I refused to look at the doctor or Jacob again.

"It'll only take a few minutes," Connor added. He cocked his head to the side as his eyes held mine. "He needs to check you over."

He was someone who was used to getting what he wanted, but I wouldn't allow him to steamroll me into something I didn't want to do.

Besides, I didn't want their sympathy when they saw all the bruises. It was baring a part of my inner soul to strangers, to judge and jury. They didn't understand what Daniel had meant to me or why it had been so important for me to keep him in my life.

A sense of loss unraveled in my chest and I felt the sting of tears but I swallowed hard, refusing to give in to the need to cry.

It was then I realized I was still only half dressed in my underwear and top. I pulled the shirt down, trying to cover myself up. Connor noticed.

"Jacob, I need you to wait outside," he instructed. Jacob followed his instruction, closing the bedroom door behind him. "Do you want me to leave while Dr. Howard examines you?"

My eyes drifted from his to the doctor still waiting patiently behind him. He gave me an encouraging smile but I was distrustful of most people.

I shook my head, stubbornly refusing to give in. "I don't need a doctor."

Couldn't they just leave me alone? Three people who witnessed the result of Daniel's anger were three people too many.

"I told you, it's either him or the hospital." Connor's tone was hard and unwavering. He wasn't going to let me get out of this. I held his gaze, knowing he wasn't going to back down.

The doctor was the easier choice.

"Fine." I didn't hide the distaste from my voice.

Connor straightened up and moved aside so the doctor could move closer. When Connor strode to the door to leave, I felt a rise in panic.

"Don't go." I couldn't stop myself.

Connor stopped mid-stride and turned to face me. "You want me to stay?"

He was an anomaly in my life I couldn't explain. I didn't trust him or the intention behind his actions but I knew he wouldn't hurt me, not like Daniel had.

I swallowed and nodded. He returned to stand at the foot of the bed as the doctor began to check my injuries, lifting my top and examining the area where Daniel had kicked me. He moved his fingers, pressing against it, and I hissed when the sharp pain shot through my side.

He looked at Connor. "I don't believe they are broken but I'll need an X-ray to confirm."

I shook my head. I had allowed the doctor to examine me but I was drawing the line at going for an X-ray.

"I can do it at my private clinic." The doctor looked between Connor and me. I didn't want to do it at all but I could tell Connor was going to argue with me.

Connor studied me for a few moments before he looked at the doctor. "Could you give us a moment?"

He nodded. I followed his departure and my eyes remained on the door after he closed it behind him. I didn't want to look at Connor, I didn't want to see his sympathy.

"Riley," he said my name softly and it pulled at the vulnerably that had me wrapped in its embrace, but I refused to look at him. Instead I dropped my gaze to the carpeted floor.

His shoes came into my view. He tilted my face to meet his with a guiding finger to my chin.

"Let me help you," he said. "Dr. Howard will do the X-ray and we can make sure there aren't any further complications."

He was right but I hated to admit it.

"I'll get the cops to come to my apartment for a statement once we're done at the clinic."

My eyes widened in horror. "No."

I stood quickly, ready to try and leave. The pain in my side was indescribable but I gritted my teeth as my hand went to it.

"Stop," Connor said, blocking my escape.

"I can't and I won't." I was shaking my head. "And you can't make me."

He rested his hands on my shoulders. "Calm down, Riley."

"Promise me you won't make me," I pleaded desperately. I had given in to the doctor but I wouldn't give in to this.

I'll ruin you. Daniel's words echoed in my mind. My words wouldn't stand against his. No one would believe me.

"He needs to pay for what he did to you, Riley," Connor argued. "You can't let him get away with this."

He looked at me like I was crazy, but he didn't understand what Daniel was capable of. The bruises would be the least of my worries if I tried to press charges against him. He would drag my name through the dirt and no one would want anything to do with me.

"I won't press charges," I stated, refusing to budge.

He dropped his hands from me.

"Why?" he asked but he would never understand. His eyes searched mine.

"Why do you care?" I asked, changing the subject, going from defensive to the offensive.

He didn't respond.

"You don't even know me," I said, lashing out at him. "Why are you even here?"

Everyone left at some point. And he would leave like everyone else did. It was only a matter of time. I could only depend on myself, no one else.

His eyes glinted and I was transfixed. "You need someone to look out for you."

No, I didn't. I had spent the last thirteen years only being dependent on myself. I didn't know how to let someone else shoulder my responsibilities.

"I don't need you," I stated, making it clear that I wasn't his responsibility. I wasn't anybody's responsibility.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?" he argued.

A bout of dizziness hit me. It became harder to concentrate. Connor's voice drifted off, sounding farther away. I tried to concentrate on my swimming vision but I couldn't stave off the darkness that descended.

*******

I swallowed. My throat felt like sandpaper and my mouth was dry. I shifted slightly, trying to figure out where I was. My head felt so heavy, taking extra strength to lift it up. It was dark when I opened my eyes. There was some light coming from a partially open door.

The room was big, minimalist and modern. I worked my jaw as I touched my still swollen cheek. I fought through the few moments of feeling sorry for myself without giving in to pity myself. There was no point.

Where the hell was I? I didn't recognize the room or the bed I was in. I tried to sit up and the ache in my side reminded me of what had happened. The last thing I remembered was arguing with Connor and then I think I must have fainted. I'd never fainted before. The loss of control unsettled me.

I moved my arm and there was resistance. I saw an IV drip in my hand. What the hell? I didn't remember that. My hand went to my head before I lowered it to my side.

In the far corner of the room I noticed for the first time Connor sleeping in a chair angled to the bed I was in. His hair was disarrayed.

He'd fallen asleep watching over me. I swallowed. No one in my life had cared enough to do something like that. I felt a warmth in my chest as I stared at him.

I was practically a stranger. Why did he care? Remember, he knows you're Shannon Graves. The motivation behind his actions became clearer. He hadn't done it because he cared. No, he was doing all of this because of the brother I wanted nothing to do with.

Slater. The warmth that had just spread across my chest turned cold. I felt disappointed that I had briefly thought that something else had motivated his actions. I knew better. Why had I even allowed myself to consider it?

There was still that part of me that wanted to believe in the good and a love that could be unconditional. But those ideas only belonged in fairytales written in children's books.

I looked down at the drip and contemplated taking it out so I could leave. Connor couldn't keep me here. Besides, I needed to figure out what I was going to do now, but I didn't know where to start. I didn't even have my phone. Any contact numbers it held I didn't know offhand.