“The tracker,” he murmured as the doctor examined the wound on his lower back.“They cut it out.”
“Clean removal, at least,” she replied.“Professional work.”She applied a dressing to his back.“We’ll need to insert a new one, but that can wait until you’ve recovered.No surgery for you today.”She continued her examination.“You’re dehydrated, your blood sugar is low and you’re exhausted.I’m going to start an IV, and you need rest.”
“I don’t have time for that!”
“Yes, you do,” Warden said.“We’ll meet in an hour.That’s enough time to get some fluids in you.”
“I’ll go up to your apartment and get you some fresh clothes,” Emmett offered.
“Something that doesn’t look like he robbed a mall cop,” Warden suggested.
“I’ll have you know this is high-end security chic,” Bryn retorted, pulling off the ripped, bloodstained uniform shirt he’d stolen.“Very in this season.”
“If he resists you, Doctor, you have my permission to sedate him,” Warden said.“Any backchat—stick him.”
“Hey!”
Warden and Emmett left and Bryn contemplated escape if only to piss off Warden.Nah.Too much effort.
The medical team finished their work, leaving Bryn with an IV in his arm and strict instructions to remain on the bed.Emmett came back with clean clothes, Bryn’s usual black jeans and a long-sleeved black T-shirt, and left them within reach.“I’ll be back in forty-five minutes,” he said.“Try not to pull out that IV.”
“No promises,” Bryn called after him.
When Emmett returned, Bryn was sitting upright, the IV still in place.
“Your color has improved,” Emmett said.“Less ghost and more chalk.”
“Thanks…I think.I need a shower in the worst way.”
The doctor returned and disconnected the line, applied a bandage to his arm, and gave him a pointed look.“Forty-eight hours of rest after your meeting,” she said.“Non-negotiable.”
“Sure, Doc.I’ll pencil that in right after my vacation to Hawaii,” Bryn replied.She glared at him, and he held up his hands in surrender.“Kidding.Rest.Got it.”
“You’ll have to shower after the meeting,” Emmett said.“Just put the clean clothes on.”
“Gross, but okay.”Bryn changed then followed Emmett to Warden’s office.Warden was at his desk and Giles was sitting in one of three chairs.
“Where’s Gunnar?”Bryn asked, pausing in the doorway.
Before anyone could answer, a commotion erupted in the hallway behind him.
“I said I’m fine, damn it.Get that wheelchair away from me before I show you exactly where you can park it.”
The familiar voice was a massive relief.Bryn turned to see Gunnar limping down the corridor, one hand braced against the wall for support.His face was pale and there were dark circles under his eyes.A vivid bruise extended from his temple to his jaw.Their eyes met and everything else fell away.
“Bryn.”Gunnar’s voice shook.
“You complete and utter fucking idiot,” Bryn replied, but there was no heat in his words.“You were shot in the hip.What are you doing out of bed?”
“Coming to find you,” Gunnar said, as if it were the most obvious explanation in the world.
Bryn crossed the distance between them in four quick strides, stopping short of throwing his arms around his partner.“You look like hell,” he said, drinking in the sight of Gunnar alive and breathing.
“Speak for yourself,” Gunnar replied, his eyes never leaving Bryn’s face, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.“Nice of you to finally show up.”
“Yeah, well, evil lairs are so hard to escape these days.No consideration for the guests at all.”
Warden appeared in the doorway.“If you two are quite finished, perhaps we could get on?I’m sure we’d all like to sleep tonight at some point.”
