“Out of the ones going, Shadow and Stone are the better ones. They can keep their heads cool. At least until they get there. So you want me to keep my ears open?”
“I’m worried that they’re going to try and come for you, finish the job,” Bullet admits grimly.
“They tried to take me out once, they won’t succeed on any other try,” I assure him. I might sound cocky, but on this I’m confident. “What about Avery and her siblings? Are they safe here?”
“We’re going to try and make sure they are as safe as possible,” he assures me. “I have someone on them at all times. I told Avery it’s because we don’t know where Vlad and Nikolai are, but it’s mostly so that our rats don’t grab her or the kids or try to take them out too. They’re in the room next to yours and close to Sniper and Thea so we have them protected.”
I nod. “Alright. I’ll make sure to let you know if I hear or see anything.”
“Thanks, Brother. I know you’re anxious to get out of here, but don’t rush it, alright? The last thing we want is for you to keel over because you pushed yourself too hard.” Then he gives me a grin as he rolls away and gets to his feet. “Or I’ll have the Devil Nurse come in and see you don’t.”
I roll my eyes at him. “I’m sure I’ll be fine, but yes, I won’t overdo it.” I’m still going to be out of this room after he leaves, but don’t voice that.
Bullet leaves the room, and I wait a couple of minutes before I finally force myself out of the bed and to my feet. I’m a bit shaky on my legs, seeing as I haven’t used them in so long, but I just stay still for a minute until I’m sure I can walk without collapsing. With each step, I feel a bit stronger and surer of myself, until I finally get out the door and head for the stairs.
I don’t see anyone around, so that must mean that they’re all gone or busy somewhere. Even Bullet seems to have disappeared. Fine with me. Less people to get in my way.
“What the hell are you doing?” Avery demands furiously behind me just as I start to take the first step of the stairs. Damn it. “Get back in bed. Now.” I hear her moving behind me, before she stands next to me, her hand coming out to grip my bicep. Considering I’m shirtless, there’s no missing the warmth of her hand on my skin, and I find that I like it, even as irritation builds.
With her height, I don’t have to look down at her much, which means I know she can see the annoyance in my eyes. “Angel, I’m not staying in that bed another moment longer,” I tell her simply. “I’ve done nothing but sleep since yesterday, and I want a shower and be in my own bed.” Gently, I remove her hand from my arm and start up the stairs.
She huffs, and I bite back a smile as I hear her stomp away. Guess she doesn’t want to argue with me. I’m good with that. I get to my room, and curse silently how winded I am by just that small exertion. Damn it, I need to get myself back to top form if I’m going to handle all the shit going on right now. I won’t overdo it, but I need to push myself a bit harder in the coming days. Slow and steady progress as they say.
I close the door, looking around carefully, but see nothing out of place. At least nothing that I can remember. I’m a neatenough guy, but sometimes I get a bit slack when I’m busy and things were certainly busy before all this happened. I see a couple of my shirts on the floor beside the basket, but the bed is still made, and my desk and dresser top are both still clean and free of anything. Still, I’ll have to be careful. I don’t put it past someone coming in and hiding shit. Especially if we have a traitor.
I open the dresser and pull out clean boxers before heading for my adjoining bathroom. I turn on the shower, and turn around to grab a towel from the small cabinet above the toilet, but stop when I see Avery standing there, a scowl on her face as she holds something in her hand. “Problem, angel?” I ask, taking out the towel anyway. I shoot her a teasing smile. “Or you’re just coming to have another peek at the goods?”
“I’m here to make sure you don’t undo all our hard work,” she huffs. “Turn around so I can put these bandages on your back. They’ll protect the stitches so you can shower and not risk more infection. Since you’re so damned determine to do this,” she adds scoldingly.
I lose my smile and stare at her blandly. “Angel, have you smelled me? I need to get all this stink and filth off me. Not sure how you can stand to be around me half the time. I can barely stand it myself.”
“I’m used to it,” she says, stepping into the tiny bathroom, her own fresh scent filling the space. “Now turn around so I can do this.”
“You always this bossy?” I ask but do as she says. The sooner she gets this done, the sooner I can get clean.
“Yes. You have to be in this line of work,” she states simply as she works on covering up my back. She’s brisk, thorough, but gentle enough that it’s only the smallest of pain and discomfort until she’s finished. Finally, she steps back and says, “Alright,you’re finished. Get rid of the pants and get into the shower. I’m staying right here until you’re done.”
I turn to look at her, arching a brow as I stare at her. “Is that so?”
She holds my stare, the tension between us thickening. “Yes. You’re my patient, which means I make sure that you don’t fall in the shower because you get weak or tired.”
“And, am I the only one you give this kind of attention to? Or are you doing that for anyone else sick around here?” The thought of that makes my stomach tighten with jealousy.
Her eyes narrow slightly at that, and I know it probably comes off as a bit of a dick thing to say, but I’m not feeling all that easy-going right now. “Considering you’re my only patient right now, guess you’re just that lucky,” she tosses back.
“What about Cobra? Thought he was injured.”
“He is, but he’s been on the mend far earlier than you considering how long it’s been since you were first attacked. And Medic has been seeing to him mostly. The other, the Misfits or whatever they call themselves, they aren’t too keen on me helping with their guy right now.” She gives me a wry smile. “Guess they don’t trust a female to work on him outside the hospital.”
More like they don’t want to risk her finding or hearing something she shouldn’t. Especially if one of them is a traitor. “Well, you don’t have to help me,” I assure her. “I’m feeling just fine.”
“Mhmm, I’ll be the judge of that. Unless you’re just worried about me seeing something,” she suggests with a careless shrug, but I see the sly look in her eyes. Her eyes move over me quickly, linger just a bit longer on my abs and crotch with appreciation, before moving down the rest of me. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before, Hulk. Don’t be shy now.”
I call her bluff as I unsnap the button on my jeans and push them down.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
AVERY
