Page 87 of Daddy's Bodyguard

The sound of a gunshot pulls me awake. Gasping, I try to sit up, trying to get free, to get to her. Hands push me back to the bed and hold me down. “Let me go!”

“Relax,” a deep, familiar voice orders.

I blink, staring up at Kingston. He looks like he hasn’t slept in weeks. He hasn’t shaved either, which is definitely unusual for him. I settle down on the bed and look around the hospital room. So, I wasn’t entirely dreaming after all.

My heartbeat calms, so the alarm stops, and I swallow the cotton-like sensation in my throat. “What …”

“Save your energy, brother.” Kingston pats my hand.

He hands me a cup of water, and I drink like I’ve been in the desert for days. He nods. “That’s progress. This is the longest you’ve been awake.”

“How long?”

“Two weeks. You’ve been … violent, delusional. I told them not to use the heavy drugs.” He shrugs. “You’re alive, though.”

“Sofia.” I start to sit up again, despite the pain exploding in my shoulder and abdomen. “Where is-”

Kingston’s gaze shifts to the corner of the room, and I see Sofia curled up in one of the chairs. She’s asleep, with fading bruises on her cheek. Dull scratches on her arm, a cut on her neck. But other than that, she’s whole.

She’s whole, she’s alive.

I force myself to relax and then try to take in my own condition. My arm is in a sling. Since I have an ugly blue hospital gown on, I can’t see my other wounds, but I can feel them. “What … the report?”

“Ernesto and his wife are safe. Sofia is alive. Tiberon got sentenced to life in prison, but someone murdered him two nights ago.”

“Holy fuck.”

“Holy fuck is right.”

I keep watching him. He sighs. “We lost Cash. The medics tried, but … he’s gone.”

“Goddamnit.”

“You took two. One to the upper arm. One to the stomach. Missed your spine by an inch and lodged in Sofia’s thigh. But it was shallow. Ernesto took a beating, but he’ll be fine. The wife is fine … just shaken up.”

“You?”

“Apparently, I wasn’t worth killing, or they got sloppy. Thought I was dead.” He shrugs. “I don’t get it.”

I glance over at Sofia again. A wave of exhaustion floods me. I clear my throat. Although I drank the entire glass of water, it still feels dry. “Daisy… how is she?”

“She’s visited twice. Left you flowers.” He motions to the wilted color blooms.

“Good.” I nod.

“Ellie has gotten very frustrated with Sofia.”

“I’m sure that’s a whole story.”

“It is. And I’ll let Sofia tell it. Get some sleep, brother.”

“I’ve gotten enough,” I argue, despite how tired I am.

“You’re on heavy meds. You need it. Don’t fight. Just sleep. It’s okay.”

I shake my head. “I need to get up.”

“Hey.” He puts his hand on my chest. “You’re with the medical professionals. You’re safe. No more. Just sleep.”

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