Page 8 of Brush with Death
John raised his hands.“I’m not here to hurt anyone.I was worried about your boyfriend.”
“How did you know Cyril was here?Are you following him?”John might look angelic with his blond hair and blue eyes, but even though he was a shitty assassin, he could still do a lot of damage, especially to someone who was in the hospital and wasn’t a fighter.
“I didn’t follow anyone.I just happened to be here when he was brought in, and I recognized him.”
“And what?You decided to stick around and risk your life to tease me?”
“He was nice to me before.I just wanted to make sure he was okay.Besides, the guy with him is hot.”
Vale snorted.“I doubt Robbie will give you the time of day, but you’re welcome to try.”
“I don’t think I will, but thank you.So?How’s your boyfriend?”
“None of your business.”Vale looked around.He really needed to find a nurse.
“I can find out anyway.His doctor went that way.”
Vale narrowed his eyes at John, who was still pointing in the direction he was claiming Cyril’s doctor had gone with his thumb.He looked innocent, but he was anything but.
“Just leave us alone,” Vale snapped as he walked in the other direction.He wouldn’t give John Smith the satisfaction.
“I’ll see you soon,” John called out.
Vale prayed he wouldn’t.He wanted nothing to do with John.In fact, he wanted nothing to do with that part of his life.He’d retired, and he was happy with his decision.
He didn’t find the doctor, but the man was in Cyril’s room by the time Vale gave up and went back.Vale scowled at him and kept his mouth shut as he listened to the doctor explain that Cyril would be fine.He didn’t have signs of a concussion, and there was no bleeding in his brain or fractures in his skull.The doctor warned that Cyril would probably have a headache for the rest of the day, maybe longer, and to come back if anything felt off, but Cyril could go home, which was a relief.
By the time they were ready to go, Russell had found them.He decided to go with Robbie, even though Robbie told him it wasn’t necessary.Vale was glad because he wanted time alone with his boyfriend.
He’d been terrified when Robbie had called.He’d just found Cyril.He wasn’t ready to lose him yet, and he didn’t think he ever would be.Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do to ensure that Cyril would be okay short of locking him in the apartment, and that wasn’t something Cyril would be okay with.It wasn’t somethingValewould be okay with.He didn’t want to clip Cyril’s wings, so he supposed he’d have to learn to deal with the fear.
In the meantime, he’d spend the rest of the day taking care of his boyfriend.Cyril deserved it.They both did.
* * * *
CYRIL WAS HAPPY TOleave the hospital and go back to his apartment.He’d have to come up with a plan to get his car back, but it could wait until he didn’t have a headache pounding behind his eyes.The doctor had declared that Cyril was healthy and would be just fine, but right now, Cyril didn’t feel like it.
“Careful,” Vale said as he rushed around the car to help Cyril with the door.
Part of Cyril wanted to tell him that he could do this by himself, but another part of him was glad to have the support.He didn’t have to be strong and do this on his own, even if he wasn’t sure he could.Not anymore.
He leaned against Vale and smiled.Smiling hurt, too.Cyril was pretty sure that doing anything beyond sleeping would hurt.Hopefully, it wouldn’t last long.He had work to do.
“I can hear you thinking,” Vale said as he guided Cyril toward the apartment.
“That’s not a thing,” Cyril grumbled.Usually, Vale was the grumpy one, but Cyril felt he could be given a pass today.Hehadjust hit his head on the job.
“It is for anyone who knows you.What’s going on in that brain of yours?”
Sometimes, Cyril was still stunned by how well Vale knew him.He’d never allowed anyone as close as he had Vale.Only his mother had that kind of relationship with him, but of course, that was different.Valewas different, but Cyril loved it.
Cyril wouldn’t get out of this without giving Vale an answer.“I feel guilty.I’m still not sure that asking Mr.Maxwell about the will was the only reason Mrs.Maxwell asked me to reanimate her husband, and if it wasn’t, I should’ve done more for her.I also had another appointment later today, but Robbie had to move it.”
Vale was silent as he helped Cyril to the couch.He grabbed one of the blankets and spread it over Cyril before crouching next to him to take off his shoes.Cyril allowed his boyfriend to take care of him.He closed his eyes and pressed his head back against the couch, enjoying the moment, even with a headache.
He heard the sound of Oscar rushing toward him.He didn’t have to open his eyes.Oscar skittered up onto the couch, then into Cyril’s lap.Cyril gently stroked the skull.He was home, and he could relax.
“I know you often feel guilty because you want to help people more, but none of what happened was your fault,” Vale said gently.“You did what you were hired to do.”
