Page 6 of Siren in Love (In Love #1)

Mike

~ Mike

The drive to New Elvenswood General Hospital was maybe fifteen minutes, and neither of them spoke.

Mike hummed calming notes to Corvin—he couldn’t really stop himself, not when the other man was finally sagging against Mike’s chest. He can stay there.

I like the feeling of holding him in my arms. I don’t think I want to stop holding him, ever.

The second set of paper towels felt like they had absorbed a good amount of Corvin’s blood too, and Mike kept pressure on the wound, worried that it might hurt, but more worried about Corvin bleeding so much.

It wasn’t until they finally reached the hospital and got out of the car right at the front entrance that Mike allowed himself to relax.

The hospital was a blocky stone building that reminded Mike of the kind of rocky shores often favored by sirens in the stories. It had bramble bushes on either side of the entrance—not exactly inviting.

“This really isn’t necessary. I think I just need to lie down for a bit, and then I’ll be fine.” Corvin’s voice could have easily gotten lost in the noise of visitors coming and going, of cars leaving and entering the lot behind them, but Mike had no trouble picking it up, already tuned in.

“Keep telling yourself that. Besides, we’re already here. Why waste the opportunity?”

“Opportunity. Pah. Tell them I’m up to date on all my shots.”

Mike hesitated as the automatic doors slid apart for them. “Have you had all your shots?” he asked, even though he hadn’t heard a lie in Corvin’s voice.

“Yes, I have. And you should too. It’s the responsible thing to do. It’s adult shit, making sure you go to checkups and all of that. Have you had all your shots, Pineapple Mike? Maybe I should ask them to check.”

Mike hesitated. “I’ll tell the doctor you’re very adult.”

“Yes, please. And don’t think all these black spots I’m seeing are enough to make me not notice you’re evading the question. I know your secret.”

Mike tightened his hold on Corvin, worried all over again that he might faint. Best to keep talking to him to distract him. “And what secret is that?”

“Pants. You’re scared to let down your pants like Rapunzel’s shiny hair.”

Mike huffed. “Like Rapunzel’s shiny hair?”

“Yeah. I mean, what were you expecting? I got hit in the head, and Rapunzel was the best I could do. Mike, oh Mike, let down your shiny pants.”

“Uh-huh. Well I’ll tell the doctor you’re an adult, but if you want to make it believable, you probably shouldn’t talk.”

Mike caught a grin on Corvin’s face.

“Pineapple Mike, are you making fun of me?”

“Never.”

“Telling me to shut up then?”

Mike rubbed Corvin’s back. “I could listen to you for hours and hours. Keep talking.”

“Tempting, but you never did let down your pants. It seems wasteful.”

If we were alone, and you weren’t hurt…

They’d made their way to the intake desk, and Mike caught the eye of the nurse there, probably in his midthirties but looking like he needed a week of sleep. “My client needs to be seen immediately,” Mike told the man in his do-not-fuck-with-me-because-I-will-sue-you voice.

“Head injury?” the nurse asked, reaching for what Mike assumed was an intake form.

“Yes.”

“And you’re his lawyer?”

“Yes. Michael Cantus, with Collins & Partners.” Mike knew perfectly well that a lawyer without his suit was like a leopard without his spots, so he rolled out all his attitude without resorting to his siren song, all so Corvin wouldn’t have to wait.

The nurse grabbed a form and walked around the counter. “Follow me.”

He deposited them both in an exam room and handed Mike the form, telling him to fill it out and that a doctor would see them soon.

Mike made sure Corvin was sitting safely on the exam table, then guided the human’s hand to the bunch of paper towels. “Hold these while I do the paperwork, okay?”

“Just because you asked nicely. You’re not my lawyer, Mike. You lied to the nice nurse.” Corvin blinked up through the mess of bloodied blond curls.

“I am tonight, and I’ll send him chocolates if you think I was rude. Okay, there are a few things on here you’ll have to tell me.”

Corvin sighed. “Do you always get this nosy on first dates? What do you want, birthday? Blood type? Shoe size?”

All of those , Mike thought, but he kept it to the things actually on the form.

From his voice when he answered, Mike could tell Corvin wasn’t enjoying being where he was.

Perhaps it was the hospital, the way the evening had gone, or being in pain.

At least he’s not as pale as he was. Not back to normal yet, but an improvement all the same. Why are humans so breakable?

