drink was spiked?” She looked at Jensen with wide eyes. “Who would have done this? Oh God…I could have been raped.” She looked around wildly as she felt a panic well up inside her. “What the hell is wrong with me? How could I have been so stupid?”
“Calm down, Megan.” He said leaning over her. He put his hands on her arms and slowly rubbed them up and down. “It’s okay, you are okay. I had my eyes on you the whole night.”
“But what if you weren’t there?” She shook her head and closed her eyes.
“But I was. You are safe here with me and I won’t let this happen again. Do you understand me?” He was looking into her eyes, a serious expression on his face. “In fact you will not be clubbing ever again. That’s an order from me. I don’t care what you think I did or didn’t do. I care too much for you to let something happen to you.”
Megan raised an eyebrow, wanting to laugh at his dominance over her. “We are not together, Jensen. You don’t have the right to tell me what I can and cannot do.”
His serious expression changed to something that made Megan regret her choice of words. She wanted to apologise even though she wasn’t sorry for what she said.
Jensen wanted to change her mind by grabbing a hold of her and showing her just what he was made of, but in her state of being he thought better of it. Instead, he stood up straight and looked down on her.
“If your drink was spiked by some stranger, then obviously someone is after you. If your tests come back positive, you are coming back to the Penthouse where I can take care of you.”
“How dare you try to tell me what I will be doing? You don’t have any right to….”
“I don’t think you have much of a choice. I just saved your ass back there and you should be thanking me.”
“You can’t control me. I am not your girlfriend or your housekeeper anymore. I have no ties to you.”
“You’d be surprised at what kind of ties you have to me,” he mumbled.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. When they release you, I am taking you back.”
“The hell you are. I’m signing out now and I’m going home.” She struggled to climb to the edge of the bed where the rails didn’t confine her but Jensen stood in her way. He leaned over her and growled.
“Don’t make me punish you here. You know I will.”
“And what do you think you are going to do?”
“I will yank you over my knee and spank you like the child you are acting like.”
“You…wouldn’t…dare.”
“Don’t try me, little girl.”
Megan was mortified and embarrassed beyond shame. She tried not to show it and instead of arguing without recourse, she sat quietly on the bed until the doctor appeared with her test results. Jensen sat next to her and calmly folded his hands into his lap.
“Miss Jenkins, I have your results. It appears that there were traces of a drug called Rohypnol in your system.”
“What is….”
“It is a form of a date drug most commonly used in rape cases and kidnapping cases.”
She immediately looked at Jensen and instead of being upset that he was planning on dragging her back to his penthouse, she felt indebted to him for saving her life. Jensen’s jaw flexed after hearing the results but he stayed calm as he talked to the doctor.
“Thank you, doctor. Can I take her home now?”
“I’ll get the nurse to sign her out.”
Megan didn’t know what to say. She was ashamed that she was so naïve, embarrassed that she acted so childish when Jensen was just trying to protect her, angry that someone could have done this to her and scared that they did. She calmly looked at Jensen.
“What about Lorena? Does she know what happened?”
“I couldn’t find her anywhere. I found your cell phone in your bag and texted her. Last I looked, she still hadn’t responded, so I’m not sure what happened to her, but it is still quite early.”
Megan nodded, grateful that he was there for her. “Thank you,” she said humbly.
The doctor reappeared and handed her some paperwork. “I have signed you out. If you could just sign the bottom as well, I can get out of your way and you can go.”
Megan looked at the discharge paperwork and signed the bottom, handing it back to the doctor.
“Thank you. Here is a prescription for some medication. It will help your body heal a little faster from the drug. If you have any issues or questions, feel free to call us.” He smiled and stepped back after letting the railing down from the side of the bed.
“Thank you, doctor. I’ll keep a good eye on her,” said Jensen.
The doctor left the room and he helped her with her things after she changed back into her clothes. She felt a little trashy putting the same dress back on, but she had no choice. She grabbed her shoes and her bag and walked barefoot out of the hospital, with Jensen by her side.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked as they reached the car.
“I can’t…understand why someone would have done this to me.” She tried thinking back on the night and worked hard on remembering anyone who would have wanted to roofie her drink but came up at a dead end every time.
“Try not to think so hard about it right now. Let your body recover then we will talk about it.” He opened her door and helped her in to the car, strapping the seatbelt for her and making sure it was secure before closing her door. The ride out of the city was quiet. He didn’t try to make conversation. He knew she was tired and upset over everything.
She leaned her head back and just let him take her wherever he wanted to take her. She didn’t say a word when they pulled into the penthouse. She didn’t even protest when he led her to the master bedroom and put her to bed in his bed. She crawled into the bed and lay there as he removed her dress and her bra. She felt numb, tired and very alone. He pulled the covers up to cover her almost naked body.
“Try to get some sleep. I’ll be in the next room if you need me.” He ran his hand over her forehead then turned to go.
Megan broke down and began to cry. “Stay?”
He walked back to her and sat on the bed. “Are you sure?”
“Please? Lay with me.”
He crawled over her and sat next to her as she rolled over into his lap. He caressed her head. “I’m here. Cry for as long as you need to. I will always be here for you.” He caressed her head until she fell asleep and stayed there with her until he heard his phone go off. He carefully pulled it from his pocket and read the text he received from his partner, Elle.
We have the security tape, you should come and see this.
He clenched his jaw when a bad feeling worked its way into his mind. He was sure Kristina had something to do with this.