“He’s with Laz.”
Sacha grunted, a sound that made Gio ridiculously happy because he sounded likehisSacha.
“I know,” Gio replied. “But Jack’s been here the whole time, plus I’m already at the hospital, so you know….”
“Mhmm.”
“I love you so much,” Gio whispered.
“Love you too,” Sacha murmured. “My person, Gio.”
“Yes, and you’re mine.”
All Gio could think about was having Sacha home with him, in his arms. But having Sacha safe and awake was enough for now. Whatever came next, they would face it together.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Later that afternoon,Jack left them to join the Kings in their search for the man responsible. Thankfully, Laz texted Gio soon after to let him know he was outside the door with Cookie and Chip, offering Gio and Sacha a distraction.
“The pups are here,” Gio told Sacha. He put up the left railing to protect Sacha’s wound but kept the right one lowered. He placed one of the pillows there. Chip shouldn’t jump on Sacha because he’d been trained not to, but given how distraught he’d been, Gio didn’t want to take any chances. “Ready?”
Sacha nodded, and Gio went to the door. Cookie and Chip lost their furry minds when they saw Gio, and Gio made sure to give them both love. Then Chip’s ears perked up, and he realized Sacha was inside.
Despite knowing better than to pull on his leash, no one and nothing was going to keep Chip from getting to Sacha, and he all but jerked Laz off his feet. Chip’s ears were flat as he whined, and the back of Gio’s eyes stung when Chip pranced next to Sacha’s bed and made noises that sounded like he was crying.
“It’s okay, boy. Daddy’s okay.” Sacha put his hand on the pillow Gio had placed at his side. “Paws up.”
Chip stood and put his front paws on the pillow, his tail wagging furiously as he stretched his neck to cover Sacha’s face in doggy kisses. He whined, half-barked, and howled, sharing his doggy woes with his daddy.
Sacha loved on him and leaned over so he could kiss his head. Chip was happy, but at the same time, so anxious that he started bouncing and pawing at the pillow. He wanted up on the bed with Sacha. Gio was about to take his leash when Cookie trotted up to the bed and stood on his hind legs, his body pressed to Chip’s as he started licking Chip’s face. Gio’s heart squeezed in his chest. He had all three of his boys back.
Chip lay his head on his paws and gazed adoringly up at Sacha, who chuckled and murmured to their boys. Cookie got down, his tail wagging happily as he trotted over to Gio, mouth open with that happy Golden Retriever smile Gio loved so much. He hugged Cookie and praised him for being such a good boy.
Over the next two days, their family visited, along with several members of the Four Kings Security family, like Saint, Ryden, and Jay. Sacha’s health improved, but his grumpiness didn’t. His sweet man was ready to be back home, and so was Gio. Thankfully, they hadn’t had to wait much longer and the hospital finally released Sacha. As soon as they opened the door, they were greeted by two wagging furry butts. Since Colton had a key to the house, he and Ace had dropped off the pups after Gio called to let Colton know he and Sacha were on their way home.
Since he couldn’t bend down or lift anything heavy until his doctor cleared him to do so, Sacha walked to the couch. Their furry companions flanked him, Cookie on one side and Chip on the other, both not taking their eyes off Sacha. Gio helped Sacha sit, and Chip hopped onto the sofa, sniffing Sacha all over as if he had to make sure every inch of his human was still there. He sniffed at Sacha’s wound, inhaling deeply and huffing several times before licking Sacha’s face.
“They didn’t miss you at all,” Gio teased.
“I need a shower, but this isn’t what I had in mind.” Sacha laughed, trying to pet Cookie and Chip at the same time. “Okay, thank you. That’s enough.” Chip dutifully lay down, his head on Sacha’s lap, big puppy eyes staring dotingly up at his human. Cookie sat on the floor and rested his head on Sacha’s knee, his fluffy tail wagging slowly. “You two are ridiculous.” He yawned. “Recovery used to be easier.”
“Well, you’re not in your twenties anymore, love,” Gio teased, bringing Sacha a water bottle. “Remember to hydrate.”
Sacha took the bottle of water, his eyes narrowed at Gio. “Is that your way of saying I’m getting old?”
“I’m saying you’ve…matured.”
“Makes me sound like cheese,” Sacha grumbled.
“More like a fine wine.”
“I don’t drink wine.”
Gio leaned in and brushed his lips over Sacha’s. “Mmm. But I do.” He chuckled at Sacha’s grunt when he pulled away.
“Just for that, you have to shower with me and sponge me down.”
“Oh no,” Gio mock gasped. “That sounds awful.” As if he would refuse.