They didn’t have to wait long. In fact, Mike had only just managed to finish the intake form when the door opened and a doctor with white streaking her long hair walked in.

“Hi there. My name is Dr. Morales. I heard someone hit his head?”

Mike immediately liked the doctor. Her voice was warm and confident, and that was cause for relief.

“My client did.” Mike handed Morales the form and let her flip through it.

“All righty. I’ll take a look at that.” She put the form aside and donned a pair of rubber gloves while Corvin watched with big eyes. “You’re okay with me looking?”

“Uh, it’s probably nothing.” Corvin’s voice was feeble, prompting Mike to step up next to him and rub his back.

Morales was unfazed. “In that case, you’ll be done really quickly, and we’ll call this your annual checkup, okay?”

She’s good at dealing with stubborn patients. Maybe I should ask her when she works in case he gets hurt again? No, that’s too much. Right? But it’s important to make sure humans get adequate care and…I’m getting ahead of myself. Fuck. But he’s so fucking precious.

“Hey.”

Corvin’s green eyes were focused on Mike. “Huh?”

“I said you don’t really have to stay for this. I know this isn’t what you signed up for.”

But I want it to be . “I’m staying. Don’t you worry. I won’t tell them you’re bad at adulting.”

Morales chuckled. “That would fall under patient confidentiality anyway. This looks nasty.” She was carefully prodding at Corvin’s wound. “Head wounds always bleed a lot, but this one actually needs stitches.”

Corvin attempted a dramatic sigh. “Does that mean it will scar, Doc?”

Morales hummed. “I’m afraid so.”

“Just tell people you were in a bar fight.” Mike kept his voice calm.

“That wouldn’t be unreasonable. How did this actually happen?” Morales asked as she got her tools ready and went about disinfecting the area.

“Bar fight,” Corvin said.

Mike snorted. “An unfortunately aimed buckle on a shoulder bag. But we were in a bar at the time.”

Morales’s sigh was heavy with sympathy. “Accidents like that are the worst. Your evening out is ruined, but at least I get to stitch my initials into the back of your head. There’s an upside to everything.”

Just when Corvin was about to laugh, she jabbed him with the anesthesia.

“Ow!”

“Sorry about that.” Morales didn’t sound sorry at all.

Corvin, frowning, looked up at Mike. “I’m blaming you.”

“I don’t mind. Do you want me to hold your hand while the doctor initials you?”

Corvin huffed, and Mike could tell he was about to give him a snappy response. But he didn’t, instead pressing his lips together. Then, he held out his hand.

“Don’t really need that, but just in case you faint.”

“You’ll catch me?” Mike took Corvin’s hand. It was clammy. He covered it with both of his.

“Hmm.”

Morales picked up a syringe. “You said this man is your lawyer?”

“He said that.” Corvin shrugged.

“I see.” She poked Corvin with the needle. “Do you feel that?”

“No. What’re you doing back there?”

“Nothing for you to worry about. Watch your legal counsel while I get this done.”

Corvin’s smile was as faint as smoke in a storm. “He’s watchable, isn’t he?”

“I’d say so.” Morales winked at Mike. “Where’d you find him?”

Corvin cleared his throat. “At the courthouse. They dragged me in for—I shouldn’t tell you. I’m the secret heir to a Mafia empire, and there was an incident.”

“Mafia, with your complexion?” The doctor was grinning while she worked.

“Uhm, bratva? I’m a bratva heir, doctor. I’m not supposed to tell anyone.”

“My lips are sealed.”

“Oh, good. As I said, that’s how I met him. My mom hired him. She’s the bratva boss. I didn’t even know I had a Mafia—I mean, bratva mom. Total surprise.”

“I see,” the doctor said.

“Yeah. So he walked into the room they were holding me in—”

“A jail cell,” Mike stage whispered.

“Yes. Into the jail cell. He had one of those lawyer briefcases and everything. And a pineapple. I don’t know why he brought me fruit, but that’s what he did. I think it was supposed to be a sign.”

Morales looked up from where she was stitching Corvin’s skin together. “How many drinks did he have at the bar?”

“Not a one.”

Corvin perked up. “And that’s a pity. How did we get from the jail to the bar, Mike?”

“A daring escape?”

Corvin nodded. “Yeah, that. You used your pineapple as a weapon.”

Mike cleared his throat and leaned in. “Honey, I’m not sure I’ll be able to convince them about your adult status at this rate.”

