Page 108 of Demitri

I try to shake my head and stop that right quick when everything spins from the pain.

“Stop, please. I’ll behave. Let’s just go back to hand holding, okay?” she begs, a desperate tone in her voice. “I can’t stand to see you in pain.”

I squeeze her hand, rubbing my thumb on her skin. It’s nice to know I can still feel her.

“Alrighty, Mr. Smith. Let’s see if this helps with that pain. Once you’re out, I’ve got an icepack for your face. It’ll help with the swelling, so hopefully you can open your eyes soon.”

Two days. That’s how long it takes for my eyes to open. I’ve been in and out of consciousness, mostly from the really good shit they keep shooting into my veins. Mia has been here every time I’ve regained my senses, only for them to fade away again when she calls the nurse.

But this morning? This morning, my right eye opens. Sort of. Enough that I can see things close up. Everything beyond about three feet is blurry, but it’s a start. Fucker really went hard on my face.

I fell asleep after looking at Mia for a few minutes, rubbing her palm with my hand. Her eyes full of tears and her face in a big, wobbly smile. Waking up this time, I immediately know something is different. Mia’s not here. I can feel her absence. I tap my hand on the mattress. Pretty much the only form of communication I have right now.

“Hey, there. Look who’s awake,” Joker’s voice fills the room. “Don’t flip out, she just went to get something to eat. Okay, she didn’t go, she was forced. That nurse, Lizzy? She barged in here and told her if she didn’t get off her ass and get some food, she was going to get security to kick her out. She’s a badass. Also, Grace was behind her. Did you know they look just alike? It was kinda freaky, man. Anyway, I’m on Demitri duty until she gets back, so I thought I’d fill you in on all the shit you’ve missed.”

I give him a thumbs up, letting him know I heard him. Then I roll my hand. The universal ‘get the fuck on with it’ symbol.

“You’re seriously in a hurry? Got a hot date or something?” he jokes. I flip him off. “Fine. Okay, here’s what’s happened. Your Uncle Sasha is officially retired. From both federal whatever the fuck he was and playing Russian bad guy. He said all his brothers were dead that weren’t locked up. You are his only family, and he’s going to take a break. Try to get to know you if you let him, but I think that was his story to tell you, so when you talk to him, don’t tell him you know all this.”

My chest shakes with my laughter, and it doesn’t hurt as bad as it did. Either we’ve managed to keep up with the pain or maybe there’s hope I’m getting better.

“Your bitchy sister is crying her eyes out, talking about it not being fair, that you don’t deserve anything, blah blah blah. Anyway. She’s not getting out. Judge refused to set bail. She’s a flight risk.”

The way he says this with so much joy makes me smile. Except that’s still a no go. Hurts like a bitch.

“Andrey is saying it was all her, that he was just a witness. Of course, no one believes that. No way could that woman do to you what was done to you. He’s behind bars, too. Kidnapping, multiple counts of assault, possession. Man had enough powder in his pocket to get the entire county high.”

I nod. Coke was always his favorite.

“That about catches you up, right? You’re broken in a few places, but they’ll mend. Have some new screws in your ankle and your arm. But I’m sure you already knew what he broke. Also, your fingers are fucking gnarly, man. They had to operate on them to get the bones back into place. At one point, there was a question on if you were even going to be able to keep them. Your girl went nuts and said she needed you returned with every part of you intact.”

I love when that woman gets mean. As long as it’s directed at someone else, that is.

“Anyway, Grady’s been working with Brodie at the bar to keep it open. Everyone’s been coming in asking what happened, and if Mia’s alright. The town really loves her, you know? I know not as much as you do, but, hey, gotta share the girl when she’s Mia.”

I growl, and he laughs.

“I know. I feel that way about my wife.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say so many words in a row, Joker. Is this a new skill or one you save for super-secret conversations with your buddies?” Mia asks, coming into the room. I immediately feel better having her close.

There’s a pause, and Mia laughs. I can almost see her shaking her head.

“You think that look works on me? Hate to burst your bubble, funny man, but it doesn’t.”

“Damn,” he mutters, turning to me. “You surethisis the woman of your dreams? That look can scare the pee out of some people.”

I slowly nod, trying to make eye contact with Mia. She pushes Joker out of the way and grabs my hand. Of course, we all know the only reason he moved is because he was okay with moving. He’s a scary fucker when you get down to it, and I’m glad he’s on my side.

He says his goodbyes and leaves the room. With him gone, and Mia here, I give in to the need to rest some more. How can I sleep so much? I mean, after so long, isn’t it just enough and you need to stay awake for a while?

“It’s okay, Dem. Sleep. Heal.” Mia kisses my forehead, letting her lips linger. I feel her fingers feather down my face, and everywhere they touch, the pain magically goes away. It’s the last thing I remember before sleep overtakes me again and I dream about Mia.

I’ve now been in the hospital a solid week. Seven. Fucking. Days. Between the post-surgery infection worries, the governmenttrying to be extra special with me, and the jaw that’s wired shut, I’m tired, cranky, hungry, and feel like my insides are pure liquid.

They’ve gotten me up a couple of times, but it’s fucking impossible to use crutches when you have an elbow that’s completely useless. They brought in one of those things on wheels that you steer and prop your leg on, and again—fucking impossible. Can’t drive with your right hand when it’s your left side that’s fucked and you can only use one hand.

So, they stand me up long enough to change the bed and I show how good my balance is on one leg before I collapse back into bed and pass out because just that little bit of energy zaps me. Because I can’t fucking eat and this food substitution they have running through my veins is fucking stupid. I did mention I’m cranky, right?

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