“He’ll be out of it for a bit, but he should wake up in a couple of days. We’ll keep an eye on any infections in the meantime.” We walk to the end of the corridor into a private room with a bed in the center of the room. Damien is hooked up to machines and IV drips. I look at the doctor. He smiles at me, probably noticing my hesitation, and gestures for me to go in.
“Thank you,” I say, walking into the room toward Damien. I lean carefully not to move any wires and kiss his temple, brushing my fingers through his hair. “Hey you,” I whisper, brushing my fingers softly along his face. The doctor leaves the room, closing the door behind him. “Oh, Damien, I’m so thankful you’re okay.” I sit on the chair beside him, taking his hand into mine. “I don’t know if you can hear me, and I sincerely hope you can’t because I don’t think I could ever admit this to your face…” I close my eyes and bite my lip. “Deep down, I always knew but almost losing you, seeing you just lying there confirmed any doubts in my mind. I’m in love with you, Damien.” I sigh and chew my bottom lip gingerly, my thumb stroking the wedding band on his finger. I wipe away the tears that fall. “I know that you’ll never love me the way I want you to or that you’ll probably never look at me with love, but I’m okay with that because I belong here—with you. Even if we’ll never make sense.” I lift his hand and press his knuckles to my lips. “I’ll just continue to love you in silence and accept the responsibility that it will hurt like hell. I just wish more than anything that I was enough.” I admit forlornly and press my head to the bed and cry.
A couple of days went by at a snail’s pace. The only time I left Damien’s bedside was to shower, change my clothes, and use the bathroom; otherwise, I was by his side anxiously waiting for him to wake up. I hadn’t slept more than forty minutes a day, every time I close my eyes, I see the hitman I killed, and I jump awake in a cold sweat.
On the third day, Damien finally woke up. I was asleep with my head resting on my arms on the edge of his bed. I stir awake when I feel someone scratching my scalp gently and stroking my hair. “Wha…” I sit up groggily and look around the room, then at Damien and gasp. “Oh…my God. Damien, you’re awake.” I shoot up to my feet instantly and make myself a little dizzy in the process. I can’t begin to put into words how nice it was to see those silver eyes of his again. I’ll wholly admit I missed them. “How are you feeling?” I ask. Damien nods and winces a little. I didn’t realize I was still holding his hand when I fell asleep earlier, not until his thumb gently brushes along my knuckles.
“Are you okay?” He croaks wincing; his voice was hoarse from days of sleeping. I uncap the bottle of water and hand it to him and help lift his head carefully so he can drink some.
This man is unbelievable. He jumps in front of a bullet for me without a second thought, almost dying in the process, and asks if I’m okay.
“Am I okay? Are you kidding me? Damien, you scared the shit out of me.” I state dolefully, all the while fighting to keep the tears from gathering in my eyes. “You’re the one with the bullet hole in your back. You almost died, and you’re asking how I am?” I query, reaching over to lift his head so he can sip some more water. Damien groans as he lays back down and closes his eyes.
“I’ll live.” He hisses when he tries to sit up, but I stop him by placing my hand on his chest. “How did I get here?”
“Stop moving. I called James, and the men you had outside my parent's place came and got us and brought you here.” I explain and take the bottle back when he hands it to me. “I’ll go and get the doctor.”
“Ezra..”
I stop at the door and turn to face him. “I shot two of the men before the other took a shot at you. There were three of them. How are you still alive?” I drop my gaze from him, and my throat goes dry at the mere thought of that man lying on the ground dead.
“I shot the other one.”