Page 26 of Savage Saint

Their president nods. “They can bring it out here. Rizos knows how to use it, too.”

Of course. Probably knows how to operate on him, too.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask why he kidnaped me, but as if he knows what I’m about to say, he gives me a deadpan look. Silently dares me to ask.

“Okay. Even better. Can someone bring it out, please?”

Saint nods at his two silent guests who’ve done nothing but stand against the wall. The De Leons move quickly, stepping inside and come out with the machine while I turn my attention back to Trino, whose eyes are closed.

“Hey.” I lightly touch his good arm. “Need you to stay awake for me.”

“I’m awake. Just resting.” A little grumpy. No slurring.

“Rest after. Right now I need your eyes open.” He does, and I give him a soft smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re bossy.”

That pulls a quick laugh from me. It’s loud, and once again everyone stares. “I’m really trying hard not to be.”

“You’re failing.”

“Don’t be rude to the woman helping you, Mr. De La Cruz.” I’m tempted to tap his bad arm this time, but rein it in. These aren’t the kind of people I should be scolding, much less getting comfortable enough with to tease.

Apparently, exhaustion has buried my survival instincts before they can murder the rest of me.

…if he dies, I’ll bury you with him.

Right. Can’t forget that.

Need to keep my hands and mouth to myself.

“Saint?” I call out low, knowing he’s close. “Have you heard back from the doctor?”

“He should be close.”

“Call him again, please. I need an ETA.” The X-ray machine is now situated at the end of the bed; Rizos pulls out the lead aprons and digital detectors. He helps me slip one beneath Trino’s back, and Kaos glares at us as we move him again. “No more questions. All I need from you are these images. If you get sick at any point or the pain intensifies, I’ll stop. Just hold one hand up. Got it?”

“Thank fuck.”

“You’re welcome.”

From the corner of my eye, I see Saint pull out his phone and beckon Thiago and Ivan out of the room, all three stepping into the hallway as he makes the call. The door stays open; I hear the murmurs, but again, can’t make out what is being said.

“Rizos, can you set up the rest? I want to make sure there aren’t any fragments left behind.”

“Yeah.”

For a moment, I bite my lip. I really shouldn’t ask. “Why am I here when it looks like you can run this yourself?”

That catches him off guard, the large man pausing for a second before continuing with the task. “I know the basics. Many of us do, but knowing how to use this shit doesn’t mean I know how to diagnose or treat. At best, I follow Doc’s instructions.”

That’s when heavy footsteps approach. They’re rushing down the hall where Saint and the De Leons are. Not that he stops; the older man with greying temples carrying a duffle bag rushes past them and into the room.

His eyes go straight to Trino.

“What the fuck happened?”

“Got shot,” my patient says, his tone dry. Nothing like he’s been speaking to me, and I realize he was being polite. I’m going to end up with a headache trying to figure these people out.