Page 101 of Sundowners
“Creed, what are you saying?”
“I am…needed here. What happened at the lake, I have to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I need to be sure there’s no more danger. But Iwillfind a way, Roman, I promise, and then we’ll be free to start a life together…if that’s still what you want.”
“Of course it is, Creed. I thought I made myself clear.”
His pink-stained cheeks were all the answer I needed.
“I am yours. You know you have my heart.”
“Good. Then it’s settled. I’ll be here, you know, learning how to use my body again, and you’ll—”
“Roman, I’m sorry—”
“Don’t be. Frankly, I don’t really want you seeing me like this.”
“I’m a nurse, Roman. It’s what I do.”
“Not with me, you don’t.”
He growled at me, but then we both laughed.
“Will you at least give me permission to communicate with your doctor?”
“Of course. But Creed, don’t worry about me. I’m going to be on my feet in no time, and then I’ll come to you.”
“We’ll find a way to be together, Roman, I swear to you.” He smiled hopefully. “I’m not about to give up the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“Good. I won’t begivenup.”
“Good. Then it’s settled. You focus on getting well, and remember that…I love you, Professor.”
My eyes fluttered closed. Those words, coming from him, were a balm for my soul. Knowing he was on the other side of my recovery made me determined to get out of this bed and mobile so I could go to him and remind him how much he loved me.
“I love you, too.”
“You need to rest. I promise, we’ll be together soon. And when you can, have Rey call this number—”
The phone disconnected.
“Creed? Creed! No. Rey! Rey, get in here!”
A monitor started beeping behind me, and my face flushed. I lay back on the pillow and shut my eyes as the doctor and nurses all surrounded the bed. I wanted Creed. I needed him. I always felt better when he was near. Why couldn’t he be near?
“No excitement, Mr. San Angelo. You absolutely must not overexert yourself.”
“I got this, Doc.” Rey took the phone from me and slid it in his pocket.
It took me a few minutes for my breathing to slow to semi-normal. When the doctor felt I was stabilized, he agreed to come back after I’d had a chance to talk to Rey.
“What’s happening? Do you know where Creed is?”
He walked over and shut the door. “The FBI agent has taken Creed, those musicians, and The Source to a safehouse to debrief them and to deal with the fallout. He didn’t want to go, Roman. You have to know that.”
“I believe you.” And I did, even though there was a selfish part of me that wanted Creed here, that thought he should be the one to bring me home. “What about the others?”
Rey smiled. “In another undisclosed facility in solitary confinement. From what I hear, they are begging to confess and Barringer’s got people working on…ahem,withthem.”
I wasn’t a violent person by nature, but I really hoped he meant the former. “So what happens now?”
