Page 20 of Doc

Doc laughs and shakes his head. “No, he’s a sweetheart, probably sweeter than I deserve, if we’re being honest. Though, don’t let him fool you, his tongue is still sharp. Anyway, he knows I need the help with him not being around, and you’re not replacing him. This situation with Enzo won’t be forever, and I’ve needed another assistant for a while. The last few years have been…stressful. I don’t know how well you’ve kept up with the Family while being in the Bratva, but it’s been a rough time for everyone, medically, putting a strain on our resources. I just hadn’t let Cristian hire anyone. I have a hard time with trust, if you could believe it.”

I can, actually. If there’s anything the past week has taught me, it is that for all Doc is full of salt, some of it is more intentional, to keep people at a distance. I don’t have to know him well to see what he’s doing. After all, except for the trips, I’vemastered the art of keeping myself distant from the others in my uncle’s organization.

It’s another piece of Doc that draws me in, makes me want to prove myself to him. It’s barely been a week and already my thoughts are running away from me.

You’re supposed to be better than this.Getting Doc on his knees is one thing, but the things I’ve wanted and fantasized about over the last few days are a whole other.I am so fucking screwed.

Idon’t know what I expected Doc’s house to look like, but the white and gray modern structure in front of me isn’t it. I know what I’m getting paid is more than I could make in any other healthcare environment, and I have to assume Doc is making even more than that, but it still doesn’t quite explain how he could afford such a place. Another piece of the puzzle that is Doc Wescott has made itself known, and I have to work hard to ignore my curiosity.

Doc leads me through the house and I try to take in as much of the bright, airy space as I can before we get to the ‘sitting room’ he’s converted to a recovery space. We have very different definitions of what a sitting room is. It’s as big as my living room and kitchen/dining space combined, easily fitting not only the medical bed and all equipment, but there’s a dresser, some nightstands, and a second twin bed off to the side.

“Oh great,” the guy sitting on the side of the hospital bed says. “Some fresh meat to witness my humiliation.”

“Be nice, Enzo. Cristian said we’re not allowed to break him,” Doc replies, heading straight for the man.

I’m not put off by this Enzo, I’ve dealt with far worse.

“Ignore the grump,” the other person in the room tells me as he walks up. “It’s…not been a very good day.”

“It’s fine,” I assure him. I hold out my hand. “I’m Soren, by the way.”

“Kail. I’ve heard a lot about you from Rose and James. It’s nice to meet you.” He smiles at me, and the warmth in his dark blue eyes tells me he means those words. “How have you been doing? Doc driving you crazy yet?”

I laugh, the tension of being in a new environment with people I don’t really know easing a bit. “Just a little, but I’m getting used to it.”

“Hey!” Doc protests from where he’s now looking over Enzo’s post-amputation wound. “I am a delight.”

Kail snorts. “Sure you are, sir.”

Kail and I both sidle up to the bedside, and once Doc steps back from the bed, I hold my hand out to Enzo. “Sorry for barging in on you like this. I can wait outside if you want me to.”

Enzo rolls his eyes and gives my hand a firm, brief shake. “Doc will never agree to that, but thank you. It’s fine. I… It’s just been a long day, is all. I’m not normally such an ass.”

“Liar,” Kail says under his breath.

Before anyone can say anything else, James knocks briefly on the open door, taking our attention. “Jayden and Dr. Watts are here.”

“Thank you,” Doc says.

When introductions are made, I’m surprised to learn the Amatos’ personal physical therapist is James’s youngest brother. Though it’s easy to see as they share similar features; Jayden’sbright red hair is a few shades lighter than James’s more copper tones, though.

Dr. Watts is a tall woman, with a no-nonsense tone and professional aura about her, but her eyes are soft, and the way she handles Enzo is with kindness and respect.

I don’t know much about post-amputation care, so I make sure to pay attention to what Dr. Watts and Jayden have to say.

Enzo isn’t happy to learn that he might need another surgery to take some more bone, because Dr. Watts isn’t impressed with the way the post-amputated limb is looking, which means more healing time and a longer process before he can get fitted for a prosthetic. Though the orthopedic surgeon Doc has coming in will be able to give a better assessment of how much reconstruction will be needed.

“You’re looking good, all told,” Dr. Watts says. “Losing a limb in such a traumatic fashion usually isn’t cut and dry, and I’m impressed with the level of care you have. Don’t worry if you need an additional surgery, it happens. Taking care of it now will mean you have a better chance of taking to your prosthesis later on. It’ll be worse if we fitted you for a limb but ended up having to take you in for surgery because you didn’t get the bone cut down enough, and it ended up causing more problems than you started with.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Enzo says, a defeated look in his eyes.

She hands him a business card. “Call me or send a message if you have any questions.”

“Thank you again.”

She gives a gentle smile. “I look forward to working with you, Enzo. It’ll be okay. I’m here to help you through this life-changing event.”

He gives a wooden nod, and it’s not long after that before the doctor leaves.

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