Page 71 of On The Run

I started to laugh, but it hurt so I stopped. “I’m ok, Pops.”

“Aiden, I thought I lost you.”

I swallowed roughly. “I know. I thought I lost you too.”

“Y-You get some rest. They said they’ll transport you to Denver as soon as you can be moved. We’ll share a room.”

This time, I did laugh, despite the pain. “Sounds good, Pops. I miss you.”

Pops made a choking sound, and I knew he was trying not to cry. “I miss you too. I love you, Aiden.”

“I love you too, Pops.”

“I’m going to let you go rest now, but call me later, ok?”

“I will.”

“Bye, A. I’ll see you soon.”

“Bye, Pops. Take care of yourself.” I didn’t even hang up. I just handed the phone back to Sage for him to take care of it. It was then that I noticed a presence on the other side of me. I didn't need to look to know who it was: Max. I opened my eyes because I needed to see him and when I did, his were wet with unshed tears.

“Fuck,tokki. Are you really awake?”

I smiled weakly and held my hand out. He seemed hesitant, like he didn’t want to hurt me, but he took it. Calm flooded me. He was my safe place.

“I’m awake.”

“Fuck, Aiden. I was so worried.”

“What happened?” I knew what for the most part. Most of it was very clear in my head. But I wasn’t sure how I ended up here or what happened to Giovani.

A woman’s voice filled the room. “You need a little more rest, honey. You can get all your questions answered later.”

I wanted to argue, but the woman pushed some kind of medicine in my IV and I was already feeling heavy.

“Max . . .”

Max squeezed my hand. “I’m right here, Aiden. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I love you,” I told him. I thought this time, I got the whole thing out, and if the smile on his face was any indication, he heard it.

Max’s mouth opened and I was sure he responded, but once again, I was out before I could hear him.

Chapter31

Max

I love you.Aiden’s words were on repeat as I watched him sleep. He tried to say it earlier too, or at least I thought he did, but he passed out before the slurred phrase was finished. This time, it was clear. It was said with purpose. And yes, he was still drugged, so I shouldn’t get my hopes up. A lot could change once Aiden was completely coherent and had a chance to process everything. But right now, I was hanging onto those words with everything I had.

I didn’t get to say them back either time and I was fucking desperate to. Once he was awake, I was going to make sure Aiden knew how much I loved him.

“How’s he doing?” my dad asked as he came into the room. My parents had been here for about 48 hours now. Once we were sure Aiden was going to make it, they loaded up Gray and, with Laura, made the trip up here.

“Ok. He had hypothermia but they were hopeful he wouldn’t have any lasting damage.” The shivering finally stopped, thankfully. When I made it to the hospital, it was so bad, I thought he was having a seizure. His pulse had strengthened, and his breathing had regulated. He hadn’t been awake long enough to get a good grasp on memory loss, one of the things the doctor was worried about most, but he did remember me and was coherent enough to have a conversation with Manny, so I was hopeful. The doctors also assured me that the constant sleeping was completely normal and a good thing since it helped him heal. I just needed to have patience. There was an injury to his nose—it looked like his piercing was ripped out—and he had a few broken ribs. There was fluid in his lungs, like he was held underwater.” Attempted drowning, the doctor had said. The fucker tried to drown his own son. “He had jagged wounds along his legs and torso that they believe came from him crawling through the fence. And his feet were torn to shit. A few of the wounds were infected and some needed stitches, but they think they caught everything in time.” Mentally, that was a different story.

Even 48 hours later, Aiden was looking considerably better. I didn’t think I had the words to describe what it felt like when I laid eyes on him. At first, I was relieved that he was alive. Relieved that we found him, that his nightmare was over. Anger came next. I silently cataloged every bruise, scrape, and broken bone I could see, memorizing every inch of his physical injuries. I was going to remember every little thing that bastard did to him, and if Kai didn’t put him down, then I would find a way.

I usually wasn’t one for vigilante justice. I believed in the idea of our justice system, even if it had some major faults. Everyone should be entitled to a trial. But in this case, all of those values and morals fucking evaporated. I wanted the fucker dead. And not just dead, but I wanted him to suffer. How dare he touch my Aiden. How dare he put him through years of fear and suffering. No amount of pain and torture would ever be enough for Giovani Santino.

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