“I’d like to forget those things, but saying it out loud makes it all the more real.”
“Fuckin’ crazy times,” Samson adds. “But this guy always comes out on top. Takes more than that punk Pierce to take you down.”
Nick does some air boxing and winces.
“Stop moving around,” I say. “You do remember twenty-four hours ago you were stabbed and hemorrhaging on an operating table, right?”
“Just sayin’, I got through all that with no sweat, and I can rest in my own house much better than here. For fuck’s sake, they woke me up to give me a sleeping pill.”
Samson and Nick do more shit talk until it’s obvious Nick is exhausted.
“You rest.” Samson and Nick fist bump. “And do what the doctor tells you.” Then Samson looks at me. “If you need anything, call. Lisbeth will be giving you a call later.”
“Thanks.”
After Samson leaves, I fluff Nick’s pillows, then I rearrange the water pitcher and plastic cups on his tray. Organizing always calms me, but of course, Nick sees right through it.
He grabs my wrist. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I say way too fast.
“You know I’m gonna be fine.” He shifts on the bed and grimaces. “Just gotta take it easy for a few days.”
“Exactly, and maybe you should be doing that resting here in the hospital in case there are any complications.”
“There aren’t gonna be any complications. Even the doctor said I’m gonna make a full recovery. Apparently, you don’t need a spleen.”
“You lost a lot of blood too. I just think staying here another day wouldn’t hurt.”
“Forget it. I already had the nurse contact the doctor, and if I don’t hear from him, I’ll call him myself, ‘cause there’s no way I’m spending our first Christmas together in the damn hospital.”
Nick is used to being in control and getting his way, so being confined to a hospital bed is the equivalent of being in hell.
“Let’s just see what the doctor says.” I want him home too, but it is much easier keeping my secret for another few days if I don’t have to see him all day.
“Plus, I miss Portia. No fuckin’ way I’m letting her spend Christmas without me.”
“I know, she misses you too.” I give his pillow one more fluff. “Why don’t I go to the nurses’ station and see if they’ve heard from your doctor.”
“Wait.” Nick holds on to my hands. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to say to you, and it can’t wait any?—”
“Shit, you’re still lying in bed.” Cobra’s voice booms through the room. “What a pussy.”
Python and Mamba follow behind Cobra, and their size, bulk and leather fill the room. “Merry Christmas, man.”
“Shouldn’t you guys be with your families?” Nick asks.
“Had to see for ourselves that you were doin’ all right,” Python says.
“Hospital wouldn’t let us up the first night ‘cause we ain’t family.”
“Not true.” Nick accepts their fist bumps.
Cobra wraps his muscled arm around my shoulder. “Hey, babe, how’s our patient doin’?”
“Good, but stubborn.” I throw a look to Nick. “Wants to go home.”
“Shit, yeah, I get it.” Python rounds the bed. “Last year I took a bullet from a pissed-off rival. The doc took out the bullet then wanted me to stay for observation. Some shit about getting an infection, but I told them to fuck off and that I’d observe myself.”
