Utah (Knights Corruption MC: Laredo #4)

Chapter 11

11

I’d woken up sorer than yesterday, so I’d taken an extra pain pill. I didn’t tell Ria because the last thing I needed was a lecture, and trust me, she would’ve spoken her mind.

Walking into the doctor’s office put me on edge more than I was already. But if I was to be of any use to the guys during the upcoming Mexico trip, I needed the doc to give me multiple refills on my meds. I prayed he didn’t refuse.

There were five people in the waiting room. A bald elderly man who was groaning and holding his side. A redheaded woman who appeared to be in her late thirties, rocking back and forth, her skin ghostly white. A younger man and woman sitting together in silence, staring at their respective phones. And an obese woman who barely fit into the chair. She sported a cast on her lower right leg. Except for the younger couple, everyone present appeared worse off than me. Whether that was true or not was simply perspective.

“Hey, you two,” Kyla greeted, flashing us a big smile.

“I’ll let Dr. Sanders know you’re here.” She disappeared for a moment, and when she came back, she pulled Ria to the side. They whispered about God only knew what. Not that I cared. I had more important issues at hand, my pill refills at the top of that list. My health and healing were a close second.

We only waited a few minutes before a young woman with strawberry-blonde hair opened the door and called my name.

“Paul?”

“Yep,” I answered, heading toward her, but I stopped when Ria touched my arm.

“Do you want me to go back with you?” she asked, hesitation whirling around every word.

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

We were led toward an exam room at the end of a long hallway.

“Dr. Sanders will be here in a few minutes.”

This was probably the second time in my life I’d been in a doctor’s office. The first was when I’d fallen down the steps at one of my foster homes, and my foster mother made me wait a full day before taking me to see anyone. And that was only because I wouldn’t stop crying. I was six, and it ended up I’d broken my arm.

The smell of antiseptic made me antsy. I started to pace.

“Are you okay? You seem on edge.”

“I’d rather be anywhere else.”

“I know, but he needs to make sure you’re healing well.”

I didn’t respond, continuing to walk back and forth, so many things weighing heavy on my mind.

Was the trip to Mexico really going to happen soon?

Would we get justice for Crash’s death?

Would we continue to have to look over our shoulders, fearing more retaliation from Javier Carrillo?

What was going to happen between me and Ria?

Did we have a shot at a future together?

Was I going to be a good dad?

The longest five minutes passed, and just when I was about to open the door and yell for the doctor, desperate for distraction, he walked in.

I hadn’t been paying attention to him the last time I saw him because I’d still been a little out of it, but looking at him now, I understood why Knox had an issue with him working with Kyla, especially after discovering this guy had the hots for his woman.

Dr. Sanders was a good-looking guy. If I had to guess his age, I’d put him close to ten years older than me. His entire demeanor screamed success, and I could see how that would be enticing to women and infuriating for the men in their lives.

“Hey, Utah. How are you?”

“Just wanna get this over with.”

“I get it. You’ve been through a lot.”

I wasn’t sure what story Kyla or Knox told him about the circumstances surrounding what happened to me. If anything, I’d wager they gave him a skewed version of the truth.

“That’s an understatement,” Ria mumbled, pulling the doc’s attention toward her.

He extended his hand to her, and I wanted to rip his arm off. “Hi. I’m Dr. Sanders.”

She slid her palm into his, and a warmth pricked my skin. A possessive need to sever their connection took hold, and all I wanted to do was tuck her behind me and shield her from his attention. But I kept my composure. For now.

“I’m Ria. Knox’s sister.”

“Ah, okay. I can see the family resemblance.”

“Thank you so much for what you did for Utah. We all really appreciate it.”

“No problem.”

He studied her for a beat too long, and I was seconds away from demanding he stop looking at her when he swung his gaze my way .

He patted the exam table. “Let’s have a look at your stomach.”

I refused to hop on that damn table. “I’m good right here,” I obstinately said, lifting my shirt.

He peeled back the bandage. “You’re healing nicely. No infection. How does it feel?”

“It hurts.”

The doc nodded. “That tends to happen with stab wounds.” There was a moment when I thought he was going to ask me what happened, but even if he contemplated the question, he never voiced it. “What about your head? Any nausea? Vomiting?”

“No.”

“Headache?”

“It throbs a bit but better than it was.”

“Good.” He smiled, his green eyes creasing at the edges. “I gave you a ten count of oxycodone. Do you have any left?”

“One.”

“You should be good now with just using Tylenol to take the edge off.”

“That’s the thing,” I said, releasing a breath and praying he was down to help me one more time. “I’m gonna need more.”

“Why? The pain should be moderate. No need for a heavy opioid anymore.”

My eyes darted to Ria for a moment before I spoke again. “I gotta take a trip in five days. One I can’t skip, and depending on what happens, I’m gonna need extra pills to get me through it.” I realized I spoke in riddles, but it wasn’t as if I could give the man details.

I ignored Ria’s gasp and stayed focused on Sanders. I didn’t know what I’d do if he didn’t help me out. Because I wasn’t even halfway healed, I’d be of no use to the guys in Mexico if something popped off. I’d be more of a hindrance, possibly putting everyone at risk .

“Are you going to be doing any rigorous activity?” I simply stared at him until he sighed and looked away. “Never mind. The less I know, the better.”

“You’re right.”

He grabbed his Rx pad from his desk and scribbled on it, tearing off the sheet and handing it to me.

“I gave you two refills, each with a thirty count. That’s all I can do.”

“That’s plenty. Thanks. What do I owe you?”

“This was a favor to Kyla. It’s off the books. You’re good.”

We shook hands and he left. A small weight had been lifted, but then I looked at Ria, and my entire body tensed.

Perhaps I spoke too soon.