Thirty-One
When my mind awakens, I immediately realize that I’m not anywhere familiar. Yet it feels that way. At least the sounds of my environment are familiar. After a few deep breaths, I slowly open my eyes.
And I gasp.
I’m in the hospital.
In the next second, a barrage of memories overwhelms me. And all I can do is call out the name of the one person I need to see.
“Ashley.”
No sooner does a pained sob leave me, a chair scrapes the floor nearby. Then he’s here. His handsome face looking down on mine as he brushes a shaking hand over my cheek.
“Lorna,” he chokes. “God dammit, I’m going punish that sweet ass of yours once you’re back to normal. What the fuck were you thinking?”
“I heard a gun shot and knew you were outside, so I was thinking I wanted to save the man I love.”
In my weakened state, my words don’t have the effect that I want. Especially when a bolt of pain lances through my body from my right side, causing me to groan once again with pain.
“If you want to argue with me about it, you’re going to have to wait until you’re better,” he says firmly. “Right now, you need to rest. And heal.”
As much as I hate it, I know he’s right. I close my eyes and breathe through the waning pain. When I open them, I see that Ashley’s left arm is bandaged and in a sling.
“Ashley, oh, my God, you’re hurt,” I sob.
“Shh,” he says as he brushes my cheek again. “I’m fine. We need to worry about you.”
“But-”
“Well, Miss Lewis, it’s good to see you awake.”
I turn my head and find one of my favorite ER doctors walking into my room. He looks at Ashley and gives him a smile and a nod. Then he goes about taking down my vitals while asking me about my pain levels. All the while, Ashley stands on my left side and holds my hand. When the doctor finishes, I ask the obvious.
“When can I get out of here?”
Dr. Ables laughs and pats my hand.
“And this is why medical professionals make the worst patients,” he says. “However, since the bullet wound was fairly clean on both sides and didn’t hit any major organs, I’m going to keep you here overnight and evaluate you again in the morning.”
I mumble my protest, but he merely smiles and walks out. I let my head fall back on the pillow and close my eyes. Ashley’s hand leaves mine and then I hear the chair being moved again. In another moment, my hand is back in his. With a sigh, I turn my head to look at him.
“Are you okay?” I ask him.
“I’m fine,” he says flatly.
“How many times were you hit?”
“Twice.”
I suck in a sharp breath and shake my head. But he keeps talking.
“The first one hit my vest, but it still knocked me down hard enough for me to crack my head on the apron. I have a mild concussion,” he shrugs. “The second one went through my arm…and then you.”
This time when I sob, he does, too. After he rises and presses his cheek to mine, we let ourselves go for several minutes. With a heavy sigh, he pulls back and presses a soft kiss to my lips. I sigh and part my lips, but we’re interrupted.
“Agent Hughes?”
I gasp. Ashley growls and very slowly pulls back.
“Director Jackson,” Ashley says with a small smile. “Such good timing.”
The Director laughs as he walks over to greet us. After asking how we’re doing, he gives us an update on the situation.
“Well, Diamond is on the mend and under heavy guard,” he starts. “As soon as he’s well enough, he’ll be moved to a maximum-security prison, along with the few members of his crew that were still with him.”
“On the mend?” I ask. “What happened to him?”
“He was shot, too,” he says.
“By whom?”
Before he answers, he glances at Ashley. Who just gives him a subtle nod. I’m frowning until the Director sighs and looks back at me.
“Venom came through on his word,” he says.
“He shot Diamond?” I gasp.
“We’re not certain,” he says with a small smile. “All we know is that Venom is the reason we knew Diamond was heading for your station. He held up his end of the bargain.”
What he’s not saying is clear. Because of Venom’s cooperation, he wasn’t taken in and arrested. And probably neither was his crew.
“Thank you,” I tell the Director. “I…I’m very happy to be alive.”
“You’re not the only one, dear,” he chuckles. “Take the time you’ve been given to…recover. I’m sure you both need it.”
I nod. He shakes Ashley’s hand. And then he’s gone. Ashley sits once again and waits for me to look at him.
“So, what’s next?” I ask.
“As soon as your released, I’m taking you home.”
“Home?”
“Yeah,” he nods. “Your place or mine. I don’t care which. As long as you’re with me, that’s all that matters.”
“Okay,” I smile. “I like the sound of that.”
“Trust me, sweetheart, when it’s time, you’re going to like the feel of it, too.”
I barely have time to smile before his lips are on mine again. And this time, when I open for him, we’re able to finish what we started.