Page 110 of Shattered Silence Duet

“Do you remember what happened to cause all these injuries?” She nods. “Are you feeling confused or light-headed at all?”

She glances at Ben and he holds his phone out for her again, and she begins to type.

“My head hurts a bit, but I’m not dizzy or confused.”The phone tells us out loud.

“Do you know all the other men in this room right now?” Her eyes dart to each of us as she nods her head.

“And which one is your boyfriend?” Her eyes dart to mine and a huge grin splits my face. I wasn’t sure if she had heard me claiming myself as her boyfriend yesterday, but I’m definitely pleased she did. I wonder if she thinks I was joking. I wasn’t.

Her face turns red and her jaw drops open as she looks at the doctor in shock.

He chuckles at her reaction. “Ah, I see, I see, just as I suspected,” he says right before he finishes taking the bandage off and all of our attention is now solely on her left hand, or more specifically, her ring finger.

“It’s healing very well. I’m going to need your help to see how bad the damage is. Are you ready? It might hurt.” She nods and Dom holds her a bit tighter as she grips Ben with her right hand.

“Alright, I want you to gently try wiggling all your fingers.” I narrow my focus on her fingers, not daring to blink and miss it. But nothing happens and she frowns. “That’s okay, it could take some time. The fact that none of your fingers are moving is a good thing. If the rest of your fingers moved, and not that one, it could mean it was badly damaged. Take your time and keep trying, alright?” He stays there patiently waiting. Two of her fingers twitch, but nothing else. She looks frustrated and sad, and I can’t stand to see her upset, so I move around to stand beside the doctor.

“Hey doc, you mind if I try something?” I ask him, motioning for her hand.

“As long as you’re gentle, by all means.” He gives me her hand and steps back. I sit on the side of her bed and bring her hand up to my cheek, placing my own hand over it to hold it in place.

“You know, Sweetheart, I think I may have been too patient with you.” She frowns, and I continue. “I had to witness you kiss my own brother while I waited patiently for my turn with you. Then you go and get hurt before I get a chance. But now I’m your boyfriend, I think it’s my right to get your first kiss as a free woman. Wouldn’t you agree?” I ask her with a raised eyebrow.

“Y-you want me to be your g-girlfriend?” she stutters out in her raspy voice.

I drop the act and lean a bit towards her, cupping her face with my free hand.

“Oh, Sweetheart, nothing would make me happier in thisworld. You are so sweet and kind and… and I want to kiss you so bad right now. Say I can, say yes.”

My lips are almost against hers when she whispers, “yes.” I close the last inch between us, pressing my lips to hers. I try to be gentle with her but finally getting to kiss her has sparks of pleasure shooting down my spine.

Now I know her real age, and she’s out of that hellhole of a house, nothing can hold me back from her. Not wanting to waste any more time, I lick her lips and she opens for me. I slide my tongue in and groan at her taste. She tastes minty and so compliant against me that it instantly makes me hard.

You might think it’s weird making out with a girl while she sits in your brother’s lap, but it’s not, it’s the opposite. She groans and I open my eyes to see Dom kissing and nibbling her neck.Fuck, that’s hot.

“Well, that’s promising,” Dr. Whitmere says, and I slowly pull back, remembering not only do we have an audience, but I had a reason for that kiss, besides the obvious.

Mina’s hand is now tangled in the hair at the side of my head. She pulls her hand down between us and stares at it with wide eyes. She manages to wiggle all of her fingers, including her ring finger, then turns to me with a huge smile and laughs. I think that’s the best sound in the entire world, and it brings a huge smile to my face. It’s my mission in life to hear that laugh every day.

“I’d say that was a successful test, hmm?” Dr. Whitmere asks us with a smirk.

I laugh. “I’d say so. I’ll sacrifice myself for the greater good any day!” He laughs and Jasper shakes his head, smiling.

“Now, I’m more interested in the fact that you spoke. I was under the impression that you were mute,” he asks her, before reclaiming his seat at her side.

“She hasn’t spoken in eleven years,” Gideon informs him. “She—” He cuts himself off, looking to Mina for permission to tell the doc what happened. I’m relieved when she nods and Gideon can continue. “Her mother poured bleach down her throat when shewas ten and she hasn’t spoken since. She’s managed a few strained words since she woke up.”

“Hmm. May I?” he asks, pulling out a flashlight and motioning to her mouth. She nods. “Open up, I’m just going to take a peek.” She does as he asks and he shines the light in her mouth.

We all wait eagerly, wanting to know the prognosis. When he switches the light off and releases her jaw, he gives her a smile. “There is some scarring in there, but nothing that should stop you from talking. Does it hurt to talk?” She nods.

“It’s probably from disuse. Keep trying to talk, just a word or two at a time, and you should notice an increase in how much you can say pretty quickly. Make sure to stay well hydrated, water will help soothe your throat.”

“Thank you,” she says softly, making him smile.

“You’re very welcome, my dear.”

“Hey doc, what about her other injuries? When can she go home?” Gideon asks.