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“I’m fine. I swear.”
“He has a hairline fracture in his arm and wrist. Also a couple of bruised ribs,” Jackson said, his voice barely more than a growl.
“I’m going to have James rotate you off the schedule for a week, give you some time to heal and recover.”
“No!”
“Wade, you need rest. Your body must heal. The kitchen will still be there and waiting for you when you’re healthy.”
“But Isabella was going to teach me some of her grilling techniques this week,” Wade argued, just shy of hitting a whining tone.
Hollis turned to the side, his lips pressed tightly together to hide his smile from Jackson and Wade. He wondered if Jackson knew what he was in for yet. Wade was just a younger version of Ian, and there was no way of getting Ian out of the kitchen unless Hollis appealed to his sexual appetite. Then again…maybe Jackson had figured that out.
Jackson leaned down and pressed a kiss to Wade’s temple. “I’ll talk to Andrei and Noah, see if they can work me out of the schedule for a week so I can stay home with you.”
“I don’t need a freaking nurse. I’m fine.” Wade had moved from whine to pout.
Jackson leaned down and whispered something in Wade’s ear that made his eyes go wide and his cheeks flush. Hollis couldn’t stop his snort, and even Ian was looking anywhere but at the couple. Yeah, Jackson had definitely figured out how to handle Wade and his cooking obsession.
“Fine. You can stay home with me,” Wade mumbled.
Ian patted his shoulder, and Hollis swore it looked like he was trying so damn hard not to laugh. “It looks like you’re in good hands. I’m going to see if I can find Sean. I’m glad you’re okay, Wade.”
“I am.”
“I heard them taking Sean to get a scan of his head. He probably won’t return for a while,” Jackson added.
“Ian, what’s going on?” Wade asked, stopping their departure. “The person who attacked us kept shouting at us to stay away from Rialto. If we came back, he was gonna kill us.”
Both Ian and Hollis were at his bedside again in an instant, shocked expressions on both their faces.
“He spoke to you?” Hollis asked, his voice low.
“Yes. Kept threatening both Sean and me.” He nodded at Hollis and then turned his attention back to Ian. “I’m not leaving. That asshole isn’t scaring me off.”
“Thank you, Wade.” Ian started to reach for his hand, but he was on the side of Wade’s injured hand, so he opted for his shoulder again. “I really appreciate it.”
“What’s going on? Is this linked to what’s been happening recently? With the raid and the bad reviews?”
Ian sighed. His gaze darted over to Hollis, and his heart broke a little bit for his lover. Ian didn’t fucking deserve this shit.
“I think it is.” He paused and licked his lips. “Someone recently attacked me at my house.” Wade gasped and Ian quickly held up a hand, stopping the barrage of questions that was undoubtedly coming. “I’m fine, I promise. I was knocked out, but Snow and Lucas found me a short time later.”
“Do you have any idea who’s doing this?” Jackson demanded. Hollis bristled at his tone, but he tamped down the urge to snap at the bodyguard. It wasn’t just Ian’s life that was in danger anymore. The attacks had now reached Ian’s employees.
“No. We’re following up some leads, and we’re getting help from Rowe’s triplets,” Ian said. Jackson nodded and seemed to relax a little more now that he knew Ward Security was involved.
“We need to tell Rowe about this,” Hollis said.
Ian shoved a hand through his hair, leaving it standing up in various directions, but he nodded. “Agreed. We need more security for the restaurant, both for the customers and the staff. I don’t want anyone to not feel safe at work.”
“I don’t think he’s going to have any problems getting volunteers,” Jackson said with a little smirk.
Ian’s brow furrowed. “Why do you say that?”
“Sven might have bragged about how well you kept him fed during the two times he worked as your bodyguard.”
Hollis chuckled and Ian’s shoulders shook a little with laughter. “Yes, whoever gets ‘stuck’ with Rialto guard duty will be fed,” Ian replied.
They stayed and chatted with Wade for a little while longer until a nurse finally came with Wade’s paperwork for his release. They’d given him a prescription for a mild painkiller and instructions to schedule a follow-up appointment with his regular doctor as well as an orthopedic doctor.
Ian and Hollis then found Sean, who’d been moved to a regular room for the night. He wasn’t at all happy about the situation, but he seemed clearheaded with some internal bruising like Wade.
Neither Wade nor Sean could give a good description of the attacker. Only that he was male, thin, and about the same height as Ian. They were just lucky that it didn’t appear to be one of Jagger’s old muscle who specialized in breaking bones. They also hadn’t talked to the cops yet, but Hollis was sure someone would be around to question both Sean and Wade. And to see Ian.
