“I know.” Despite the uneasy feeling in my stomach, I’ve never had a reason to doubt him. It’s completely reasonable that in the aftermath of my father’s death, he had misremembered information he was told. “I want to be brought to Declan the second we get home?—
“You should get some rest,” Arman protests.
“I will be there when he wakes up. End of discussion.” Everyone in the car exchanges looks, but it doesn’t matter. My word is final. And if anything was learned tonight, it’s the fact that my wrath was not one to be tested.
Unless you want to end up dead.
15
ZAHRA
Ihate hospitals. Including the makeshift medical wing we have in the manor. The last time I had been in the waiting room was when Dr. Williams informed me that my father hadn’t made it. Everything went black after that. From what Azula told me, I had to be sedated. It was the only way they could get me off the doctor; my grief manifested as rage, and evidently, he was an easy target.
“Promise you won’t choke anyone this time,” Arman jokes, though there’s a hint of seriousness in his voice.
“That was one time, and I think I deserve a pass for it given the circumstances.” Clicking my tongue, I start to approach the door currently being guarded by three burly Irishmen. “I’d like to see Declan.”
Neither man moves an inch. I commend their dedication to protecting their boss but am not in the mood. “Maybe I remind you that you are inmymedical wing, withmy staffwho have worked around the clock to ensure your boss is safe and healthy.Your boss,who took a bullet for me. Which I would like to thank him for.”
Each man inhales sharply as they size me up, but still stands in place.
“May I also remind you that I am a bit trigger-happy at the moment and if you think I’m above shooting three men who get in my way, you are sadly mistaken.”
“Zahra!” Arman protests from behind me.
Unsurprisingly, threatening to shoot someone works, each man breaks their stance and finally gives me access to the door.
The fluorescent lights in the room make me squint, along with the incessant beeping of various machines, and the faint scent of chlorine. Aidan laid fast asleep in a chair, his head on Declan’s bed, while Declan has a hand on his brother’s head as he toys with the various tubes and wires connected with his body. His eyes flicker to mine for a second, giving me a small smile before turning his attention back to Aidan. Looking death in the eye would do that to you, remind you of who you would have lost. Who you would have never been able to speak to again. Who you should have told ‘I love you’ one last time while you had the chance.
“I didn’t realize you’d woken up,” I break the silence, keeping my voice down so as not to disturb Aidan’s sleep.
“Just happened. Heard you threaten to shoot my guards. Tried to yell to let you in but I couldn’t manage to get it out.” Declan’s usually smooth and silky voice is now hoarse and dry, no doubt a result of coming off the anesthesia. I can’t help but wonder if this is what he sounds like every morning when he wakes up.Of all the things you could be thinking about right now, Zahra, his morning voice should not be one of them.
I hand him one of the water bottles left on the counter and find myself oddly preoccupied with the thick veins of his neck as he swallows. Maybe Samirah was right, I should have taken some time for myself before coming in to interrogate Declan. Clearly, the adrenaline of the night had been wearing off, andin its place was an overwhelming sense of gratitude that he had saved my life. Gratitude and something else that I refuse to acknowledge. Something I can’t even remember the last time I’d felt.
“Much better, thanks.” Declan clears his throat, sounding much more like himself. He gives Aidan a good shake, causing him to stir. “C’mon, it’s time to wake up.”
“Shit, I didn’t even realize I’d fallen asleep.” Aidan yawns, slightly groggy, before pouncing on his brother and giving him a big hug. “Damn, it’s good to see you.”
“You saw me this whole time. Including the trip in the back of the car.” Declan rolls his eyes, though he returns the hug.
“Don’t be an ass, you know what I meant.” Aidan leans back in the chair, turning his attention to me. “Tell your Doc I’m sorry. I may have threatened to put a bullet in him if he didn’t save my brother.”
“Eh, he’s been working for us for decades so he’s used to it at this point. At least you didn’t choke him and have to be sedated because you refused to let go.” I shrug, both brothers looking at me with their jaws hanging open. “It was one time. After I found out about my dad, so, I think I’m forgiven.”
Declan and Aidan’s expressions shift to deep understanding, making me incredibly uncomfortable.
“I was hoping to have a moment alone with you, Declan. Your brother is more than welcome to stay in one of our guest rooms and get some proper sleep,” I offer.
Aidan stiffens, adjusting himself so he’s in front of his brother. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Declan places a hand on his brother’s shoulder, gently squeezing. “Aidan, it’s fine. She’s not going to hurt me. Go get some proper sleep. You need it.”
Aidan takes a few more reassurances from his brother to be convinced but eventually he leaves the room, though notbefore giving me a warning glance that screams ‘Don’t do anything stupid’. I’d roll my eyes if there wasn’t a part of me that understood his sudden protectiveness.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, sitting in the chair next to the bed.
“You mean other than the fact that a bullet just went through me?” he teases.
