Jordan’s voice remains calm, Sir-ish. “They want to check him out.” He looks at me over the top of his glasses. “He’s alert and talking. Even the doctors said he appears fine, other than his knee and his back.” He drops his voice to a whisper. “And becauseHeplayed His Sir card on me,that’swhy. You two can hash outthatjurisdictional matter later. The pedantic sadist argued that me staying with him isn’t my literal job, so he has the right and the rank to overrule your order.”
My pulse once again starts to slow. “So we just wait here?”
Jordan glances around at the members of the detail who are still in the room with us and steps in even closer. “Less chance for someone to see or hear anything they shouldn’t if we waithere, sir.”
“Give us the room,” I bark. The agents immediately file out. I wait until the door swings shut behind them to speak. “What the actualfuck, Jordan?”
He smirks. “I personally think it’s funny. Who knew Daddy was so clutzy?”
I drop into a chair. “You’re not bullshitting me about how bad this is?”
“Not at all.” He slides his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “I’m serious, El. He’sfine. They didn’t even start an IV because they’re probably discharging him. He’s a little banged up and he’ll definitely be hurting tomorrow. Likely using crutches for at least a week or two because of his knee. Think of it this way, maybe now he’ll ease up on yelling at you for hopping around.”
I throw my head back, my laughter unexpectedly breaking free. “I thought about that earlier. How he yells at me.” I sigh. “Maybe he’ll yell at me more. Using himself as a bad example.”
Jordan smiles. “See? It’s okay.” He edges closer but, aware that the door could open at any second, he doesn’t reach for me. “He’sfine, El.”
“What’s the detail going to say?” I finally ask.
“That George and Kev were there when it happened. Leo already talked with the head of his detail on the ride over and they’ll leave out any mention of how long George and Kev were there. No one’s going to ask for a sworn affidavit or even a tick-tock of the First Spouse’s afternoon poker game with his buddies, especially since the chief of staff of his former employer was in attendance. No one is going to suspectanything. This isfine, boy. Youhaveto trust us to handle this.”
I take another deep breath and meet his gaze. “I consider it personal growth that I’m more worried about this from the point of view of protecting you and your job than I am about what people will think about me having a husband.”
He smirks. “So do I, boy.”
* * *
An orderly wheelsLeo into the room—in a wheelchair—nearly forty minutes later.
“Do I need to call my detail in here to protect me from you?” my husband teases.
I kiss him. “Asshole,” I mutter.
Jordan and I help him out of the wheelchair and onto the bed. Leo’s wearing a hospital gown over his boxers and I spot the pain in his face even as he’s trying to put on a good front for me.
“You are soooo getting chewed out when we get home,” I add. I behave because I’m aware of the doctor walking in as the orderly parks the wheelchair out of the way and leaves.
“Hello, President Woodley. I’m Dr. Sebastianelli. Mr. Cruz asked that I start off with the phrase, ‘He’s not dying today.’”
Leo’s grinning like an asshole and I suspect they’ve loaded him with painkillers.
Jordan snorts but doesn’t add his two cents.
“Unless I strangle him for scaring the crap out of me, you mean?” I snark.
The doctor chuckles. “Well, that’s between you two. Just make sure you have a safeword if you do that.”
Leo absolutely roars with laughter. Jordan claps a hand over his mouth and turns away, silently shaking with giggles.
The doctor looks puzzled. “I didn’t think it was that funny.”
Which makes Leo and Jordan laugh harder and finally draws a resigned sigh from me.
“They think they’re comedians.” I glare at them even as I struggle not to laugh with them. “Please ignore them or you’ll only encourage them. What’s the damage?”
“Looks like Mr. Cruz twisted his back, but that’s muscular and will likely feel better in a few days. The most severe is the injury to his right knee. He completely tore a tendon. He’ll need surgery for that and probably PT, as well. We’ve got a call in to Ortho to bring a brace for him to wear home and to get him some crutches. Might not be a bad idea for him to use a wheelchair at first, though, considering his back injury.”
“Oh!” Leo says. “We can have wheelchair races!”
