Page 70 of Slayer

“So, it's just after you got shot that's confusing?”

“Yes. I suppose.”

“Your dad loves me and welcomed me into the family.”

Idiot. I get a ton of details about what happened while I was there, and after the bullet, all I get is two miracles.

“How?”

“I fucked shit up and refused to shoot the guy.”

“And he likes you for that?”

“I guess you need to research your victims more before you kidnap them. Cos then you'd know I'm adorable and most people like me.”

“Bratty is more like it,” I correct him. Why am I only seeing this side of him now? “How long until I can go home?” I ask through the pain as I try to shift my body just a little.

“How long is a piece of string?” Porter jokes. “Look, only one of us can walk out of here to ask.”

Fine. I try to sit up but instantly his hand is on my belly. “No. I didn't mean it. Please just press the call button.”

I reach above my head, only flinching with a little pain, and successfully press the call button.

“Knox… I…” Porter starts what sounds like a confession before falling silent. “It can wait.”

A nurse opens the curtain and enters the room. She isn’t the last visitor; everyone seems to think I'm up for guests. Dad, Caeo, even Thomas.

“Dad, why is Porter cuffed to the bed?” I call over the medical staff checking on me.

“Because you didn't tell me you kidnapped him just before the weekend,” Dad huffs.

“Ah.” I suppose I made it seem like we were dating like a normal couple. The backrest of the bed starts to rise until I'm sitting up, the doctor looks me right in the eyes.

“You've been shot, Mr Thayer. The bullet hit just under your ribs, but you were incredibly lucky, and no major damage was done. We'll run more tests before-”

“Leave us,” Dad interrupts.

“Uh, Mr Thayer-”

“I need five minutes with my son.”

“Fine. If you let me know when you are done, we can prepare Mr Thayer to go home.” The doctor doesn't look happy, but Dad pays him well to treat us off the books.

“What can I do for you, Dad?”

“I was under the impression you and the boy have been in a relationship for a while now.”

“I never said that.”

“No. But you also didn’t tell me you grabbed him three days ago against his will.”

“Dad, you don't know the full story.”

“I believe everything he told me.”

“He asked me for the truth on the way over.” Porter dips his head. “I told him everything,” he confesses.

“Everything?”

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