“It’s okay, don’t apologize. The shit you’ve been through in the last two days…” He shook his head and looked down. “On our way to the hospital, I’d like to stop by my room and change into clean pants.”
“Okay,” I whispered, still feeling out of it.
Forcing myself to put one foot in front of the other, I walked into the bathroom and pulled out my makeup bag, applying a few dabs of concealer under my eyes to hide the dark circles, and a quick swipe of mascara to my upper and lower lashes.
It brought me a small semblance of normal.
When I finished, I stared at my reflection, zoning out at the image of the woman looking back at me. In some ways, it felt like I was on the outside of my life looking in.
Things felt so different.
In such a short time,everythinghad changed.
* * *
When Cainand I approached the nurse’s station, the nurse who’d been by my side while I was here was sitting at the desk, chatting with two other women. She stopped talking when she saw me, grinning widely.
“Oh, Ms. Adler, you’re looking much more well-rested!”
“Thank you.” I smiled, appreciating the way she seemed genuinely happy I’d gotten some sleep. “I’m feeling a little more well-rested. We’re here to see Sylvester Lucchetti. His nurse called earlier and said he was awake and asking for us.”
“That was me,” another nurse interjected. She stood and came around the station. “I’m Nurse Bonvie. Come with me.”
We walked together, with Cain trailing behind us. The walk was short—his room was only a couple of doors down from the nurses' station.
She stopped in front of his door, blocking it so she could speak to us before we went in. “Visiting hours end in two hours, but it’s possible Mr. Lucchetti will need to rest before that. I also would like to let you know he has given us verbal authorization to inform you both of his medical updates. Now, he’s suffered extensive trauma and underwent a lengthy surgery.”
“What was the extent of his injuries?” Cain asked prematurely, his arms crossing over his chest as he readied himself to hear what Sly had gone through.
“Mr. Lucchetti came to us with a gunshot wound to the chest. The fragments punctured his lung, which resulted in a tension pneumothorax—or collapsed lung. He’s expected to make a full recovery, but it will take time.”
“How long can we anticipate him being here?” I questioned. My body was shaking, a small rush of anxiety hitting me.
Sly could have died. Instead of the fragments puncturing his lung, they could have hit his heart.
And then he’d be gone…
Preston was gone…
My vision swam.
Sensing, or maybe seeing, my panic, Cain stepped closer and wrapped his arm around me, keeping me stable.
“I’d say no less than a week, but that’ll depend on his recovery and what his doctors decide.”
“Thank you. Could we see him now?” Cain asked, stealing the thoughts out of my head.
Inwardly, it felt like my heart would explode at how quickly it was beating. Excitement mixed with fear, the anticipation of seeing Sly, but knowing his condition, had anxiety coiling tightly in my chest.
The nurse opened the door and before we could step into the room, she’d already moved across it to check his machines.
When my eyes met with the beautiful hazel of Sly’s, I immediately ran to him, only slowing when I reached his bedside, realizing I couldn’t slam into him for a hug like I wanted to.
Up close, my heart shattered as I took in his appearance. The side of his face had several cuts, and bruising that was already shifting colors. A nasal cannula sat in his nose, helping him breathe. He looked exhausted, but despite his battered exterior, he grinned back at me with a smile that covered his entire face.
“Mia preferita,” he purred, lifting his hand slightly for me to take. I did without hesitation. “I’m so relieved to see you in front of me. I was worried when I woke—it took two nurses before I learned you’d been discharged. Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m okay,” I reassured him. “Minor injuries compared to yours. Areyouokay, Sly? How are you feeling?”
