Page 29 of Doc

I shrug and put my phone away. “Fine by me. You don’t have to like me in order for me to get you healthy.”

Enzo huffs and maneuvers himself so he’s lying in the bed, arms crossed over his chest as he glares down at his lap. Moving closer, I rest a hand on his shoulder. “It’s for your own good, Enzo. I’m not doing any of this to be a dick.”

His body tenses under my touch before relaxing. “I know,” he replies. “But you understand how emasculating this is, right? I’m used to being someone reliable who stands on my own two feet. It’s…humiliating knowing I need so much help. That it’ll be even longer now before I can start to learn to fucking walk again, thanks to the second surgery. I don’t want anyone to see me that way.

“My position means I had a certain image to uphold. After Joel and Gabriele, I was the highest ranked bodyguard in the organization. This is… It’s a hard pill to swallow.”

“I know. I’m sorry, I don’t want to make this harder for you, but I’m not going to allow you to hurt yourself unnecessarily. So, Cristian will be here tomorrow to kick your ass. I’m sure Benjiwill follow. After that, talk to the therapist. He was vetted by both Hollis and Carter. Nothing you tell him will shock him; let him help you.”

“Okay.” He nods his head and lets out a long sigh. “I’m sorry for being such a dick.”

“I won’t accept it because I know you well enough to know it won’t be the last time.”

He laughs. “Asshole.”

“So you’ve said.” I squeeze his shoulder. “You good?”

Enzo meets my eyes. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks.”

“Any time. You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I am, promise.”

“Good. Text me if you need anything, okay?”

“Sure, I will. Now go, I’m sick of your face.”

Laughing, I give his shoulder one more squeeze before letting him go and leaving the room. Kail is waiting just outside and I give him a small smile.

“You’re doing good. Let me know if either of you need anything.”

“Thanks. And sure. James told me about your guest, so don’t worry about us tonight; I’ve got it under control.”

“Yes, you do. I’ll come see you in the morning before I leave, okay?”

“Sure, have a good time tonight.”

I smile. “I plan to.”

Kail goes to check on Enzo, and I go in search of myguest.

James led me to what he called the family room and left me here. I don’t mind waiting for however long Doc needs. It gives me a little time to look into the type of person he is, as I take no hesitation in poking around the room.

The furniture is plush and looks like a good place to spend a few hours in front of the TV, or while reading one of the many books on the shelves. I start with the movies in the cabinet, finding mostly Disney films, which is not what I expected at all, but then again, Doc is…odd, so maybe I should have.

The bookshelves are filled with mostly fiction—surprisingly romance—and a few true crime books here and there. There’s not much else in the room, a few paintings that are rather eye-catching and draw me in, but I don’t recognize the artist’s signature, and there’s really only so long you can stare at a painting on a wall.

Taking a seat on the sofa, I pick up the book on the coffee table, studying the cover. My Italian is almost non-existent, but I know enough to snort at the title. “The Master,” I mutter, turning it over to look at the back of the book.

Really, only Doc would read a fictional book about the mafia while beingan associateof the real-life one.

Setting the book back down, I pull my phone out and see a message in the group chat I have with the trips.

NICO

We’re going out tonight. Wanna come with?

SOREN

---