Chapter 28 #3
Zenko looked at Noble, the information settling into place without answering the question that had been bothering him since he woke. Sheridan was dead, Nasser was in custody, and Keating had been caught, but Zenko needed to know whether that was where the whole fucking thing ended.
“So what else did you find?”
“We found enough.” Noble’s voice lost the last of its amusement.
“Sheridan is in a body bag, Nasser is under armed guard, Keating is in federal custody, and the files we pulled from Sheridan’s operation have given the Agency enough to start tearing apart everything he built and every unauthorized connection Keating buried along the way.
JSOC has what it needs from our side, and the rest is being handled above our pay grade.
” He closed the folder and handed it to Max.
“You two have done your part. Now you heal, stay the fuck out of trouble, and let somebody else chase the bastards who are still standing.”
“Pretty sure they already regret saving his.” Shaun jerked his thumb toward Zenko, and Drax gave a low laugh from the doorway.
“You should’ve heard the argument he had with the nurse this morning because she wouldn’t let him walk to the bathroom alone.
Apparently surviving BUDs means he’s medically qualified to decide whether he’s a fall risk. ”
“I can fucking walk.” Zenko reached for the pillow behind his back and adjusted it before Shaun could decide that required assistance too.
“And you can wipe that smug look off your face, considering you’re supposed to be in your own fucking room.
” Noble’s laugh came from the other side of the bed, and Zenko gave him a flat look.
“You can take him with you when you leave.”
“Fuck you. You love my stubborn ass.” Shaun leaned closer and pressed a quick kiss against Zenko’s mouth before settling back into his chair, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “You said so less than an hour ago. There are witnesses now, so you can’t take it back.”
“Unfortunately, I heard that too.” Max stood and tucked the folder beneath his arm. “Which means this seems like an excellent time for us to get the fuck out before they start doing things none of us can unsee.”
Drax snorted as he headed for the door with his coffee. “Hell, I walked in five minutes ago, and these two are already making out. Apparently nearly dying has made you fucking sentimental, Shaw. I took myself off to find coffee and they didn’t even notice I’d been here.”
“Fuck off, Drax.” Shaun’s laugh followed him across the room.
Noble followed Drax toward the door, then stopped beside the bed and gave Zenko a long look. “Heal, brother. Everything else is handled. We’ve got it.”
The door had barely closed behind them before Shaun pushed himself out of the chair and started stripping the pillows from the empty side of Zenko’s bed.
Zenko watched him make himself comfortable without a word, the sight doing something warm and unexpected to the place beneath his ribs because Shaun had an entire hospital room of his own and had still chosen to stay here.
Shaun kicked off his shoes, pulled back the blanket, and carefully climbed onto the mattress beside him, settling close enough that Zenko could feel the heat of him through the thin hospital gown.
“What are you doing, babe?”
“Going to sleep.” Shaun shifted onto his side, moving carefully until he found enough room beside Zenko without disturbing the dressing around his neck or catching any of the remaining lines.
He tugged the blanket over his hip and settled his head against the pillow before releasing a long breath.
“I’m tired, my room is two fucking floors away, and I’m over everybody telling me where I’m supposed to be.
I’m supposed to be here.” His voice softened as he edged closer.
“So move over and let me stay with you.”
Zenko had no intention of calling anyone, because having Shaun tucked against him felt better than the hospital drugs ever had. He shifted as far as the mattress allowed without pulling at his neck and made room for Shaun to settle against his side, then drew him close when he was comfortable.
“You realize a nurse is going to come in here and lose her fucking mind.” Shaun’s head settled against his chest, his breathing already slowing as the exhaustion finally caught up with him.
“They’ve spent three days trying to keep me alive.
Pretty sure having another patient climb into my bed isn’t covered under their recovery plan. ”
“They can bill me.” Shaun yawned against his chest and curled closer, the last of the tension leaving him as exhaustion finally won. “Wake me up when they come to throw me out. I’ll tell them to fuck off.” His voice had already gone soft with sleep by the time he whispered, “Love you, babe.”
Zenko closed his eyes and held him a little tighter, letting himself enjoy the simple fact that Shaun had chosen his bed, his arms, and him when he could have been anywhere else in the hospital. “Love you, too.”