Page 13 of Single Greatest Threat (Atlantic City’s Most Wanted #6)

Joesph felt so fucking sick. He wanted to pace, but his body wouldn’t let him.

His knees shook. He was only Shaw’s fiancé, so no one told him shit.

Shaw just sat in the ER waiting room and lost his goddamn mind.

He felt like he should do something, but he didn’t know what.

Shaw would lose his shit if Joesph called his parents.

He didn’t want to bother Dodge just to have someone sit with him.

Joesph only had his cane because it was too much to drag out his wheelchair.

His arms felt weak as hell with the stress wearing him down.

Hours passed, and he could barely hold up his head.

But Joesph’s spine was steel because Shaw was right.

It was their job to take care of each other. That was nonnegotiable.

Six hours in, Joesph had caved and asked to go back. Unfortunately, he was reminded he was not family. He went back to waiting. Joesph was determined he would sit there all night, no matter the cost to his health. He wouldn’t leave without Shaw.

Shaw: Did you go home or come to the hospital?

Joesph nearly cried in relief at the sight of Shaw’s text. At least he knew his man was still alive.

Joesph: I’m here. They won’t let me come back because I’m not family. I followed the ambulance here and never left. You have no idea how relieved I am to get your text. Are you okay?

Shaw : I still don’t really know anything. It looks like it might’ve been just a major panic attack. They’re still waiting for some tests. I was just now allowed to leave the bed to find my phone. They have me in the red grippy socks. Give me a few. I’ll make sure you can come and wait with me.

Joesph rubbed his forehead. Red socks meant Shaw was obviously considered a fall risk. Likely they had an alarm set on the bed, ensuring he couldn’t leave it. Joesph tried taking a few steadying breaths. Shaw was okay. They were making sure he stayed that way. Joesph could sit here.

Joesph: I love you. Don’t get your blood pressure up. I can sit here for as long as it takes.

Truthfully, Joesph didn’t know if that was true. He was going downhill after missing dinner and being trapped for hours with his feet on the floor. His eyelids felt heavy. The exhaustion kicked his ass.

Shaw: I love you too. Don’t worry about my blood pressure. You’d be more comfortable in a room with me. It’s my job to take care of you.

He was already in a room? More and more, this didn’t sound like nothing.

Shaw hadn’t texted him again and Joesph didn’t know how much more he could take.

Before Joesph had time to open his texts again to check on him, the automatic doors opened.

A furious-looking Shaw Sr. breezed inside, wearing his usual expensive suit.

He motioned for Joesph as he passed. “Let’s go.”

Joesph scrambled to obey. For an older man, Senior walked fast as hell. Joesph fought to keep pace with his legs swollen and his cane barely keeping him upright.

Senior stormed toward the only available nurse behind the counter.

“My son-in-law has been sitting in this waiting room for well over eight hours already, with no word about his husband. He has been denied the right to sit with my son in his time of need. You and I both know this is a simple case of discrimination against a same-sex couple. Make no mistake, I’ve never lost a case and I will sue this hospital into bankruptcy if this isn’t resolved. ”

Joesph was horrified.

She looked taken aback. “What’s your son’s name?”

“Shaw Howe.”

She typed on the computer. A deep line between her eyebrows. “I’m sorry. There’s no spouse listed.”

Senior’s spine stiffened. “Well, he obviously exists. He’s standing right here. So that detail in his chart seems a bit intentional.”

The obviously overworked nurse typed again. “What’s your son-in-law’s name? I can add him to the system, then you’re both free to go back.”

“Joesph.”

“Same last name, I’m assuming.”

Joesph panicked a little. If anyone wanted him to prove his identity, he was fucked. “It’s Drake, actually. I kept my last name. Maybe that’s what caused the confusion.”

She flashed him a small smile. “That’s probably it.” She typed a little more. “Okay, it looks like your husband has already been moved to a room. Third floor. Room 305.”

Joesph nodded. “Thank you.”

Senior squeezed his shoulder. “There you go. Everything should be good now. If not, just call.” He headed toward the door.

Joesph went after him. “Don’t you want to come see him?”

Senior flashed him a sad-looking smile. “I can only make him worse. When he texted me, I knew he wouldn’t have done so for any other reason than you. If I go up, he’ll probably fall right back into whatever landed him here.”

Joesph couldn’t argue with that. “Thank you.”

With a nod, Shaw Sr. headed out, leaving Joesph to find the elevator. Joesph couldn’t get to Shaw fast enough. He needed to see the other half of his soul. That was all that mattered.

