Chapter 34
Moose’s eyes fluttered open to the harsh glare of the white hospital ceiling, the brightness instantly stabbing at his vision.
The pain was so sudden and sharp that his eyelids snapped shut again, squeezing tightly against the assault of blinding light.
A dull, relentless ringing buzzed in his ears, warping the steady beep of the monitors around him.
When he dared to open them again, the room tilted sharply, his vision blurring and doubling at the edges.
A heavy pressure pulsed in his skull, each heartbeat sending waves of dizziness that made his head swim.
Tubes snaked from his arms—IV lines delivering fluids—and the sterile scent of antiseptic pressed in on him like a weight.
A thick fog clouded his thoughts, slow and disjointed.
But one thought cut through the haze: Elena.
He tried to move, to lift himself, to call out, but a sudden, searing pain exploded through his side, stealing what little breath he had. His chest tightened in a brutal ache—broken ribs. Agony crashed in relentless waves with every shallow breath.
His head spun violently; nausea churned in his stomach. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear the surrounding blur, but each motion sent stabbing flashes behind his closed eyes.
“God damn it,” he muttered through gritted teeth, voice rough and tight.
Despite the pounding in his head and stabbing rib pain, his mind clawed through the fog. Where was Elena? Was she safe? Had the gang gotten to her while he was down?
The fog thickened, and exhaustion pressed down hard. Moose’s head throbbed relentlessly as the room tilted and spun.
“Hey,” Bear’s voice cut through the haze,rough, steady, a lifeline.
“Elena’s fine.”
The words broke through the spinning darkness, grounding him. Moose’s eyes fluttered open once more, the voice steady and real. Relief flared sharp behind the fog.
Moose’s throat felt raw as he croaked, “How long?”
Bear’s voice softened, with a hint of dry humor. “About four hours. You took a hell of a hit. Thought your head was harder than that.”
The fog clouding Moose’s mind began to clear just enough for one burning thought to pierce through: Elena. Trial! He needed to be with her, to stand by her. His chest tightened, pain flaring every time he shifted beneath the hospital sheets.
“I’ve got to get to her,” Moose rasped, voice raw but fierce, pushing against the dull haze pulling at him.
Bear’s eyes flickered with something like amused exasperation. “You’re busted up good, man. You trying to crawl outta here and trot to the courthouse? Hell, I might have to park my ass on you just to keep you put.”
Moose swallowed hard, muscles trembling but determination burning bright. “Doesn’t matter. She needs me right now.”
Bear shook his head, softening just a fraction. “I get it. And she’s counting on you. But right now, you rest. No hero moves today. The trial’s already underway. You won’t help anything if you’re flat out on the floor.”
Moose’s jaw clenched, but Bear’s tone held firm without room for argument.
“Trust me,” Bear added with a smirk. “If you even try to sit up, I’ll be the one sitting on you.”