Page 52 of The Assassin
“Are there any other problems I should be aware of, Mancini?”
“No.” Gabriel turned to give Killough his attention, even if his instincts wanted him to keep looking at Ardan’s breathing patterns.
“What about the CIA?” Killough raised one eyebrow. Gabriel had only learned last week he could do that and it was impressive. And annoying.
“They don’t know I’m alive.”
“That could easily change.” Killough shoved his hands in his pants’ pockets. “I don’t need any more issues right now, Mancini. I have my hands full with a rat, the local cops, the FBI, DEA, and ATF, and now an Italian family.”
“I’ve kept off their radar. As far as they’re concerned, I’m dead. As long as I don’t give them any problems, they won’t come looking for me.”
Killough clicked his tongue like he didn’t believe Gabriel. “Fine. Call me when he’s awake.” He spun on his heel and left the room. The door shut, leaving the apartment in silence. Gabriel assumed Rourke must have left with the boss.
Gabriel sighed and kicked off his shoes before he lay along the bed beside Ardan. He swiped at his hair again. “Wake up, Murphy.”
Three hours later, Gabriel had managed to make himself walk away from the bedroom. He was in the kitchen with food Conall had bought over an hour ago, with Killough in tow. Apparently he had insisted on stocking up Ardan’s apartment with groceries, and Gabriel was grateful. They left soon after, mentioning they were going out for dinner. Gabriel had decided he liked Conall. He took care of Killough’s men.
With the food he had, he was making pasta the way his mama always taught him, with lots of tomatoes and cheese and herbs.
“Gabe?” Ardan’s voice filtered through the apartment, and Gabriel moved so quickly he bumped his hip into the kitchen island. Turning off the burner, he hissed—his hip would definitely end up bruised—and raced into the bedroom.
Ardan was sitting up in the bed, blinking around the room until his gaze settled on Gabriel in the doorway. “Gabe?”
“I’m here,” Gabriel said, jolting into action. He fell onto the bed beside Ardan, not too hard so he’d hurt him, and touched Ardan’s cheek. “How are you feeling,tesoro?”
“Sore. Hot.” Ardan winced. “Fuck. They caught me unaware.” He swallowed and grimaced, and Gabriel grabbed the glass of water waiting for Ardan on the bedside cabinet, passing it to him. Ardan smiled and took a few big gulps, some of the liquid sloshing out of his mouth and down his naked chest. Gabriel moved to the connecting bathroom and got a towel before he brought it back and wiped at the water Ardan spilled. “Who was it?”
“Giordanos sent more hitmen.”
Ardan made a noise and touched his side. “Shot me in the back?”
“Yes, but they laced the bullets with a poison. Doctor didn’t know what it was.” Gabriel cupped Ardan’s cheek. “You scared me.”
Ardan laughed and winced as a result. “Shit. How did they lace them?”
“No idea. Doc said it was a synthetic poison. He’s going to study it. He said you were lucky, your body fought it, which is the only reason you’re alive.” Gabriel swallowed around a lump that formed in his throat.
“You distracted me,” he mumbled with a grin.
“I’m very handsome, I know.” Gabriel laughed when Ardan’s grin warped into a scowl.
“I nearly die and you still have jokes.”
“You need a laugh,” Gabriel kissed his cheek. “How are you feeling,tesoro? Do you need anything?”
“You. I’m tired, come cuddle.” Ardan tugged at his arm, and Gabriel was a weak man when it came to a request like that. He lifted up the blankets and slid underneath. He’d since got out of his suit, instead finding a pair of loose pants and T-shirt in Ardan’s wardrobe. The clothes made things a lot more comfortable. Burying himself against Ardan’s side, while being careful not to hurt him, Gabriel kissed along his jaw.
Ardan’s eyes closed before he opened them again, as though trying to fight off sleep. “I’ve never been that close to death. I don’t remember a thing.”
“That’s good, I don’t want you to remember the pain. You’ll be in enough over the next few weeks. The doc’s given me painkillers for you.”
Ardan frowned. “I’m an alcoholic. I’ve never needed painkillers. What if I get addicted to them?”
“I’ll take care of you,tesoro.”
Ardan glanced at him, head cocked. “Really?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t try to get revenge for all the times you tried to kill me,” Gabriel teased.
