CHAPTER 49
Lauren, being her usual self as always, completely ignored his dismissal. She did not argue the point of Jarek or the discipline; her focus had shifted. She saw the raw, untreated wounds, and in a flash of decision, her cold anger transformed into a defiant, practical action.
She spun around, snatched a small, sealed first aid kit from the bottom shelf of the supply cart he was guarding, and then turned back to Ryle.
Ryle stared, momentarily stunned by her non-compliance.
Before he could process the move, Lauren was already in motion. She dropped the kit onto the cart and, with a sudden, decisive movement, she reached out and seized his wounded right hand.
Ryle instinctively pulled his hand back, his training screaming at him to reject unauthorized contact, especially from