“Take that up with my secret bratva mom, Mike.”

Morales, shook her head, chuckling. “You two’re cute. Not often that I get a fun head wound to work on. Listen, I’m done with the stitches. I’ll put some gauze over this and keep it in place with your hair.”

“Huh?” Corvin turned a fraction, luckily after the doctor had clipped the last suture.

“It’s that or wrapping your entire head in a bandage.”

“Oh, fine. I get a little something for the pain too, right? Now’s good, but I’m assuming it’ll get worse.”

She placed a rectangular piece of gauze over the wound. “That it will, and yes, I’ll prescribe something. You’ll feel a lot better in a few days, but no getting your hair wet.”

“Ah, fuck. I have a hair care routine, Doc.”

“You’ll have to hit pause on that for a while, I’m afraid.”

Corvin grumbled. For the life of him, Mike couldn’t find anything wrong with the sound.

Mike watched the doctor work, watched Corvin wincing when the pain still broke through as Morales finished up. She was pretty quick about it, covering and securing the dressing under Corvin’s hair.

Finally, she pulled her gloves off and rounded the table so she could face Corvin.

“Okay, all done back there. I’m sending you home with pain meds and Neosporin for the wound.

If there’s any swelling or intense pain, you come back right away.

You can remove the bandage in twenty-four hours, and after that, you can leave it as is.

The stitches can come out in a week, either come back here or see your primary care physician.

Until then, keep this dry for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

You can shower after that, but be careful when you shampoo and rinse. Questions?”

Corvin blinked. “Could you write that down? All of it. I feel like there’s going to be a test and I need to study.”

“That’s okay, I got it,” Mike said.

Morales beamed. “Great. See? He can be your study partner. Stay out of bar fights in the future, okay? A nurse will be by with your medication in a moment.”

Corvin nodded, bobbing his head in slow motion. He seemed to be coming down from the adrenaline, the blood loss, and the pain medication and was no longer in the mood for jokes.

Mike pulled out his phone to request another Uber. While he was still typing, the male nurse from the front desk poked his head in to hand off the medication, and Mike took it after checking that everything was in the bag.

“Ready to head home?” he asked Corvin.

“So ready.” He slid off the table, keeping a hand on it to steady himself.

“You don’t need to take me, you know. You already provided this wonderful hospital experience, and I can’t ask for anything else.

” He looked at Mike as the nurse began cleaning the room and getting it ready for the next patient.

In a more sober tone, Corvin added “You didn’t have to do any of this, Mike. ”

“Don’t you worry about what I do and don’t need to do.” Mike sucked in a lungful of air, then raised his hand and gently placed the palm on Corvin’s cheek, tilting his face up. “It’s okay.”

Color came back to Corvin’s cheeks, his fluttering lashes dark against that delicate, rosy bloom. “I’m sorry,” he said.

Mike left his hand where it was. “What for?”

Corvin shrugged, then winced when that hurt. “Ruining this. You really seem like a nice guy.”

Mike could hear the regret in Corvin’s voice. He’d clearly hoped for the night to turn out differently. So had Mike, but none of it was Corvin’s fault.

Mike caught the nurse glancing at them, so he put an arm around Corvin’s shoulders and led him out into the hallway. It wasn’t too busy there, and they stood off to the side next to a row of chairs.

“Corvin, we can have a do-over. Once you feel better, and once your head is healed.” Mike hummed, keeping his voice low and soothing. “We do have that cocktail voucher. Be a shame not to use it.”

Mike could feel the muscles in Corvin’s shoulders shift as he lifted his head. “I’d like that.”

In that moment, with the two of them so close, Mike’s phone vibrated. He looked at the screen.

“Uber’s here. You ready to be taken home and put to bed?”

Corvin huffed. “Definitely not.”

“Great. Come on.” Mike took Corvin’s hand—still cool, still slightly clammy.

“You’re really bad at listening, Mike. Anyone ever told you that?”

“No, never. And I didn’t miss a single thing you said all night.”

Mike looked at Corvin and saw a hint of brightness in the other man’s face, even as he whispered, “Show-off.”

Objectively, the date had gone terribly, but Mike couldn’t help but feel like the luckiest siren on land. He was almost positive there wasn’t one luckier left in the oceans either.

It’s because he’s smiling. That’s what makes me happy.

Any other day, such a realization might have scared Mike, but tonight, with Corvin’s hand warming in his, it didn’t.