Page 85 of Bend Him, Break Him
Isaac swallowed hard.
“So, you need to drop the attitude, sit down, and let’s review the evening again.”
“I’m sorry, he needs to what?” Mina materialized out of thin air.
Okay, probably not. Definitely not. But to Isaac, she swooped in like an all-powerful force; the stern expression on her faceslowed time, and the deep bass in her aggravated voice made the walls quake. Jazz and Carlos appeared on either side of Isaac, checking in on him, but he didn’t register a word they said. He didn’t register any words, really, just Mina’s domineering attitude controlling the situation and bringing the officers to everyone’s attention.
Soon, the hall had an audience of curious nurses. Mina ripped into the officer, spouting legal jargon from her courses, and suddenly Isaac found himself soothed by Mina’s rant and Jazz’s diplomatic commentary. Carlos grabbed Isaac by his uninjured arm and brought him down a few hallways until they reached Colton’s room.
“Since we all know you’re not going to let the doctors properly examine you until you check in on your boyfriend, we thought we should find you,” Carlos explained. “Good thing, too. Knowing your attitude, you would’ve picked a fight with the cops.”
“I’m not an idiot.”
“Says the guy who blocked a bat with his arm.”
Isaac shrugged. “Better than blocking it with my face.”
Carlos led the way, bringing Isaac to Colton’s floor, where he slipped into the room without asking for permission. If he had to listen to someone else explain visiting hours or privacy or yet another irritating detail, Isaac believed he might literally explode.
“You’re okay…” Colton’s groggy voice stirred knots in Isaac’s stomach.
He took in the sleepy expression and giggly smile on Colton’s face as he lay in his bed.
“I am.” Isaac slowly approached. “Are you?”
“Tired mostly.” He shrugged. “People kept asking me questions. Then more people tried asking me questions, and other people made them leave, and then those people peopled in here.”
Isaac snorted. “I’m glad you’re doing well.”
“You took a baseball bat to the face for me.”
“Not quite my face.” Isaac grinned, ignoring the throb from where the second and third swings did rattle a bit against his head. It hurt, but not nearly as much as it would’ve hurt if something had happened to Colton.
Isaac wouldn’t have been able to live with himself if things had gone further. He already regretted arriving when he did, knowing he dragged his feet for nearly an hour debating whether or not he should go to the party.
“I’m so sorry for taking so long.”
“No. Perfectly timed.” Colton’s grin grew wide and goofy. “You missed the villain speech. There’s a video online about it.”
“It’s not online,” Isaac said, debating whether or not to explain the entirety of the situation to Colton.
He’d watched the recording while waiting for the ambulance. He’d also sent himself a copy before handing it over to the police, something he credited important now that they seemed to be dicking around with him instead of dealing with Leon.
“Can you stay with me?” Colton asked, pulling Isaac from his thoughts.
“Of course.” Isaac dragged a chair close to Colton’s bedside and sat beside him.
He leaned over, allowing a sleepy Colton to tousle his hair and whisper adorable nonsense as whatever drugs worked their way out of his system.
Hours passed, and late in the night, Colton shook Isaac awake. His expression had turned serious, his body had gone stiff, and his green eyes had gone glossy.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” Colton replied, swallowing a lump in his throat. “I just needed to say thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
“I do. If you hadn’t gotten there when you had…” There was a tremble in Colton’s voice, one likely consumed by all the horrors Leon intended to inflict.
