I strip my shirt off and use a washcloth to clean as much of the blood away as I can. Then I begin to clean and pack the wound. The bullet went through and through. I’ve been shot before. I know what to do. The wound is packed tightly to stop the bleeding. The injury has been disinfected. The sting of it is still making my eyes water. I grab a roll of crisp white bandage and begin to wrap the upper arm. Around and around. If it does start bleeding again, I want there to be enough bandage to soak it up before anyone sees.
Timidly, I lift my arm and move it around. The bones aren’t broken. The muscles seem to be intact. Pain still shoots through me, but it could be a lot worse.
The bathroom looks like a gory mess. A crime scene. There is bloody clothing on the floor and pieces of blood-soaked gauze. I hurriedly collect it and shove it into the wastebasket. I’ll come in later and deal with that.
Five challenging minutes later, the floor is clean, and there is no more blood on the bright white tiles or in the basin.
And I am struggling with the pain.
I had thrown back four painkillers. Probably too many given their strength, but I can barely unclench my jaw, it’s hurting so much.
I need to go out there and have dinner with my family, and I can’t let on that I’ve been hurt.
Fuck.
I pull my phone from my pocket as I struggle to get my arm into a clean shirt. I quickly order the takeout the twins wanted, adding a few extra options for Selene and me to choose from. Glancing at my watch, I see it’s past six and past their dinner time, but I’ll make an excuse and apologize for forgetting to order during the day.
With my back straight to control my movement, I stick my head into the twins’ room. “Hello monsters,” I smile, leaning against the doorframe to hide half my body.
“Daddy!” Arron shouts, jumping up. I brace myself for his hug, then another from Solenne.
“Are you guys hungry?” I ask.
“They’ve been asking about you and dinner, in that order,” Selene says, keeping her distance, thankfully.
“Dinner should be here in five minutes. I’m sorry, I meant to order it sooner, and I got so caught up in work…”
“It’s okay. I’ll get them to wash up and get ready.”
I nod, smiling tightly, not daring to move in case it hurts, and it shows on my face. She has to squeeze past me in the doorway. I wait until they are out of sight before I let out a heavy breath.
When the delivery guy arrives, I have the guards bring the food up and place it on the dinner table because I can’t take the packets from him.
“Thanks,” I say.
He smiles, eyeing my shoulder. I can tell he wants to ask if I’m okay, but I shake my head the slightest movement, and thankfully, he catches it. The whole team knows I got shot. It’s only Selene and the twins that I am keeping it from.
When they come through to the dining room, I am already sitting, and I’ve dished up some food for myself, even though my stomach doesn’t like the idea of eating anything. It must be the painkillers.
Selene helps the twins and then dishes up for herself.
She keeps eyeing me with concern or nervousness.
I keep my head down and focus on the food.
After dinner, I stand up as carefully as I can. “Sorry, guys, I am exhausted from work today. I’m going to bed early.”
“But Mommy said you would read a story tonight,” Solenne grumbles.
Selene, reading my body language, shifts nervously. “No, sweetie, I got it wrong. It’s my turn. It’s Daddy’s turn tomorrow only.”
“Oh, okay. I guess that’s okay then,” Solenne says.
I smile tightly, then leave the room, barely able to walk normally. I need sleep so badly that I collapse right onto my bed and pass out before my head hits the pillow.
Chapter12 - Selene
I shouldn’t be upset that Simon has been so distant over the past three days. He’s hardly come out of his room and moves between there and the home office in silence. He has made excuses not to eat with us at night and goes to bed early.
