Chapter 32
TOMMASO
I jolted awake with my heart in my throat as the plane wheels hit tarmac. Only slim fingers surrounding mine kept me from freaking the fuck out. Paige. Holding my hand like she always did. I rubbed sleep from my eyes with my free hand and found her smiling at me.
“I was wondering if we were going to have to get one of those wheelchairs to drag you to the car,” she said.
My smile felt strained as the plane taxied to a stop. “I’m not that hurt.”
As if to prove me wrong, a slow burn seared across my side. Shit! Maybe I was that hurt, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from enjoying my success, my life with this beautiful woman. Just as soon as we got off this godforsaken plane.
“I told her none of us could move your sorry ass,” Stan said.
I shot him the bird as the plane finally stopped moving. Thank God. After a few minutes of shuffling outside, they got the stairs lined up, and I leapt to my feet.
The walls spun around me, my chest ached, and I caught the back of the seat for support.
“Impressive,” Killian said as he slid smoothly past me.
I cursed at him under my breath without letting go. By the time I felt steady again, everyone but Paige had already disembarked. She still sat, staring up at me with worry in her eyes.
“I’m fine,” I said. “Really. I’m just not fast yet.”
She pursed her lips. “Dr. Awad said you needed to rest.”
“And I will.” I kissed her pursed mouth. “At home. In my own bed. With you beside me.” I paused. “Naked, if you’re taking requests.”
She laughed and shooed me off the plane.
Every step, I fought not to wince. At least the lingering grogginess made that easier.
Killian, Carp, and Stan stood outside with four different cars, obviously waiting for me.
When they sent me off with a few more jabs about sleeping the whole plane ride, I leaned against the back seat of the car and waited for Paige to join me.
“Did I really sleep that much?” I asked as she climbed in the back.
“Yeah.” She smiled. “But it was cute.”
“Oh, that’s good. I love being cute.” I shook my head. “They’re never going to let me live it down.”
She brushed the hair off my forehead. “I’d be shocked if they ever mentioned it to anyone else. They all know you were medicated. And for all their tough talk, they were worried about you.”
I snorted. “Did you tell them that? Because if not, I’d love to be around when you do.”
She shoved my shoulder lightly. “Fine, if you’re going to be a dick, I won’t tell you where we’re going.”
“We’re not going home?” I tried to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
By her indulgent laughter, I’d failed. “We are, don’t worry. Someone’s just meeting us there.”
I grimaced. I didn’t like the way she said “someone.” I just wanted to lie down, get a full night’s sleep, and get back to business tomorrow. Egypt could finally return to being just another country.
Paige kissed the tip of my nose and held onto my hand the whole way home. That made everything a little easier to bear. And so did the way she made me get out on the same side of the car as her so she didn’t have to let go.
I stepped out into the bright Philly sunshine and stared up at my house.
The house I’d designed over so many years.
I still remembered the bolt of inspiration for the outside, slaving over the cohesion of every room.
But who the fuck was I kidding? I’d only built and designed a house; Paige had made it somewhere I could call home.
She tugged me inside, and by the small black bag sitting on the stairs to the second floor, I knew exactly who her surprise was.
“Another doctor?” I groaned.
“You don’t know that you didn’t hurt something on the flight.” She bit her lip. “I’m not losing you because you’re a stubborn jackass.”
Real worry shone in her dark eyes, and I wrapped my arms around her waist. “You’re not losing me for anything.” I kissed her, long and slow.
Someone cleared their throat behind us. I turned to see Enstrom, the doctor who’d been working for Killian for years, standing in the doorway.
“So you got yourself stabbed.” He snapped a latex glove against his wrist. “I thought I told you to watch for signs of high cholesterol and sharp objects.”
I sighed, released Paige, and turned myself over to Enstrom’s very dubious mercy.
One ridiculously full check-up later, I wanted my own bed even more than I wanted my next breath. Enstrom finally allowed Paige into the room.
“He’s a wreck,” the doctor said. “Damn near died, and I don’t like the stitchwork of whatever overseas doctor you used. She was a lefty.”
Paige bit her lip as if hiding laughter and nodded. I’d forgotten she hadn’t met Enstrom before.
“And for all that, I wouldn’t have put him on a plane for another twenty-four hours.” Enstrom peered at me. “At least!”
Paige covered her mouth, trying to look serious and thoughtful. “So what can we do about that?”
“Do? Nothing!” Enstrom shook his head. “You’d be better off throwing him to animals.”
“What’s his prognosis?” she asked.
He snorted. “He’ll be fine in a few weeks.”
I grinned and started to sit up.
Enstrom whirled toward me. “If!” He pointed a finger in my face. “He stays the course of his medication, taking the pain pills no more than absolutely needed, and rests the remainder of the time. I’m talking in-bed rest. Shit TV. Beach books. Nothing more strenuous.”
Behind him, Paige bent at the waist, laughing silently.
“I understand,” I said. “Nothing strenuous.”
“I know you’re lying to me.” Enstrom shook his finger. “Pneumothorax can recur. You rest, or I come back. Capiche?”
“Capiche.” I saluted him with my good arm.
Enstrom huffed and stormed out of the room. Paige and I fell into helpless laughter.
“Is he always like that?” she gasped.
I nodded, tears in my eyes.
When our laughter finally petered out, she looked at me seriously. “You really do need to rest.”
“I’ll do what I can.” I winked. “What do you say we start now.”
“God, yes.” She smiled.
Together, we wobbled to our bedroom, our bed, and collapsed on top of the sheets still dressed. It was good to be home.