“What? Blow to her stomach? Doctor, excuse us for a minute,”

When the doctor went out, Shane knelt down in front of Carmen. She pressed her palm to her stomach and even through her shirt, Carmen could feel the searing heat from her hand. Shane looked into her eyes. “What happened Carmen?”

“I don’t know..I was gonna take your clothes when two people attacked me,” Shane put her forefinger beneath her chin and lifted her head slightly up. She leaned forward and inspected her right cheek. “They said something didn’t they? Don’t hide it from me,” Carmen looked into Shane’s penetrating gaze. She didn’t want to tell Shane. She knew she would put the burden on her own shoulders. “They told me to stay away from you,” Her voice trailed off. There was a look of bittnerness on Shane’s face as she turned her head away. Carmen reached out to grasp her arm. “Shane, please…..”

"Maybe you should,” she heard Shane’s voice.

Carmen’s chin trembled slightly. She was pushing her away again. “I don’t want to and I’m not going to,” Her hand was in hers and Shane made no effort to pull her hand back. ‘I’m gonna make a police report,” Shane caressed her hand. “And if I find who the fuck they are, I’ll make sure they get what they deserved,” There was a look of cold determination on her face. ‘Next time you go somewhere, you tell me okay? I’ll ask Dave to send you,” Just don’t send me away. Carmen nodded earnestly.

Shane lifted her hand to her lips and brushed her lips against her knuckle. There was a look of sadness on her eyes when they met hers. “I’m asking the doctor to come in and make sure there’s nothing wrong with you….” Carmen nodded and smiled with more bravery than she felt.

“Shane don’t let my family know yet, I’ll find a way to tell them myself. I mean it’s just some obsessive fans….”

“Carmen, I can’t compromise your safety like that. I’ll take precautions but if something like that happens again, I’ll find another job for you. You have a wonderful family and I don’t want them to be worried. I’ll hate myself if it anything happens to you because of me,”

She looked at Shane’s retreating figure. She hadn’t told Shane about the last sentence the blonde had thrown at her. If she did that, she would no longer have a legitimate reason to stay near Shane, an excuse to care about her daily welfare.

If you continue to be stubborn, this won’t be the last time.