He was the one who got me through it.
“You did what you had to do as well,” I whisper. “I know that.” I don’t even need to explain what I’m talking about. Zeth knows, and his deep exhalation tells me he’s been waiting for me to make up my mind on that one. Waiting ever since we left Julio’s compound.
“Thank you,” he murmurs.
I shake my head, closing my eyes against the stinging in my tear ducts. “No. Thank you.”
Whoever he is, this man cautiously holding onto me, he’s killed to protect me and helped me save my sister, for however short a time that may be. He’s going against every single instinct he has even remaining in this hospital right now, knowing the sort of questions that are going to be asked. And he’s doing it all for me. He can hide behind the violence of his past all he likes, but I’m beginning to see the truth of him. I’m beginning to see the good that he so desperately hides away at all costs.
We stand together for a long time, not speaking. Just waiting, Zeth supporting me against him, breathing softly into my ear. It’s two hours later when a doctor comes to find us. A young woman, a resident like me, wearing the same business like expression I wear when I come to deliver bad news. I feel my throat closing up at the very sight of her, my legs finally buckling out from underneath me.
“Ms Romera? You’re Alexis’ sister, correct?”
I nod, unable to get any words out.
“Alexis is in the ICU right now. We had to repair two slow bleeds to her stomach and small bowel, but we seem to have gotten everything. We’ve done everything we can. There’s a massive risk of infection from the first time she was opened, but we’re confident, Ms Romera. If Alexis makes it through the night, there’s a good chance she’ll survive.”
A good chance. Doctors don’t use those words lightly. I have never said them—the danger of them backfiring and someone’s chance deteriorating from good to bad is just too high for me. This woman is either one hundred percent sure my sister will survive and simply covering her ass, or she is grossly negligent. I’m praying that she’s covering her ass.
******
Neither of us sleep.
Neither of us eat.
We sit together, waiting for the dawn, holding our breath. If Alexis makes it through the night, there’s a good chance she’ll survive. When the sun rises and we haven’t had any bad news, Sloane loses her fight against exhaustion. She passes out on the uncomfortable hospital chairs and sleeps like the dead.
The nurse comes back at ten to tell us Alexis’ stats are improving. She’s still unconscious but they’re hoping she’ll wake up at some point in the next few hours. I have to say I’m Sloane’s husband so the nurse will tell me any of that shit without waking Sloane up, though, and that feels fucking awkward.
At midday, Cade appears through the glass window of the family room; he sees me, sees Sloane still passed the fuck out, and gestures me to him.
“Man, we’ve been looking for you everywhere. This was the sixth hospital we tried before we saw your man outside.”
So Michael’s waited for us. Goddamn hero. “You get away from Julio’s without a problem?”
Cade rubs the back of his neck. “Had a little Mexican stand off if you will. None of the boys got hurt too bad, though.” He turns and tenses as he looks back over his shoulder; three men are fast approaching down the hall, and the one at the front looks ready to kill. “Oh fuck. I said I’d come find you first.”
I stand my ground, squaring off, ready to start throwing fists if I have to. After everything that’s happened, I could give a shit that we’re in a hospital. I could really use the chance to break someone’s face.
The guy in front’s a monster, and his hands are scuffed and already bloody. Looks like he’s started the fight without me. He looks to Cade and says, “This him?”
Cade nods. “Yeah, this is Zeth.” He turns back to me with a look of apprehension on his face. “And this is—”
“Yeah, I know who this is,” I reply. “You’re Rebel.”
The guy nods. He’s wound up tighter than a fucking bowstring. He clenches his fist by his sides, takes a deep breath and says, “Thank you, man. Thank you for helping my wife.”
My sister is a married woman.