Page 41 of Lulu
“He’s gonna miss that jacket,” Doc snorted, giving the old leather garment a look where it landed. “Has he told you what happened?” Doc questioned as we settled Brody in the bed.
“No. He hasn’t been in any condition to say much.”
Doc sat down on the edge and began to examine the wound to Brody’s side. His expression when he saw it was telling. I chewed on my bottom lip, worry setting in. Movement drew my eyes to the doorway where Buttercup appeared. I swear the dog knew what was going on and was just as worried as I.
“He should go to the hospital, but I know he won’t.” Doc looked up at me. “You gonna be able to take care of him? He’ll need round the clock care for a few days.”
I thought about work, and how busy we were, although I knew Elizabeth would be okay with me taking off, because that was the kind of woman she was. Take care of yourself and family first. And even though I’d denied it, she knew that there was something going on with me and Brody.
“I may need help,” I answered truthfully. “I can’t completely ignore my job.”
“I think I can set something up.” He was working on Brody as he talked. “Fuck.”
“What is it?”
“The bullet is still inside. Gonna have to dig it out.” He pulled out a clean white cloth and laid it out on the bed. Next came a scalpel and a different type of forceps than what he’d used on Brody’s arm. “Gonna need you to hold him down when I start digging. Gonna hurt like a son-of-a-bitch.” He picked up some packaged wipes and tore into one. “Move on the other side of the bed and lay over the top half of his body.”
I frowned at his suggestion. “What about his arm?”
Doc wiped down the forceps. “That’s the least of his pain, sweetheart.” Our eyes connected. “He’s gonna be in a world of hurt when I’m digging out that bullet. We’ll be lucky if your weight will hold him in place.”
I went to the other side of the bed and waited for a signal from Doc to move into place.
“Savage?”
“Been conscious…the whole…time, Doc.”
“Then you know what I’m getting ready to do. If I can’t get the bullet out you’ll have no choice but to go to the hospital. It’s gonna hurt like fuck, but your woman’s going to hold you down. Might not want to embarrass yourself by screaming like a girl.”
I was surprised but hopeful when the flicker of a smile moved on Brody’s lips. Doc glanced up at me and nodded. That was my cue. I moved across Brody’s upper body and gave him my full weight. He groaned.
“Maybe if you…sat on my face…it…wouldn’t hurt so…fucking much.”
I laughed softly, keeping my face turned toward his because I didn’t want to watch Doc. “Let’s see how well you handle this first, okay?” I felt his body stiffen and knew that Doc had begun. Maybe if I kept talking to Brody it would help keep his mind off what was going on. I knew that it would help me. “So what happened tonight? Bring your work home with you?” I joked.
His lips lifted slightly at the corners. “Something like that.” He jerked, and I felt his pain. “Jesus Christ!” he swore between his teeth.
“A religious assassin,” I teased softly, feeling my eyes burn as I fought back emotion that I couldn’t explain.
“You’ve heard the…rumors.” He didn’t bother to deny or confirm it.
“I know when to listen.”
He arched against the pain Doc was causing, and clenched his jaw so hard I expected to hear teeth breaking. Then he hissed out several breaths and went still. I sensed the change in him and knew that he was unconscious. His body had slackened beneath mine.
“Doc?”
“He’s just passed out, sweetheart. You can get off him.”
“Is he going to be okay?”
“If he doesn’t get an infection and he gives his body time to heal he should be. He’s a lucky bastard. I got the bullet out and the damage is minor.”
“Thank God,” I breathed with relief.
Doc glanced up from what he was doing long enough to give me a knowing smirk. “You and Savage, huh?”
“It’s not what you think.”