Sacha opened his mouth to reply, but the doctor quickly cut in.
“The first thing patients want to know is when they can go home. We’re going to keep you a day or two longer, get you eating again, walking, moving, monitor your vitals, and do an MRI.” She went on to explain the recovery process and what it might look like for Sacha, once again emphasizing how important it was for him not to push himself too hard, too soon. When she was done, she informed them she’d be back and for Sacha to rest. Once it was just the three of them again, Sacha held his hand out to Gio.
“I hope you’ve been taking care of yourself.”
Gio smiled softly. “You just woke up from a coma, and you’re worried aboutmyhealth?”
“Of course I am,” Sacha said as he rubbed his eyes and blinked.
“How’s your vision?” Jack asked.
“A little better. What happened?”
Jack told Sacha everything they knew about what had happened to him as Sacha absently stroked Gio’s wrist. Gio jumped when Sacha grabbed his wrist and focused all his attention on Gio’s hospital bracelet. Sacha flicked it with his thumb before slipping his thumb underneath and around it.
“I thought I felt something. Why do you have a hospital wristband, Gio?”
“Because I didn’t have scissors to cut it off, and then I forgot about it. I was a little preoccupied.”
Sacha was not impressed by his answer. “What happened?”
Jack looked from Sacha to Gio and back. “I’m glad you’re awake,” he said. “I’m going to let the rest of our family know.”
“Thank you,” Gio replied, taking Sacha’s hand and lacing their fingers together. As soon as the door was closed, Sacha squeezed his hand.
“Tell me.”
Gio sighed. “I passed out when the paramedics arrived, and because my heart rate and blood pressure were erratic, they kept me for observation.” Before Sacha could reply, Gio spoke up. “You were unconscious and bleeding out in front of me, and then I found out you’d also been kicked in the head, had brain swelling, and were in a coma. I was terrified. You could have died.” He shook his head and pressed his lips together, trying his hardest to keep his emotions in check.
“Hey, breathe,” Sacha said gently. “Please. I’m having a tough time staying awake here, and I can’t have you passing out.”
“And I can’t have you dying!” Gio started pacing. “You could havedied, Sacha. I was the one who was supposed to get shot.Iwas the target.”
“Stop.” The word was quiet, but in Sacha’s serious voice, the one he used when he wasn’t about to take someone’s nonsense, not even Gio’s. “Listen to me carefully. Are you listening?”
“Yes,” Gio murmured, perching his hip on the bed now that the railing was down.
“I am never,nevernot going to protect you, Gio. The rest of the guys are family, and I would take a bullet for any one of them, but you? You aremyfamily, my person, and I have never loved anyone or anything the way I love you. So, I’m sorry I terrified you, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Gio let out a shaky breath. Arguing with Sacha was futile because he understood the point. Sacha held out his hand, and Gio took it. A frown came onto Sacha’s face as he shifted.
“What’s under my shoulder?”
Gio checked and laughed softly. “Leo brought his fishy friend for you. The one you got him in Winterhaven.” He moved it from where it had gotten stuck just behind Sacha’s shoulder and placed it on Sacha’s lap.
Sacha chuckled as he put a hand on the plushy fish. “I can’t with him. We need to make sure he gets it back. You know how much he loves the darn thing.”
“We will, but first, I’d really like to kiss you.”
“I’d like that,” Sacha replied, sounding groggy again.
Gio stood and kissed him. It was a brief, gentle kiss, but Gio cherished it. “I’ve missed you.”
“I want to go home to our bed,” Sacha muttered, his eyes closed. “Don’t like feeling out of it. Where’s my boy?”
“Now that you’re awake, the boys can visit. I’ll ask Laz to bring him and Cookie. Chip’s been very upset and hasn’t wanted to eat. He keeps howling. Your boy knows something isn’t right. He needs to see you.”
“My sweet boy. Wait. Cookie’s not with you?”
