EIGHTEEN
Brittany’s pain level was lower than normal. Either that or she’d taken a bullet somewhere she wasn’t used to hurting. She’d taken bullets before, but none of them had made her nearly bleed to death like this one had.
As she lay in the hospital bed with tubes running through her arms—in addition to the IV—she watched the nurse shoot another dose of pain medication from the syringe to her IV. Soon, she’d feel fine…
The operation had been successful, thank goodness. But she had lost a lot of blood. The doctor had mentioned that she was very lucky. The bullet grazed off her rib and barely missed piercing her kidney by half an inch. If the bullet would have punctured an organ, she certainly wouldn’t be laying in this hospital bed, complaining of her pain. But now, she just had to worry about the discomfort from the stitches, and the bruised rib.
If it hadn’t been for Austin’s quick thinking, she would have been dead with a bullet through the head. He had thought of the best way to take Derek down. If Austin would have jumped on him, there was the chance that Derek would have pulled the trigger, anyway. But because Austin brought instant pain to the man’s legs, that’s what made him release the gun.
The cops and ambulance had shown up immediately. Her team wasn’t too far behind. Not long after that, she had passed out—probably because of her low blood levels. When she’d awakened, the doctor assured her she would be fine. She had only wanted one thing at that moment. Austin. Thankfully, the hospital staff allowed him inside the recovery room.
When he first looked at her, tears had filled his eyes as he smiled. This amazing man was so incredibly loving and caring. How had she gotten to be so lucky?
Now, sitting in her hospital room, she wanted to see him again…before the meds took over and made her silly and sleepy.
“Is Austin Reeder in the waiting room?” Brittany asked.
“Do you mean that good looking rich man who has been tipping all of your nurses one-hundred dollars?”
Brittany laughed. “Yes, that sounds like something he’d do.”
“He’s still here. I don’t think he’s left the hospital since you arrived. And, if you can believe this,” the woman leaned down closer as if to tell Brittany a secret, “he even had one of his servants bring him a new change of clothes.”
“That’s definitely something he’d do.” Brittany nodded.
The nurse straightened and turned to place the empty syringe in the plastic container. “And your co-workers are waiting to talk to you, as well.” The forty-year-old nurse wagged her eyebrows. “You definitely work with some good looking men. And here I thought that happened only in the movies or on tv.”
“Yes, I have to admit, I do work with some very handsome men.”
“Would you like them to come in? This medication will make you tired very shortly.”
“I know.” Brittany licked her dry lips. “Let them in. Letallof them in.”
“Of course.”
“And hurry,” Brittany added. “Before I fall asleep.”
Once the nurse left, Brittany used the remote to adjust her bed to help sit her up a little more. She arranged the blankets around her legs and waist. She really couldn’t reach her hands to the top of her hair to make sure she didn’t appear like a raving lunatic with hair flying all over the place, so hopefully she didn’t look that way—or her visitors would have the decency not to mention it.
Austin was the first one to come in. His smile was wide, and his eyes glimmered with love. Her heart melted—again. But now, she actually enjoyed that feeling.
“You’re looking better.” He kissed her briefly on the lips.
“I’m sure. White looks better on me than blood red.”
“In this case, it does.” He stroked her fingers, lovingly. “I just realized that your family doesn’t know. Would you like me to call them for you?”
Inwardly, she groaned, and switched her gaze to the clock on the wall. Nine thirty-five. “I’m sure they’ve been trying to reach me since we were to have a family dinner at seven o’clock this evening.”
“Let me call them and explain.” He reached in his pocket for his cell.
“No, I will. They don’t know who you are yet.”
A movement from the doorway caused her to shift her gaze. Kurt walked in first, followed by Captain Martinez, and then Gibbs, and Tyrone. Kurt held flowers for her.
“Hey,” she said, meeting Kurt’s sorrowful gaze. Her heart didn’t flip like it used to when looking upon his gorgeous face. And now…it made her happy knowing she didn’t hate him anymore.
“For a speedy recovery,” Kurt said, holding up the vase of flowers.
