Page 107 of Demitri

“Yeah, babe. I’m in disguise as the mean ER nurse tonight. Let’s go get you looked over.”

I watch them wheel Demitri through the doors and away from me.

“He’ll be okay,” she tells me. “They wouldn’t let you in that far, anyway.”

I nod and let her lead me to a bed in the ER where they take my blood and give me a once over. Joker comes to tell me the news as the doctor is writing up my clearance papers.

“He’s in surgery. It’s gonna to be awhile.”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“Broken ankle, shattered elbow, a couple broken fingers, and nose and jaw.”

“Five minutes. I want five minutes with that cunt. Can you arrange that?” I look at him, meaning every word I just said.

Lizzy laughs, shaking her head. “I think we’ve all been there, haven’t we?”

“Yeah, I guess we have.”

“Well, come on. I’ll walk up with you to see my brother-in-law and the gang.”

“Does Daniel ever drive you crazy with his ‘I’m in charge and you will do what I say’ attitude?” I ask her as we get in the elevator, Joker snorting behind us.

“All the time. That man is crazy protective of Vic, and by extension all of us. He’s a pretty good brother to have on your side, though.”

She leaves me with a hug in the waiting room. Everyone is there with us. Daniel and his entire crew, the girls, James, Aunt Linda and Sasha, Mary. We all settle in for the wait. Knowing they’re all here for Demitri warms my heart. Now, we just need him to wake up and recover.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

DEMITRI

The room isquiet except for the beeping. I’ve always wondered why they don’t turn the volume on those things down when the first thing they tell you is ‘get some rest’? My body feels like it weighs a thousand pounds, and everything hurts. I try to open my eyes, and pain shoots through my face, making me moan.

“Demitri?” It’s a whisper, but I know it’s Mia. She takes my hand, and I squeeze it. “Are you in pain? Squeeze once for yes and twice for no?” I hear the humor in her voice at the question, and I wish I could laugh, but I’m afraid that might actually kill me.

I squeeze her hand once, and I feel her reaching over my body to hopefully hit the button. The door opens almost immediately, and a nurse comes in.

“Ahh, Mr. Smith. It’s good to see you kind of awake. Let me look at a few things and I’ll get something for that pain. You’ve been through it.”

She fiddles with a few things. I feel the blood pressure cuff tighten on my arm and the thermometer drag across my forehead.

“Okay, be right back with something for you. Try to get some rest, okay?”

See. What the fuck did I say? I hmm at her, because I can’t open my mouth.

“They wired your jaw, Dem. No talking or solid food.”

Well, fuck. I can’t talk, can’t see, can’t move. Think Mia would put on a naughty nurse outfit and give me a sponge bath? Fuck, I wouldn’t be able to see it if she did.

“Not sure what you’re thinking about there, Romeo, but that nurse is going to come back in to see little Demitri waving hello.” She laughs.

“Nngty nnse,” I manage to push out through my teeth.

“No clue what you’re trying to say, but I’m going to imagine it’s about me naked or something cause if Nurse Hilda turned you on, we have some issues other than your broken bones.”

I shake with laughter. Making everything hurt, but I don’t care. I’m alive. Mia’s fine. I’ll feel the pain.

“Oh, look. I guess you aren’t a masochist. Little Dem is gone.”

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