Page 142 of Jake's Angel
“Shh. What is it, Angel?” I feel Jake’s hand wipe away the wetness and caress my cheek with his thumb, slowly moving it back and forth. It’s soothing. “Are you in pain, baby? Nod if you hear me.” I try. I try so hard, but I can’t do it.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“Nurse? I think she’s feeling pain. She’s crying but won’t wake up. Is there anything you can do?”
I feel someone moving my blankets around, feeling around my arm, then a cold rush moves through my body, followed by a metallic taste on my tongue, and blackness takes me under again, relieving me of the pain.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
JAKE
It has beentwo excruciatingly long days since my Angel opened her eyes. The doctors said she had multiple injuries. The blood loss from the gunshot wound to her shoulder was a lot. Gabe gave consent to give his blood just in case she needs it.
The doctor said a contusion on her head was the most severe after the gunshot, and although there was no swelling of her brain, she could stay in and out of consciousness for several days. Along with her contusion, she has a couple of cracked ribs, and bruises on her face and arms from the car accident.
Before we found them, she and Thomas were run-off the road and his truck rolled over several times before coming to a stop. Cusenza’s men pulled them from the vehicle and transported them to Baron’s Edge by a cargo jet. By the time we found them, Cusenza was gone. He left a few of his soldiers behind to take care of Thomas and prepare Avery for delivery.
Or so the soldier Vincenzo had a personal chat with explained. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the opportunity to question him before he succumbed to his injuries.
I didn’t fucking care so long as Avery was all right.
Thomas has been moved to our basement with our other guest.
I wonder how he likes his new accommodations? I smile to myself at the thought. Pres promised to hold him until Avery comes home, so Pop and I can have our time alone with him.
Avery’s woken up a few times for several minutes, but she still can’t speak more than one or two words at a time. The nurse said part of it is from the intubation tube they used during surgery. Once she wakes up and gets some fluids in her, it should go away.
They were able to fix most everything, except for the ribs and the bruises which will heal over time. He said she would need to undergo physical therapy and will need help with basic care when she finally gets released to go home. She won’t have any problems when she leaves here because I plan on taking her sweet ass back to my place where she’ll be staying so I can take care of her.
Gabe and Liz have been arguing for the last two days over where she will stay and who could take better care of her. I didn’t even put my two cents into the conversation. I decided I’m taking her home and I’m not telling a damn one of them until it’s time to put her in the cage. They can fight all they want, but she’s mine now and no one will be taking care of her but me.
I meant every word I said the other night. I don’t know how she did it, but she wiggled her way into my heart and pieced together parts I didn’t even know were broken inside of me. It’s my turn to keep my promise and do the same. I don’t care if some crazy asshole has marked her. I’m a tattoo artist. We make our money covering up other people’s mistakes. It’s why I’m sitting here in this uncomfortable as all hell chair sketching a design for her as I watch her sleep. I’m going to find a wayto make something beautiful out of all that was once broken for her.
A light cough coming from Avery’s bed has Gabe, Liz, and me all on our feet, rushing to her bed. I get to her first, grabbing her hand and gently caress her face with my other. She lightly squeezes my hand and my heart thumps faster against my chest, like it knows its job is to beat for her. Leaning down by her head, I swipe the hair from her face and whisper in her ear, “Good morning, Angel.” She turns her head and for the first time in days, I’m met with the most beautiful green eyes.
“Hi.” She mouths. Her voice is a raspy whisper. “Water.”
Gabe grabs her a cup of water and a straw while I slowly raise her bed, sitting her up. I put the straw in her mouth for her to drink. “Slow baby. You need to go slow.” She nods. “Good girl.” I whisper and give her a wink. She glares at me for a second, probably wishing she could hand me my ass, but quickly changes her mind when Gabe steps in closer to her. I smirk.
“How do you feel, sweetheart?” he asks.
“Sore,” she admits. “Everywhere. And tired.” She lays back into her pillow. I drag my fingers lightly through her hair and she lets out a little moan.
God, how I’ve missed her noises. Even the pissed off versions.
“Not half as sore as you’re going to be when you finally heal up.” Gabe smirks and tells her in a low tone. The look of shock on her face is priceless. I don’t disagree with him, and I’ll be happy to delve out her punishment, but she doesn’t need to think about that just yet.
“What happened?” she asks, glancing between me and Gabe.
She doesn’t remember?
“You were shot, baby girl.” Gabe looks at me. I nod for him to go ahead. “By Eleanor.”
She lets out a long sigh, then turns her face away. Gabe gently brings her chin back. Her eyes are glazed, her bottom lip trembling. The beeping noise speeds up on the machine behind her. “Shit. I’m sorry, honey. Don’t get yourself all worked up. It’s okay. We can talk about all this shit later. You need to focus on getting better.” He wipes the tear from her cheek, then releases her chin and her eyes drift closed again.
“She was going to kill Jake,” Avery says quietly. “He was helping Ethan. When she raised the gun at Jake. I … I …”
“Shhh, baby. It’s okay. It’s over. You did good.” I kiss her head. “Stupid, but good.” She groans her disapproval. I smile, leaning my forehead on hers. “Careful, Angel. You’ve already got a monstrous spanking coming your way, not only for leaving, but for putting yourself in harm’s way. Wouldn’t want to add to it by being rude too, would you?” She moves to turn over, but winces at the pain the movement causes.