Promises Part 1 (Bounty Hunters 1)

“Hey,” Vaughan whispered, cutting Duke off. “Your prayers have been answered. Don’t question it… just say thank you.”

Duke smiled. “Yeah. But who do I thank god for sending? Is the donor dead? If so, how I can thank her family? Is she alive? How do I thank her?”

Him. Thank him.

“Are you nervous?”

“Hell, no,” Duke replied to Quick. As soon as Vaughan left, he’d called Judge, Charlie, and Quick to tell them the amazing news. Duke hadn’t smiled, or laughed in days, but after telling his friends, it damn near sounded like a house party instead of a hospital room. “I’m just ready to get out of this fuckin’ place and live life, man.”

“Fuck yeah!” Judge’s deep voice was deafening in the small room, so no one was surprised when the charge nurse came in with her hands on her ample hips and a thunderous scowl on her round face.

Duke laughed hard. Way too hard for his still very sore ribs. But fuck it. He’d heal and he’d live. Fuck it all! Charlie placed a gentle hand on Duke’s shoulder, urging him to calm down.

“Hey there now, boy. Ease up. Don’t want you to have to postpone the surgery because you done injured something else,” Charlie said, a playful gruffness to his tone.

“I think that’s our cue, fellas. We better head out before this nice lady loses her religion behind us roughnecks.” Quick smirked, throwing the nurse a wink that made her frown smooth out and her plump cheeks turn a rosy pink.

Good ole Quick. Always smooth.

“I’ll bring my stuff over to your place in the morning, Duke, and head over here after,” Charlie informed him. Duke nodded. Charlie had immediately volunteered to stay with Duke while he recovered. Even though the doctor said the surgery was not as invasive as in the past, there would still be a recovery period, not to mention Duke still had only one useful arm, fractured ribs and a slowly healing concussion. He’d secretly hoped that Vaughan would volunteer for that position, but he knew that it was way too early to hope for that. They hadn’t even had a date yet. Besides, Vaughan also had a new job to excel at. The beautiful man might find a healthy young stud working around all those police officers and hotshot attorneys.

As his guys cleared out of the room, Duke’s last thoughts weighed him down. Vaughan hadn’t come back like he’d promised. Quick told him Vaughan was working on a very big case, while still trying to visit Duke. He’d felt like shit. He hadn’t exactly welcomed Vaughan when he’d first shown up earlier. He’d been ready to tell Vaughan to stay away until Dr. Chauncey delivered the great news. His cell phone rang beside his bed and Duke had no clue how long he’d sat there lost in thought.

Vaughan’s name showed up on the caller ID and Duke’s heart fluttered. He juggled the phone with his bad arm before he got it under control enough to answer. “Hey,” he said quietly.

“Hey yourself. How you doing, handsome?”

Oh, god. Vaughan’s voice was like a soothing balm. It was late in the evening and Vaughan had thought about him. Thought enough to call him. “I’m doing, ya know. Your dad just left a little while ago.”

“I know. He told me he was heading over to see you. He hasn’t sounded so happy in ages. But. Enough about him. I need to talk about you. I’m so anxious for this to be past us so we can get back on track,” Vaughan declared softly.

Duke cleared his suddenly dry throat. “Back on track?” Jesus. Was Vaughan still considering them? Damn, he hoped so. The man could make him fly like nothing else, and all he’d done was say a few romantic lines, and briefly brush his lips with his.

“Yes.” Vaughan’s voice was dark and deep. “You still owe me a date, handsome, and I fully intend to collect.”

Duke smiled. “Well, I like to pay what I owe.”

Vaughan let loose a sadistic chuckle that had Duke’s balls tingling. “Oh, you will pay. Over. And over. And over, honey.”

Duke had to take a few calming breaths. Getting an erection with a catheter was never pleasurable. Yeah. Mornings sucked. “Jesus, Vaughan.”

“Mmm. Okay.” Vaughan’s laugh lost its seductive edge. “I’ll behave… for now.”

Duke sighed, wishing Vaughan had been able to stay longer today, but he said he had to get back to the office. He hoped he’d get to see his gorgeous face before they wheeled him into the OR in the morning. He felt like such an old man. The whole mess had happened because he was working hard and ended up taking on three people by himself. Some may consider him brave, but he felt foolish.

“Why are you so quiet?” Vaughan spoke up.

“Just thinking.”