Page 74 of Raven's Claw
He brushed some hair back from her face.“Providence.You had surgery to remove the bullet from your scapula.It was shattered, by the way.You’ve got a plate and some screws holding it all together.The doctor said it went well.Expects you to make a full recovery, though, it’ll take some rehab to get all the mobility back.”
Kash leaned in closer.“Looks like you’ll be stuck here for a while.”
“Good.”She tried to push through her memories, but it was all a jumbled mess.“Atticus?And did we…”
Five more words, and she was ready to sleep.
“Atticus is fine.Had a rough night from the Ketamine and a lot of his time with Rook is blurry, but all-in-all, no worse for wear.Mac’s insisting that he takes a full week off.Needless to say, there were some colorful words exchanged.And if you’re asking if we finished the job… Rook’s in custody, as is Tucker.Shit’s hitting the fan with regards to Scythe and Sandman.All-in-all, it’s been one hell of a few days.But we’ll talk about that once you’re stronger.For now, all you need to do is rest.Trust me to have your back.”
“You know I do…” She sighed.“You promised you’d say it often.So, say it again.”
Kash smiled, and her heart gave a hard thump.“I love you, Jordan.”
“Love you, more.”
“Not possible, but I’m sure you’re gonna prove me wrong.Sleep.”
She faded, his words bouncing around inside her head until they finally connected and she woke with a start.
“Whoa, easy, sweetheart, or you’re gonna pull out the IV and everything else.”
She blinked, groaning against the pain.Better than before, but still there.Still raw.
Kash leaned in — cupped her face.“I knew you’d be waging war once you woke for good.So, now I can say it for real.Welcome back.”
Jordan accepted the water, downing several sips before relaxing against the pillows.“You said something about it being a tough few days.How long have I been out?”
“Five days.”
“What?”
He shushed her, keeping her from bolting upright with gentle pressure on her left shoulder.“You nearly died.Actually, you did die.Right in front of me on some crappy gurney.They worked for ten minutes to get you back, and only because Chase threatened to kick their asses if they gave up before he thought they’d tried everything.”Kash raked his fingers through his hair.“The fact you were hypothermic probably helped, too.That old saying that you’re not dead until you’re warm and dead.Still…”
She nodded at the bed, smiling when he raised the back until she was level with his face.“I’m sorry.”
“Just don’t scare me like that, again.”
“Are you gonna tell me what happened?”
“Soon, just…” He rested his forehead on hers.“Give me a second.”
She lifted her left hand and palmed his cheek.“You can have them all.”
She closed the distance — kissed him.
“Sheesh, leave you alone for five minutes, and you’re already making out.”Chase stood at the end of the bed, arms crossed, toe tapping the floor.“Give the girl a chance to breathe on her own before you compromise her airway.”
Kash laughed.“It’s called kissing.”
“The way you do it, it’s more like resuscitation.”
“You’d know, buddy.”Kash made kissing noises as he puckered his mouth at Chase.“Everyone else on their way?”
“Grabbing food, which Jordan might appreciate.”Chase moved to the other side of the bed.“How’s the pain?”
She sighed.“Better.”
“That’s not saying much when you admitted you’ve treated your own wounds.”
