Running a hand over his face, Ace inhaled deeply, then let the breath out slowly through his mouth. He turned to Gio.
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too,” Lucky said, his frown deep. “I am very sorry, Gio.”
Gio nodded, accepting their apologies. But there was one person who needed Ace more than any of them.
CHAPTER FIVE
Colton sat on the loveseat,leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his face hidden by his hands. The regret radiating off Ace as he walked past Gio, along with Colton’s heartache, was so palpable that Gio could practically feel it.
Ace crouched in front of Colton and gently wrapped his uninjured hand around his husband’s wrist. He softly moved Colton’s hand away from his face, and Colton lowered his other hand to meet Ace’s gaze.
“I don’t know how I can start to make things right,” Ace said quietly. “I hate that I hurt you…scared you. We promised each other we would always talk through things, and I shut you out at the worst possible time. Maybe going back to therapy is a start, I don’t know. What I do know is that I don’t want to be that guy, Colton.” Ace’s voice broke, and tears welled in his eyes. “I like the guy you fell in love with. I want to bethatguy. Always.” Ace’s bottom lip trembled. “I’m so—I’m so sorry.”
Colton sat there, seeming to search Ace’s gaze. A heartbeat later, he cupped Ace’s face and kissed his brow. Ace dropped to his knees, lifting his gaze to Colton, and Gio could see the fear in his eyes. Fear that he was going to lose Sacha. Fear that he’d hurt the family who loved him. Fear that he’d lost the man who meanteverything to him. Gio was very familiar with those fears, but he also knew the love Ace had in his heart.
Colton ran a hand through Ace’s hair. “I heard everything you said. We’re going to get through this because youarethe man I fell in love with. Come here.” He patted the loveseat next to him, and Ace stood. He sat beside Colton, a heavy sigh of relief escaping him when Colton wrapped an arm around him, holding him close. Ace leaned against Colton, resting his head on Colton’s, their fingers intertwined.
“I love you,” Ace said.
“I love you too.”
The door opened, and Mason stepped inside. He froze, his worried gaze shifting from Lucky to Ace and back. Lucky took Mason’s hand in his. “It’s okay, Cowboy. We’re okay.”
Mason didn’t look convinced, but he nodded. He’d no doubt ask Lucky about it later. With a nod in greeting to Gio, Mason joined Jack at the table, sitting close to lean in and speak quietly. Something was going on. Whatever it was had Jack getting to his feet and pacing, anger written all over his face.
“What is it?” Gio asked.
Jack moved his gaze to Mason, who sighed. He got up and faced Gio.
“King wanted to wait to talk to you ’bout it, but… Well, all things considered, I suppose now’s as good a time as any. The son of a bitch who shot Joker is still out there.”
Gio stared at Mason. “What?”
“Accordin’ to King, the guy had it all planned out. He planted a car bomb, and in the chaos, he managed to escape.”
Gio studied his friend. There was more. He could see it in Mason’s eyes and feel it in his gut. “Say it.”
“They found the guy’s phone. He had a bunch of photos.” Mason swallowed hard. “Gio, you were the intended target.”
“This is my fault,” Gio murmured, feeling lightheaded. Colton darted over, Ace joining him. They helped Gio to the loveseat. He shook his head, nausea washing over him. “I should be the one in that bed, not Sacha.” His heart broke all over again. He opened his mouth when Lucky threw a hand up.
“Stop. Gio, come here.” Lucky stood next to Sacha’s bed and motioned him over.
Carefully, Gio stood and joined Lucky. “What is it?”
“When you said you should be the one in the bed, his finger moved.”
“It’s probably just a reflex,” Jack said gently. “That happens sometimes with coma patients.”
Ace joined them and placed a hand on Gio’s shoulder. “Or, maybe he can hear you. I’ve read that sometimes coma patients can respond to familiar voices. Have you talked to him?”
Gio shook his head. The nurse had told him the same thing, but between Gio trying to keep his condition under control and family visiting, he hadn’t really had the opportunity.
Ace squeezed Gio’s shoulder. “We’re gonna go. Give you time alone. If you need us, just let us know.”
Gio nodded, thanking his family as they all left the room. He pushed the chair closer to Sacha’s bed and sat down. Taking his sweet man’s hand, he kissed the back of it.
