Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“I already knew you did,” I mutter, and she pulls back to look at me.
“Is it that obvious?” She smiles, running her fingers softly down my face again.
“I don’t know if it’s obvious, but I see it in the things you do, feel it when we are together. Love is just a word unless there is action behind it, that’s how I knew.”
“And you love me?”
“Yeah, baby.”
“When did you realize you loved me?”
“After Thanksgiving.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” She frowns, making me smile.
“I’ve shown you every day,” I say, then look over her shoulder when the doctor walks into the room clearing his throat.
“While he’s checking you over, I’m going to let everyone know you’re awake,” she says. I don’t want to let her out of my sight, but I know I don’t have a choice.
“Are my parents here?”
“Not yet. They’re on their way. Traffic is insane getting into the city—I guess the president is in town.”
“All right, come back to me,” I demand, and she nods, kissing my jaw before leaving the room.
Once she’s gone I look at the doctor, who’s studying the beeping machine at the side of the bed. “What am I looking at here?” I ask him, and he finishes writing, then looks at me.
“You’re alive.” He shakes his head. “The bullet went straight through, but it hit your subclavian artery on the way, which caused most of the damage. You lost a lot of blood—just a few centimeters more and you could have lost your arm, so I’d say you’re a lucky man.” Not so lucky, seeing that I had on a bulletproof vest and still managed to get hit. “We rushed you into surgery, stitched everything up, and gave you two separate transfusions. You’ll be here for a couple days, but you’ll be okay.”
Nodding at that, I stay put and let him inspect the wound. While he’s doing that, another nurse comes in to let him know the room I will be moved into is ready.
As soon as they both leave, Wesley pokes his head in through the door. “Where’s Fawn?” I ask him, and he grins.
“What, you don’t want to see me?”
“Not really.” I smile at him, and he shakes his head, walking toward the bed.
“She’s down greeting your family and hers. They all just arrived, so I told her I’d wait with you.” Damn, my parents and Fawn’s together do not bode well for me being alone with my girl and healing without drama.
“What happened after I got hit?”
“We got Juan. He’s going down, and no one can save him this time. His girl is talking—she’s currently trying to save her own ass.”
“Thank fuck.”
“Yeah,” he mutters, then runs a hand over the top of his head. I notice he’s still got blood on him—it’s most likely mine. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“You? Fuck, man, we should have known to check the apartment for weapons, given his history.”
“Yeah,” he mutters, taking a seat next to the bed. “Fawn was a zombie until the doctor came out and told us you were going to be okay. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman so damn scared in my life.”
“I would be the same if something had happened to her,” I whisper, not even able to stomach the thought. I can’t imagine getting a call like the one she got. I can’t imagine thinking I might lose her.
“My baby,” I hear, and I turn my head toward the door and watch my mom rush across the room toward me. “I . . . Don’t ever scare me like that again, do you understand me?” Mom cries, placing her hand against my cheek.
“Sorry, Mom.”
“Just don’t let it happen again. Why weren’t you wearing your vest?”
“I was . . . I—”
“You need a better one, then.” She shakes her head as she leans in and kisses my cheek. When she steps back, my dad comes over.
“Son.” He shakes his head, reaching out to touch the top of my head. “You doing okay?”
“I’m good. The doctor said I should be out in a couple days.”
“Good.” He nods, and I can tell he’s working at holding back the emotions written all over his face.
“Jesus, man, you sure know how to get attention, don’t you?” Lucas says, coming over to stand on the other side of the bed.
“Jealous?”
“A little. I wouldn’t mind lying around for a few days having people wait on me hand and foot,” he jokes, and I shake my head at him as he leans down, touching his forehead to mine. “But seriously, I’m happy as fuck that you’re okay.”
“Me, too,” I agree, then watch Fawn’s parents come over.
“We had to come,” Katie says, leaning down to give me a kiss on my cheek. “I’m glad to see you’re okay, we’ve been worried sick.”
“Thanks for coming,” I say, and she smiles as Aiden touches the top of my head like my dad did moments ago before stepping back without a word. Getting hugs from the rest of my family, I frown when Eva walks into the room with a woman I know. Jesus, this bitch just doesn’t fucking stop.