Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Julian
I wake to the sound of familiar voices whisper shouting.
“I don’t give a flying fuck what you intend to tell me. I’m staying in this room with him until he kicks me out himself.” Nyx sounds absolutely furious.
My chest tightens at the knowledge he’s not ok. I try to open my eyes to reassure him, but it’s damn near impossible.
It’s then I take in the rest of my surroundings. There’s the sound of beeping machine, the smell of antiseptic, and a distinct ache in my shoulder that wasn’t there this morning.
“Same here. I’m not leaving until the big lug wakes up. I owe him that much.”
I recognize Davie’s voice and his affectionate tone. It only makes me work harder to get my eyes open so I can reassure them both.
“Gentlemen,” a female voice says, agitation obvious in her tone, “while we love that you want to support Mr. Bates’s healing process, we do have to enforce visiting hours still. You can’t stay the night, nor would it be fair for anyone else to let you stay. We’ve already sent them all home.”
It’s at her words that I finally get the strength to wake up fully. My eyes take in the scene as I fight back from laughing.
Davie’s tiny form is standing beside my Omega as if he’s some confident Alpha ready for battle. And my Omega, well, he’s giving the nurse a look that tells me he’s not ready to stand down just yet. Knowing him, he’ll keep her arguing past visiting hours just to prove a point that he’s still there and nothing bad happened. Sneaky thing he is and all.
“No need,” I rumble. Three sets of eyes turn my way. “They can visit for a bit, then head home. I doubt I’ll be awake long anyway.”
Both men ignore the nurse and approach the sides of the bed. I notice the woman’s relief as she grabs the doorknob. “I’ll give you fifteen minutes, then I’m calling security.”
I nod to her, my acknowledgment of the timeline enough to grant us some privacy. The second the door closes, Nyx is leaning over to kiss me.
Everything else fades as his lips move gently against mine. When he pulls back, his eyes shine with unshed tears.
“Please don’t ever do that to me again. I’ve never been so terrified in my life.”
I squeeze the hand he slides into mine. “I’ll do my best, but I can’t swear I’ll never be hurt again. You know the job, my Omega. Today took a turn none of us expected.”
“Yesterday,” he says harshly.
“Yesterday? I’ve been out that long?”
Davies hums, drawing my attention. “Feels weird to be on this side of things. Not that I want anyone to nearly kill me again. Once was bad enough.”
Nyx gives a small chuckle. “You were right about Davie and your friends. They are a fun bunch. At least the ones I’ve met have been.”
“The guys came?”
“Sure did,” Davie says proudly. “I convinced them to leave me for a while since there were other things to worry about. Though, I know if I go downstairs that Ezra will be pacing by the elevators. He has zero chill.”
I huff at his blaze tone. “Maybe because the first time he saw you was traumatic. I mean, you said it yourself… you were nearly dead. Can’t be easy for him to leave you alone in here.”
Davie pales. “Oh, crap. That’s… I didn’t think…”
Nyx reaches over the bed to pay the other man’s shoulder. “Don’t fret about it. I’m sure your Alpha will be ok once you’re back in his arms.”
“Which will be any moment since we’re on a strict schedule,” I add. “Don’t get me in trouble with the people who are ensuring my health is ok.”
“I just wanted to make sure you really were gonna make it. I didn’t like the idea of you waking up alone. Then when I met Nyx it was more about keeping him company since I figured he could use the distraction.” Davie shrugs before leaning over to give me an easy hug. “I’ll head out now. I’m sure you two have more to discuss and need some privacy. If you’re still here tomorrow I’ll come by.”
With a wave, he leaves us alone. I can already feel my energy depleting, so I waste no time in telling my Omega how I feel.
“I’m so sorry I scared you, baby. It wasn’t like I intended to get shot. I simply needed the closure of the case and I let my anger and confidence get the best of me. Will you be able to forgive me?” I lay out the apology with an open heart.
