The realization sinks into me.
Of course, they sleep together.
They’re a couple.
And the thought hits me with a strange mix of relief, and then, something suspiciously like loss.
Which is ridiculous, as I barely know them.
There’s another groan as Garrett is lifted onto the bed by Kai and Butcher.
“Garrett,” Greer says. “I need you to rate your pain, where ten is the worst you ever felt.”
“Seven,” he slurs. “Maybe six. Feels like I fought a snowplow and lost.”
“Keep the gas and air combo for the night,” Greer says. “I’ll be by to pick it up in the morning. Use it for a couple of minutes for fast relief. Max ten minutes continuous. But then, I’m gonna need you to put it down for the rest of the hour to let the nitrous levels in your blood clear. You start getting dizzy or nauseous, you stop because you’re using it too often.”
Garrett nods, but his eyes are closing.
Butcher and Kai move to carry the chair down the stairs.
“Isla,” Greer says. “A word.”
I follow her out of the bedroom. Within the club, I had a spine, but with that came a meanness and a recklessness. I knewhow to meet Greer head-on, even though she looked down her nose at me.
I don’t know why she needs to speak with me, because she won.
“Why are you here?” Greer asks.
“Because I live across the street.” I point in the direction of my home, which is completely unnecessary because Greer has a billion degrees from fancy universities, so I’m reasonably confident she understands whatacross the streetmeans. “I was worried when I saw the ambulance.”
She glances back at Garrett. “Here’s the thing, Shade’s hurt and Jackal’s struggling. But I need to give details to someone who, I hope, will retain them. You got this if I give them to you?”
I nod. “Of course. I’m not stupid.”
Greer looks at me for a second, as if she might argue with me, then sighs. “Fine. He can use the gas and air but only when the pain spikes. He’s going to be in a lot of pain for the next two days, but he can’t suck on that stuff continuously. Move it away from the bed and only give it to him when the allowed time has passed, no matter how badly he begs.”
“Put it out of his reach?” I ask.
Greer nods. “He’s not gonna want to get up to get it. Out into the hallway, where he can’t see and fixate on it. And no sleeping with it or using it while lying flat. Put a couple of pillows behind him when he uses it. One of you needs to keep an eye on him when he takes it. And given Jackal is exhausted, I’m nominating you.”
I think about my house, my job, the things I need to do. But they all disintegrate, at least for the next day or so, as I am not on shift tomorrow. “I’ve got it from here. But why can’t you prescribe him stronger pain meds, ones that will last?”
“What treatment I offer and why I offer it is between me and my patient. But I want him checked for alertness every hour.If the pain becomes uncontrollable, call us, and we’ll come get him and take him to the ER. We’re cheaper than calling an ambulance and can get here much faster.”
“You’re not going out with the clinic tonight?”
Greer’s face softens, then shakes her head. “Butcher wants us close by in case Jackal or Shade need us.”
That’s so Butcher. Still looking out for his men.
Greer winces, then pushes a hand firmly at the top of her bump.
“You okay?” I ask.
She nods. “This little guy likes to treat my insides like a kickboxing ring.”
“It’s a boy?” I ask. “I hadn’t heard. Congratulations.”
