“If I may,” I say, half falling asleep. “You don’t know what the future holds, or even how much of it you have left. In less than five seconds, I almost lost everything. All I could think of as I bled out on the ground was the future I want with Lex, and how I’d never have it. Don’t waste too much time on things that don’t actually matter and listen to what your heart really wants. Only God knows how long you have left to accomplish it all.”
I realize too late that Lex is right there, leaning on the doorframe, listening. When Kate and Rafa notice him too, he says, “The nurse told me we need to let Andrea get some rest. My apartment is ten minutes away, so we’re heading there to get some rest as well.” He steps in and takes my good hand to squeeze it gently. “I’ll take a quick shower and come back right away. But your parents will rest and return in themorning. We’ve already arranged everything. They’ll stay the weekend so they can visit you again.”
“They’re really staying at your place?”
“Ourplace. And yes, I’ve already spoken about it with them.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I insist, knowing how important personal space is for him.
“It’s your place as much as mine—almost. And it’s your family. They can stay as long as they want.”
“Your family isn’t even allowed to stay at your place.”
“They’re better off staying at whatever hotel they book. I’m telling you, Andrea. I don’t mind.”
“My mom will snoop around, and my dad will definitely want to check out your collection. Also, I don’t put it past MC to look into your underwear drawer and steal a few things.”
Both Kate and Rafa nod at that last part while Lex shakes his head indulgently. “Let them. I don’t care. As long as your family is near when you need them the most, I’m fine.”
“And I love you so much for that.”
“That’s the very least I can do, my love.” He bends over for a kiss that tastes of tears and heartache, but also of hope and promises.
He pulls away, grazing my hair lovingly, and then straightens up. “You two are free to do whatever you want, as long as Andrea gets her rest,” he tells Kate and Rafa.
“We’ll stay in the hallway. At least until you return, if that’s okay.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll be right back, freckles. Try to sleep.”
I nod, yawning hard enough to dislocate my jaw. I’m so glad they all came to see me, but I’m also glad they’re leaving. The pain in my shoulder is slowly getting worse, and I look forward to sleeping through it. Remembering the morphine pump, I press the button again. It doesn’t do much, but it’s better than nothing.
And it definitely helps me fall asleep. I’m pretty sure I’m out before they are. But I have extenuating circumstances. I had a really fucking long day.
The bestandthe worst birthday of my life.
Chapter 22
Getting shot fucking hurts. I thought I’d be fine when I first woke up because it wasn’tthatbad. But a nurse explained it was because the general anesthesia hadn’t completely worn off yet. The bullet tore through an area that is dense in nerves, and the pain radiates through my entire arm at times. Again, I’m supposedly lucky because none of the major branches were touched, which means I won’t lose any mobility.
Hurts like a bitch, though. But the morphine pump helps make it tolerable, and then, the pills. I can never be awake for more than a couple of hours at a time, during which I often have visitors.
As soon as I was cleared from the ICU, Lex had them move me into a single room, one of those expensive ones reserved for the elite. He also took precautions and has two men guarding the door at all times. Someone is after Nammota, after all. After us. He spends most of his days here, working on his computer with a grave expression. And at night, he sleeps on a folding bed. The nurses seem to have fallen head over heels for him, and they constantly tell me I’m lucky to have found myself such a devoted “fiancé.” And every time, my answer is the same: “Don’t I fucking know it.”
My parents stay the weekend, so do Kate and Rafa, and leave right after I’ve been moved to this room. Kev and Shelly visit on Saturday afternoon with their baby girl. The nerds from work come on Monday evening, with flowers, a teddy bear with a T-shirt that says “Get Well Soon,” and a box of assorted chocolates. Brian was in charge of the balloon, and the guys profusely apologize on his behalf when he arrives with a Spider-Man one. That earns him a smack upside the head from Mason, even though I tell them I love it more than a pity hospital balloon.
On Tuesday morning, Lex and I get a visitor I never thought I’d see again. Special Agent Lewis. Upon seeing her, I’m reminded of howserious and badass she looks, with her shortly trimmed hair and spotless pantsuit. Then, I’m reminded that the last time I saw her, I was remotely conducting a billion-dollar heist, right under her nose.
She flashes her FBI card to the man posted there and comes in.
“Good morning, Miss Walker. Mr. Coleman, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” she says, nodding at Lex.
He stares at her with a mix of confusion and wariness, so I explain, “This is Special Agent Lewis. She worked on the Nammota case.”
“Ah, I’ve heard about you. You were interrogating Andrea when the whole thing blew up, right?”
“Yes, I was. And I must say… I’m still not over that timing.” She gives us a look that tells us she’s too clever to be so easily fooled.
“What brings you here?” I ask, holding back a grimace as I straighten up on the bed.
