Page 199 of River & Crown
She hesitated, pulling supplies from the rolling tray and placing them at the foot of the bed. "You really should stay the full recommended time," she softly stated. Her hands moved with the precision of a nurse, but her tone was personal. "Navy's been worried sick about you. She wants you to stay, and I agree. You almost died?—"
"But I didn't," I cut in, voice firm. My jaw clenched as I looked down at my hands. "I'm still here, and that means I still have a job to do. I can't do that shit laid up in this bed day in and day out. My family needs me."
Monique nodded slowly but remained silent. She slipped on a pair of gloves, the snap of latex filling the room.
"This might hurt a little," she warned, gently peeling the tape back from the gauze.
She sprayed antiseptic across the wound. My body tensed out of habit, but I didn't feel an ounce of pain.
"I usually get a low hiss when I clean a wound," she muttered, half to herself.
"I've numbed myself to pain," I replied, eyes focused straight ahead. "What hurts most doesn't bother me."
Monique paused, eyes narrowing slightly. "Always the protector, never the protected," she mumbled, her voice low, like she didn't mean for me to hear it, but I did.
I met her gaze. "The time for me to be protected died with my father," I said, steady. "He was teaching me how to ride a bike when some muthafuckas ran up and shot him."
She gasped. "Oh God... " Her hands trembled as she kept working. "I'm so sorry, Honor."
"Don't be." I shrugged. "I haven't thought about it in years. The only reason I mentioned it now is to make a point. I've always had someone to protect. That's what keeps me going. No matter how heavy the burden, I carry it with pride."
I leaned back, exhaling through my nose.
"I learned the meaning of my name way before I was ready. Since then, I've been moving through life making sure the people I love never have to carry burdens of their own. I'm my family's first line of defense, always."
Monique studied me for a beat, then nodded. "I get it. I'll have your discharge papers drawn up."
"Appreciate it," I quietly replied.
She finished bandaging me up with a gentle touch, then stood to leave. Her hand hovered near the doorknob when I spoke again.
"Monique."
She turned. "Yes?"
"I got a visitor coming soon. Make sure security takes his weapons."
Her eyes widened, mouth parting slightly, but she didn't push.
"Okay." Then she slipped out and closed the door behind her.
I picked up my phone, and the screen lit up. I had dozens of missed calls and texts from Navy and Wolfe. I called Navy first.
"Honor, I'm on my way to you right now," she answered, voice full of panic.
"Navy," I said calmly, rubbing my hand over my face, "I need you to stay at the crib. Monique's getting my discharge papers. I'll see you soon."
"You're not supposed to be leaving yet," she snapped. "You shouldn't be leaving the hospital at all in your condition."
"But I am," I firmly responded. "Now, you gonna tell me what all these missed calls are about or not?"
There was a pause. Long enough to tell me I'd fucked up.
"Navy." I sighed, already regretting my tone.
"Your brother brought River's ex to dinner," she flatly disclosed.
My brow furrowed. "Huh? Ain't that nigga dead?"
