Page 51 of Tease

I didn’t stay by Zayn’s side then. My feet had a mind of their own, rushing towards him before I dropped to my knees by his side.

“Arlo.”

He reached out and cupped my face.

“Mia preziosa, you’re okay.”

“You’re not.”

He smiled.

“I will be.”

“He needs to be seen by the doctor,” said the man next to me. “We can’t pull this out ourselves. It’s too risky.”

“Then take him,” Zayn said, “Rina can go with you. I’ll handle everything here.”

I looked back at my cousin and gave him a smile before mouthing the word “thank you.” Zayn gave me a wink. Then he was moving away, barking orders at his men.

I took Arlo’s hand from my face and pressed a kiss to his palm before I got up to let the others help him to his feet. Between them, they got him out to one of the cars. I sat in the back with him, holding his hand the whole way. Arlo didn’t ask me what happened. I’d talk to him about it when he didn’t have a knife sticking out of his stomach. That was more important than what I’d done to Emmett.

The men brought Arlo to his house, which wasn’t far from Zayn’s place. I followed them inside but didn’t pay attention to my surroundings. The doctor had been waiting for us outside, so came in with us as we went upstairs to Arlo’s bedroom. Zayn’s men set Arlo down on the bed, then the doctor got to work. I stayed by the doorway, not wanting to be in the way.

“Where’s Rina? I need you,mia preziosa.”

All it took was his voice, and I was running over to his side. I sat on the bed on the opposite side from the doctor. Arlo reached out, lacing our fingers together. Then he closed his eyes. The doctor nodded at me as if to say it was okay for me to stay.

It was well over an hour later by the time he got done with Arlo. He was in and out of consciousness while the doctor worked on him. When he was all stitched up, I was given a bunch of instructions along with a prescription I’d need to pick up for Arlo. The doctor was sure he’d make a full recovery if he rested up.

Zayn arrived as the doctor was leaving. He came upstairs and looked us both over. Arlo was lying on his back with his side bandaged. I was next to him. I’d gone into the bathroom off his bedroom to wash my hands because they had Emmett’s blood on them earlier when Arlo wasn’t conscious. The sight of it hadn’t bothered me. To be honest, I didn’t know how I was so calm about killing someone. It should have freaked me out, but instead, I felt a sense of relief because I’d kept my family safe.

Zayn came and sat down on the end of the bed, levelling his gaze on me.

“You’re going to explain to me what happened, yes?”

I nodded. Arlo stroked my hand, reassuring me with his simple touch. I started at the beginning when Emmett had first messaged me. Zayn knew about us visiting Vince, so I didn’t have to explain that part to him. He was quiet and patient with me even as I stammered over my words, trying to get it all out. By the time I was done, both of them were looking at me with newfound respect.

“I see,” Zayn said, trying not to smile. “Well, it seems the two of you have had quite an adventure. Perhaps I should give this one some time off. What do you think, Rina? You reckon your boss will let you stay away from work a little longer to play nursemaid? I’m sure your boyfriend needs it.”

“Fuck off, Zayn,” Arlo grumbled, his hand tightening in mine.

“Now, now, you’re going to stay in this bed until you’ve recovered. I won’t hear of you coming back to work before you’re ready. Is that understood?”

I watched Arlo scrunch his face up.

“Yes,boss.”

Zayn tapped his finger on his chin, smiling at his best friend.

“Good. Now, I’ll speak to Martina, smooth this all over and perhaps make sure she brings Rina some clothes, so she doesn’t have to go home. You two behave yourselves while I’m gone.”

He stood up and left the room, tugging his phone out of his pocket as he did so.

“I don’t know what he thinks we’re going to do,” Arlo said, rolling his eyes as he levelled his gaze on me. “I’m not going to molest you in this state.”

“I w-w-wouldn’t call it molesting w-w-when I’m willing.”

That made him smile.

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