Shaw stared at the TV, seeing nothing. He chewed the side of his nail.

A soft knock sounded on the door, making Shaw want to growl.

He needed Joesph, and all he kept getting were nurses and doctors.

He had been scared as hell and his mind was all over the place.

It bothered him that Joesph hadn’t shown.

Now that he knew they had intentionally kept him away, he was fucking furious.

Joesph stuck his head in the door. Shaw nearly cried out in relief.

“Hey. Is it okay if I come in?”

“Are you joking? Get your ass in here. I knew Dad would get you in.”

Joesph slipped into the room, limping worse than ever. Every step was likely torture. “He said he didn’t want to come up and raise your blood pressure.”

Shaw rubbed his chest. His dad and he would find their way. Maybe. One of these days. Right now, all Shaw cared about was Joesph. He looked like hell. It was Shaw’s job to take care of him.

Joesph kissed him. “Stop. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you’re getting that same look as you had before you came here. If it’s me, just say so. All I care about is your health.”

Shaw’s heartbeat slowed. Joesph was here. He would focus on that rather than the bad… like how he drove Joesph to the edge of death. He hadn’t had these many bad thoughts since…

“Oh.”

A smile exploded across Joesph’s face. He pulled the chair closer to the bed so he could hold Shaw’s hand. “What was that oh all about?”

Shaw shook his head at his own terrible memory. “I just realized I’ve been so busy trying to do everything that I haven’t taken my meds in over a week.”

“That’s not good.”

No. It wasn’t. No wonder Shaw stayed on the edge of a meltdown. “With all the hopping between my place and yours, I forgot.”

Joesph nodded. “You definitely need a steady routine. When we move in together, I’ll keep you on schedule. You’d be amazed at how quickly meds can become part of your day that easily slips away. I’ve found some tricks.”

The idea of living with Joesph full time had Shaw smiling.

“That makes sense, though,” Joesph added. “The way you are right now, I mean. You’re not supposed to stop those meds cold turkey. Your body is probably going through dopamine withdrawals.”

Shaw made a helpless gesture. “I just started having a bunch of thoughts about how I’m failing. Once they started, they just kept snowballing and getting darker. I mean, I spent years letting you down. Why should you believe in me now?”

Joesph shrugged. “Because I do. I’ve studied every detail of us over the years and I don’t think for a second I kept coming back because I’m desperate. It’s nothing like that. I see you. This is love.”

He always awed Shaw with his love and forgiveness. “No one else out there holds a candle to you.”

A doctor strolled in, bouncy and chewing gum like it was the middle of the day and not the night. Light blue eyes landed on him and then quickly—almost like a double take—swung Joesph’s way.

“Holy shit.” He covered his mouth for half a second, as if horrified by his unprofessionalism. “Sorry. I just can’t believe it’s you.”

Joesph pushed his way to his feet. A huge smile lit his face. The doctor met him more than halfway. They hugged. “Wow. It’s so great to see you. I didn’t know you lived here. What about the position at Vanderbilt?”

The guy pulled a face. “Yeah. Turns out I’m better at home.”

Shaw eyed the pair. They were obviously close friends. The doctor was objectively handsome with his dark hair and light eyes. Shaw kind of wanted to punch him in his gorgeous square jaw.

He motioned toward Joesph’s cane. “What’s going on here?” Shaw hated how concerned he looked.

Shaw cleared his throat.

Joesph stepped back, drawing Shaw’s attention to how close the pair had been standing. He motioned Shaw’s way. “This is my husband, Shaw. Shaw, Dr. Kace Brightly. We went to college together.”

Kace stayed focused on Joesph. “Husband? Dang. I really hoped you’d invite me to something that huge.”

Joesph winced. “He’s actually my fiancé, but for hospital reasons, he’s my husband. The nursing station left me worrying my ass off for like nine hours. My future father-in-law had to come up here and straighten things out, so I’d be allowed to stay.”

“Oh. Well. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do in our community. An unfortunate number of homophobes are feeling emboldened these days.”

Great. He was gay. Shaw was here, a mental mess, and Joesph had this guy who looked at him in a way Shaw loathed.

Kace finally focused on him. “As long as you’re cool with us openly talking about all your tests, then I’m good. I can’t have Joesph worrying.” He tossed a wink Joesph’s way. Shaw immediately hated him.

Shaw would be damned if he let Joesph out of his sight around this Lothario. It was obvious they had slept together at some point. “I’m good. We’re getting married this weekend.”

Kace sent Joesph a laughing look. “And you acted like I hadn’t been invited because you weren’t married yet.”