Page 224 of 4 Corinthians

“You-“

“Yes,” I said, cutting him off before he could ask the question I hated to hear. I was alright; even if I weren’t, my answer would always be yes. I lowered the phone and tapped it against my thigh. My throat started to feel tight, and my eyes burned. I wouldn’t cry, couldn’t cry.

“Yo, Corinthians,” Wednesday called out.

“I’m good,” I said without lifting the phone. I hit the back of my head against the wall. “I’m good.”

Just before I felt him, the smell of Uri filled my lungs. His hands went to my wrist, and his forehead rested against mine. “I need you to breathe,” he said. His voice was low and rough, almost a growl. He took the phone from me. “She’s good. I got her.”

“Uri,” I whispered without opening my eyes. “I, I, I…”

“Breathe, Corinthians,” he repeated. The warmth of his body surrounded me, and I felt my heart slam against my chest. “I got you.” He moved his forehead against mine and put his mouth to my ear. “How long have I had you?”

“From the beginning,” I answered him.

“Right, and I’ve never let you down before, right?” he asked. I shook my head, not trusting my voice. “Let me hear you, baby. Have I ever let you down before?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Never.”

“Right, so do what I said and breathe; I got you.” He let go of my wrist and pulled me off the wall and into his arms. I tensed, and he chuckled. “You know better than that. You can't hurt me, Corinthians.” I hugged him back, resting my face on his chest, and took a deep breath. “There you go.”

“Uri, you’re hot,” I said, lifting my head. “What’s your temp?” Hood hadn’t mentioned anything about a fever or him possibly having one. The chance of him getting sick was always higher in the hospital.

“I’m good,” he said, smiling down at me. “You’re here, so I’m good.”

“No,” I said, stepping back. “What is your temperature?”

“I don’t know, baby,” he said.

Sighing, I looked at his wrist and bit into my lip to keep from going off. “Where is your bracelet?”

“I don’t know,” he answered with a shrug. “Probably on the computer stand.”

I stepped around him and walked to the computer stand near his bed to find his bracelet. He couldn’t be without it, and he knew it. “Uri, this isn’t to come off while you’re here,” I said, turning to face him, holding up the bracelet that Nine had designed for him years ago. “Keep it on.” He hated the bracelet, but it had saved his life on more than one occasion.

Uri crossed his arms and smirked. “Or what?”

“Are you trying to fight right now?” I tilted my head to the side and narrowed my eyes. “Is that what it is? You want to fight?”

“I don’t know what I need,” he replied and licked his lips. “I got a million thoughts running through my head right now. I don’t know shit; hell, I barely know my name.”

“Then sit your ass down, Uri; you shouldn’t even be up right now,” I said, shaking my head. I knew what he was doing, but it wasn’t going to work. I needed something to focus on. To keep my attention so I wouldn’t do anything stupid. “As a matter of fact, get back in bed before you pass out.”

“I’m fine,” he chuckled, shaking his head. I knew he felt fine, but he never knew any better. His body would run him until he died if he wasn’t careful.

“Uri, get in bed.” I pointed to the empty bed.

“No.”

“Uri.” I started tapping against my thigh with my right hand. “Get. In. The. Bed.”

“No.”

“Uri!” I yelled his name, knowing he hated being yelled at and that it would get him moving.

He crossed the room and got in my face. “I’m fine!” he said, staring me down. His dark eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared. “Do not fucking yell at me!”

The doors opened, and security walked into the room. Uri turned around, making sure to wrap my arm around his waist to keep me behind him.