I could only hope it wasn’t too late for him to forgive me.
44
HARPER
Knox looked so damn peaceful sleeping that I hated having to wake him.
Well, as peaceful as someone could look with a swollen face and bruises darkening across his entire body like storm clouds rolling in.
I glared at the handcuffs confining his wrists to the infirmary bed. So help me, if they had given me the key, I would’ve granted Knox the dignity of not being tied down like an animal while he recovered.
The infirmary was silent and nearly dark tonight. One other nurse was on duty, but she was stationed at the opposite end, probably scrolling through social media. Medicine always had its ebbs and flows, but tonight, we were quiet.
And for that, I was grateful.
The silence gave Knox a chance to rest.
My watch interrupted that silence with a soft warning beep. I stood and hovered over his face, taking in the sharp line of his jaw beneath the stubble, the way his sandy-blond hair was mussed against the thin pillow. Even beaten and bruised, the man was unfairly attractive.
“Knox.” I kept my voice gentle. “Knox.” Louder this time.
He groaned, his eyelids fluttering.
“I need you to wake up.”
“Hmmmm.”
“I know you want to rest, so I’ll be quick, okay? Just need you to open your eyes for me.”
He was disoriented, slowly swimming back to consciousness, and it struck me how vulnerable he looked. How fragile.
When he finally opened his eyes, it took a moment for them to focus. But when they did, those stunning eyes locked on to me like I was the only thing in the room worth seeing.
“Hey.” I smiled softly. “Can you tell me your name?”
He rolled his eyes. “Knox.”
“Good. Where are you?”
“Would say hell.” His voice was rough, gravelly from sleep. “But you’re here. So heaven.”
I smirked, even though a part of me hurt at his kindness. I didn’t deserve it after the things I’d said to him. “Sense of humor is intact. That’s a good sign. But I need the real answer.”
He sighed, then winced at the pain in his ribs. “Coldwater Penitentiary. Infirmary.”
“Good. I need to check your pupil response.” I clicked on my penlight and shone it into his eyes, watching the pupils contract. “Equal and reactive. That’s good.”
As my face hovered inches from his, his attention was locked on me completely, and something warm uncurled in my chest.
“Can you wiggle your fingers for me?”
He complied.
“Good. Now squeeze my hand?”
This was secretly my favorite check. Knox’s warm hand wrapped around mine and squeezed. Strong. Steady. Alive.
“That’s fantastic, Knox.”
