Chapter 16: A Lesson in Obedience

*Dante*

I tried to ignore the throbbing pain that radiated through my body as we made our way back to the penthouse. The adrenaline from the fight was starting to wear off, and I could feel every blow, every bruise, with a sickening clarity.

Layla hovered over me, her eyes wide with concern as she took in my battered appearance. "Dante, you need to go to the hospital," she insisted, her voice trembling with worry.

I shook my head, wincing as the movement sent a fresh wave of pain through my skull. "No hospitals," I said with a strained voice. "I have a doctor on call. He'll come over and check me out."

Layla frowned, but she didn't argue. Instead, she reached into my pocket and pulled out my handkerchief, dabbing gently at the blood that trickled from the cut above my eye and the corner of my mouth.