“Thank you both. How bad was it?”
“You took a bullet through your left triceps, but I was able to repair it.” Dr. Joyce glanced from Sin to Dakota. “I know I’m paidnotto ask questions, but I wish you two would find less dangerous career paths.”
“No can do, Doc,” Dakota replied. “Plus, you’re paid so damn much, I would think you’d be thrilled whenever I call.”
The surgeon just shook her head. “Sinclair, how are you feeling?”
“Like I want to return the favor to the SOB who did this to me.”
“Not the answer I was hoping for,” she replied.
“Why am I so fucking sore?” he growled.
Dakota held up the Kevlar vest. “Evangeline saved your sorry ass.” Two bullets had nearly penetrated it.
“Your back ribs are bruised, along with additional bruising at the base of your spine,” explained the doctor. “Had you not been wearing that vest, the outcome would have been very different.”
“Can I expect a full recovery?”
“Yes. I’ll write you a PT script for your triceps. You might feel groggy from the painkiller I added to your IV drip. I need you to stay put for the next twelve hours. After that, go easy, give yourself time to heal.”
Not happening.“How long do you babysit me?”
“I’ll be leaving in the next hour or so,” she replied.
“I get to hang out with you for another twelve,” said the nurse. “We don’t want an infection to set in.”
“What time is it?” Sin asked.
“Five thirty in the morning,” Dakota replied.
The nurse held out a cup with a straw and Sin sipped the cold liquid. “How ‘bout a whiskey?”
“Water only,” said Baker. “Get some sleep.”
“He’s allergic to sleep,” Dakota replied.
“Rest and fluids,” said the doctor before the medical team showed themselves out.
Sin didn’t give a fuck about rest and fluids. He wanted some damn answers. Was Monty behind the shooting? Where in the hell was that motherfucker? Where was Evangeline? Was she safe?
“Take me back to when I got hit,” Sin said to Jacoby.
“Anton took off as best he could in Georgetown traffic,” Jacoby began. “I called Dakota. We drove straight here.”
“I got here first,” Dakota explained. “Dr. Joyce arrived a few minutes after you did. As soon as Baker got here, they took you in to surgery.”
“I see,” Sin replied.
“You’ve been in and out for about an hour,” Dakota continued. “Groaning, growling, and mumbling. You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that? Sammy’s a better patient than you are.”
A brief smile lifted the corners of Sin’s mouth. “Where’s Evangeline?”
“At the hospital,” Jacoby replied. “I just got off the phone with Sanchez. We’re in agreement to say nothing to the team just yet.”
“Smart,” Sin replied. “Does Evangeline know?”
“No,” Dakota replied. “We needed you to wake the hell up first.”
