Page 21 of Angel

“What did he say?”

Angelo’s jaw clenched as he read the text. “He said ‘yes’.”

“That’s all?”

Angelo hit the call button and brought the phone to his face. We both waited in silence.

When his brother didn’t answer, he sighed and came to sit back in his chair. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. Thank you. Why didn’t he answer? Why was he so vague?”

“Dominic can be tight-lipped. About everything.”

But why Sophia, I wanted to ask.

Angelo slipped his phone back into his front pocket. “She’s probably busy. I’m sure she’ll call you once she gets a chance to check her phone.”

“Yeah,” I thickly agreed.

I didn’t want to wait. I couldn’t wait. I needed to see my sister right now.

“I’ll call the nurse.”

He pushed the little call button next to the bed. The nurse came right away, checking me out and then leaving to bring a doctor in.

Angelo waited patiently while I got checked a second time.

“You seem to be doing fine,” the doctor, a tall, dark woman said. “You can leave today if you like, but I want you to stay here and rest a bit before you try to move.”

I pursed my lips. That would be hard when I was full of a drive to go and steal a car and head back to the city to find my sister.

“All right,” I reluctantly agreed.

They left, leaving Angelo and me alone again.

“Want me to go and get you something?” he asked.

“No thanks.”

“I know hospital food sucks, but I can sneak you something in. There are a lot of restaurants just down the strip from here.”

I shook my head. “I’m not very hungry.”

“All right.” He took his usual seat. “Do you want to talk?”

I licked my lips. “Not… Not right now.”

“All right.” His hands picked one of mine up, warm and strong. A wave of relaxation floated over me.

“I’m sorry I scared you.”

His lips turned up in a sad smile. “It’s not your fault. I’m just glad you’re all right.”

“Nothing like that has happened to me before.”

He reached up to brush some hair from my forehead. I probably looked like shit. Probably had sweat slicked all over my face and dark bags under my eyes.

“It probably won’t happen again.”