He smiles softly in his doctorly way. “We can fix that.”
Jagger squeezes my hand, letting me know he’s still here. I glance back at him, not sure how to act or what to say. Things between us are so tense now. I want to ask him a million questions about what I overheard with the cop, but part of me thinks it’s best to keep that to myself, even if her words cut me deeply.
A nurse bursts through the door, followed quickly by Cruz and Asher. She moves to my monitor and shuts off the alarm.
“Give her space, boys, she’s only just woken up. She’s confused and disoriented,” Ricky tells them before they have the chance to crowd me like we both know they want to.
I rest my head back onto the pillow Jagger has propped up behind my head and accept the fresh cotton blanket Ricky hands me, pulling it up around my arms. The room is less fuzzy now as my eyes adjust to the light. I can make out the boys. Poor Jagger is pale, his body language almost defeated; he hardly even resembles the powerful man I know. Asher and Cruz stop at his bed and lean on it, watching me, concern etched into their gorgeous faces in a way I didn’t expect. It looks genuine, and I know for sure that what I overheard Jagger and Ricky talking about wasn’t a figment of my imagination.
Cruz’s eyes search mine as if he’s waiting for something from me. “I’m okay,” I murmur, my voice groggy. “A little dizzy and disoriented, and my head’s pounding, but other than that, I think I’m okay.”
“Knew you would be.” Asher winks, his lips turning up at the sides in a cheeky smile. It’s forced, but I appreciate him trying to act normal for me, it helps to ease the tension.
Cruz doesn’t say anything, he just keeps staring at me like he can’t believe I’m real.
“I’m going to go visit another patient. If you need me, I’ll be on speed dial,” Ricky says, looking my way before he nods in Jagger’s direction.
“I’m Gigi.” The pint-sized nurse introduces herself as she shoves Jagger out of the way and moves in by my side, placing a blood pressure cuff on me. “I’m going to get you all fixed up so you can go home as quickly as possible.” She smiles as she pumps it up then makes an “uh, hum,” sound I don’t like.
“Is everything okay?” Jagger asks, and I know that sound made him edgy as well.
“It’s what we expect after four days in a medically induced coma. Daisy’s body needs time to recover from such intrusive surgery. But she’ll be good as new in no time.” She takes a moment to look over my chart. “I’m upping your pain meds to make you more comfortable, and I want you to eat something. I’ll send some food shortly. Press this button if you need anything, okay?”
“Okay, thank you.” I try to smile, but I’m not sure it works. My face doesn’t feel normal.
Then she turns back to Jagger. “Get back in bed. You need to rest,” she snips in his direction, her voice harsher than when she was talking to me. “You’re lucky I even let you stay in the same room as your girlfriend. It’s against our policy and all, but Ricky insisted. So, the least you can do is follow my rules now.”
“I have shit to do,” he mutters, but he sounds exhausted.
“Yeah, rest. Bed, now!” she demands, a no-shit tone to her voice that makes me instantly like her. There aren’t many people who will talk to Jagger like that, but she’s not even scared of him. Even if she has to look up to him, and the sight of such a tiny human telling off a goliath like him is comical.
With a frown, he moves back to his bed, lying down without the covers on. He crosses his arms over his chest and rests his head back, looking like a petulant child in a timeout.
Pleased he’s doing what he’s told, she turns her rampage on Asher and Cruz, pointing a finger in their direction. “You two have five minutes, then you leave Daisy to rest as well.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Asher grins at her with a little salute, and I get the impression he knows her. Probably another local he’s screwed. I push that thought away. Now is not the time to be jealous.
Cruz gives a nod, but I can see by his expression he’s not listening to her. His only focus is me, more intense than ever before.
She smiles at me. “I’ll be back to check on you in an hour,” she says before leaving us alone.
They don’t even wait for her to leave before they’re both at my side. “Don’t ever scare me like that again, little darlin’.” It’s then I see the bags under Cruz’s eyes. Asher is the same. They both look like they haven’t slept in days. He scoops up my hand and grips it so tightly I think he’s going to cut off the circulation.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, tears blurring my eyes.
Asher’s finger dusts up my arm. “We’re just glad you’re on the mend now.”
“What happened? I don’t remember anything after we got in the elevator.”
Asher looks to Cruz. “You passed out. Cruz got you to Ricky’s clinic. That’s where we are now, and he brought in a brain surgeon he knows to fix you up. They found a bleed on your brain that was causing a buildup of pressure, so they had to operate.” Asher’s eyes close as if he’s in pain. “Then they put you in a coma to help your recovery.” His fingers intertwine with mine, and he grips my hand tighter.
“Four days ago?” I ask, to clarify what day it even is.
Cruz’s eyes meet mine, a sadness washing over him. “Yep, Ricky said you would wake up when you were ready. It’s been the longest four days of my life.”
“I’m sorry,” I murmur as a stray tear strolls down my cheek.
Cruz brushes his thumb over it, wiping it away.
