She snorts. “Trust me, honey, messing with your ‘equipment’ is not my idea of a good time. Despite what your ego might think, I’m not here for your entertainment...or mine.”
I let out a sigh of relief when she finishes.
“I’ll get you a wheelchair.”
“No fucking way,” I bark. I’ll leave here on my feet or in a coffin.
The nurse fixes me with a steely gaze, her voice a mix of exasperation and concern. “I’ve dealt with enough stubborn mules like you to know I’m wasting my breath, but I’ll say it anyway. If you don’t rest, your recovery will take twice as long. Getting out of that bed is like playing Russian roulette with your health.”
“Okay. Now that you’re done preaching and warning me, can you help me get out of here?”
“If you’re intent on killing yourself, no.”
“Fine, I don’t need help. I’ll manage.” I push my legs off the bed again, a cool breeze reminding me of my exposed backside. “Where are my clothes?”
The phone rings. The nurse glances at the screen and hands it to me. “It’s for you.”
“Ryder,” Zane’s low voice comes through. “What are you doing?”
“I’m getting out of here,” I state before he can lecture me. “I need to get to Cora.”
“She’s perfectly fine,” he counters. “I dropped her off at her father’s estate. She’s safe. You don’t need to play the hero right now.”
“Fuck, Mercer,” I yell, causing the nurse to flinch. “I need her by my side. I need to see her with my own eyes.”
There’s a long pause, and for a moment, I think he might have hung up. Then he sighs, a sound that carries years of dealing with stubborn operatives like me. “You and she were cut from the same cloth. Fine. I’m coming to get you. Be ready in an hour.”
“An hour?”
“As much as I’d love to teleport, I don’t have that technology. One hour, Ryder. Try not to die before then.”
He hangs up.
The line goes dead. I hand the phone back to the nurse, who’s looking at me like I’ve grown a second head.
“What did he say?”
“He’ll be here in an hour.”
The nurse’s expression morphs from anger to resignation. “So, are you willing to let me help you now? Or do you still plan on crawling out of here on your hands and knees?”
I nod, defeat setting in as the adrenaline wears off. My body feels like it’s made of lead.
“Good,” she says, her tone softening. “Now, sit down before you fall down. Let’s get you ready to see your girl.”
Thirty-Seven
RYDER
Ilean against the car Zane sent to get me, my legs trembling with the effort of standing. The world spins a little, but I force myself to focus as Cora races toward me, her blonde hair streaming behind her like a banner of sunlight. She looks like an angel.
My angel.
“Ryder!” she cries, her voice a mix of joy and worry.
I open my arms, bracing for impact. “Easy, Little Trouble,” I warn with a weak chuckle. “I’m not exactly?—”
She crashes into me, her arms wrapping around my neck. The force nearly topples me, and I stagger back, clinging to her as much for support as affection.
