Yvette grimaced. “My phone battery died and I wasn’t at home to charge it. Worst timing.” She looked in the direction of the ICU before turning back to us. “Is he awake? And what the hell happened? I couldn’t really make out too much in your message except for the fact he was here.”
I could see Havoc in her. And not only in her facial features, but also in her cut-to-the-chase manner. She also looked like the kind of woman who could take care of herself. Her body was packed with muscle that looked like it took hours in the gym to build. Just like Havoc. And she appeared to be a no-fuss woman. Her clothes were not feminine at all, jeans and a T-shirt, and her hair was cut in a short style that wouldn’t require much effort in the morning.
Nash relayed what had happened while I stretched and drank some water. I watched while he explained it all to her and while concern shone in her eyes, she didn’t appear to be surprised. I wondered how often Havoc had gotten himself into trouble over the years.
After Nash filled her in, she turned to me. “You must be Havoc’s new woman.”
“He’s told you about me?” I was surprised.
She shook her head. “No, my brother doesn’t share shit easily, but I picked it.”
Something about what she’d said caused my tummy to flutter. I loved that his sister could sense that he had a woman.
I extended my hand. “I’m Carla. Nash’s sister.”
As she shook my hand, she said, “Good to meet you. Promise me you’ll pull my brother into line.”
I raised a brow. “I’m not sure he’s the kind of man to be pulled into line.”
“You might be surprised. I know he’s a force of nature, but something tells me you might just have a shot.”
If he survives.
A wave of worry hit me all over again.
“Carla.”
I spun around at the sound of my name.
A nurse looked at me with kind eyes and I shot another prayer up to God that those eyes were kind because she had good news and not because she had to tell me something bad.
“Is he awake?”
Please say yes.
I’ll do anything, God.
Anything.
She smiled. “Yes, he’s awake. He’s still a little groggy, but he asked for you.”
Oh, my God.
Relief coursed through my body and I felt a little lightheaded. I reached for Nash to hold onto. “So I can come in now?”
She continued to smile. “Yes, but only for a quick visit. Follow me.” She eyed Nash and Yvette. “I can only take two in.”
Nash indicated for Yvette to go with me and we followed the nurse. My legs were shaky and my breathing had picked up.
He’s awake.
He’s okay.
Thank you, God.
The nurse led us through the ICU and as we approached Havoc’s bed, I took a deep breath at the sight of him. Even in his wounded, groggy state, his eyes tracked me and he had that intense aura that was all Havoc.
“Carla,” he said, his voice raspy.
I moved to the bed and placed my hand on his arm. “I was so worried.” As my words came out, my tears fell. I couldn’t hold them back.
“Angel,” he murmured as he gripped my arm. His face contorted in pain, but he didn’t let me go. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Tears flowed down my cheeks and I nodded. Burying my face in his neck, I clung to him until I stopped crying. When I let him go, I took in his expression. He’d never looked at me that way before. It was a softer Havoc, and while he’d given me soft once or twice, it had nothing on this.
This soft told me he wanted me.
It cleared up any doubt I had.
“Thank fuck you’re not going anywhere. I want to see this woman pull you into line,” Yvette said.
Havoc’s lips twitched. “I see you’ve met my sister,” he said to me. “Don’t mind her, she’s a smartass.”
“I take after my brother,” she quipped.
Their banter reminded me of my family. I loved listening to them because although they were sparring, it was clear they felt deeply for each other.
He’d been groggy and in pain when we’d come in and it looked to me like he was struggling to continue the conversation. But Havoc being Havoc pushed through. Always the fighter.
When they finished talking, I touched his cheek. “You should go back to sleep.”
“I’m good,” he said.
I shook my head. “No, you’re not. You need your rest.”
He started to argue with me, but Yvette stepped in. “Sleep. We’ll be outside when you wake.” Bossy like her brother. I loved that.
I pressed a kiss to his lips and promised, “I’ll see you when you wake up.”
He nodded and closed his eyes.
A minute later, he was asleep.
I battled conflicting emotions—happiness that he was okay and worry that he was still fighting for his health.
* * *
“You didn’t call me to say he’d woken up,” I accused Nash later that day. I’d gone home just after I’d seen Havoc and slept. Nash had promised to call me when he had news. When I’d woken at five, I’d been pissed off that he hadn’t called.
He shook his head. “He hasn’t woken up again, Carla. So I let you sleep.”
“What do you mean he hasn’t woken up again?” I demanded.
“Exactly that. He’s slept all day.”