Page 77 of March 5

She nodded, hurrying beside Dio's nurse.

"Skye," yelled Dio, further down the corridor.

She walked faster, passing the nurse. "That's him."

"He's going to be a handful." The nurse laughed. "Go ahead. He's in Room 312."

She jogged past three rooms and found the door. Pushing it open, she slipped inside.

"Skye!"

She hurried to the bed, taking him all in. Shocked at his appearance, she couldn't open her mouth to say anything. The last time she'd seen him, she wasn't sure he was even alive.

Now, a white bandage covered his head. The hair that used to hang past his shoulders was gone and she suspected they shaved his head to treat the bullet wound. Half his face was colored yellow from the antiseptic used before surgery, and his leather vest was gone.

She dropped her gaze to his shoulder but couldn't see the damage under the white and blue gown. The change in him scared her. He looked vulnerable with his eyes closed as if lost to her.

"Princess?"

She took the two steps to his side, afraid of touching him and causing more pain. "I'm here. Right here by your side."

He blinked. She could see his vision adjusting as he went from a dream to reality.

"I'm..." He licked his dry lips. "Gonna spank your ass for risking your—" He groaned. "Life."

Tears fell. She wasn't sure how much he was aware of when they saved him at the marsh.

"You can do whatever you want to me. I'm just glad that you're alive." She sniffled. "You scared me."

"Didn't plan on this." He lifted his hand, but the IV tubing kept him from touching her. "Give me your hand."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"Give me. Your hand."

She slipped her hand in his and cried out in relief when he squeezed her hand tightly. His strength did more for her than the doctor's speech. "The doctor said you were going to be fine. You're going to have to rest and—"

"I only need you." He tugged her hand. "Come here."

"I'm as close as I can get." She leaned against the bed rail. "You're not supposed to move."

"Get up on the bed with me."

"I can't."

"Skye?" He let go of her and patted the bed. "Where's the fucking button for the nurse?"

She put it in his hand. "You need to calm down."

The alarm went off. The nurse hurried in, looking at him and assessing the situation.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Fanta?" She turned off the call button.

"Put the railing down and let her get in bed with me."

The nurse put her hand on his leg. "Oh, we can't—"

"She's my old lady. She either gets in my bed or I'll leave the fucking hospital." Dio grunted. "If you can't do it, get me someone who can."