Nyx sighs. “I don’t need an apology, dammit. You didn’t jump in front of the bullet. I just need to know you won’t try to be a superhero the next time. You’re not some single Sheriff anymore. Coming home to your mate is just as important as finishing the job.”
Nodding, I tug him down until his lips are within reach. I kiss him gently, my body making promises to his with each caress.
When we pull apart, the nurse is standing at the door, a soft smile on her face. “You’re mates aren’t you?”
My Omega nods shyly. “As of a week ago, yes.”
Her eyes go wide. “A week?! Oh, you poor things.” Shutting the door, she steps closer to the bed. “I’m not supposed to let anyone stay, but in this situation I think it’s best for everyone if we keep you together. I’d hate for either of you to deal with mate withdrawal or anything.”
I fight back a grin when Nyx gives her a hopeful look.
“Thank you. Yes, please. That would be amazing,” he says. “I can’t imagine being away from him while he’s in this condition.”
She nods, then pats his hand where it lays over mine. “Understandable. The bond is that way sometimes. I’ll leave you two to rest. And I’ll be sure to see you in the morning before I leave to make sure you don’t need anything.”
I smile in thanks as she turns to go. Once the door clicks shut behind her, I face my mate and just bask in how amazing it is to wake up to him. Sure, we’ve done it before, but this time is more serious.
Life and death kind of serious.
Which has me thinking…
“I want you to carry my babies,” I blurt out.
Nyx nods as his pupils expand. “Yes, please. Just not right now since you’re injured. Maybe after you get through whatever physical therapy you need.”
“You don’t mind pushing up the timeline. A baby is a big responsibility. Our lives would change drastically.” I’m not sure why I’m telling him this. It’s not like I want to convince him to change his mind. I’d rather him blindly agree with me so we can get straight to the ‘building a family’ portion of our lives.
He shakes his head. “I think we’re in the same boat with wanting to grab life by the horns now. A scare like this puts into perspective just how short time is. I don’t want to lose out on the chance to build a family with you. Plus, if you really do as I ask and don’t put yourself in danger anymore, then we’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the kids and our new life together.”
“We will since I’ll retire once the baby comes.”
My mate’s jaw drops. “You’ll retire?”
“Sure will. I want to do the whole dad thing. I’ve protected the people long enough. It’s time I build something of my own with the man I love.”
His face lights up at my words. “I love you too, Alpha. And I’ll give you all the babies you can handle. I might be a bit high risk though since I’m older.”
I snort. “Let’s not get into a debate about age, Omega. I definitely have you beat there.”
“Yeah, but you don’t have to carry the babies inside of you. It’s just your knot that is part of the process.” His gaze rakes over my body with unbridled lust.
“Easy there, sweetheart. You already said you wouldn’t let me fuck you in this condition. Looking at me like that is going to make that request null and void.”
Nyx swallows thickly. “You are in no condition to do that, Alpha. That shoulder has to heal. You can’t even hold yourself up.”
“I don’t need to hold myself up if you ride my knot,” I say with a smirk.
The scent of slick fills the room as my mate whines. I shake my head, then pull his hand up to my lips for a kiss with my good arm.
“Don’t get worked up. That nice nurse would definitely kick you out if she caught us locked together in this bed.”
“I don’t know. I feel like she’d understand. She’s already agreed to let me stay too. We can use our officer-ly ways to convince her.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “Pretty sure officer-ly isn’t a word. Besides, could you imagine the gossip that would move through the station if they found out. We’d never live it down.”
Nyx rubs the back of his neck. “We might not get out of some teasing anyway. I kind of lost it when the call came in. Moses, for sure, is going to have questions if he didn’t see me leaving in the ambulance. I don’t remember much of it since I was panicking.”
I think of what it will be like for everyone to know what’s going on between us. In the past, I might have worried about the effect it would have on my ability to work and my reputation. Now, I’m more concerned with Nyx’s Omega status being an issue.
As if he can read my mind, he shakes his head. “I’m not worried about that anymore. All I care about is knowing you’re alive and well. I want more than a week with you.”
“I think we can manage that,” I tell him around a yawn.