LEVI
Fighting against the heavy weight holding me hostage, I slowly climb to the surface of consciousness, only to have reality hit me as the smell of antibacterial cleaner and the sound of machines beeping reminds me of what happened. When Wesley called, he told me that our informant found out Juan was hiding at the apartment of one of his longtime girlfriends.
When we arrived on the scene, two officers and SWAT were waiting for us. What Fawn didn’t know was that morning we’d finally been able to procure a warrant for Juan’s arrest after his SUV turned up in Brooklyn with blood evidence inside. We hadn’t gotten the DNA analysis of the blood samples back from the crime lab yet, but we suspected when we did we would find out it belonged to Elia Albergastey, Tamara’s mother. When SWAT went into the building to arrest Juan, Wesley and I went with them. It was all good until Juan’s girlfriend decided she wasn’t willing to let her man be arrested and pulled out a gun from under the couch where she had been sitting quietly up until that point.
After that, all hell broke loose. The officers holding Juan got distracted by the bullets flying and let him have just enough leeway that he was able to grab a weapon from under the entertainment unit. That was when he shot me. After that, everything is a blur.
“I love you.” I hear it again, only this time I know it’s not a dream. Fawn. Jesus, she must be flipping out. I hate that she’s seeing me like this, but then her words register and I force my eyes open. “Oh my god, you’re awake,” she whispers, then reaches out, fumbling for something on the bed.
Soon a voice is calling through the quiet room, “How can I help you?”
“He’s awake, you said to call when he’s awake,” she says quickly while running her fingers down the side of my face, like she’s attempting to make sure I’m really here.
“The doctor will be there in a few minutes.”
“Thanks,” she says, then leans in, carefully placing a kiss against my lips. “How are you feeling?” She closes her eyes, shaking her head. “Never mind, don’t answer that. It’s a stupid question,” she mutters, opening her eyes back up, and I chuckle, then groan in pain when I reach up to touch her. “Don’t move, you crazy man, you’ve been shot. You need to take it easy,” she scolds softly.
I ignore her, wrap my hand around the back of her neck, and pull her toward me, ignoring the pain shooting through my shoulder.
“I love you,” I say, and she leans back suddenly with wide eyes that search mine.
“What?” she whispers in disbelief.
“I love you, baby.”
“You do?”
“Yeah,” I say softly, and she drops her forehead to my chest, making me bite back another wince.
“I should have told you I was in love with you when I realized I was,” she whispers, and I shake my head. She didn’t need to tell me; she’s shown me every day.
“I already knew you did,” I mutter, and she pulls back to look at me.
“Is it that obvious?” She smiles, running her fingers softly down my face again.
“I don’t know if it’s obvious, but I see it in the things you do, feel it when we are together. Love is just a word unless there is action behind it, that’s how I knew.”
“And you love me?”
“Yeah, baby.”
“When did you realize you loved me?”
“After Thanksgiving.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” She frowns, making me smile.
“I’ve shown you every day,” I say, then look over her shoulder when the doctor walks into the room clearing his throat.
“While he’s checking you over, I’m going to let everyone know you’re awake,” she says. I don’t want to let her out of my sight, but I know I don’t have a choice.
“Are my parents here?”
“Not yet. They’re on their way. Traffic is insane getting into the city—I guess the president is in town.”
“All right, come back to me,” I demand, and she nods, kissing my jaw before leaving the room.
Once she’s gone I look at the doctor, who’s studying the beeping machine at the side of the bed. “What am I looking at here?” I ask him, and he finishes writing, then looks at me.
“You’re alive.” He shakes his head. “The bullet went straight through, but it hit your subclavian artery on the way, which caused most of the damage. You lost a lot of blood—just a few centimeters more and you could have lost your arm, so I’d say you’re a lucky man.” Not so lucky, seeing that I had on a bulletproof vest and still managed to get hit. “We rushed you into surgery, stitched everything up, and gave you two separate transfusions. You’ll be here for a couple days, but you’ll be okay.”
Nodding at that, I stay put and let him inspect the wound. While he’s doing that, another nurse comes in to let him know the room I will be moved into is ready.
As soon as they both leave, Wesley pokes his head in through the door. “Where’s Fawn?” I ask him, and he grins.
“What, you don’t want to see me?”
“Not really.” I smile at him, and he shakes his head, walking toward the bed.
“She’s down greeting your family and hers. They all just arrived, so I told her I’d wait with you.” Damn, my parents and Fawn’s together do not bode well for me being alone with my girl and healing without drama.
“What happened after I got hit?”
“We got Juan. He’s going down, and no one can save him this time. His girl is talking—she’s currently trying to save her own ass.”
“Thank fuck.”
“Yeah,” he mutters, then runs a hand over the top of his head. I notice he’s still got blood on him—it’s most likely mine. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“You? Fuck, man, we should have known to check the apartment for weapons, given his history.”
“Yeah,” he mutters, taking a seat next to the bed. “Fawn was a zombie until the doctor came out and told us you were going to be okay. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman so damn scared in my life.”
“I would be the same if something had happened to her,” I whisper, not even able to stomach the thought. I can’t imagine getting a call like the one she got. I can’t imagine thinking I might lose her.
“My baby,” I hear, and I turn my head toward the door and watch my mom rush across the room toward me. “I . . . Don’t ever scare me like that again, do you understand me?” Mom cries, placing her hand against my cheek.
“Sorry, Mom.”
“Just don’t let it happen again. Why weren’t you wearing your vest?”
“I was . . . I—”
“You need a better one, then.” She shakes her head as she leans in and kisses my cheek. When she steps back, my dad comes over.
“Son.” He shakes his head, reaching out to touch the top of my head. “You doing okay?”
“I’m good. The doctor said I should be out in a couple days.”
“Good.” He nods, and I can tell he’s working at holding back the emotions written all over his face.
“Jesus, man, you sure know how to get attention, don’t you?” Lucas says, coming over to stand on the other side of the bed.