The man lifted Roman’s foot gently, but with the practiced firmness of someone who had done this so many times before.

Roman hissed the moment his injured heel left the mattress, his muscles tightening instinctively as pain rippled up his leg.

“Easy,” the man murmured, steady hands already at work. “If you tense up, it’ll only make it hurt you more.”

Roman clenched his jaw but didn’t respond. His breath came shallow as he watched the man wipe off the injured foot.

The cloth ...