***
When they brought Roxy into the ER, everything blurred. Voices clashed. Scrubs ran in and out of her cubicle in bright colors. Machines clicked incessantly, and somewhere an alarm was screaming. My focus narrowed to her, staying as close as I could without getting in the way. I would never forgive myself if I failed to prevent her from suffering something else.
It was over just as fast as it had started. For now, they had averted the crisis. The crowd dispersed, taking the chaos with them. Everyone vanished in a cloud of scrubs, and only silence remained as I sat by her bedside.
“You drive me crazy,” I rasped, scared that I’d never hear Roxy respond again. No one had said anything to me about her condition, but I’d heard them speculating from outside the curtain. They spoke in code, the acronyms flying so fast I couldn’t keep up. I’d tried to look the shit up on my phone. Nothing matched. Every answer led to more bullshit. Nothing helped.
“Sweetheart, I promise you. I will make them fucking pay for this.” My voice cracked halfway through, fear creeping in. The phoenix drawing had sealed their fate. I didn’t know who they were yet, or why they had targeted her. When I found out, I’d burn their world down. I wouldn’t stop, no matter how many favors I had to call in.
“You’ve changed me. I thought I’d buried this part of myself, and now, you’ve made me need you.” I didn’t know if she could hear me, but I couldn’t stop spilling every emotion she’d made me feel. “Losing you would have been a lot easier if I hadn’t fallen for you.” I swore there was a light pressure, like she was squeezing my fingers. I checked for another sign, hoping to see anything, but there were no other changes.
“I don’t know how you’ll react when you wake. We won’t be one of those couples who can’t communicate. Fuck that. I’ll tell you everything I can. If it’s about you, it’s your fucking business. Some shit though will remain hidden. Not because I don’t trust you, but for your safety. You’d better be listening because I’m only saying this once.” I bent down and kissed the top of her hand. “You haven’t brought it up since our first fight, but if you decide to leave, I won’t stop you.”
I pressed my forehead against the back of her hand. “You’ll take everything I am with you. I function only in your world, sweetheart. You’re too young for a bastard like me, but I’d stopped giving a fuck long before I changed your tire.” I coughed, hiding the lump in my throat. “I’ve seen you asleep more than awake, but I still can’t look away. Even if you don’t want me, I’m yours.” I brushed my thumb across her knuckles one more time, letting the truths I’d never meant to say linger in the room.
There was a knock on the wall, and I raised my head before the curtain slid back.
“Hello, I’m Dr. Corvin.”
My jaw dropped. Standing at the foot of Roxy’s bed was Delilah, the woman Scorpion had tried to set me up with for his own personal gain.
“Small world, and seems to get smaller. I split my ER shifts between here and Tucson General.” She sat in the other chair next to me. “I understand now.” She nodded towards Roxy.
I stared, blinked. Swiping a hand over my face, I hoped I was wrong, but when I opened my eyes, she hadn’t moved. “What the fuck were you doing in the clubhouse?”
She laughed, the sound grating on my last nerve. “It keeps me entertained for a while.” Delilah shifted in her chair. “I’ll understand if you want me to get you someone else. The paramedics said her husband had come with her, but I didn’t realize that meant you.”
I didn’t bother to correct her. If Delilah fucked this up, I’d ruin her life. I wouldn’t have to dig deep. The brothers would easily sell her out, not wanting to cross me.
She nodded. “So, her blood work is back, and it’s what we suspected. Carbon monoxide poisoning. Odorless. Colorless. She probably didn’t know what was happening. Most people feel sick, lie down, and don’t wake up.”
My grip on Roxy’s hand tightened. I needed Delilah to cut through the fucking bullshit and tell me if she’d be alright. “When will she wake?”
“I’m guessing in a few hours. There’s no magic drug. All we can do is give her oxygen and wait. You’ll see her improving, more color, easier breathing. Give it time.” She stood, circling to the front of the bed. Delilah’s eyes landed on where I was holding Roxy’s hand. “She’s lucky,” she said, sliding the curtain back and walking out.
I kissed the back of Roxy’s hand again. “If you remember any of this, I’ll explain. I’ll even let you yell at me, but nothing happened. The brothers tried to set me up because you both have raven hair. Delilah’s not you. She never could be. I’d already made my choice.”
My head tilted back, resting against the wall. Listening to the machines was going to drive me crazy, and I couldn’t sit still. I had always been a man of action, and as long as I had a few hours to kill, I’d get things done. Pulling out my phone, a slow grin formed on my lips.
Cactus
She’s okay.
Staying at least the night.
I need you to do me a favor.
I detailed everything I needed Angelica to take care of for me. Ang would understand where this was heading, maybe even more than I did. Roxy would never step into the motel again. It was now uninhabitable. She sure as fuck wouldn’t live with me in the clubhouse. I wouldn’t even bother asking her again.
Ang would come through with the housing, but there was something else I’d need to take Roxy home.
I sent the second text to Aces.
Cactus
Fix the car.
It’s time she got her wheels back.
