“You might feel a tug but no pain,” Doc says, and I nod. I don’t trust my voice. The pain meds are still swirling through my head but only dulling the pain.
“Leo,” Loretta says softly, and I crack one eye open. She gently smiles. “I’m going to draw some blood; we need to check your blood levels just in case you need another transfusion.”
“Something tells me my donor from last night won’t be up to donating today,” I joke, but I’m still grateful as hell that he was here. I’m sure Les found out why he was in that limo.
She laughs softly. “They made a supply run last night, and we have plenty.”
“What did they do? Boost a blood bank?” I ask.
Doc snorts. “You probably don’t want the answer to that.”
Fair enough.
She gets to drawing my blood, and I don’t even feel the stick. She puts a tiny band-aid over the stick and drops the tubes into a bag with ice.
Thankfully, Doc finally puts a fresh gauze over my stitches, taping it up. “Keep them dry and clean. Alessa knows the drill, and I’ve left plenty of pain meds. If you need anything, she has my number. Move freely but carefully.”
“We’ll put a rush on the blood and give her a call with the results,” Loretta finishes for him. “If you need another transfusion, we’ll be back.”
“Thank you,” I tell them both.
Doc finally smiles. “Alessa is like a daughter, and we worked for Luca. My dad did too.”
“How does one get into being a doctor for the Mafia?” I wonder.
Doc chuckles. “That is something else you probably don’t want the answer to.” He bustles out of the room and comes back with Gage in tow.
“Come on, Pretty boy.” He helps me from the table, steadying me when I sway on my feet, causing him to frown. “Do you want me to get Ryder?”
I put my arm around his neck and shake my head. “It’s just the pain meds.”
We make our slow trek to the living room, where he gets me set up on the chaise, his usual seat. He tucks a throw pillow under the wounded side, and I sigh in relief from the pressure it takes off. “Micah’s fixing breakfast. I’ll be back when it’s done.” He squeezes my hand and goes in search of food.
I hear Mateo laugh in the kitchen and smile that they stayed here last night. I vaguely remember seeing their faces last night, and it shouldn’t surprise me that they’re still here, but I’m not used to having people by my side besides my mom. Although a little dysfunctional, I’m glad I found Evander and Mateo and my found family with Alessa.
I must have dozed off because the next thing I feel is Alessa’s soft hand on my forehead. “Leo,” she says softly.
I open my eyes and stare into her blue ones, so much love washing over me for this woman. “I love you,” I tell her sternly.
“And I love you.” She kisses my lips. “Do you want to eat in the dining room or here?”
“I need to move,” I tell her honestly.
“I’ll be right back,” she tells me, holding her hand out for me not to move. She comes back with a grinning Mateo.
“At your service, bro,” he quips, helping me from the couch and wrapping my arm around his neck. “Don’t ever fucking get shot again.”
I laugh weakly. “Not a problem.”
He starts walking forward. “Seriously though, man. You scared the shit out of me.”
“I’m fine,” I say for what feels like the hundredth time today.
“No chance of me talking you into going back to your mom?”
I roll my eyes. “No. I’m not leaving them. Or you guys.”
“Stubborn ass,” he mutters, leading me into the dining room. I feel like such a fucking invalid, but I know they’re just helping because of whatever strong shit Ryder pushed into my IV.
