“You’re not, actually. You’re covered in cuts and bruises, and youwerenearly dead from exposure when Rae and the police found you.”
“Rae?”
“Yeah. He pretty much dropkicked a copper to get to you, and they already had it in for him.”
I took Dom’s proffered hands, wished they were Rae’s, and sat up. “What do you mean?”
Dom shrugged. “All the stuff you told me about. It was like they’d do anything to make shit harder for him, and I don’t get why. Fox hunting can’t be that important to them.”
“It’s about money.”
“What do you mean?”
I shook my head. My mind was clearer than it had been the last time I remembered being awake, but forming coherent sentences was beyond me. “Later.”
Dom nodded. “The doctor is on his way to see you. Do you need me to get you anything?”
I needed Rae. I needed to lose myself in his gaze until my faith had restored enough for me to feel like a sack of shit for ever doubting him, but the doctor came in before I could beg Dom to track him down.
Dom stepped back, though he didn’t leave, and I was glad. The doctor was brisk and thorough, and ran through the results of bunch of tests I’d been dimly aware of going on.
“You’ve been lucky,” he said. “I’m sure you’re quite sore, but your X-rays show no breaks or fractures, and your core temperature has recovered well enough for me to consider discharging you, if you’d like to go home?”
“Fuck yeah.”
The doctor smiled a little. “It’ll take a while to get the paperwork together, and I’m sure there’s arrangements you need to make to avoid the scrum at the front entrance, but I’m sure we can get you out of here by dinner time.”
“Dinner time?”
“Yes, Mr. Walsh. You’ve been asleep for quite some time.”
“What day is it?”
“Tuesday.”
Fuck. My. Life.
“Anyway,” the doctor went on. “You do have a slight chest infection, which is unsurprising, considering. I’m prescribing antibiotics for you to take home, but you must come back if it gets any worse. You should also expect to feel very tired for a few weeks. Take it easy, eat well, and rest. And no stress. I’m happy to write to your employer if you encounter any problems.”
I hadn’t even considered my actual, real life job. The doctor said more words then left, but I barely noticed, intent on finding my phone, even though I seemed to have misplaced my personal effects.
Dom stopped me getting off the bed. “The police have all your stuff, and don’t worry about work. Lucky called Jim and he said he doesn’t want to see you until you’re back on your feet.”
“Does he know what happened?”
“Yeah. It’s been in the papers, because some dickhead hack decided the fact that I’ve been here with you means we’re having a sordid affair behind Lucky’s back.”
It wasn’t the first time a tabloid had mistaken me for Dom’s secret lover. I laughed. Couldn’t help it.
Dom grinned briefly too. Then his patented frown returned. “Listen, I don’t know what the fuck’s gone on this weekend, but Isha told me what he’s found out is pretty messed-up.”
“Isha?”
“Yeah. He brought Lucky up here when Rae didn’t know where you were either. He’s been fighting your corner with the police ever since. I don’t know if you’d have been found so fast without him, you know what he’s like.”
I did. Dom’s BFF, business partner, and one-time agent was a Rottweiler in a perfect suit. The kind of man anyone would need to be to represent Dom. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Don’t.” Dom tapped his finger to my lips. “I wouldn’t have the life I love without you. Now, you want me to go find Rae, or what?”
