Chapter 20

“Now?” Nick repeated. He looked at Todd, raising his eyebrows. “Todd?”

Todd shrugged and grinned. “A deal is a deal. We’re Rugers. We sure don’t welch on any deal and we pay our debts. You’re a big, grown-up boy. If that’s what you agreed to, better see it through.”

Nick just sat there looking at Todd, but Todd was relieved the doctor had said he’d had experience with this sort of thing. He understood perfectly the man’s meaning, he’d treated sentries before. Frankly, Todd had been worried over the bite. It wasn’t healing and he was at his wits end trying to figure out what to do.

“It’s probably waited long past the time it should,” Porter said kindly. He looked at Nick. “I can give you the same sedatives I offered for your master here and you refused.”

Shaking his head, Nick mumbled out, “No drugs.”

“Nick,” the doctor sighed. They’d obviously had this conversation a few times. “It’s going to hurt. Needlessly.”