Page 90 of Wicked Knight

“Your little plan to get me killed didn’t work. I’m still standing.” He ambled to the foot of the bed. “I will find a way to get what’s coming to me without you.”

“Now they know you’re coming. It won’t be easy.” I made to sit up, but the pain that shot through my side pulled me down. Fuck.

“You rest now, boy.” He pointed at me with murder in his eyes, then strode out of the hospital room.

“Jesus. We did it for nothing.” I reached over and pushed the button to call the nurse.

Within a minute, she was at my bedside checking my vitals. “I know it doesn’t feel like it, but you were very lucky.”

“Yeah, I feel lucky.” I touched my side. “What’s the damage?”

“A broken rib.” She offered me a kind smile. “You’ll need to stay in bed for a while.”

I chuckled. I had a feeling dear uncle Jimmy planned to make sure I stayed in bed indefinitely. “The woman who was with me in the car. Where is she?”

“Um, we’re not supposed to tell anyone she’s here. Is she a relative?” She motioned for me to lie down.

“No.” I shook my head, taking her hand in mine. “Just a friend. I need to see her. Please.”

“She’s not supposed to see anyone.” Her gaze shifted between her trapped hand and my face.

“It’s important. It won’t take long.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll take you to her. She’s only a few doors down.” She helped me with the IV and the blankets tangled around my feet. “Up you go.”

“Hmm.” I winced in pain, then blew out a breath.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Could you get me some water?”

“Of course.” She stepped back. When she was sure I wasn’t going to topple over, she rushed out of the room.

As soon as she did, I trudged to the small closet to look for my clothes. The bag on the top shelf had a tuxedo in it and all my things. I rummaged through it until I found my phone. Alfred was, no doubt, waiting for my call. He warned me something like this might happen.

Me: I’m at the hospital. Meet me outside in twenty minutes.

Alfred: how did he find out?

Me: I have a few guesses.

I tossed the phone on the bed and headed toward Donata’s room. I had to make sure she was okay. The nurse met me out in the hallway. Her gaze darted to the bag of clothes under my arm, but she didn’t object.

“I’ll leave your water on the bedside table. I’ll come back in ten minutes to escort you back to your room.” She smiled.

“Thank you.” I nodded once then stepped inside Donata’s room.

In the few days we’d spent together, I’d gotten so used to seeing her beautiful face and her smile. It cut me to see her like this, like in some sort of comma. I grabbed the chart hanging on the small white board and scanned it quickly. She had minor cuts and a concussion, but other than that, she was fine. She was going to be alright.

I sat on the edge of the bed and touched her cheek. “Donata, they’re wrong. You and I belong together. I have to go now. But I promise you, I will come back. This time, I will fight for you.” I kissed her hand and watched her sleep until the nurse came back to get me.

“It’s time.”

“I know.” I rose to my feet. “I’m going to need a favor.”

* * *

Ten minutes later,I stood at the curb, dressed in my dirty tuxedo and waiting for Alfred. After I signed a bunch of forms, the nurse in charge cleared me to leave the hospital. At my request, she agreed not to update the system until the morning. I needed a few hours head start. Because one thing was for sure, Uncle Jimmy was coming for me.

---