“I’m fine,” I try to say, but Tony gives me a look, letting me know it’s pointless to argue.
I sit down next to Savanna, making sure I’m close enough for our bodies to touch, and then I rest my forearms on my legs with my hands out. They look worse than they did a few minutes ago, and the pain is getting stronger. Blue eyes look at me through his dark glasses, and he’s clearly not amused at what he’s seeing.
“These should’ve been looked at as soon as you walked through that door, not after taking a long shower,” he chastises.
I grin at him. “Agree to disagree, Doc. That shower was much more important.” I don’t need to turn my head to know that Savanna is blushing, but I do it anyway just so I can see it for myself. A pink tinge colors her cheeks, and when I give her a wink, her dimple appears just like I knew it would.
I can tell Tony still wants to argue, but he wisely decides a better use of his time is to get me cleaned up. He wipes away the blood that’s dried since our shower and then spends a ridiculously long time examining each and every cut, making sure there aren’t any tooth fragments. I’m relieved when he doesn’t find any, but he still says, “If you feel feverish or this starts to swell, I’m putting you on an antibiotic.”
Before I can tell him that won’t be necessary, Savanna leans over and says, “I’ll let you know if any of that happens.” Her tone makes it clear this isn’t up for discussion, and I see Tony’s mouth twitch before he hides it and grabs the bandages. I turn my head and kiss her.
By the time Tony’s done, my knuckles on both hands are covered in small bandages and compression wraps. The wrap on my left hand extends past my wrist because apparently I strained something while beating a man to death.
Still on his knees while he finishes the last bit of wrapping, he says, “You’re lucky you didn’t break your hand by doing something so damn stupid.” Before I can tell him he’s wrong and it would’ve been worth two broken hands, his eyes dart to Savanna before meeting mine again. “The bastard deserved it, though, so I’m glad you did it.”
Sasha walks by and ruffles Tony’s hair. “We’ll make a killer of you yet.”
Tony huffs out a laugh and shakes his head. “My job is to save lives, Sasha, not take them.”
Sasha just shrugs before wrapping his arm around Cindy again and pulling her close. He knows it’s a lost cause. He and Tony are never going to see eye-to-eye on this particular topic.
Before he stands, Tony looks at Savanna. “Make sure he ices it and make him rest and take aspirin.” His eyes dart between the two of us. “Youbothneed to rest. There’s nothing serious here, but your bodies need rest to heal.”
“Don’t worry, Tony,” I tell him. “I think we’re both planning on sleeping through the rest of the day and night.”
“Good.” He grabs his supplies, but before he can turn and leave, Savanna reaches out and grabs his hand.
“Thank you, Tony,” she tells him.
He pats her hand and then slings his bag over his shoulder. “Of course. Call me if you need me, no matter the time.”
“Okay,” she tells him, and after he’s left, we say our goodbyes to Sasha and Cindy.
While Cindy pulls Savanna in for another hug, Sasha discreetly slips me a phone and says, “I pulled this off Cupid. We need to end what’s left of his operation. Get me some names, Niki. It’s not fair you’re the only one who got to kill tonight.”
I pocket the phone. I’ll pull every useful thing from it and get my cousin his list of names, but it’s not going to be tonight. With Cupid dead, everything can wait a day. I need rest, and I need Savanna. Everything else can wait.
“I’ll get it to you soon,” I promise him before he and Cindy leave.
When it’s just our parents, I let out an awkward laugh and say, “Hell of a day, right?”
My dad and Phil laugh. Judging by the glassy look to their eyes, they’ve been enjoying the vodka while Savanna and I were getting showered and looked after.
“I see my family’s already corrupting you,” I say to Phil.
He grins and then looks at his daughter. “You should’ve seen me, honey. I lied to my coworkers and did some seriously illegal shit today.”
“I’m sorry you had to, Dad,” Savanna says, but her mom gives her a playful wink and says, “Don’t you dare apologize. We’d do anything for you, and besides, your dad looks pretty good as a badass.”
Phil beams at his wife. “Thanks, sweetheart. I felt pretty badass.” He gathers Savanna into a big, if slightly unsteady hug, and says, “I’m so happy you’re safe, Sav. I was scared to death when I found out you’d been taken, but I knew they’d get you back, and I would’ve happily done anything I could to help them.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Savanna tells him.
Her mom joins in the hug, and I step aside to give them some privacy when I hear the front door open. I’m not worried about who it is. Only family have access, so I’m not surprised when my brother steps inside, holding a wide-awake Lyra with Talia right behind him. My sister-in-law gives me a big smile and then rushes over to give me a hug.
“God, I was so worried for you, Niki,” she says as she steps back. “I didn’t want to get in the way while you were working, but I had to come down to make sure you’re both really okay.”
“We’re fine, Talia,” I tell her. “Thanks for coming. I’m sorry about the stress and everything.”
