I paused at the top of the stairs and took a deep breath, wiping at my eyes once again to ensure there was no sign of the few tears I had shed. I was sweaty from our workout and only dressed in cropped leggings and a sports bra, so I was hoping I could quickly check on Rafe, then go and get changed and compose myself a little better.
“Go and find him, beautiful. We’ll just shower and change, then we’ll check in with him too, okay?” Cal told me as he stopped at my side and kissed my temple.
“Okay,” I nodded.
“Ye gonna be alright?” Arran asked from where he had stopped just ahead of me.
“Yes, as long as you keep that promise to sleep beside me tonight,” I agreed.
“Wild horses couldnea keep me away.” He threw me a wink, then walked off towards the stairs.
“I’ll be in my room if you need me, or just text and I’ll come and find you, okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” I assured him. He leaned in to kiss my lips chastely, then he hurried off in the same direction as Arran.
For a long moment I just paused there, in awe of how much things had changed for me. I had gone from being alone for so long, to having three amazing men in my life, that I knew I was in love with. I also had my brother and Terza. I had a family that surrounded me with support and care. Yes, I had been through a lot of bad since I arrived there, and that would never be easily forgotten. But so much good had come of it too. I needed to ensure I always remembered the good too.
I only started to move again when I heard the echo of loud shouts coming from the kitchen. I speed walked down the hall and burst through the door, my concern increasing the closer I got and the surer I was that it was Rafe yelling.
“Fuck off, Dario! You can’t tell me a damn thing!” Rafe barked as I stepped in and looked around.
Rafe was stood in the kitchen, leaning heavily over the counter, his weight resting against his shaky arms. His chest was heaving, probably from him getting irate, and he looked way too pale. He was dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, which was a startling sight. I’d never seen him dressed that way. He was always usually in a suit, or at least trousers and a shirt, or very rarely in his sleep wear.
“What the hell, Rafe? Stop getting worked up!” I snapped as I crossed the kitchen to stand at his side.
“I was trying to get him to go up to bed, but the stubborn arsehole won’t listen,” Dio explained shortly, glaring at Rafe the whole time.
“I’m the boss here. I decide what I do and do not do!” Rafe ground out, but there was a definite gasp to the words, and he could barely catch his breath.
“Dio, grab him a seat please,” I asked.
“I don’t need a damn chair!”
“Do not snap at me like that, Rafe! You’re being an idiot. You can barely breathe!” I bit back. “Just stop talking and take deeper breaths.”
Dio brought a kitchen chair over and put it right behind Rafe. I placed my hand on my stubborn brother’s shoulder, pushing him back into it right away, and Dio stepped forward to help, much to Rafe’s annoyance, if the huffing he made was anything to go by. Still, he sat with a relieved sigh he failed to silence in time.
“Right,” I began as I jumped up to sit on the counter opposite my brother and crossed my arms over my chest. “Let’s get some things straight. We only agreed to you coming home on the proviso that you rested in bed until the doctor feels you’re up to more activity. That means you will get your arse up to your room and bloody well stay there.”
I had managed to argue Rafe in to spending one night under observation in the hospital, on the condition that if it went smoothly, he could return home the next day. Dio had been the one to suggest we bring in a private nurse to be with him for the first few days at home, at least. Dio had also arranged that a doctor would check in on Rafe once a day for the first week too. Money spoke, and if you had enough of it, it seemed you could even get the medical care you needed from the comfort of your own bed – if you were in the damned thing!
“I can’t do that. I have work to do, calls to make…”
I cut Rafe off, shaking my head with a deep sigh. “Not today. For the rest of the day today and tonight you are going to restand sleep. Just coming home has exhausted you. You still have to take it easy. Tomorrow, if you behave yourself, Dio can bring whatever you need to do, to you, in bed, where you will stay.” I stared him down, my gaze fixed and firm, daring him to argue.
“Behave myself?” he scoffed.
“Novel concept, isn’t it brother?” Dio chuckled.
“Please Rafe. I’m already terrified about you not being in the hospital. Please just take care of yourself and let us help. I’m so relieved to have you home, but you won’t be here long if you push too hard. You’ll end up back in the hospital,” I pleaded.
“You’re worrying way too much, sweetheart. There’s no need,” he sighed tiredly.
“She’ll worry a hell of a lot less if you stop throwing tantrums,” Dio pointed out.
“You are on my shit list!” Rafe hissed, pointing a finger at Dio with a glare.
“I may be worried if I wasn’t entirely sure I can outrun you right now.”
