Behind the Mask

Chapter 55

Marissa's POV

I tried to move and couldn't. I smelled chocolate and smiled to myself. I stuck out my tongue and licked, then sputtered - that didn't taste like chocolate.

"Did you just lick me, sugar?" Luke's gentle voice filled my ears. I blinked, scrunching my face.

"Why do you smell like chocolate, but taste like salt?" I asked, sniffing him.

He chuckled, "Extract and salt dough. I had an order for ornaments today. I use salt dough so they aren't toxic then add smells. This customer wanted chocolate-smelling ornaments." He wiggled his eyebrows, "But I can get some chocolate and let you lick it if you want."

I giggled then winced. "Laughing hurts," I complained.

"Sorry it hurts, spitfire, but damn it's just good to hear you laugh," Gabe said, coming to the side of my bed. He took my hand and kissed the top of it, being mindful of the IV port in the back of my hand.

"Why are there so many tubes and wires," I muttered.

Both of them exchanged a nervous look, "Maybe Sean should answer that," Luke said and pushed the call button.

"Luke what's wr...," Sean started to say as he came rushing in. When he saw me looking at him, he froze. The chart in his hand clattered to the floor and he ran to the bed and pulled me into a tight hug. "Oh sweetheart, those brown eyes are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." He pulled back and studied me then peppered my face with kisses.

"Ahem," Owen cleared his throat behind us. "Perhaps, I should call Dr. Torres since you're not very doctor-like right now, Sean." Sean just flipped him off over his head and went back to kissing me.

"Sean," I said, pushing him back a bit, "I need to know what's happening. I don't understand what all this is or why I'm here." His eyes filled with panic and they all exchanged glances.

"Ahh, Ms. Ryland, good to see you awake. I'm Dr. Torres, do you remember me?" a tall clean-cut Hispanic doctor said as he picked up the chart Sean had dropped and approached my bed. I squinted. He looked familiar, but I couldn't remember clearly and shook my head.

"Marissa, what's the last thing you remember?" Sean asked. I couldn't say and just shook my head. "Okay, let's do like last time. Do you remember the office party?"

"Yes. Then we all went home, I danced outside and then spent the night with Gabriel," I blushed as he squeezed my hand and smirked.

"That's good. Now, what about after that?" Sean pressed.

"Well, we stayed at the manor and talked about adding rooms the next day. Then on Friday, I went to the airport." I felt my stomach clench and I began to shake. When I looked up and met Sean's gaze, I knew it wasn't a nightmare. "No," I breathed, "No...it..it wasn't real, please, no," I started sobbing as they all held me. "The rape kit," I said quietly as my eyes met Dr. Torres's. He simply nodded.

"Do you remember where he held you?" Owen asked gently.

"Not really, but I found a cab that took me to Crescent. Could...could you use that to narrow it down?" I asked.

His eyes lit up, "Yes, that will help. How about I call the others? They will want to know you're awake." I nodded and leaned against Luke's chest as he made the calls. They all started filling in the room until every seat was full including my bed. "Marissa, we need to talk to you about what happened, and then some officers will need to speak with you as well." I nodded and noticed the other doctor was still there.

"Dr. Torres," I asked, peeking around North, "Um, what is your specialty?"

He looked to Sean then Owen. They both nodded and I noticed hands holding mine. "I'm an OBGYN, Ms. Ryland." I felt like all the air had been sucked out of my lungs. I was gasping for breath.