Page 38 of Enzo
“We’ve managed to get the bullets out of him, stitch him up, and wipe him down as well as we can for now. Doc will give you a full diagnosis when Jude is awake—which should be in a few hours as we’ve already started tapering off the sedatives. I can tell you now, he’ll need lots of physical therapy for his leg, but Jayden will have to do his own assessments. We’ll let you in once we clean up a little.”
Roman nods and leans against Tennant, the taller man wrapping his arms around the mafia heir. “Thank you, Kail.”
“He got very lucky,” I warn them. “But we’re confident he’ll recover.”
I don’t want to worry them, or get stabbed, so I don’t mention that it might not ever be a full recovery, based on what I saw going on inside Jude’s hip alone, but Jayden is good at his job, and if Jude is as stubborn as any of his lovers, he’ll be fine.
Seeing the relief mixed with fear on Roman’s face, and the way Tennant holds his young love tightly to him…it’s as though I’m looking in a mirror, except I don’t have anyone but myself to lean on.
That pain and uncertainty? It’s plagued me since I realized Enzo was the one hurt in the accident that wasn’t an accident.
My heart twists and I quickly excuse myself to go back into the office. My last conversation with Enzo plays in my head as I help make Jude comfortable on one of the hospital beds then clean up the tools and equipment we used.
I’m well aware I was within my rights to say something about how I felt, but that doesn’t change the situation. Enzo is the one who was physically hurt. The impact to him is huge. How our new circumstances affect me is nothing in comparison. Neither of us can lessen our hurt for the other, but…the middle ground is something we need to find, together.
“You okay?” Rose asks quietly as we’re washing up.
I glance at my friend and give what I hope is a believable smile. The look she gives me back says I don’t pull it off, but now isn’t the time for this discussion.
I give her a shrug. “Not really, but I will be.” And I do fully believe that.
Enzo and I will fix this rift before it turns into a chasm, and we’ll learn how to live our lives in a slightly new way. I refuse to entertain any other scenario.
“So, you going to tell me what’s wrong?” Rose asks, cornering me in the room next to the medical office that we use as a breakroom.
“Nothing.”
She doesn’t look like she believes me anymore than any of my siblings would had they asked the same question and gotten my response, but that’s what happens when you know someone so well.
Sighing, I lean back in my chair. “I’m serious, it’s nothing. Just Enzo and me having a bit of a communication problem, but we’re fine.”
“Yeah, you sure look fine,” she comments.
“I’m tired as shit because that fucking cot sucks ass, but I’ll be okay once I go home and get some real sleep.”
“If you need to talk about anything…”
“I know. Thanks. We’ll have to get together soon, now that the chaos is starting to wind down.”
“Yeah. Better take advantage of it while it lasts,” she jokes, though it’s a bit strained.
I know Rose isn’t entirely thrilled about working for the Family when it seems like we’ve been in a constant state of emergency over the last few years, but well, like me this is the life she’s always known. Her father is one of the Amato Family’s most prominent dealers, so it’s all she knows. Doesn’t make it any easier some days, though.
“I should go. But we’ll have lunch or something the next time we both get time off.”
“Sure. Call or text me if you need to talk before then.”
“I will. Thanks, Rose.”
“What are friends for?” She grins and I can’t help but smile in return, appreciating having a friend who gets it. Outside my siblings, I didn’t have that before Rose came along.
Leaving her in the breakroom, I check in with Doc before making my way out to my car. I would never admit it to him, but I’m glad for Doc’s neurosis. The drive to the affluent neighborhood he lives in is shorter than the one into the city where Enzo and I actually live.
As much as I’m itching to go home, being cautious and taking our time to let Enzo heal both mentally and physically is helpful right now.
I stumble through the front door and make it to Enzo’s room with my eyes half open. He looks at me with concern from where he sits on his bed, half dressed for the day.
“Come here, darlin’,” he urges.
