Page 7 of Brush with Death
Robbie’s expression softened.“I know you feel responsible, and it’s very sweet, but you can’t put anyone before yourself.You need rest, and I don’t think Vale’s going to allow you out of the apartment anytime soon.”
“He might be my boyfriend, but he doesn’t decide what I do and don’t do.Please, Robbie.”
Robbie sighed.“Fine.I’ll call back and tell them we’ll be there tomorrow.That’ll give you time to rest today.You said you had a headache, and I don’t think you want to work through one.”
Robbie wasn’t wrong.It wasn’t easy to work with a headache, but Cyril had done it plenty of times.He would’ve done it today, too, but he could tell he was fighting a losing battle.At least Robbie understood and would reschedule the appointment.
The sound of hurried footsteps in the hallway made both of them look up.Cyril hoped it was the doctor, but he was just as happy when Vale burst in through the door.He looked frantically around the room for a few moments, relaxing only when his gaze stopped on Cyril.He rushed forward, clearly intent on grabbing Cyril, only to stop before touching him.
Cyril groaned in dismay.“I’m fine.”
“What happened?”
“I’m sure Robbie already told you all about it.”
“He did, but I want to hear from you.”
“There’s not much to say.I was reanimating Mr.Maxwell because his wife asked me to, and I think his son wanted to talk to him about his will.Robert Junior didn’t take his father’s answer well.I’m not sure what he was trying to do, but he ended up pushing me to the side.I didn’t expect it, and I hit my head on the nightstand.I was never unconscious, and the paramedics didn’t look worried when they hauled me into the ambulance, which was clearly unnecessary.”
Vale gently took Cyril’s hand.“How about we let the doctors decide what was necessary?”
“That’s what I said,” Robbie grumbled as he got to his feet.“If you don’t need me anymore, I’m going to head home.”
Cyril was already nodding, but Vale interrupted that.“Actually, could you stay with Cyril for a little while longer?I want to talk to the doctor.”
Cyril groaned.“I don’t need a keeper.You can leave me in this room on my own.Besides, shouldn’t I be the one to talk to the doctor?”
“You will as soon as I find them,” Vale said.His expression was serious, and Cyril knew he wouldn’t win this fight.
Surprisingly, he was fine with that.Before he’d met Vale, he would’ve had to do all of this on his own.He was glad to have someone to take care of him now.He might not feel like Vale and Robbie should be fussing over him the way they were, but it felt nice to have someone love him this much.
Cyril could get used to it.
* * * *
VALE DIDN’T WANT TOleave Cyril, but Cyril wouldn’t be alone.Robbie had been serious when he’d told Vale that he’d stay as long as Vale needed him to.Vale was glad.He needed to talk to the doctors, but who knew what his boyfriend would get into if he was left on his own?
After hearing what had happened, Vale knew that it hadn’t been Cyril’s fault—not that it would have changed anything if it had been.Either way, the result was that Cyril was in a hospital bed.Vale had sworn to protect him, and he’d failed.
He wasn’t an idiot.He knew that he couldn’t be with Cyril twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.He wouldn’t even try.He doubted it would do any good to them or their relationship.
Cyril was used to being on his own, as was Vale, but Vale still felt like he’d failed.It was going to be hard to let Cyril out of his sight for a while.Hopefully, they’d both find a way to deal with it.Their relationship was new, but Vale never wanted to do anything that would push Cyril away or make him uncomfortable.
He left the room after making sure Robbie and Cyril would be okay without him for a moment.He had no idea where Russell was, but he wasn’t looking for him right now, anyway.He was sure that Russell would find his way to the room Cyril was in.In the meantime, Vale would find Cyril’s doctor.
He got the name from the chart by Cyril’s bed.Vale had no idea where to start looking for the doctor, but he guessed that the nurses’ station was a good starting point.
A man was leaning over the counter when Vale reached it, but there was no one behind it.The nurses were busy, and Vale turned, already thinking about what his next step would be.
“How is he?”the man asked.
Vale frowned and turned back toward him.“I’m sorry?”
“Your boyfriend.How is he?”
The man finally faced Vale, who sucked in a breath.“What areyoudoing here?”
Vale recognized him.He knew that John Smith wasn’t the man’s actual name and that the man was a professional killer.Was he here to hurt Cyril?If he was, he’d have to deal with Vale first.
