It was by no means serious, but external wounds were usually the most painful type of injuries anyone could suffer. Even a little brush on a gash could make one think a sharp, thin blade was peeling their skin.

Brendan took a deep breath to calm himself before finishing the entire glass of water. Deirdre placed the glass back on the table.

He took another gulp of breath before stating, “The phone’s in the drawer near the headboard.”

Deirdre felt her way to the cabinet near the bed and pulled