Page 9 of Enzo
Doc takes a seat on his other side. I want to ask questions, such as how many strings he had to pull to make this possible, but I’ve known Doc for far too long to ask things I really don’t want the answer to. There are things about Doc I’d rather not know, and his ability to get his way on most things is one of them. It’s safer for everyone if we just let him bulldoze the path clear for the rest of us.
“He should come around soon,” Doc says. “I asked for us not to be disturbed unless there was an issue, so don’t worry about any doctors or nurses coming in to annoy us.”
I huff, deciding not to remind him that technically the hospital staff are our colleagues, not the enemy. I know Doc hasn’t had great experiences with other doctors, most looking down on him for his chosen affiliation, as if none of them would jump at the chance to have the protection and funding that Doc does. But they can stay on their high horses all they want. I know damn well both Doc and the Amato Family will go to bat for me and Enzo if need be, and that’s all that matters.
“They didn’t call his family, did they?”
Doc shakes his head. “No. Cristian stepped in, after Hollis already hacked their system and made sure they couldn’t make the call even if they tried. Don’t worry, you’re his next of kin; I’ll make sure no one tries to fuck you over. Not that we’ll be here long, just until he’s more stable and we can move him safely.”
I nod, some of my worry easing at his words. It’s one less thing Enzo has to deal with, and that’s all I can ask for during this time.
I watch his face, zeroing in on every bruise and cut from the glass—a few have stitches—and as much as I need him towake up from the anesthesia, I want him to stay as pain free as possible as well.
Bringing his hand to my mouth, I kiss his rough, work-worn knuckles. Enzo stirs a little, his head falling in my direction as a quiet groan escapes his throat, though he doesn’t wake fully.
After a few minutes—long enough for me to start getting concerned, though Doc doesn’t make any move to indicate he’s worried—Enzo groans again.
I kiss his hand once more, watching as his eyes open to slits before closing again. His hand tightens around mine, and he takes a deep breath before moaning and opening his eyes fully.
He blinks a few times before he manages to focus on me. “K…” he rasps.
I give him a small smile. “Welcome back, baby.”
He licks his lips. “Where…”
I take a deep breath. “You’re in the hospital, Enzo. There was an accident and you needed surgery.”
The monitor shows his spike in heart rate. “Roman…”
“Is fine,” I tell him, fudging the truth a little, not wanting to stress him out by outlining the boy’s injuries when he’s just waking up. “You did your job, and now he needs you to heal. I need you to heal.”
“Bossy,” he whispers.
I let out a watery laugh. “Yeah, I am.”
Leaning over, I place a soft kiss to his chapped lips. “You’ll see just how bossy I am when I’m forcing you to behave and you’re stuck listening to me and Doc for a while.”
He groans, not in pain but exasperation this time, making me smile for real. “Yeah, you’re screwed, my love.”
“Least you’re pretty…” he mutters.
I snort and kiss him gently once more. “Such a flatterer.”
His eyes open and close a few times, and I run my hand through his shorn hair, watching as a ghost of a smile crosses his face.
My tension eases, though I know the hard part is yet to come. He’s awake, but not yet aware of what’s happened, and I already know he’s…not going to take it well. Enzo is a doer. Being down for the foreseeable future as he adjusts to a whole new way of life?
Yeah, that’s going to be a tough pill to swallow. But as we simultaneously grip each other’s hands tighter, I know whatever comes next we’ll get through it… together.
Opening my eyes, I’m careful not to make a sound, and when I turn my head to the side I find Kail asleep in the chair beside my bed. It doesn’t look comfortable, even though he has his feet kicked up on my bed. I want to insist that he go home and get some proper sleep, but my boyfriend’s as stubborn as they come, so I know it’ll do me no good.
I’m thankful for him. I’m not sure I would have made it through the last few days without him at my side. Waking up and realizing you’ve lost a part of yourself… it’s a bitter pill to swallow. One I’m still struggling to wrap my head around.
I shift a little in bed, the pain radiating through my battered and bruised body forcing a groan out of me. Kail stirs, and his dark blue eyes flutter open.
He goes from just waking up to wide awake in seconds, the medical professional in him jumping to the surface as he gets to his feet. “You okay? Are you in pain?”
I shrug. “A little. It’s not bad yet. Don’t worry so much.”
