Deirdre shook herself out of her trance and nodded. “They have recovered nicely.”

“But that’s not what you’ll say if the police come and ask the same question, okay? Tell them you’re hurting everywhere and remain in the hospital.”

Deirdre froze. “Is that even allowed?”

“Of course, it is,” Brendan replied matter-of-factly. “You’re at your safest when you’re staying here. Nobody can ruffle you while I get to be close to you till my heart’s content.”

‘Close to me?’

Ever since Brendan came clean about his true feelings, he had been acting way too candidly. Deirdre could not even tell what it was making her feel, so she pretended she did not hear that.

“Are the bruises still there?” he asked.

Deirdre snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head. Hesitantly, she admitted, “I mean… at least I think they’re gone.”

“Let me have a look.”

Pink hues tinted her cheeks. “What?”

“The police’s going to send someone to examine your injuries, right? They’ll only let you stay here if those bl