Page 65 of Mine to Hold
“That’s not sore. That fucking hurts.”
He chuckled. “That’s the Rumor I know.”
She reached out and tentatively touched his arm in the sling. “I remember seeing you get shot. All that blood spewing from your body. I thought for sure they had killed you.”
“Nothing but a flesh wound. I’ll heal up nice and quick. Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about.” He reached for the call button and pressed it.
“What are you doing?”
“The doctors are going to want to know you’re awake.” Carefully, he sat on the edge of the bed. “You gave everyone quite the scare. You’ve been asleep since your surgery and that was yesterday.”
She palmed his face. “You shaved.”
“I didn’t want you to see me looking like a bum.”
She cracked a half smile, but it quickly went away. “I remember lots of gunfire. What happened to Tony and Tom?”
“They’re both dead.”
She inhaled sharply. “Am I a bad person for not feeling horrible about that?”
“While I take no pleasure in ending anyone’s life, including theirs, they were going to kill us. So, no, you’re not a bad person. Far from it.” He traced her jawline. “Are you thirsty? I don’t know if you’re allowed to eat, but I do know you can have some water.”
“I am thirsty.”
He snagged the cup of water with the straw the nurses had left. “Here you go.” He held it to her mouth. His pulse had finally started to calm.
She was alive.
And awake.
Now all he had to do was convince her to stay.
“You called… oh. The patient is awake.” The morning nurse, a woman by the name of Janet, strolled to the side of the bed. “How are you feeling?” Janet touched Rumor’s arm.
“Like I was shot in the gut.”
“A sense of humor is always a good sign.” Janet nodded. “I’ll let the doctor know and he’ll want to come in and examine you.”
“How long am I going to have to stay here?” Rumor asked.
“Already itching to get out. Another good sign. Only the doctor can answer that, but I would gather at least a few more days.” Janet patted Rumor’s arm. “He’ll be in shortly.”
“Thank you, Janet,” Emmerson said.
“Anything for you and your family.” Janet smiled. “Especially after what you did for me a few years ago.” She waggled her finger. “And don’t go popping those stitches. I don’t want to see you back in my ER like when you were shot in the thigh.”
“No, ma’am.”
Janet marched her ass out of the room.
“You’ve been shot before? And you’re on a first-name basis with my nurse, Mr. Saucy.”
He laughed. It felt so good to laugh. “For the record, I’ve known Janet my entire life. We graduated high school together.”
“Have you dated her too?”
“Why, Rumor, are you jealous?”
