Page 29 of Desperate Justice
The antiseptic smells triggered bad memories. Lying in a hospital bed, listening to the machines beep by his pillow, wondering how long he’d remain in bed.
Wondering who the angel was who’d saved his life. All he remembered was a quiet whisper, a firm, professional hand, and then he’d fallen unconscious. When he’d finally awakened, he was lying in ICU, a few of his family gathered around his bedside, crying with relief as he opened his eyes.
The door to Elena’s room was open. He popped his head in, expecting to see one of his family members.
The family paid for Elena to have a private room. Dozing off, his grandmother opened her eyes as he came inside. She brightened and struggled to sit up.
“No, no, stay still. I’ll help you.” Rafe rushed over and helped her sit, adjusting her pillows. He kissed her paper-thin cheek. “Tita, so good to see you. How are you feeling?”
“Bored. I want to go home.”
“Where is everyone else?”
“Gone, I sent them away. They were nagging too much. Rafey, can I go home today?”
“Soon. I think you may go home by tomorrow. I have to check with Mama and your doctors.”
The door to the bathroom opened. Rafe’s mouth opened in shock as Allison strolled into the room. She saw him, narrowed her eyes.
Yeah, well, couldn’t blame her for that. He had not been nice to her upon their parting.
But she plastered on a wide smile for his grandmother. “I thought I’d find these in the bathroom cabinet. Open wide,” Allison instructed. “These mouthwash swabs are refreshing until you can brush your teeth.”
Allison swathed his grandmother’s mouth with something that looked like a giant cotton swab dipped in mouthwash.
She threw out the swab as Elena licked her lips. “That feels wonderful. Thank you, Allison.”
“What are you doing here?” he asked her, frowning.
“The same as you. Visiting.”
Rafe ignored her and squeezed his nana’s fingers gently, relieved at the color on her face.
“Elena is a tough cookie.” Allison smiled at the woman. “She comes from strong stock.”
“Like my Rafey.” Elena patted Rafe’s hand. “He’s a strong man. Handsome. And he’s single. Very single.”
Heat crept up his neck. “Stop playing matchmaker, Tita.”
“She’s a nice girl, this Allison. Smart and pretty. Nice figure, too. Why don’t you ask her out,” Elena told him in Spanish.
He hoped Allison didn’t understand that much Spanish. He glanced over, saw pink suffuse Allison’s cheeks. Yeah, she did.
“Concentrate on resting and getting better, Tita.” He adjusted her pillow again. “Stop worrying about me.”
“I always worry about you, Rafey. I will go to the grave worrying about you.”
“No more talk of graves,” he said lightly, continuing the conversation in Spanish. “Do you need anything?”
“I need you to stop running around, trying to save the world.” Elena sighed. “Maybe if your papa hadn’t died in the line of duty, you would have joined your mother in the family business instead of going into law enforcement.”
Dumbstruck, he stared at his grandmother’s knowing expression. “What... Why...”
“I’m old, Rafey. Not stupid. I’ve been living long enough to recognize the symptoms of a son who struggles with a...” Elena’s head turned toward Allison.
“What do you call it in English when a son worships his father?” she asked Allison in English.
“Hero complex?” Allison suggested.
