Page 22 of Wick
"He'll be okay." Cowboy speaks above the noise. "The important thing is we're all going home—alive." He says all this, but his eyes land and stays fixed on Zara and her son.
With a slight tug, Malik guides me to lean back against him, tucking me carefully into his side. "Relax." His warm breath skates across my skin when he whispers in my ear.
Once in the air, I allow my body to relax and sink further into the warmth of Malik's body. My only thoughts are of home as I drift off to sleep.
* * *
Hearing a dull persistent beeping,I crack my eyes open. After a short flight back to a secured location last night, me and the others were transported to a medical facility, where they looked us over and where they decided to give me a little more medicine to ease the pain. Shifting in the bed, a sharp pain radiates across my ribcage, reminding me of my fractured ribs and the dead man who gave them to me.
"Hey," Malik's voice comes from the left of where I'm laying. Turning my head, I find him sitting in one of those uncomfortable hospital chairs, with his feet propped up on the foot of my hospital bed.
"Hey." I grimace, trying to pull myself up in the bed. "What time is it?" Digging his phone from his pocket, Malik checks the time.
"Almost noon," he tells me and plants his feet on the floor. "You hungry?"
"I could use a strong cup of coffee." Pushing the button on the side of the railing, I raise the head of the bed a bit more. Looking over at the closed window blinds, I mention, "it's still a bit dark outside. I assumed either I haven't been asleep long, or the meds had me asleep most of the day."
Malik stands. "It's storming like crazy outside." Striding across the room, he twists the blinds open, and I take in the dark clouds and gusty wind blowing the tops of the trees. "I'll go grab us a couple of coffees from the cafeteria. I'll let the nurse know you're awake." Malik looks back briefly then exits the room.
Before Malik returns, the nurse enters the room, followed by the doctor who took care of me when I arrived several hours ago. "Miss Wilder, how are you feeling?" he flips through the papers he has clipped to the board in his hand.
"Like someone beat the shit out of me."
His older sharp blue eyes peer at me over his black frame eyeglasses. "Yes, well, other than the three fractured ribs you sustained, your only injuries are to your jaw and your scraped palms. Also your CAT scan came back clear."
"So, does that mean I'm free to go?" I ask him, and Malik walks into the room, holding two coffees.
"Look who I found." He gestures with a smile, and my dad falls in beside him.
"Daddy." I beam, grateful to see his face.
He continues to make his way over to the side of my bed. "Pumpkin," he leans down and kisses my forehead. "How they treating you? They try feeding you some of that shitty hospital food yet?"
"I just woke up," I inform him. My dad brings his hand up from his side, and he is holding a brown paper bag. "I love you, Daddy." I proclaim snatching the bag from his hand, and he chuckles. Reaching inside the bag, I pull out the pastry, still warm, and take a huge bite. "Mmmm. Thanks," I say with my mouth full.
"Apple fritters has always been your favorite, and much better than that nasty fruit jello they try to feed people around here." My dad shivers.
"Well, Miss Wilder. I'll leave you to visit."
No sooner does the doctor leave, Scott walks into the room, accompanied by Cowboy and Thor. "Hey, Darlin." Cowboy steps to the foot of my bed. "How are you doing?"
"I'm good. How's Preacher doing?" I look from him to Scott then Thor.
"He's going to be okay. Preacher has a concussion and a broken collarbone. The staff here is keeping a close watch on him for a few days." Cowboy looks down at his feet then lifts his eyes back to my face. "I'm sorry."
"No one has anything to apologize for," I tell him honestly. "Shit went south. It happens. I know what I signed up for, Travis." I watch him swallow hard; then, he lifts his head.
"Did the son of a bitch touch you?" By the look in his eyes I know what he is referring to. I swear you could hear a pin drop; the room becomes so silent.
"Pumpkin?" My dad steps closer. Behind him, Malik's face has hardened. All of them staring at me, waiting for me to speak.
Shaking my head, I tell them, "no." A straightforward answer and every man in the room—all my family, instantly relax, and the energy in the room shifts.
"I think you should take some time off," my dad mentions.
Maybe he's right. Perhaps it's time I slow down. Take a break for a while. At least until I've healed. The only thing is, I don’t want to go back to my place. "Mind if I come stay with you after they cut me loose from this place?" I ask my dad.
"You can stay with me." Malik quickly interjects himself. He looks at my dad. "That is if you're okay with it." And my father tries hiding a grin.
