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I leaped from my seat and came to his side, grabbing his hand and being careful to avoid the IV. “Crow, I’m right here.” My hand moved to his chest, and I slowly lowered him back onto the bed.
“Button.” His hand grabbed mine, and he squeezed it before he locked his eyes on mine. It took him three full seconds to recognize me, to understand he was looking right into my face. His hand slowly released its grip, and he sighed under his breath. “I can’t tell if I’m dreaming.”
“The doctor said the anesthesia takes a little while to wear off, but you aren’t dreaming. This is real. I’m right here.” I interlocked our fingers and ran the fingers of my other hand through his hair. His right eye was still severely swollen, and I could barely make out his iris. His green eyes were dark, so they blended in with the purple discoloration and the irritated flesh.
The movements of his chest slowly returned to a normal pace, and he pulled me closer to him, his long arm moving around my waist as he positioned me. He turned his neck and pressed a kiss to my stomach before he rested his face there, right against my flat stomach.
My eyes watered and my chest ached. I could have lost my husband. This reality could have been completely different. He hardly said a word to me, but he showed his love for both of us with the sweetest touches. My finger stroked his hair, and I watched him close his eyes and lie there.
His lips moved against my shirt. “I can’t wait to meet you…”
Tears dripped down my cheeks, and I withheld the sniffles that burned in my nose.
Crow turned his face and looked up at me, seeing the emotion etched into every feature of my face. “I’m alright, Button. Give me a few days, and I’ll be back to new.”
“It’s gonna be more than a few days.” Cane walked to the other side of the bed and rested his hand on Crow’s shoulder.
Crow turned to him, a slight smile coming onto his lips. He was still slightly high, but with every minute, he was coming back to his regular self.
“At least a month,” he said. “But that’s what Lars is for.”
Lars joined Cane’s side and rested his hand on Crow’s. “I’m so glad you’re alright, Mr. Barsetti. Mrs. Barsetti and I were worried the entire time.”
“Lars, call me Crow. We’ve known each other long enough to use first names.”
Lars patted his hand. “I’ll allow myself the luxury just for today. But tomorrow, it’s back to Mr. Barsetti.”
Crow chuckled. “Sounds fair.” He turned back to Cane. “Everything go alright? How many did we lose?”
“Five,” Cane answered.
“How about Bran?” Crow asked.
“He’s fine. Got shot in the chest, but the vest protected him.”
“Good,” Crow said. “Bran is a good man. I’d miss him.”
I smiled down at Crow, loving the way he was more affectionate than usual. Most of the time, he was brooding and quiet, shutting off all his feelings and pretending he didn’t have any.
“He’s dead, right?” Crow asked next.
“Yeah,” Cane said. “I took care of it.”
“You’re certain?” Crow pressed.
“Yeah,” Cane said. “Shot him between the eyes twice. Dumped his body in a landfill.”
“Good,” Crow whispered. “That’s what he deserved.”
I ran my hand up and down Crow’s arm, massaging him so he wouldn’t get worked up over Tristan, someone who was officially gone. “The doctor said you’ll be here for a few days before they let you go.”
“I want to go home now.” Crow’s broodiness started to rise. He wanted his way at all times—even when a health professional disagreed with him. “I miss Lars’s cooking.”
Lars smiled. “You didn’t like the frozen lasagnas?”
“They were good,” he said. “But not as good as when they’re fresh. And I’m not eating hospital food…probably tastes like shit.”
Cane chuckled. “I like you better like this.”
“Strange,” Crow said. “I think I like you better too.”
Lars patted Cane on the back. “It’s nice to see the two of you getting along. A very rare sight.”
“I love my brother,” Crow said bluntly. “Not sure why I never say it…”
My eyes softened, and I turned to Cane.
Cane couldn’t hide the touched expression on his face. “I love you too, man. I’m glad you aren’t mad at me over this whole thing.”
“How can I be mad?” Crow said quietly. “We went to hell and back for my wife. I’d do the same for yours.”
Cane nodded, but he couldn’t hide his look of pain, obviously thinking about the fact that Adelina said she didn’t feel the same way.
Lars patted Cane on the shoulder. “Let’s give these two some privacy.”
Cane walked out with Lars, still wearing the sadness on his face.
Now that it was just the two of us, I pulled up a chair and took a seat at his bedside. My hand rested on his arm, and I treasured the feel of his warm skin. I traced the web of veins across the surface, remembering each one without even touching them.
