She keeps a notepad on the bedside table that lists the time and which medication was given.
Once the sun comes up, Magnum finally falls into a deep sleep. Trying to get Vanessa to come down and have some breakfast with me leads to a quiet argument that makes me rethink Moretti’s approach to dealing with her.
She needs to take care of herself so she can take care of Magnum.
It’s that simple.
She’s not pleased as I scoop her out of bed and stride out of the pack bedroom, though she waits until we’re in the sitting room to struggle in my hold, likely to avoid waking him.
“I can’t leave him,” she hisses, smacking my shoulder. “I’m not even hungry.”
“You need to eat. That way you have the strength to look after him,” I say, tilting my face down to hers.
“Okay.” She nods, bringing her hand to run her fingers through my beard. “I’ll stay with him. You go down and bring us up a tray. That’s a good compromise.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “He’ll be fine for half an hour while we eat at the table like civilized human beings.”
If he ever came home last night, Moretti left again by the time we make it down for breakfast.
He doesn’t return by dinner. Vanessa is clearly concerned, and I agree. An update would be nice, but he isn’t answering my texts. That leads me to believe that Magnum found something important in Grigoryan’s office.
After dinner, the three of us head back to the pack bedroom, and Magnum gets his next dose of pain meds. He came down to eat with us, and although he’s hurting, he seems to be doing better.
Dr. Gonzalez mentioned it was good for him to get up and move around for short bursts of time.
Once we make it back to the pack bedroom, Magnum lingers near the edge of the bed. He sniff tests his armpit and frowns.
“Fuck. I’m ripe. God, I can’t believe you guys didn’t say anything,” he says, looking at me. “Would you mind swapping my bandage over to one of the waterproof ones? I need a shower.”
“I’m happy to.” I nod toward the hallway to the bathroom. “You want to do that now?”
“Wantmight be a stretch, but I need to,” he says, taking off.
Vanessa shoves herself off the bed.
She must be coming too.
Magnum’s wound looks good, at least from what I can tell. The waterproof dressing sticks in place without any trouble, and I nod toward the shower.
“You should be good,” I say, gathering up the trash. “Give me just a second, and I’ll get out of your way.”
“I’m probably not strong enough to actually catch him.” Vanessa huffs, planting her hands on her hips. “But either you stay in here to make sure he doesn’t slip and fall, or I will.”
“I’ll be fine,” Magnum assures her.
Vanessa’s lip wobbles, and her damn eyes somehow plead with me to stay without any extra words spilling from her lips.
Seeing her sweet-talk Moretti into letting her keep Magnum blew my mind. I couldn’t figure out what angle he was playing by not killing the former biker. At first, I assumed he wanted to use Magnum’s skills as a thief, but now I’m wondering if he’s just as whipped as I clearly am.
That fucking wobbly lip.
How could I ever tell her no to anything?
“Fine, but once he’s done, you’re taking a bath and actually relaxing,” I negotiate as I toss the used bandages.
“Okay,” Vanessa agrees. “But only once he’s settled into bed.” She spins around, heading toward the doorway. “I’m going to call my husband. He’s been gone all day, and I swear it’s giving me an ulcer. Why are all of you so opposed to staying in the nest twenty-four seven? At least it’s safe!”
I snort, shaking my head as the water in the shower turns on.
