Page 35 of Vallaverse: Twist
Brooks
The hours after I bit Laz are a blur of sirens, flashing lights, and antiseptic. One minute I was sitting on the floor of that hotel room, and the next I was sitting by his bedside in the hospital. There have been many doctors and many more nurses running in and out of this room. I haven't seen any of them. All I can see is Laz.
He looks bad. There are so many tubes and monitors, and his skin has taken on a grayish quality that reminds me of corpses. He's obviously not dead, but everyone with a badge has cautioned me that that could change at any moment. They say that the only thing keeping him tethered to this Earth is the bond I created when I bit him. It shouldn't have taken so firmly, but it has. It has been heavily impressed upon me that I will need to mark him again once he's well enough to handle the full claiming. I wonder what he's going to think of that when he wakes up.There isn't another claim on him. I would feel it. All I can feel is the flicker at the other end of our bond. I don't see anyother actual bites on any of the pieces of him that aren't covered by his gown and blankets. I've been asked a few times how many marks he carries. He was completely naked when I got to him at the hotel, so they assumed I would know. It just didn't occur to me to notice any of that when he was fucking dying in my arms.
They're ruling it an overdose. I call bullshit. Laz was trying to get out. He was trying to get away. I know he was. If he overdosed, he had help doing it.
I am going to kill so many people.
I've started a list. Kris, his supposed Alpha, is at the top. Then her immediate associates. Then every singleclientLaz can remember. By the time I'm done with them, they'll all be more than willing to give me names, addresses, and someone's firstborn child. These people are disgusting, and they will all pay the price for what's been done to him.
I need to get him home first. Fuck this entire place.
Grady and Shane sent flowers. They were both ready to help me paint the city with blood when they found out what happened. I might take them up on it. Probably not. Shane's nose is clean. Grady's is questionable, but he's got decades of this city's decay under his nails. And then there's the fact that I want to end each and every one of them with my own hands. I want to watch their blood—
“Brooks.” Laz says my name softly, like it hurts him to say anything. I'm sure it does. He was briefly intubated before his medical team determined it was unnecessary.
I stand up and lean into his line of vision so he doesn't have to turn his head or strain to see me. “Hey. I'm here. Don't try to move or talk too much. I need to call the doctor in.”
“Wait,” he croaks.
“What's wrong?” What a stupid question. The list of wrong things is miles long.
“Kris?”
My stomach sinks. “Do you need her? I'll get her if you need her.” I'll do it, too. He can see her for half a minute before I permanently and thoroughly remove her from him.
His eyes widen, and he shakes his head. “No. Don't let her—“
That's all he needs to say.
“Don't worry, baby,” I say gently. “I won't.”
He nods. “How long?”
“Have you been unconscious?”
He nods again.
“A week and a day. So, simultaneously not very long and far too long for my comfort. Are you in any pain?” Another stupid question.
A look of relief softens his sharp features. “I'm out of the hole.”
“The hole?”
“R. Most should be gone now.” His voice is pure gravel.
“That's what the doctors said. They also told me that you would have to deal with symptoms for a while, but you don't need to worry about that right now. Right now, you just need to concentrate on getting well.”
He scoffs, but it sounds more like a cough. “I have plenty to worry about. Where is she?”
“Honestly? I have no idea. I don't want to know. Not yet. Not till I get you home.”
“Home? Where's that?”
“My home, Laz. With me. You're coming home with me.”
Tears well in his eyes, but he looks away from me. “I can't.”
