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“Not yet. I want to talk to you first,” I manage a smile. “Did you call Jonah?”
“No, not yet. I wanted you awake before I call him.”
“Can you hold off till I get home and he sees that I’m fine?”
“Why?”
“Because if you call him, he’ll be here to remove me, and I can’t say no to him.” I can see the idea of me leaving does not sit well with him. He grunts.
“Okay, we’ll call him together when you are home.” He acquiesces.
“When can I leave?”
“As soon as they run your test again and the results are good. I’m taking you home.”
“Is Smith okay?” I ask.
“He’s fine and off duty for a while,” Bruce says.
“Good. I saw when the bullet hit him. I was trying to move and I hit my head on the metal.”
“I’m just glad you are fine,” he says, putting our laced hands to his lips and kissing it. I know it scared him.
“Did you get the guys?”
“All dead, but we can talk more when we get home.”
“Okay, are you heading home once I sleep?” I ask. I don’t want him to leave, but I’ll understand if he must attend to his business. I’m not his only priority.
“Staying right here with you sprinkles,” he states I smile again. “Nothing else is as important as you.”
“I’ll take my meds now. Ice can go home since you are here.” Bruce presses the call button just as we hear—
“Not leaving either,” Ice says. He is awake.
“Hi Bash, thanks for keeping me safe.”
“You are welcome. Now you owe me more puff-puff,” he says, smiling.
“Ice,” Bruce commands.
“It’s fine. Once I’m better, we can have Chef prep it.”
Ice gives me a thumbs up.
Bruce’s phone rings and he turns to Ice. “I need to take this.” He kisses my forehead, then answers the call and steps out of the room. I can see him at the glass door. I do not need to ask to know he is telling whoever is on the line that he is relieved I am okay.
“The callers are his brothers,” Ice offers. “They’ve been calling to check on you.”
I nod.
“They all wanted to come with their wives, but he told them not to.”
I nod again.
The nurse walks in. “You look better. How do you feel?”
“My head hurts.”
