Page 2 of Savage Ruin
Cruz reaches over and picks it up. “The nurse said you could have small sips of water.” As he slips the straw between my lips, the door opens and Thiago strides into the room.
Straight, almost black hair lies haphazardly across his broad forehead, deep scruff covers his jaw, and judging by the dark circles under his eyes, he desperately needs sleep. It’s the worst I’ve seen him look. Although you wouldn’t know it by his energy. His usual intense demeanor has been amped up by a thousand percent and easily fills every square inch of the small room. His presence should be suffocating, yet something in me shifts and settles knowing he’s here and in charge. I let out a long, slow sigh, releasing the straw.
Obsidian eyes move from my lips to Cruz’ fingers, to Mateo lying beside me. His mouth firms. “Cruz, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Cruz raises an eyebrow and gives his usual nonchalant shrug. “I’m not sure why you’re surprised. I check on Henley every day.”
Thiago narrows his eyes. “I thought we agreed to shifts?”
“You dictated shifts. I never agreed to them,” Cruz retorts. “Besides, Mateo’s been here all day.” He crosses his arms in challenge.
The tension is thick between the two of them, and I can’t help but wonder what happened to cause the friction.
Mateo stretches beside me. “Everything was peaceful until you two showed up. Isn’t that right, Henley?” He winks at me before carefully easing himself off the bed. Cutting a stern look at Cruz and Thiago, he heads to the door. “I’m going to find some coffee and food. Ease up. You’re stressing Henley.”
Thiago studies the ceiling for a second, then jerks his chin toward the door. “I’ll be right outside.” With a pointed look at Cruz, he walks out.
I dart a glance at Cruz and raise an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”
His hand tightens on the bed rail. “Zane needs someone to set up surveillance on a potential rescue victim. In Mexico. He asked me to go. I’ll be gone for a few weeks.” He stares into my eyes when he delivers the news.
“You just got out of the hospital!” I protest. “You need at least a couple of weeks to recover. Zane’s ridiculous. What did you tell him?”
“I told him I’d speak to you first,” he replies softly, but his eyes are intent and watchful.
Bewildered, I frown. “Why would you need to speak to me? If this is about saving your life, I told you, we’re even. If you want my opinion, I think you need more time to heal.”
A resigned expression crosses his face, and he sighs heavily. “It’s a pretty soft job with no action, practically a vacation, and I’ll have plenty of time to recuperate.” He reaches down and picks up my hand. “If you need anything, I’ve programmed my number into your phone. I’ll—” He clears his throat. “Take care of yourself, Henley. At least try to stay out of trouble while I’m gone.” With a final squeeze of my hand, he walks over and opens the door.
Thiago’s standing in the doorway a second later.
Cruz steps up to face him head on with his shoulders thrown back. “You’d better take good fucking care of her.”
Thiago nods and moves to the side to let him pass. Dark eyes find mine. “I will,” he promises.
CHAPTER2
HENLEY
After sleeping most of yesterday, I’m feeling a bit more normal this morning. The fogginess is starting to disappear, and if I don’t move too much or quickly, the pain stays at a low-level throb. I can’t imagine what it must have been like when they first brought me to the hospital. According to Mateo, it’s been a long four days.
My mental state is an entirely different story. Thoughts bounce around like rubber balls in my head, but every time I focus on one, Diego’s face and fists appear, so I let them continue their chaotic path.
I glance to my left, but the small couch Thiago slept on last night is empty. I’m not sure how he folded his massive body into it, much less slept, but he refused to leave. Even after the weird scene with Cruz, he continued to be intense and hypervigilant, his eyes constantly assessing me. For what, I’m not sure. Maybe he’s waiting for me to ask about Diego, but I’m currently avoiding the topic.
For weeks, everything rushed by at warp speed until it suddenly stopped at the end of Diego’s fist. For someone who’s lived life vicariously via a virtual environment for the last few years, the world feels so real now. Sensations constantly bombard me until I want to find a computer and hide, but without a device readily available, escape is impossible.
A stranger enters the room followed closely by Mateo and Thiago. The obligatory white coat tells me he’s a doctor. Mid-thirties maybe. Looks nice. Normal.
He flashes a bright white smile toward me. “Hello. I’m Dr. Rodriguez. Unfortunately, you were asleep when I dropped by yesterday. It’s good to see you awake and alert this morning. How are you feeling, Henley?” Picking up the chart at the end of the bed, he glances between it and me, waiting for an answer.
Thankfully, the nursing assistant had been by to help me clean up this morning, and I’m feeling human again.
“Better,” I reply.
“Do you mind if I check a few things?”
I glance at Mateo and Thiago.
