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“What are you doing?” Tex asked.

“Calling Melony.”

He pulled back, and his eyes widened at the sight of the blood-soaked bandages. “Idiot, I knew it.”

I tuned Tex out as he started to curse at me. His hands waved around as he pointed out how stupid I was. My lips twitched as I fought back a smile.

“Wow, that’s a record, Enzo. Normally, it’s Giancarlo I have to visit multiple times for an injury. Can it wait, or you need me now?”

Tex yanked the phone out of my hand before I could answer.

“This dumbass opened it up. The bandages are soaked.” Tex left the bathroom, talking to Melony. He poked his head back into the bathroom. “Sit the hell down.”

I didn’t argue. It felt nice to be taken care of. I sat down and relaxed as Tex grabbed whatever Melony told him to. My eyes closed for a second. Warm fingers brushed along my flesh, drawing me out of the bliss I was basking in.

Blinking, I found Tex wiping away the blood around my wound. His brows were furrowed as he concentrated. “Melony said you opened it a little, but there’s no need for her to restitch it.”

I gave a curt nod and let him continue to clean the blood up and rebandage me.

“Need a pain pill?”

“Maybe later.” I stood up once he was done, watching him as he cleaned up. He even grabbed the sanitized wipes and wiped everything down.

“I’ll order us something to eat unless you want my cooking.”

“Your cooking is far deadlier than any bullet wound.” Tex could make a sandwich, but anything else was a toss-up.

Laughter filled the room as Tex pushed me toward the bed. “Yeah, I know.”

I got into the bed and groaned as the ache settled in further. Tex’s mouth opened before he closed it.

“What?” I asked.

“You missed Pen too?”

I grunted and got comfortable. The fur ball was important to Tex. And I might have missed hearing his bell or even the resounding purr he let out anytime he sat on Tex’s chest. Or when I pet him the way he was supposed to be petted. Tex was much too gentle. Pen enjoyed it when I didn’t hold back, rubbing up against me and looking up at me with those big, soft eyes.

“Go get food.”

Tex’s face lit up. “Oh, you did. I can’t wait to tell him.”

“Just bring him home.” If Penelope was there, I knew for certain Tex wasn’t going anywhere.