Page 6 of Enzo (The Amato Family #2)

O pening my eyes, I’m careful not to make a sound, and when I turn my head to the side I find Kail asleep in the chair beside my bed.

It doesn’t look comfortable, even though he has his feet kicked up on my bed.

I want to insist that he go home and get some proper sleep, but my boyfriend’s as stubborn as they come, so I know it’ll do me no good.

I’m thankful for him. I’m not sure I would have made it through the last few days without him at my side. Waking up and realizing you’ve lost a part of yourself… it’s a bitter pill to swallow. One I’m still struggling to wrap my head around.

I shift a little in bed, the pain radiating through my battered and bruised body forcing a groan out of me. Kail stirs, and his dark blue eyes flutter open.

He goes from just waking up to wide awake in seconds, the medical professional in him jumping to the surface as he gets to his feet. “You okay? Are you in pain?”

I shrug. “A little. It’s not bad yet. Don’t worry so much.”

He huffs and leans down to press a soft kiss to my lips. “I’m always going to worry about you. One… I love you. Two…it’s my job to worry.”

Reaching up, I grab the back of his head and tug him down further, encouraging him to kiss me deeper, ignoring the fact that neither of us has brushed our teeth yet.

“I love you too, darlin’.”

He blushes, as I knew he would. It’s endearing and makes me want to do and say things that will keep that besotted look on his face. Of course, that’s when Doc whirls into the room.

“Okay, love birds, I have news for you,” the doctor says, humor in his voice.

Kail pulls away and looks to his boss, much to my disappointment. “You get everything squared away?”

“Yep. It pays to be an Amato.” Doc grins. “James is going to drive the ambulance we’re borrowing—Cristian really needs to let me buy one—and I’ll get the paperwork for the totally legit transfer squared away shortly.”

“What’s happening?” I ask.

“I converted the sitting room I wasn’t using into a medical room for you, and we’re moving you over there today,” Doc answers.

I blink, then blink again. I shouldn’t be surprised, but…for some reason I am.

“I’ll be there. Don’t worry, baby. I wouldn’t throw you to the wolves like that,” Kail teases.

“Maybe it’s the good drugs, but I’m having a hard time understanding the fact you’re taking me home with you.”

Doc frowns at me. “You weren’t showing signs of confusion or a concussion before…” He trails off and looks to Kail.

“No.” I try to glare at Doc, but it’s never worked on him. “It’s not my head. It’s you. You’re telling me the Boss agreed to move me out of the hospital less than two days after my surgery? Dr. Murry agreed to this?”

Doc relaxes and then shrugs. “Murry doesn’t get an opinion on this. You’re my patient, not his.”

“I believe performing surgery on me says something different.”

Doc glares. “Are you going to argue with me?”

I consider it for a moment, then decide it’s not worth it.

Knowing Doc and the Boss as I do, there’s no point in trying to fight them.

It’s already a done deal. Arguing is only going to piss Doc off unnecessarily, and everyone knows he can and will withhold the good drugs if you fuck with him too much.

He takes my silence as acceptance and nods once. “Good choice. Now, I need to go sort your paperwork out, and see about getting you some painkillers for the road.”

“Thanks, Doc.”

As soon as he leaves the room, I turn to Kail. “You sure this is a good idea?”

He brushes his fingers lightly over my forehead.

“Yes. We don’t have any control over the hospital.

Murry is good, but there are too many variables.

They still don’t know who hit the car, and Cristian isn’t taking any chances with your safety.

I’ll feel better knowing Doc is on hand at all times, and we have a system in place to care for you. ”

I sigh, hating how logical he sounds. The protector in me says I don’t need them to coddle me, but the realist who understands this is the best choice argues it’s the path of least resistance.

Either way, I know it’s a fight I’m not going to win with Doc and Kail, and sure as hell not against Cristian Amato—the man we all work for—so it’s better if I stop now.

Kail continues to gently brush his hand over my forehead, the move oddly soothing, and I soak in his touch.

The pain is beginning to set in, but I push it aside as best as I can, not wanting him to worry more than he already is.

“This is not a good idea,” Murry says as Doc and Kail load me into the ambulance.

I want to know how they pulled “borrowing” an ambulance off, but the pain meds haven’t kicked in yet and I don’t want to add a headache to everything else going on in my body.

Knowing Doc, the story would just make me exasperated.

Sometimes it’s better not knowing with him.

“Your opinion has been noted and tossed into the fire,” Doc says cheerfully. He begins to cackle, and the functional part of my brain wonders if we can really trust the crazy fucker.

“Can you not be an evil bitch right now?” I ask.

Doc gives me a once over, glancing at the wires connected to me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. How are you feeling?”

“Like I got crushed by a car,” I drawl.

“Any pain? Did Murry give you meds? He said he was going to.”

“I’m fine, Doc.” I shift as much as I can on the narrow stretcher. “Well, not fine, but the pain doesn’t make me want to cry, so I’ll be fine for a while.”

“Let me know if that changes.”

Rather than replying, I hold Kail’s hand and close my eyes, trying to shut out the world for the drive to Doc’s house. Every bump we hit reignites the pain shooting through me and I squeeze Kail’s hand, though I try to temper my strength.

Kail tightens his grip on me, as if lending me strength, which most people would probably find laughable.

But as the meds fight with the pain raging through my body and I’m transported to whatever fuckery Doc has set up, there’s no one else I would rather have by my side.

Because he is my strength, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.