Blood Stained Collar BOOK 2 of The Collar Series #Wattys2017 ( BDSM )

CHAPTER 21

Melanie did press charges and with the help of DNA samples Dr Anderson was arrested and charged with rape, kidnapping and grievous bodily harm. She knew there would be a court case, but Reece had promised to be at her side every single moment and the other nursing staff gave their morale support too.

The court case dragged on for a month and Melanie could not believe her ears when she sat in the court room and Dr Anderson pleaded not guilty to all charges, when he sat in the witness box glaring at her, telling lies not only to the jury but to her face. He stated she had consented to the BDSM role play and that it was a fantasy of hers to be kidnapped and raped.

Melanie was horrified and felt her world spinning around her. She slumped against her lawyer and closed her eyes against the spinning sensation. She never heard the Judge call for a recess. When she opened her eyes, she was lying on a stretcher with paramedics bending over her.

Reece was standing near the foot of the stretcher and smiled at her. "You're going to be alright."

"What happened?"

One of the paramedics answered. "You fainted, but you're going to be fine. Blood pressure a bit low so we are taking you into hospital for a check up."

"Reece..."

"I'm right here Mel. Don't worry I'm coming with you, I won't be leaving your side any time soon. Consider me your glue buddy from now on." He smiled.

"Glue buddy?" Melanie frowned."

"From now on I am permanently stuck to your side. Our shadows are one and the same." He winked at her.

"What would I do without you?"

"Well, umm ... you'd have no one on speed dial."

Melanie couldn't help smiling.

Reece followed her onto the waiting ambulance and at the hospital he got in the way of the hospital staff as they wheeled her into one of the side wards. When he was asked to leave, he looked at Melanie.

"Babe, will you be okay?"

Melanie was a little surprised as he had never called her Babe before. "I'll be fine, I'm in the safest place possible."

"I'll be right outside."

"Your boyfriend is very worried about you." The nurse commented while taking her blood pressure.

"We are just friends."

"Ohh, sorry. I thought ..."

"We're very close friends. He's always there for me."

The nurse smiled.

After the doctor had examined Melanie, she said, "We'll keep you in overnight and if your blood pressure is better tomorrow you may go home. I checked your medical records and you've been through quite an ordeal. Are there any problems that you might be needing help with?"

"I was worried that I might be pregnant but my doctor gave me the necessary pills to take. Could I possibly have another test just to make sure?"

"When was your last period?"

"I haven't had one since the ... incident." Melanie stumbled over what she should say. She felt used and dirty every time she was asked about it or even thought about it, and now he had accused her of consenting to the whole ordeal. She coughed trying hard to choke back the tears.

The doctor patted her hand. "I'll organise a test for you immediately. We'll do a blood and urine sample. How long has it been now, eight weeks?"

"Yes, I think so. Not so sure anymore. I tried to block it out but with the court case now ..."

"I understand. Are you speaking to anyone to help you get through this? It's not something you can do on your own."

"No, not at the moment, I thought I'd wait till after the court case."

"The sooner the better for you my dear. If you do change your mind, you just need to ask. We have excellent councilling staff on hand at a moment's notice."

"Thank you."

"Very welcome. A nurse will be in shortly to do your blood test and if there is anything else just push your buzzer."

After her blood test and urine sample Reece was allowed back in to see her.

"Mel, Hun, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, honestly I am. Thank you for being here for me."

"I can't believe what that bastard said about you today. What absolute bullshit. Surely the jury can see he is lying. You're not that type of girl."

"Reece, please, I'd rather not talk about that now."

"Of course, I'm sorry."

Melanie couldn't help wondering what Reece would think if he knew that it was something she had tried in her time with Cirrus. She frowned. Her thoughts drifted back to the past and Cirrus. Even here thousands of miles away from you, you're always just there on the edge of my thoughts.

It was not until the doctor returned with her test results that she realised Reece had been talking to her and she hadn't heard a word he had said, so lost was she in her own thoughts.

"Miss McKinney, your tests have come back negative."

"Thank heavens. I was struggling with what to do if it was positive."

"Well now you won't have to worry anymore." The doctor smiled.

Reece struggled to follow the conversation between Melanie and the doctor and the moment he left Reece looked at her. "Am I allowed to know what that was about? Was it something serious you were worried about? Mel, I hope you know you can depend on me to help you through anything. I will always be here for you."

A tear trickled out the corner of her eye. "You are just so kind and so sweet to me. I can never repay you or thank you enough for your support during this ordeal and for saving me from a fate worse than death."

Reece took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I want to look after you and keep you safe, if you will let me."

"Reece," She didn't want to hurt him, especially after everything he had done for her, but she didn't want to lead him on either. "I can't deal with any serious relationships now; all I need is just a good friend."

"I do understand and of course I am your friend and maybe I can be your BFF."

She had to smile. He always knew how to lift her spirits and she had no intention of bringing him down by saying she wasn't sure if he would be anything more to her than her best friend.