Chapter 108
Lisette had her full attention on Tobias’ injury. The doctor’s words went completely over her head-she just kept trying to get his shirt off to check the wound.
“Lissy p>
Tobias grabbed her hand. “I’m fine p>
But this time, she wasn’t falling for that. She clung to his shirt stubbornly, eyes glaring at him. “Fine or not, I’ll tell when I see it! Let go p>
They stared at each other-he looked at her, she didn’t back down. After a few tense seconds, Tobias finally gave in. “I’ll take it off myself. Just step outside for a second p>
Lisette shook her head hard. “Nope p>
“Be good p>
“I’m not a kid, don’t baby-talk me! Tobias, let me tell you-whatever you say, I’m not buying it. I won’t calm down till I see it for myself! Take. It. Off p>
His stubbornness actually took her by surprise. He just sat there, expression stone-cold, making it clear this wasn’t open for discussion.
She rolled her eyes, lips puffed out in mock-hurt. “Ow, my foot’s killing me p>
That finally cracked him.
What could he even do at this point-knock her out and drag her out of the room?
With a resigned sigh, he motioned for her to sit tight and started taking off his coat.
But he winced and faltered-it must’ve pulled at the wound. His left arm stayed kind of stiff. Lisette immediately leaned in, anxious, carefully helping him with the coat.
The left shoulder of his black shirt had a tear in it.
The room was lit bright, and the area around the tear was soaked through with fresh blood.
Lisette’s heart clenched right then.
That situation had been a mess-no time to dodge. So he… he’d actually taken the blade for her.
She looked at his pale face, eyes going red.
As she unbuttoned his shirt, she scolded between hiccuping breaths, “Idiot. Bleeding like crazy and acting like it’s nothing. Had the nerve to hug me, drive me here p>
Her fingers were trembling so badly she couldn’t undo a single button. The more she tried, the more her frustration piled up inside.
Tears welled, blinking once and-there they went, dropping down like little glass beads.
Tobias had kept the wound from her to spare her the guilt. He figured they’d hit the hospital, patch him up, he’d head home, handle it on his own-no big deal.
But-
She was too sharp. Busted him right away.
Her yelling, her scolding-that he could take. But the moment she cried?
He panicked.
Frantically, he tried wiping her tears, murmuring, “Lissy, come on, don’t cry. It really doesn’t hurt. I’m a grown man, this scratch isn’t that big of a deal p>
Of course, the more he said that, the harder she cried.
Her hands couldn’t stop shaking, still fumbling with the buttons. She was sweating, sniffling, sobbing harder by the second.
The doctor looked at the tearful mess of a couple-one sobbing nonstop, the other scrambling to stop her-and just pressed a hand to his forehead, completely speechless.
With a dry cough, he stepped forward and said, “Miss, maybe… let me do it p>
Lisette finally remembered they weren’t alone in the room… and that this guy was, in fact, a medically trained professional. She gave a little nod and let go of the shirt she’d been tugging at for ages, sniffling as she said, “Please be gentle… don’t hurt him p>
“Of course p>
The doctor quickly undid the buttons.
As the shirt slid off, Tobias’s injured shoulder was finally visible. Blood was still trickling from the nasty gash on his pale shoulder-it looked brutal.
Lisette clamped her hand over her mouth to keep from sobbing out loud and distracting the doctor. Her eyes, wide and wet, didn’t dare blink, locked onto the wound.
The more she looked, the worse she felt.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for her. God, those jerks were gonna pay.
While the doctor cleaned up the injury, she whipped out her phone and shot off a message to Elliot: [If you don’t beat those bastards half to death, don’t ever talk to me again p>
A second later-
A picture popped up.
That same VIP room. Those disgusting creeps who’d had their eyes on her were all kneeling, faces badly bruised, looking utterly pathetic.
She scowled and jabbed her finger into the screen: [Still got energy to kneel p>
[On it p>
A minute later, he sent a video.
Those same guys were now flat on the floor. Even on mute, she could tell they weren’t doing too hot-curled up like shrimp, barely moving.
Yeah. That helped a little.
She looked back up-Tobias’ shoulder was all bandaged now. He turned his head her way, shirtless-
Defined chest.
Toned abs.
Faint, teasing traces of a V-line.
Instantly, her brain flashed back to that one time she’d barged into his bedroom and accidentally yanked off his robe p>
Her ears flamed red.
She quickly looked away, turning to the doctor. “It’s that bad, huh? He probably needs to stay in the hospital, right p>
The doctor nodded. “He lost quite a bit of blood, and the wound wasn’t cleaned immediately, so there’s a risk of infection or fever. Best to stay a couple of days just in case p>
“Okay, we’ll stay p>
Not long after, they got settled into a shared hospital room. Lisette had been running on empty all day-she yawned as she headed into the bathroom to wash up.
Meanwhile, Tobias leaned back against the headboard, skimming through the updates Elliot had sent.
[Boss, targets neutralized p>
[Your lady messaged me p>
Attached was a screenshot of Lisette’s texts-
The timestamp lined up with when the doctor had been treating him.
You could tell, just from the tone, how furious she’d been watching him get hurt. That raw protectiveness.
A small smile pulled at the corners of Tobias’s mouth.
“What’s with the smirk p>
Lisette stepped out, catching him mid-grin.
He quickly tapped out a reply to Elliot: [Gather evidence. Send it all to the cops p>
Then tucked his phone away and looked up as she walked over with a basin of water.
“Nothing. Just a dumb joke p>
“Oh p>
She didn’t press. She placed the basin on the nightstand and soaked a towel. “I know you hate feeling dirty, and yeah, you can’t shower right now, but p>
She looked at him seriously. “Why don’t I help you wipe down a bit? Might make it easier to sleep p>
Tobias’s gaze lingered on the towel in her hands, and then softened as it lifted to meet hers. “You’d do that for me p>
“Of course.” She half-smiled. “You got hurt protecting me. Taking care of you is the least I can do p>
Lisette wrung the towel mostly dry, then gently pressed it to his shoulder, careful to avoid the fresh bandage. Slowly, she began to wipe him down.
Tobias sat still, silent.
The room was quiet, save for the hum of wind beating outside the window.
He felt every lazy swirl of the towel on his skin, her fingers brushing past as she moved-each touch landing like a spark, warm and tingling.