Page 21 of The Billionaire Touch

His gaze flickered to Shea, and he hoped the nurse was right. His brother would need every ounce of strength and resilience to get through the months ahead.

“The doctor will be here in the morning.”

“Shouldn’t he be awake by now?”

The nurse’s dark brows rose. “It’s possible he will wake tonight, but it’s only been six hours since the coma was reversed. These sorts of injuries can take an entire day.”

He turned away, wanting facts, not word jujitsu. The last thing he needed was to take out his frustrations on the nurse as she tried to help.

When the police told Heath the crash was a hit and run, he’d thought the other driver young or too scared of what he’d done. He understood scared. Rushing to the hospital, he hadn’t realized his soul was clenched in a vise until he’d seen his brother whole. That first wave of alleviation was shattering, buckling his knees.

Knowing Shea was alive was a relief. It hadn’t lasted. Once he’d found Shea’s office ransacked, equipment stolen, Heath began putting the pieces together. Knowing someone intentionally harmed his family sent his fury surging.

He rubbed the knot forming at the base of his neck and dragged the most uncomfortable chair he’d ever seen closer to the bed. The feel of his bed, a distant memory, he dropped into the chair, rolling his brother’s loose fist into his hand. It was how he’d slept these past nights, needing to feel the slightest of stirring, anything that said Shea knew he wasn’t alone. Closing his eyes, he let the rhythmic pulse and pause of the IV machine draw him into sleep. Even that wasn’t peaceful as his mind conjured images of Christopher Slone. The man who almost cost Shea his life.

Heath stirred from his half-sleep. Something had woken him, though he was unsure what. Just as his head dropped heavily back onto the chair, he felt it again—a faint squeeze. He blinked rapidly, hope clearing the last dregs of sleep. Then, the twitch against his hand came again. Stronger. He stared at their locked hands in disbelief before his eyes snapped to his brother’s. His eyes stung, too dry for tears, and he blinked. His tiredness evaporated from the force of his joy.

“You’re awake.” He leaned over the bed, pressing his forehead against his brother’s. He had never been more grateful, and for the second time in his life, he whispered a prayer.

“I hope you enjoyed your freedom, little brother. Because this shit isn’t happening again.”

* * *

“You two look like shit.”Tet walked into the room. “Had I known we were going for scruffy, I would have left the suit at home.”

Heath walked across the room and hugged his brother, holding him a little longer and tighter than necessary. He couldn’t help it. These last few days had hit harder than he thought possible. His emotional wall was meant to keep the world out, not his brothers.

Tet was the first to loosen the embrace. Turning to Shea, he said, “How are you doing, bro? You scared the shit out of me.”

Shea groaned. “Everything hurts.”

Tet’s grip tightened on the raised bed rails. “Stop fucking moving.”

“I’m going to be fine, Tet. Promise.”

Tet nodded. “You’ll get the best care. But first, we’ve got to break you out.” He rattled the bars, keeping Shea from rolling off the bed. “Someone wants to make sure this jailbird doesn’t fly.”

“Absolutely no flying,” the doctor said, entering the room.

Heath shook the man’s hand. “You haven’t met our brother, Tetsuo.”

“Thanks for looking after Shea,” Tet said, taking the man’s hand.

“How are you feeling, Shea?” The doctor walked around Tet and lowered one of the bars. He retrieved an ophthalmoscope from the pocket of his white coat and looked into Shea’s eyes. “You might experience some fogginess over the coming days.”

“I’m stiff. Everywhere hurts.”

“That’s to be expected, considering you were pinned under your car.” The doctor moved to Shea’s legs and ran the back of the ophthalmoscope along the sole of Shea’s left foot. “Can you feel that?”

“Sort of. It’s more of a tingle.”

“That’s a good sign. You’ll see gradual improvements with time.”

“Will I be able to walk again without support?” Shea asked.

Heath looked across the room when Tet popped the beaded bracelet he wore against his wrist. He hadn’t seen his brother this anxious in a while. He faced the doctor again, even more determined than ever to get his brother to their family home.

“It will take months of therapy to regain full function in the leg, but the work is up to you.” The doctor looked at Heath. “I’ve contacted your team. I am assured your brother will get the treatment needed. There is no reason he can’t be discharged to your care after a few more tests. I’ve already forwarded a copy of the file to your team in Wheelcaster.” He turned to Shea. “Good luck, Shea. You are fortunate to have Mr. McCreath.” The doctor left.

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