Page 21 of Bad Medicine

“What the hell are you doing back here?”

In the silence that followed my question, Rocco looked a little guilty, which I appreciated.

Not enough to let him off the hook, however. Ignoring him and his stupid, sexy smirk, I turned back to Vinnie, checking his vitals and shining my penlight into his eyes.

“Things are looking good, Vin,” I said when I had finished my assessment. “Considering what happened, you’ve been really lucky. I’ll just change the bandage on your forehead and then you should be ready to go home pretty soon.”

“You’ll come with us to the house, Vinnie,” Francesca cut in, and I hid my grin. She was just like me; she cared. But that wasn’t always a good thing.

Sometimes, we cared too much.

And it was often in vain.

Finishing up the new butterfly bandages on Vinnie’s small head wound, I shook off my sudden melancholy and mustered up a smile. “I’ll go see about your discharge papers.”

Turning to the door, I saw the moment Rocco moved. His mouth opened as he prepared to spew yet more bullshit at me, but I held up a finger and cut him off.

“You better stay right here,” I growled, narrowing my eyes. “You pull any more shit, and I’ll have you thrown out. Again.” I watched as Rock considered my words, not liking the glint of challenge in his eyes.

Deciding I really liked having the last word, I stomped from the room, determined not give him another opportunity to speak.

I really hated that I was disappointed he didn’t follow me.

Heading to the unit desk, I passed the chart to Donna, who eyed me suspiciously.

“Can I have the discharge papers for room six, please?” I asked.

“I’ll get them for you as soon as you tell me which of those three beautiful men you’re calling dibs on so that I can have a go at the other two.”

I blinked, then snorted.

“Sorry, Donna, but one of them is married, one of them is practically a child, and the other is an emotional child.”

She smiled and shook her head. “It’s always the pretty ones, isn’t it?” she mused. “But, I don’t need them to be perfect in every way, just in the ways that matter.” At that, she waggled her eyebrows salaciously, making me snort again.

“That is something I definitely don’t need, either,” I said firmly. “The last thing I need in my life is more complications.”

“Girl,” Donna said, exasperated. “It sounds to me like that is exactly the kind of complication you need.” Turning to the computer, she began the discharge process for Vinnie. “Yes, ma’am. You need a big, thick, hard complication.”

Before I could answer her—or check to see if she’d been drinking—I was distracted by Francesca striding down the hall, making for the exit at a brisk pace.

“Everything alright?” I called, then cursed myself. Why the hell was I gettingmoreinvolved than I already was?

“I think so,” Francesca said, her eyebrows drawn down in thought. “I have to leave. Some thing’s came up and I need to run, but the guys are waiting with Vin.” Her eyes flicked back down the hall, and I could see her second guessing her decision to leave him.

“He’ll be alright, Frankie,” I said softly, wanting to reassure her. “A good night’s sleep and he’ll be right as rain. I promise.”

Giving me a small smile, Francesca’s normally tough demeanor softened marginally. “Thank you, Mia. For everything.”

I could only nod, my own thoughts on our interaction confusing at best. But before I could muster up an appropriate answer, Francesca straightened her spine, slid her boss lady mask back into place, and turned again.

“I’ve got a few balls in the air right now, Mia,” she said, pulling her sunglasses from her purse. “Keep your phone on, will you? You never know how things are gonna shake out.”

And with that, she was gone.

When the discharge papers were ready to go, I returned to Vinnie’s room, speaking to him and Enzo exclusively, pretending for all I was worth that Rocco did not exist.

I thought I had done a pretty good job of it, too.