Page 14 of Single Greatest Threat (Atlantic City’s Most Wanted #6)

“No one’s been invited yet. My number is still the same. Text me your address and I’ll make sure you get an invitation.”

“You’re getting married this weekend and you haven’t sent out invitations yet?”

Joesph shrugged. “It was a last-minute decision to have the wedding this soon, and we don’t intend to invite many people. Shaw says he’ll take care of everything. There’s no one I trust more to do exactly that.” Joesph paused. He looked worried. “Unless these tests are about to steal all of that.”

Kace startled a little, as if he had forgotten he held a small laptop and was there for Shaw. Almost as if he had slowly been falling into Joesph’s eyes. “Oh. Sorry. Seeing you again is just… I can’t believe it.”

Joesph smiled in a way he only did for Shaw.

Shaw’s blood pressure shot through the roof. A machine blared.

Kace turned doctor in an instant. He eyed the machines while turning down the sound. “You see this?” He pointed at Shaw’s rapid heartbeat.

“I can’t breathe.”

Joesph was at his side in a second.

Kace nodded. “Take a few breaths. I’ve ordered some medicine for you.

” He pointed at the screen again. “Your heart shouldn’t beat that fast unless you’re running a marathon.

We ran all the tests and ruled out all the big stuff.

I think this is a case of your heart messing up its signals.

Your heart is just an electrical device, keeping you alive.

If one node stops talking to another, you end up with what’s called an arrhythmia.

Unfortunately, in your case, you’ll definitely need medication to manage it.

This is a manageable thing, but you have to stick to a schedule with your meds, get plenty of exercise, and rest. More than anything, you need to cut back on stress.

Manageable or not, this is still a life-changing diagnosis.

You need to take it seriously. If you don’t keep your heart rate in check, through everything I’ve listed, your heart could eventually fail.

I don’t say that scare you. As I said, you’ll be okay if you take this seriously.

But I know how men can be, since—you know—I am one.

We like to think we can’t be struck down.

Everyone can and you have. It’s time to slow down. ”

Shaw couldn’t stop studying the guy, deciphering his every shift in his expression.

While he understood he had been given a scary diagnosis, he still felt oddly relieved.

It wasn’t a panic attack. He didn’t need to go back to inpatient treatment.

This was physical. He could fight something physical.

It was the mental bits that always kicked his ass.

“Okay. Whatever keeps me here longer with Joesph.”

Kace nodded. “Definitely. We were pretty close back in college. I wouldn’t want anything to make him sad.” He looked away, dismissing Shaw for Joesph. “Now, tell me about the cane.”

Joesph had sat back down the moment Kace had focused on Shaw. He looked tired, and it hadn’t escaped Shaw’s notice how badly Joesph’s hands shook. He flashed a sad smile. “MS.”

A thought hit. “Did you take your meds tonight?”

“I haven’t been home, baby.”

“From the way your hands are shaking, either your current treatment isn’t working or you’re having a flare-up.”

Joesph winced at Kace’s words. “It’s a flare. I’m fine.”

It pissed Shaw off more than a little that Joesph admitted that to Kace and not him. “You shouldn’t be skipping your meds right now.”

A sweet look turned his way. “Don’t worry about me. Get what you need and we can deal with whatever when we get home.”

Home . The idea made him smile. Plus, it was obvious Joesph did everything he could to keep pointing out they were a couple. While they didn’t have a home they shared yet, they never slept apart. It looked like they would tonight. He hated that.

He focused on Kace. “I know I’ve been admitted, but is there any chance of me going home tonight? Joesph is just stubborn enough to sit here in pain.”

“Yeah. It’s obvious he loves you.” He spent a second typing on the computer.

His gaze stayed locked on the device as he spoke.

“Once your meds get here.” The door opened, and a nurse strolled in.

Kace barely spared her a glance. “Speak of the devil. Give it two hours and I’ll be back.

I’ll take another look at your numbers. If you’re stable and willing to pick up your new prescription on the way home, I’ll release you.

” He focused on Joesph. “If I don’t like what I see, is there anyone who can bring your meds? ”

“I can call my mom.”

“ Mhm . I can’t imagine Haven loving the idea of getting out this late.” He checked his watch.

Shaw seethed.

“I have a break in about an hour. If you’d like, I can run and grab them.”

Joesph sighed. “Why does no one trust me to take care of myself?”

“Because you won’t choose to take care of yourself,” Shaw said at the same time as Kace.

They flashed each other a smile. All the sudden, Shaw felt oddly okay with the guy. He obviously cared about Joesph and Shaw knew Joesph would never crush him.

Joesph shoved his way to his feet. “Fine. Great. Whatever. I’ll go. You need to stay the night and make sure you’re okay. Otherwise, I’ll worry myself sick.” He swayed on his feet.

Kace practically threw his laptop on the bed. It hit Shaw’s shins, but he didn’t care. His only worry was Joesph. “Whoa. Hey. You okay?”

Shaw knew the nurse pushed meds through his IV, but he didn’t pay attention. He was too busy watching Joesph. Almost immediately, he felt better. His gaze slid toward the machine. His heart rate had dropped considerably. That was good, since Joesph scared the shit out of him.

“You okay, baby? Talk to me.”

Joesph made a dismissive motion after falling back into his seat. “I’m fine. Just a little dizzy.”

Kace went to work, checking Joesph’s eyes and pulse. “You’re not fine. Stop saying that.”

Shaw snatched up his phone and called Haven.

She answered on the second ring like she knew he would never call this late for no reason. “What’s wrong?”

“Hey, sexy lady. Sorry to call so late.”

“Who is he talking to?” Kace sounded outraged on Joesph’s behalf.

“My mom.” There was no missing the laughter in his voice.

“Don’t worry about me. What’s wrong?” Haven sounded a little panicked.

“I’m in the hospital. I’m fine,” he added before she could worry any more than he had already done. “But Joesph is here with me and refuses to take care of himself. He won’t go home to take his meds or eat anything.”

“Is he tattling on you to your mom?”

Joesph laughed. “Yeah. I think she loves him more than me.”

Shaw shot him an annoyed look while Haven went into action. “Okay, I’m grabbing my keys. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll swing by his house and grab everything he needs. Is there anything you need? Are they feeding you? Are you hungry?”

“No and a little, yeah.”

“Okay, sweetie. I’ll be there as soon as I can, but you know I’m fast.” She cackled.

Despite everything, he couldn’t stop smiling. “Don’t get a ticket, speed racer.”

“Meh. See you soon. Love you. I hope you get to feeling better. You can tell me all about it when I get there.”

“Thank you. I love you too.”

Haven disconnected first, and Shaw set his phone aside.

“Mom has things under control.”

Kace stared at him, looking slightly confused.

Joesph shook his head, but there was no missing his smile. They held each other’s stare. Everyone else disappeared. They would be fine. After all, they had each other. There was no better team.