Damien
When I was a little boy, I often sat in front of the television and indulged in those action movies where people got shot and died. I wondered what it felt like to be shot. Growing up and doing the job that I do, I forgot all about that– until I got shot myself and was on the brink of death.
It’s painful, burning, crippling pain would be the only way I could have put it into words. In that moment of lying there, all I could think about was Ezra. I remember things in pieces, I recall telling her to run, but she didn’t. After that, I heard another two gunshots, and I was sure they had killed her. Even through all the pain of the bullet lodged in my back, that ache and tightening in my chest when I thought she was dead was enough to finish me off.
I look over at Ezra, a devastated look on her face, her eyes cast down at her feet. “I shot the other one before he could take a shoot me; I shot him twice in the chest with your gun.”
I frown, only nodding in response, and before I could say anything else, she disappeared out of the room and came back ten minutes later with Bobby. “Ah, Damien, so good to see you up. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been shot. What’s the damage? How long till I get out of here?” I question, and Bobby smiles, flashing his torch in my eye and asking me to follow the light.
“You were never one to sit and rest Damien, I’m sorry to disappoint, buddy, but it may be a while before you’re back on your feet.” He explains, touching parts of my leg and feet asking if I can feel anything. “You’re lucky to be alive. The bullet missed your lung by half an inch. If Ezra didn’t react and call James, you wouldn’t be here right now.”
I sigh and wince at the ache shooting up and down my back. I look over at Ezra standing by the door, watching us. “Answer my question. How long till I’m on my feet again?”
Bobby sighs and regards me seriously for a moment. “You have some nerve damage to your spine, you’ll have trouble walking for a few weeks, but with some rehabilitation and exercises, you’ll be walking as normal. There will be no permanent damage.” I nod and look up at Bobby. “You got lucky this time Damien. You have to take it easy.”
“Tell James I need to see him…now,” I say and glance over at Ezra again. “And take Ezra someplace where she can get some sleep.”
“I’m not leaving you.” Ezra pipes up from behind him, crossing her arms over her chest. She takes a step into the room and leans against the wall; her eyes fixed on mine.
“Ezra—”
“I said no, Damien. I’m fine. I’ve been sleeping.” She cuts me off, and I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. This woman, she’s infuriatingly disobedient and stubborn.
“We haven’t been able to pry her away from you for longer than ten minutes at a time. Take my word for it, James and I have both tried.” Bobby informs me. At his words, I feel my chest swell. I’m not used to anyone giving a shit about me. It’s actually a nice feeling. Ezra’s face turned scarlet, and she glares at the back of Bobby’s head for divulging that information to me.
I let my eyes roam over to Ezra. “I have to speak to James privately. Can you give us ten minutes?” Ezra nods and leaves the room just as James walks in.
“Oh, Damien,” James smiles, walking over to the bed. “I am thrilled you’re awake. How are you feeling, son?” He questions, patting my shoulder.
“I’m fine. Bobby has informed me it will be a few weeks before I’m up and about again. I need a safe house, a place off the grid where no one can track Ezra and me until I’m back on my feet and able to protect her again.” I tell James, and he looks thoughtful for a moment before he nods slowly and smirks at me. “What?”
James chuckles and lifts his right leg and crosses it over this left while watching me. “I wanted to tell you that I did warn you something like this would happen, that this girl would get you killed, and I was right. You put yourself out there. Your face is plastered all over the internet, so that makes you just as much a target as she is now. They’re not going to stop coming after you, Damien. You can sit there and lie to yourself all you want and pretend that this whole thing with Ezra is just a ploy to take down her father, but you and I both know that Damien Wolfe doesn’t lay down his life and take a bullet for just anyone.” James affirms, lacing his fingers together and placing them in his lap.
I stare at him irritably. “James, spare me the ‘I told you so’ all right. It was instinctive; she’s no good to me dead. I need the information on the client that hired me to abduct Ezra. That’s twice they’ve come after us; there will not be a third. They want to fuck with me; I will rain hellfire down on every single one of them.”
“Damien, you know very well that I can’t give you that information. It breaks our discretion agreement with the client.”
“I don’t give a fuck about the discretion agreement. There’s a clause in that agreement stating they can’t come after the hitman they hire. They don’t seem to be sticking to their side of the deal, so neither am I. As far as I’m concerned, all bets are off, and I’m going to collect. One way or another, they are going to pay for this. No one comes after what’s mine.” I tell James frankly. “They should have made sure I was dead.”
James’ lips quirk, and he leans over, resting his elbows on his knees. “Well, your girl didn’t give them the opportunity. She shot the man twice in the chest at close range before he could kill either of you. That’s impressive; she’s real ballsy that one. Then again, I’d expect nothing less from a Quintero.” His brows drew together for a second, and he cocks his head to the side pensively. “She hasn’t left your side this whole time. Not only did she save your life by calling me, but she also seems to care a great deal about you. Enough to get blood on her hands.”
“Speaking of blood on her hands. Did you make sure there was nothing that could trace it back to her?” James nods and stands up. He pats me on the shoulder again, smiling warmly.
“It’s all taken care of. You’ll stay here for a few days till you’re well enough to move, and we can transfer you both to a safe location to recover. Sound good?” I nod, grateful.
“Thanks. Appreciate it.”
“Um, sorry to disturb you,” Ezra says from the doorway, holding up a tray of food. “It’s time for your breakfast, Damien.” James chuckles and leaves the room.
“Get some rest, son. I’ll leave you with your beautiful bride.” He throws over his shoulder, gleefully, as he exits. Ezra walks in and sets the tray down on the table by the bed. I notice the blush on her cheeks as she approaches me.
Fuck, I’ve missed her. Even though I was out of it the past few days, I could hear her talking to me. Her angelic voice kept me going; the warmth of her fingers clasped around mine was like my lifeline warming me through and through. I watch her as she butters some toast for me, biting her bottom, her brows drawn together slightly.
“Here, eat this first.” She holds out the toast to my mouth. I look up at her and resist the urge to smile. She looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to open my mouth. I take a bite of the toast and chew.
“You know…” I wince when a sudden pain shoots through me when I shift. “I can feed myself; my arms still work just fine, Ezra. You don’t have to spoon-feed me.”